NSW Australian of the Year School Students' Forum
2024 NSW Australian of the Year Awards recipients and alumni paid a visit to the University of Wollongong to share their inspirational stories with high school students.
The NSW Australian of the Year School Students' Forum was held on Friday, 28 June in front of an audience of invited high school students from the Sydney, Wollongong and South Coast regions.
The event was a wonderful opportunity for young people to meet, listen to and be inspired by high-achieving Australians from across the state.
The recipients who took part were the 2024 Australians of the Year Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO, 2024 NSW Local Hero Angus Olsen and 2018 NSW Young Australian of the Year finalist, Joel Pilgrim.
Find out more about these incredible Australians further below on this page.
The Australian of the Year Awards are managed by the National Australia Day Council (NADC).
Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO
2024 Australian of the Year
Professor Georgina Long and Professor Richard Scolyer’s enduring partnership has saved thousands of lives from melanoma, known as Australia's national cancer.
Less than a decade ago, advanced melanoma was fatal – but thanks to Georgina and Richard’s immunotherapy approach, which activates a patient’s own immune system, it has become a curable disease.
The co-medical directors of Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) are internationally sought-after media commentators, researchers and advocates for sun-safe behaviour and cancer and melanoma prevention.
In June 2023, when Richard was diagnosed with incurable grade 4 brain cancer, he and Georgina developed a series of world-first treatments based on their melanoma breakthroughs.
Richard became the world’s first brain cancer patient to have pre-surgery combination immunotherapy. By undertaking an experimental treatment with risk of shortening his life, he has advanced the understanding of brain cancer and is benefiting future patients.
Richard has generated widespread public interest and following by publicly documenting his own cancer treatment and progress .
Angus Olsen
2024 NSW Local Hero
Angus Olsen is a childhood cancer illustrator and author and is the 2024 NSW Local Hero.
The former Disney artist was recognised at the NSW Australian of the Year Awards for his drawings which aim to help sick children understand their treatment.
Angus began drawing when his daughter, Jane, underwent her own cancer journey and he has since created 20+ books in 24 languages, bridging a gap in children's cancer literature. Angus has also made comics comparing lockdown to the challenges children with cancer face.
Angus collaborates with charities for research and offers his illustrations for free on his website and social media. He resides in the Blue Mountains, drawing at his café between serving customers.
Joel Pilgrim
Finalist - 2018 NSW Young Australian of the Year
Joel Pilgrim is a leading mental health advocate and innovator. As founder and CEO of the Waves of Wellness Foundation, he pioneers surf and saltwater therapy, running over 400 programs and impacting 4000+ people across four states.
An occupational therapist with expertise in early psychosis, Joel is a seasoned keynote speaker and MC, presenting on mental health and adventure therapy.
A surfer of 20+ years, he champions nature's healing power. Joel was a finalist for the 2018 NSW Young Australian of the Year, is an Australia Day Ambassador, and a founding member of the International Surf Therapy Organisation.
He authored the children's book Stand Up Stand Out to promote mental health awareness.
