D MINOR

Daniel 'D Minor' Harvey is an award-winning international recording and performing artist from Sydney whose original music has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. 

D Minor’s talent was evident at an early age when he began penning rap lyrics while growing up in a turbulent family life. At the age of 11, he found himself homeless with his twin brother, which became the inspiration for his first hit single Concrete Pillow. This song was written to help raise awareness for young homelessness and performed live on Australia’s Got Talent where he reached the Semi-Finals.

“What drew me to Stand Tall was their passion for young people and the message that no matter how many times you walk through a storm in life just stand tall and keep moving forward. What I want to achieve as an ambassador is to share my story and music in hope to inspire anyone going through some form of struggle.”

ANNA COCQUEREL

Anna Cocquerel recently completed her HSC, which for her is a remarkable achievement. Until the age of 9, she was unable to read and write.  She was eventually diagnosed with severe dyslexia and after a tough start in her early years, entered middle school with low-self-esteem and debilitating anxiety.  Anna also has scoliosis that forced her to wear a full-body brace under her school uniform which resulted in being bullied at school.  However, she realised that life’s challenges can make you stronger. While in senior school, she started acting and was cast to play the role of Coco Astoni for 3 years in Home and Away.

Anna wants to give hope to students struggling with learning difficulties, poor body image,  anxiety and bullying – giving them tools to overcome their challenges, and understand their own unique value.

‘I teamed up with Stand Tall because I want to help kids understand that their struggles can empower them and being different can be a super power, because when you see the world differently it can give you a whole new perspective”.

JOANY BADENHORST

Joany Badenhorst was co-captain of Australia’s 2018 Winter Paralympic Team, carrying the Flag for Australia at the Opening Ceremony. As Australia’s premier female Para-snowboarder, she won silver and bronze medals in three consecutive Women’s Para-snowboarding World Championships. Joany has a deep desire to beat all odds and achieve her dreams. 

Joany has been a wonderful addition to the Stand Tall team over the past few years, spending time helping to run Stand Tall Summer Camps for disadvantaged youth, speaking in schools, and at some of the Stand Tall large events. Joany was co-MC for the 2020 Stand Tall Together Live Stream Event which streamed Nationwide, MC’d the live stream in 2022, and co-MC’d all 3 events on our Regional Tour in 2022!

DEREK RABELO

Derek Rabelo is a world famous blind big-wave surfer and one of the most inspiring young sportsmen alive today.

Derek stunned the world when he became the first blind person to successfully ride the life-threatening monster waves at Pipeline in Hawaii. He went on to surf some of the largest waves in the world including Nazare. ‘If I can do all this and I am blind, what can you achieve?’.

Derek has been a great part of the Stand Tall team for many years now and never fails to inspire those who hear him speak. His inspiring life has been documented both in the film ‘Beyond Sight’ and biography ‘Beyond these eyes’. He is constantly pursuing new dreams and overcoming all obstacles.

WILL KEMP

Will first came to Stand Tall in 2017 as student and enjoyed the event so much he ended up on his friend’s shoulders! The iconic photo (pictured on the train) was an integral part of the Stand Tall Express trains in 2018 and 2019, which bring students to the event.

In 2020, he joined as one of the Student Ambassadors and was heavily involved in raising funds at Bunnings Warehouse to bring rural students to Stand Tall Sydney.