Lismore High School students Katie Johnson, Julian Thompson, Jillara Ackrell, and Harrison Ackrell were all inspired today by the words of motivational speaker Nathan Parker.

They joined other students and parents in the Lismore Workers Club for an annual school leaders event organised by MP Kevin Hogan – and they took away with them a newfound courage and resilience.

Read more youth week news: Skate the half pipe, paste up art and hear hip hop in the Quad now

Lismore High School: Katie Johnson, School Captain Julian Thompson, Jillara Ackrell, School Vice Captain Harrison Ackrell.



Nathan's advice that you can do anything and don't let anything stop you, was taken to heart by the 300 people listening.

Nathan was injured on the way to his dream job of being a fighter pilot. This resulted in him having his left hand amputated.

Despite these injuries, the Lismore local continued to pursue his dreams of being a pilot and was named NSW Young Australian of the Year 2021. Read more: SUNDAY PROFILE: Losing a hand won't stop Nathan Parker flying

“Listening to Nathan was inspirational,” Katie said. “Especially after his accident - we learned about resilience and that when major problems happen, we can bounce back.”

Nathan Parker, Kevin Hogan and local students.

Lismore High School vice captain and year 12 student Harrison Ackrell said after listening to Nathan, he was ready to continue to pursue his goals, despite the massive step-back Covid made him take last year.

“Even if we are behind now, we just need to take a different step to reach the same goal,” he said.

When it comes to being a good leader, Lismore High School captain Julian Thompson said it was an extra responsibility taking on a leadership role.

“You do have to be a good role model for the younger students and speak at events - so there is an extra layer of responsibility,” he said. “After watching Nathan, I aspire to develop my speaking skills further.”

When Nathan talked about failure and how it is an important way to learn, all of the students agreed that “stuff ups” will just become a way for them to learn to do better and be resilient.

“Now we can put Nathan’s advice into practice and show people how to keep going,” Katie said.

Kadina High School School Captain and Vice Captain - Ben Crossthwaite and Matthew Gregory.

Kadina High School

Kadina High School captain Ben Crossthwaite said he learned from Nathan how important it is to recognise and utilise the skills of others.

“I learned how peers can help us be leaders and we can work together with our skills – taking everyone’s abilities into account,” Ben said.

Year 12 student and Kadina High School vice captain Matthew said he loves listening to motivational speakers.

“I went to a school camp recently and heard a Himalayan mountain climber give a motivational talk and I was very inspired,” he said.

“It really showed me the perspectives of different people and how they adapt to changes in their lives.

“It’s about not focussing on the past, but on what’s happening now and how you can change it now.”

MP Hogan said it was great to have Nathan talk to the students and their parents.

“There are three hundred stories out there – and we don’t know what each of those people have gone through,” Mr Hogan said.

“Today, we are acknowledging the schools’ elected leaders and hope to inspire them and help them to keep going.”

Guest speaker Nathan Parker said in the wake of Covid, and even without it -there’s always a need to help people develop resilience for mental health.

“There’s a lot of people out there who are in situations they never expected themselves to be in,” he said.

“Resilience is always needed and as Australians we need to look after one another and our mates.

"Everyone faces their challenges and hopefully we can all get through them.”