Tales to inspire high school students

Aug 18, 2005

An ex lead ballet dancer who rose from extreme poverty to great success and a young and successful business woman turned life coach will share their stories of inspiration to an audience of high school students at INSPIRE- A Morning of Motivation.

INPIRE will be held at the University Hall, University of Wollongong, on Friday 19 August.

About 300 Year 11 and 12 students and careers advisers from 44 high schools in the Illawarra and Sutherland Shire will hear inspiring presentations from two outstanding role models. The event is designed to show high school students what people have achieved by daring to follow their dreams, and to inspire them to achieve their own dreams.

The speakers are:

LI CUNXIN - Li was born into extreme poverty during Mao's Cultural Revolution and experienced bitter hunger as a normal way of life until he was drafted into the Beijing Ballet and taken from his family at age 11. At age 18, he was given a scholarship at America's Houston Ballet Academy and after adapting to the cultural differences, became their lead dancer. In 1995, he moved to Australia as a lead dancer with the Australian Ballet. Li's story, 'Mao's Last Dancer' is one of hardship, pain, and suffering; of dreams shattered and revitalised; and of overcoming the greatest obstacles to achieve greatness.

RACHAEL PICKWORTH - at the age of 22, Rachael developed 'Gifted', a fresh alternative to the conventional gift hamper market. The business grew rapidly and its success led to 'Gifted' being a finalist in the 1999 Telstra Small Business Awards. It was sold soon after to wishlist.com.au in 2000. Rachael has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards including the 2000 Business Bulletin's Entrepreneur of the Year. Rachael is now a certified Life Coach. She works with companies and individuals to assist in developing goals and achieving them.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES: Media representatives are welcome to attend INSPIRE - A Morning of Motivation. It starts at 9.10am and continues until 12.25pm. Li will be speaking at 9.25am, and Rachael at 11am. There is no designated photo and interview sessions but guests will be having morning tea in the University Hall foyer from 10.30am-11am.

For further information contact Kelly Salmon on 4221 3980, Deb Neich on 4221 5732 or Michelle Stojanovski on 4221 4760.

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128