Theme: Redefine

In a stagnated world governed by conventions, constraints and conformity, we find ourselves positioned within circular narratives of biased realities. Misidentification and categorisation. Social and cultural normativity. Experiences that trap us in what we know, and dangerous stories that confirm, rather than challenge, our truths.

This was a narrow world. Tunnel-visioned in its function. So, for the sake of progress, we need to question. We need to broaden.
We need to Redefine.

TEDxYouth@SBHS is a call to Redefine. A call that seeks to break the shackles of tired, restricting perceptions. One that yearns for creativity. For innovation. For better solutions and answers.

Each speaker we have invited, along with their experiences in the adversity of limiting conventions, is a testament to the importance of this answering this call. Each are challengers. Each rebuke the old. And each are here to inspire.

The Great Hall
556 Cleveland St
Moore Park, New South Wales, 2021
Australia

Evan Wong

CEO of Checkbox and Hero Education

Five years after graduating from UNSW, Evan founded not one, but two of his own companies - Checkbox and Hero Education. Hero Education is an award-winning tuition firm that has mentored 1000+ high school students. Checkbox is a one billion dollar startup in the making, a company which now Evan works on full time. For these innovations, Evan was also awarded “Forbes 30 under 30” for the Enterprise Technology category. He is a true entrepreneur at heart and in practice.

Georgina Wood

PhD Candidate in Marine Ecology and Restoration Science

Georgina Wood is a scientist who’s currently finishing her PhD in marine biology. She developed an affinity for scuba diving and the ocean when growing up on the Northern Beaches. Since returning from her studying and diving abroad, Georgina has excelled in her field of study. At UNSW last year, she won 1st Prize at the Postgraduate Research Competition and 2nd Place at the 3-Minute Thesis Competition. She is currently redefining the way scientists approach global warming by manually introducing native seaweed species to local Sydney beaches.

Jacinda Barclay Sudan Somasundaram

Professional Athlete and Youth Mentor

Sudan Somasundaram is the founder and core senior staff of Dark Myth, an organisation dedicated to mentoring youth. Over his career, he has overlooking the mentoring of over 50,000 youth, a dedication to impactful change like no other. He did so in many capacities; a guardian, teacher, coach, mentor, and expert advisor. He has also won the very prestigious "Pride of Australia" medal recognising his commitment to the broader community. Jacinda Barclay is an Australian sportswoman who has played baseball, Australian football, and American football at high professional levels. She has represented the Australian national team in five Women's Baseball World Cups, and played professional football for the Chicago Bliss and AFL for the Greater Western Sydney region. She has been dubbed the ‘Sonny Bill Williams’ of women’s sport and even placed as the most successful multi-sport female athlete in Australia!

Leila Smith

Deputy CEO at Aurora Education Foundation

Leila is a Wiradjuri woman, whose family is from Erambie Mission outside Cowra in central New South Wales. Raised in Canberra, Leila holds a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University and a Masters of Public Policy from the University of Cambridge. She is the Deputy CEO of the Aurora Education Foundation. Leila will share her ideas on how we can redefine what success looks like in Indigenous education by broadening our awareness of significant recent developments in Indigenous achievement. Her talk will cover exceptional trailblazers and how they cleared the way for the emerging generation of Indigenous students at world leading universities - who are walking a path where few have travelled before. This will inspire others to change the conversation of what is possible for Indigenous students today and raise-the-bar on expectations from schools, universities, corporates and Australia more broadly.

Marty Janssen

Ministry of Health

Marty has specialised in sexual health for over 20 years as the program manager in the NSW STI Programs Unit. His social work background informs his focus of being strengths-based, sex-positive and empowering. As a result, Marty has pioneered several programs, such as the festival-targeted “Caddy Shack” initiative, which promotes awareness of sexual health among young Australians.

Matthew Johnstone

Author, Illustrator and Mental Health Advocate

Matthew is a passionate mental health and wellbeing advocate. He is a well-seasoned keynote speaker who has delivered talks all over Australia and the world. He addressed 87 countries at the World Health Organisation in Geneva. He has written, illustrated, and photographed nine books, six of which have been local and international bestsellers. Whether it’s a keynote, a workshop or a breakout session, Matthew is happiest when he is inspiring others.

Rachael Short

Rachael is a Science/Law student at UNSW.

Thomas Kaldor

Head of Legal Transformation at LegalVision

Thomas Kaldor is the Head of Legal Transformations at the fastest growing law firm in the Asia Pacific. Thomas joined Legal Vision after spending a year as an Associate to Justice Kiefel (now Chief Justice) at the High Court of Australia, the peak court in Australia’s judicial hierarchy. Before that, Thomas was a lawyer at one of Australia’s top corporate law firms, and a researcher at the Supreme Court of NSW. Thomas is a lawyer working at the leading edge of a rapidly-changing legal industry.