“Michael Crossland is an extraordinary young man who has defied the odds of a life threatening cancer to build a life of exceptional achievements. An accomplished businessman and an elite sportsman, his life is a remarkable success.”
“Em Carey was an ordinary girl trying to experience life to her fullest when she became part of a horrific freak accident which left her completely paralysed from the waist down. Her inspiring story not only demonstrates overcoming adversity, but shows a journey of being thankful and valuing the life you have, not being intimidated or ashamed of your body and who you are, accepting every person for who they are and showing you how to fight for your dreams.”
“In 2006 Sam’s life changed forever when he was involved in a major car accident which left him with an amputated right arm and permanent disability in his right leg. Sam went on to become one of the worlds most in demand global professional speakers. In 2013 Sam became an entrepreneur and built his training company which now runs events globally teaching how to master communication for influence.”
“The remarkable story of Tony Hoang is the subject of a powerful and confronting 2012 SBS documentary “Once Upon a Time in Cabramatta”.
The young Tony, son of Vietnamese refugees, grew up in poverty in the then drug capital of Australia, Cabramatta. Like many refugees from the Vietnam War, Tony’s parents’ hopes of a safe new home for their families were crushed by the heroin culture that overtook the lives of their children.”
“Beaver Fleming is a 24 Year Old Professional Skateboarder, world traveler, speaker, influencer,
and self declared Life Liver.”
Daniel 'D Minor' Harvey is an award-winning 24-year-old international recording and performing artist from Sydney Australia 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, where he tells of sleeping next to bakeries for warmth and shuffling between foster homes and refuges.
Our beautiful Paralympian Ambassador, Joany Badenhorst!
Joany has been a wonderful addition to our Stand Tall team over the past few years. From helping to run our Stand Tall Summer Camps for disadvantaged youth to public speaking opportunities within schools across the state, and speaking at some of our large events!
Born with glaucoma, Rabelo grew up in Brazil's coastal city of Guarapari with a surf-mad father and two uncles who were professional surfers. His blindness, he said, was never considered a barrier to the ocean. But it wasn't until a present of a surfboard from his father on his 17th birthday that Derek tried riding his first waves. Just five years later, he became a professional surfer travelling the world's most famous surf breaks, often with his coach Magno Passos. Today, Derek inspires young people to push through their adversities to reach their dreams.
“Stand Tall Ambassador Anna Cocquerel to speak at our 2020 event about overcoming dyslexia, bullying and anxiety…”
The remarkable story of Tony Hoang is the subject of a powerful and confronting 2012 SBS documentary “Once Upon a Time in Cabramatta”.
The young Tony, son of Vietnamese refugees, grew up in poverty in the then drug capital of Australia, Cabramatta. Like many refugees from the Vietnam War, Tony’s parents’ hopes of a safe new home for their families were crushed by the heroin culture that overtook the lives of their children.
Sami made the switch from Alpine Skiing to Ski Cross in 2008 – progressing through the international events until 2011 when she made her first top-ten in a World Cup and in the same year married Australian Cross Country skiing athlete and 2010 Olympian - Ben Sim.
Eddie is a two-time world skateboard champion and named Skateboarder of the year in 1979 & 1980. Inventing and perfecting several vert tricks throughout the years including the "Elguerial" and the "Frontside Rock-n-Roll", Eddie helped advance and inspire the next generation of skaters that became household names including Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, and Christian Hosoi.
He brings a message of positivity, courage, self-belief and Standing Tall against the negative pressures that surround young people.
Brett Murray is the founder of Make Bullying History Foundation and is passionate about spreading the anti-Bullying message globally. He has authored several bookstore young people including 'I Dare Ya!', 'Give yourself permission to fly!' and ' Make Bullying History'.
Aminata Conteh-Biger is the Founder and Ceo of The Aminata Maternal Foundation whose vision is to improve conditions for women in Sierra Leone to birth and raise their children. The organisation was founded to lift the health and well-being of women and children and improve some of the worst maternal and infant mortality rates in the world.
Poppy Starr is an Australian skateboard prodigy, artist, and entrepreneur, and has become a popular motivational speaker after her 2014 TedX talk, "The Blurred Lines of Art & Skateboarding." She took 9th as an X Games rookie in 2016, and admits she was a bit starstruck to be competing against some of her favorite skaters. She's fared better in the year since, taking wins at three big contests back home that helped put her on the radar of the fledgling Australian Olympic team, which is preparing for skateboarding's debut at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games.
Andrew John Edmondson OAM is an Australian wheelchair rugby player. He won a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics as a member of the Australian Steelers.
Andrew was born and grew up in Sydney as a very active healthy young person with a huge passion for sports and a dream to one day play rugby for Australia. He was just 13 years old when he dived into Coogee Beach hitting a sandbar and shattering the C5 and C6 vertebras in his spine before being told that he would be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
Talitha is a passionate mental health advocate; a member of the HIMS Australia Advisory Group and the 'Everymind' initiative; encouraging the responsible reporting of mental illness and suicide. Talitha's a proud ambassador for the charity 'Hello Sunday Morning', a program which creates awareness around alcohol dependence. She gave up alcohol FIVE years ago and shared her story on the ABC's Australian Story.
Emma is a popular Sydney radio host, recording artist, actor and event MC, and has both MC’d and been a speaker at numerous womens, youth, and awareness and fundraising events for women and children. Her inspiring story of overcoming abuse as a child and now living a successful life with a beautiful young family makes her a popular speaker at women’s events around Australia.
