Yesterday, Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School Captains and Vice Captains joined over 2,000 young leaders from across NSW for an unforgettable day of inspiration and connection at the National Young Leaders Day.
A Day of Inspiration and Leadership
The event featured an incredible lineup of speakers, each sharing their journeys of resilience, determination, and leadership.
Catherine Laga’aia: Embracing Opportunities with Courage
Catherine Laga’aia, one of the world’s most recognised rising stars, took to the stage to share her story. As the lead in Disney’s upcoming live-action Moana, Catherine spoke about the power of saying “yes” to opportunities, even when they seem daunting. Her words resonated deeply with our students, who were inspired by her courage and perseverance.
Thomas Duncan-Watt: Learning from Failure to Achieve Success
Award-winning screenwriter and author Thomas Duncan-Watt captivated the audience with his keynote on how failure leads to success. As the creative force behind an Emmy-winning cartoon series and the Head Writer of Space Nova, Thomas shared personal experiences of setbacks that ultimately shaped his career. His message—“every master was once a disaster”—left a lasting impact on our students, with Ethan reflecting that this lesson was a standout moment of the day.
Emma McKeon: Lessons from Australia’s Greatest Olympian
The energy in the room shifted as Australian swimming legend Emma McKeon took the stage. With 11 Olympic medals and 20 Commonwealth Games medals, Emma is not only the greatest Australian swimmer of all time but also the most decorated Olympian in our country’s history. You could hear a pin drop as she shared the guiding pillars of her success, offering our young leaders valuable insights into discipline, perseverance, and hard work.
Anthony ‘Harries’ Carroll: Leadership Under Pressure
Finally, Anthony “Harries” Carroll, one of the world’s most recognised lifeguards and a star of Bondi Rescue, shared his experiences from over three decades of protecting beachgoers along the Australian coastline. More than just TV personalities, the Bondi lifeguards perform over 5,000 rescues each summer. Harries’ stories of bravery and resilience reminded students that leadership is about staying calm under pressure and stepping up when needed.
Reflections from Our Student Leaders
Reflecting on the event, Tilly shared that her biggest takeaway was from Catherine Laga’aia: “Never stop chasing your dreams—she is proof that anything is possible.” Meanwhile, Ethan was inspired by Thomas Duncan-Watt’s message that “every master was once a disaster,” reinforcing the idea that persistence and learning from failure are key to success.
Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders
The National Young Leaders Day left our student leaders feeling empowered and motivated to embrace opportunities, overcome challenges, and lead with confidence in their school and beyond.
A special thank you to Nikki R for chaperoning our students to the ICC. Your support and generosity of time make experiences like this possible for our young leaders.