CATHY FREEMANJessica GaleaVCAL 2014- Inspirational Australian

PERSONAL INFORMATION

• Born: February 16th, 1973• Nationality: Australian• Education: Kooralbyn International School, University of Melbourne• Awards: Arthur Ashe Courage Award, Laureus World Sports Award for

sportswoman of the year, Memorable Performance of the year ESPY Award.

• Birth place: Slade Point, Mackay, Queensland• First language: English

CATHY’S FAMOUS QUOTE• "I want to be a positive role model, especially for kids and Aboriginal

people... When people see me, often all they see is another Australian athlete having a go. It isn't until they see the full Cathy Freeman picture that they realize how proud I am of my ancestry and heritage. I'd like a little more tolerance and acceptance of my culture and all the differing cultures that make up Australia."

WHAT MADE HER SO INSPIRATIONAL?

• Cathy Freeman is an Australia-based athlete who has won several titles in

200m, 400m and 400m relay races. Cathy Freeman appeared on to the athletic scenario after winning the race in 1996 Olympic Games. Cathy Freeman is regarded as a role model for all Aboriginal people as she is the first Aboriginal Australian to receive international acclaim.

• At this event, Cathy Freeman stirred a huge controversy when she waved the Australian flag along with the Aboriginal flag during her victory lap. She was criticized by the Australian team’s manager for her action and was instructed not to repeat this kind of action. However, after her second victory she again carried both the flags in a defiant way

CATHY’S FOUNDATION

• The foundation was established by Olympic champion, Cathy Freeman, to give Australian Indigenous children a brighter future through education.

• Cathy created the Foundation in 2007, fuelled by her belief that all children deserve the opportunity to learn, experience life, explore their talents and fulfil their dreams.

• Underpinning the work of the Foundation is the desire to bridge to education gap between indigenous and non- indigenous children, ensuring they al share a strong sense of self-belief and access to opportunities in life.

• The Foundation believes in a holistic approach to improving the educational outcomes of children on Palm Island and, since 2007, has worked in partnership with the community, the Palm Island Community Council Group (PICCG), council, elders, schools, parents and carer's to achieve this.

• A recent Australian Bureau of Statistics Report (The Health and Welfare of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, 2005) emphasized a close and causal relation between Aboriginal education, employment, and health, suggesting that education is a vital point of intervention.

• The targeted focus the Foundation has on the educational needs of Palm Island together with its deep involvement in the community is proving to be the ideal combination for much needed transformational and generational change on the island.

BIBLIOGRAPHY• www.google.com/images• http://

www.google.com.au/search?q=cathy+freeman&safe=active&source• http://

www.cathyfreemanfoundation.org.au/index.php/about-us/who-we-are