World champion gymnast Simone Biles, ultra-marathon star Nedd Brockmann and top names from Australia’s property industry came together in Sydney this week to share stories about beating the odds while shining a spotlight on helping those in need.
About 1,500 property professionals descended on the Ready25 conference in Sydney on Thursday to see big names such as Ms Biles, who was in Australia for the first time.
Other big names headlining the event included Australian Olympic gold medalists Cathy Freeman, Saya Sakakibara and Giaan Rooney, as well as acclaimed authors Johann Hari and Rohit Bhargava.
Ms Biles spoke about the highs and lows of her journey to becoming a three-time Olympian and the most decorated gymnast in US history, with 30 World Championship medals, and 11 Olympic medals, seven of which are gold.
She said she was still weighing up whether to try and compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
“I haven't decided yet, I'm still taking time off mentally and physically before I decide anything,” she said.
“If I'm not on the floor, I definitely will be in and around it, and you guys will see me in LA, but to what capacity I’m not sure. But I'd love to be involved as much as possible."
Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast in US history. Picture: Supplied
Despite her achievements on the world stage, Ms Biles said she hoped to be remembered for her work helping vulnerable young people find a place to call home.
Ms Biles volunteers as an ambassador for US foster care charity Friends of the Children, an issue close to her heart after she and her siblings spent years in foster care before being adopted by their grandparents and other relatives.
“I hope I’m known for the work in foster care with foster kids, because that is very near and dear to my heart,” she said.
“I think that's really special, so hopefully that's the legacy that I leave.”
Australian Olympic champion Cathy Freeman spoke about her athletic career and work broadening opportunities for First Nations children. Picture: Supplied
As one of Australia’s most celebrated athletes, Cathy Freeman reflected on her athletic career and its impact on her work to broaden opportunities for First Nations children.
Ms Freeman is an Olympic gold and silver medalist, two-time world champion and four-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist.
After retiring in 2003, Ms Freeman focused on supporting First Nations children in their homes, in their neighbourhoods and in their school environments.
“I'm always interested in unforeseen potential and young people,” she said.
Australian BMX racer Saya Sakakibara won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Picture: Supplied
“It's the future, and I think we all should invest in young people, it's only going to make this country a better one.”
Helping those in need has been an important issue for Nedd Brockmann too, who has raised millions of dollars through his inspiring mega runs throughout Australia to help people experiencing homelessness and other challenges.
Mr Brockmann made headlines in 2022 for running a 3,953-kilometre route from Perth to Sydney in an impressive 46 days and 12 hours, averaging nearly 86 kilometres daily.
He went on the complete other major runs including running 1,000 miles (1,600 km) around the Sydney Olympic Park athletics track in just 12 days.
Nedd Brockmann has raised millions of dollars for homelessness charities through his mega runs. Picture: Supplied
At the event, Mr Brockmann said he started running to get in shape, but found it helped him clear his mind as well.
“I truly believe if you’re ever down, if you’re ever upset, just move your body and do something for someone else without wanting anything in return, and your world will be instantly better,” he said.
He started Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge last year, and has raised more than $4.75 million for homelessness charities.
He said he was first drawn to helping people experiencing homelessness after seeing those sleeping rough on the streets while he was on his runs.
Mr Brockmann said homelessness was multi-faceted, and he was proud to support charities who were tackling Australia’s homelessness crisis.
More than 122,000 people are experiencing homelessness in Australia, yet only about 6% sleep rough on the street.
It comes as a new industry-led foundation, A Home for All, was announced at Ready25, backed by many of the biggest names from Australia’s property sector.
The foundation will officially launch in early September, raising and directing funds to where it will create meaningful change in tackling homelessness.
Best-selling author Johann Hari talked about the escalating crisis of diminishing concentration in the modern world. Picture: Supplied
Speaking at the event, housing charity Bridge It founder and chief executive Carla Raynes said only a small proportion of people experiencing homelessness were visible to the general public.
“So much of homelessness is actually hidden,” she said.
“I've been on the end of the phone responding to women who had gone into labour and birthed babies with nowhere to go. I've supported people who had serious mental health conditions and couldn’t find a rental, and I have also worked with people on the street, so it's very broad.”
LJ Hooker chief executive Christine Mikhael said it was time for the real estate industry and the broader property sector to rally together and make a difference.
Some 1,500 people attended the Ready25 conference in Sydney. Picture: Supplied
“My hope is that we can come together and galvanise this industry to focus on something that’s really close to all of our homes and our hearts,” she said.
The Ready25 event raised $500,000 for organisations tackling homelessness, much of which will be channelled through the new foundation.
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