Ben Johnston
R U OK? Ambassador and Indigenous Education Manager
Ben Johnston is the Canberra Royals Rugby Union Club Captain and an R U OK? Day Ambassador. In his journey to play professional football, Ben has met success and setbacks, confronting metal health issues and venturing down roads he never thought he would. Currently work- ing for Indigenous Education Programs, Ben is commit- ted to improving the rate of Indigenous students attend- ing University. His background in sportsmanship, youth work and mental health awareness has led him to be a prominent figure in the ACT sporting community.
Health Professional - Drew's Daily Dose
Drew Harrisburg is the creator of Drew’s Daily Dose, in his own words, “much more than a website...a home that inspires, empowers and enables people with diabetes to thrive, rather than simply live with it”. His background as a health professional and his own personal triumph with managing diabetes has ignited a passion within him to share his knowledge. Through the revolutionary ‘5-pillar approach’, Harrisberg encourages people to take control of their health, so that like him, they can live a fuller, happier and healthier life.
Founder and Director of the SanFilipo Children's Foundation
Megan Donnell is the founder and Executive Director of the Sanfilippo Children’s Foundation and for her, it's personal. Her two children, Isla and Jude, both suffer from the rare and fatal genetic childhood disease, Sanfilippo Syndrome. Since inception in 2013, the Foundation has committed almost $6.5m funding into 20+ medical research initiatives to address this disorder including bring-ing a pioneering gene therapy clinical trial to Australia.
Nas Campanella
Radio Journalist
Anyone who has listened to Triple J will be familiar with the authoritative tones of newsreader Nas Campanella. What few people will be aware of, however, is that Campanella is not only blind but has a sensitivity condition called Char- cot-Marie-Tooth which prevents her from being able to read Braille. Despite this, Campanella has never let her dis- ability get in the way of her determination to be a journalist and newsreader. Nas has also worked as a mentor to people with disabilities and mental illness and has helped facilitate the launch of a disability awareness training pro- gram for the United Nations.