3 Aussie game changers pushing boundaries to inspire others
Meet the Aussie game changers who’ve shown how dreaming big has the potential to shape a better future for everyone.
Imagine if Marie Curie, Isaac Newton or Nikola Tesla hadn’t been born.
So much of what we take for granted in our modern-day lives would be different.
Every generation has its visionaries, pioneers who put it all on the line for what they believe in.
Here, we catch up with three extraordinary Australians who are fearlessly pushing the boundaries, and refuse to let barriers slow them down.
Each is making positive change in the world in their own way, and inspiring others along the way.
Katherine Bennell-Pegg, astronaut in training
When Katherine Bennell-Pegg was growing up on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, her face was always turned towards the sky.
“I don’t remember the exact date I became fascinated by space, but I was always looking up as a kid, whether we were camping or at the park,” Katherine says.
“When I realised the stars weren’t just pretty, twinkling lights but whole planets and worlds, I had a childhood desire to explore, (and) I thought being an astronaut was a way I could do that.”
Earlier this year, the space engineer’s dreams became a reality.
Creating history
After years of hard work, rigorous physical training and incredible perseverance, Katherine was one of only 25 people from 22,500 around the globe to be chosen for training as an astronaut by the European Space Agency.
For the 38-year-old, it meant creating history – the first Australian woman to be trained as an astronaut by an international space agency – and a move to Germany with her family.
Her training, which started in April and takes 13 months, is a mix of classroom, lab and gym, with topics such as space walking, robotics, fluid science, and more.
“I’m still pinching myself,” Katherine says.
“As well as all the science and theory, there’s rigorous physical training – you need a lot of fitness to go to space, as your muscles, bones and cardio health all become massively degraded in microgravity.
“In space walks, you’re manoeuvring multi-tonne equipment, which takes strength, even in a weightless environment.”
Inspiring young women
As well as pushing her own boundaries, Katherine is passionate about helping others, particularly young women, navigate STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) careers.
A director of space technology at the Australian Space Agency (she remains an employee while she completes her training), Katherine says Australia didn’t even have a space agency when she was growing up.
“These days the global space industry is thriving, but women who are astronauts are still in the minority, so I’m excited to use this opportunity to inspire others,” she says.
With her sights firmly set on heading to the moon one day, Katherine has this advice for others:
“Dream audaciously and ferociously, but understand nothing’s given to you on a plate,” she says.
“Think about what you want to contribute and the problems you want to solve, and go your own way – there’s not always a role model to follow.”
Nedd Brockmann, homelessness fundraiser
“Get comfortable being uncomfortable” is Nedd Brockmann’s mantra in life.
And while he’s only 24, it’s a maxim the sparky from Central West NSW has put to the test in the boldest of ways.
Last year, the then 23-year-old with a legendary blond mullet became the fastest-ever Australian to run across the country, and the second-fastest in the world, raising more than $2 million for homelessness as well.
His incredible journey, from Perth’s Cottesloe Beach to Bondi Beach in Sydney, saw him cover around 80km a day across almost 4000km.
And it captured the hearts of thousands of Australians who followed his heroic quest via daily Instagram updates, falling in love with his cheeky humour and tenacious resolve.
Reasons for running
“The world we live in is so comfortable – everything comes pretty easily – so I started doing marathons as a way to push myself and better myself,” Nedd explains.
“I thought the more you have to work for something, the more it’s worth.”
In 2020 the tradie, one of three kids to parents Ian and Kylie, got his first taste of running, completing 50 marathons in 50 days and raising more than $100,000 for the Red Cross.
“Then I decided I really wanted to do something about homelessness,” Nedd says.
“When you see people who have no job and no family, no one to fall back on, it’s heartbreaking.”
Raising awareness of homelessness
What better way to raise awareness, Nedd thought, than crossing the continent for homelessness charity Mobilise.
Running for about 10 hours each day, he suffered hurdles that would sideline most, including severe tendonitis in his shin muscle that saw him unable to lift his ankle, and blisters so full of pus he had maggots in his toes.
While he fell short of the 43-day record, on day 46 Nedd ran into Bondi to the applause of thousands of fans.
“I knew putting my body through that was going to make some noise, but the amount of support I had and the money we raised was mind-blowing,” he says.
In his bid to keep changing the world, one step at a time, Nedd has written a book, Showing Up, that he hopes will “inspire, motivate, make people laugh, lift the human spirit and give everyone the tools to believe and back themselves”.
Showing Up is available from neddbrockmann.com, with $15 from every purchase going to Mobilise.
Dr Nicole Seebacher, cancer researcher
From her early days as a molecular biology and genetics student at the University of Sydney, Dr Nicole Seebacher has been passionate about making a difference.
The medical scientist committed to researching the most challenging cancers, including melanoma, after a friend died of the disease.
“I think we’ve all had that personal experience with cancer,” Dr Seebacher says.
“I’ve had multiple family members with it and when I first began in research, my co-worker and friend died of melanoma – he was only 21.
“It was devastating to see someone so young die of a disease that really should be preventable by now.”
Making a contribution
Since deciding to dedicate her life to assisting cancer patients, the groundbreaking investigator, now 34, has researched new cancer treatments.
Dr Seebacher’s perseverance and passion have contributed to ongoing clinical trials of a new drug for advanced cancer patients.
She has also received numerous awards, including being recognised as a finalist for the 2019 NSW Young Australian of the Year and featuring on the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
Dr Seebacher says it was her early university days that provided the first taste of research, lighting a fire that has continued to grow.
“For the first time, I felt like I might be able to contribute something to the world,” Dr Seebacher recalls.
“The degree was cancer-focused, and really encouraged curiosity and discussion in a way I hadn’t experienced before.”
Putting research into practice
“With research, you get to come up with an idea that no one else has, that has some kind of benefit to the world; and 99 per cent of the time, you don’t get the outcome you want,” Dr Seebacher says.
“But one per cent of the time, when it all comes together, it gives you a feeling like nothing else in the world; it’s absolutely incredible.”
Dr Seebacher is now also a second-year registrar with the Australasian College of Dermatologists, working at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital.
“That’s the translational side of things, where I get to use research on patients and see the benefits, so that I can get involved in bigger clinical trials of melanoma therapies,” she says.
“The immunotherapy agents we’ll see in the next few years are incredible.
“You can literally see cancer melt away – it’s the coolest thing.”
More Australians to inspire you:
- NRL superstars join forces to build mental fitness
- How a joint passion for women’s health is helping Australian girls
- All Blacks legend Dan Carter on living life with purpose
- Girl power: The AFLW stars smashing through barriers
Image credits: Nedd Brockmann photo by Bradley Farley; Katherine Bennell-Pegg photo by European Space Agency; Dr Nicole Seebacher photo by University of Sydney/Stefanie Zingsheim.
Written by Liz McGrath.
