Jessica Watson OAM

Guest Speaker

At just 16, Jessica Watson became the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world. Defying critics who said she would fail, she spent 210 days at sea navigating some of the world’s most challenging oceans and surviving seven knockdowns, sailing back into Sydney Harbour on 15 May 2010 to a national welcome at the Opera House.

Meeting the Prime Minister on stage, she pushed back on being called a hero: “I am just an ordinary person, who had a dream and worked hard at it. By sailing solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world, I have proved that anything really is possible.” Despite struggling badly with dyslexia, she wrote her book True Spirit within three months of returning, going straight to number one in Australia and publishing in 15 countries. She also filmed the documentary 210 Days, narrated by Sir Richard Branson, and a Netflix film of her story reached number two in the world.

Jessica was named Young Australian of the Year in 2011 and received an OAM in 2012 for services to sailing and for being a role model for young Australians. She has since skippered the youngest crew ever to compete in the Sydney to Hobart, co-founded a marine start-up, completed an MBA, published a second book, and works as a management consultant in Deloitte’s Human Capital practice alongside her in-demand speaking career.