Gold Medal Messages Program

The Gold Medal Messages program was developed by the Australian Commonwealth Games Association (Queensland Division) in partnership with the Queensland Olympic Council and the Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (Queensland Branch) to provide schools and corporate organisations with an opportunity to access elite Queensland athletes to speak at their events. Currently the program only operates in Brisbane and surrounds including the Sunshine and Gold Coasts.

The Gold Medal Messages program also aims to: 

• grow awareness about the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India (3-14 October) and the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England (27 July – 12 August) including the values underpinning the Games;
• promote a range of values in sport and life; and
• encourage athletes to develop public relation skills as well as provide an opportunity for athletes to ‘give back’ to the community. 

Athletes
The Gold Medal Messages Program includes a pool of athletes who are recognised as community role models and ambassadors for Australia – all of who have competed at the highest level at the Olympic Games and/or Commonwealth Games. The athletes involved include Melanie Schlanger (2008 Olympic Gold Medalist - swimming); Sara Carrigan (2004 Olympic Gold Medalist – road racing); Christian Sprenger (2008 Olympian – swimming); Alana Boyd (2008 Olympian – athletics: pole vault); Peri Innes-Campbell (2002 & 2006 Commonwealth Games Medalist – table tennis), and Jade Edmistone (2006 Commonwealth Games Medalist – swimming).

Topics
The athlete role models use their talents to convey a range of positive messages and can tailor messages to suit the needs of any audience. The topics addressed by athletes include:

• Experiences at the Commonwealth and/or Olympic Games
• Goal setting and motivation
• Being a true sport on and off the field
• The importance of teamwork
• Dealing with highs and lows
• Aiming for a balanced lifestyle
• A day in the life of an elite athlete 
• The Commonwealth and Olympic Games values

Events
The athletes can participate in a variety of events including: Award Nights, Sport Leadership or Sport Excellence workshops, Health & Physical Education class sessions, Graduations, Orientation or Curriculum days, Corporate breakfasts, Professional development meetings/workshops, Conferences, Christmas parties, Corporate days, and Gala events.

How can your organisation register?
Download a Gold Medal Messages Booking Form below and return to the Gold Medal Messages Team by:
FAX: (07) 3895 8166; 
PHONE: (07) 3392 3392; or 
EMAIL: gmm@commgamesqld.org.au.

When does the program run?
The Gold Medal Messages program runs all year.

Are there any other costs involved?
There is a small fee associated with athlete presentation which helps to subsidise athletes’ travel costs and administration costs.