The energy was palpable in and around the lecture theatre at QAHS on Tuesday afternoon for our first Thrive Session of the year. Thrive Sessions take place once per term and feature guest speakers who have made significant positive impacts in their community and inspire others to make a lasting difference in the world. Hosted by our Student Executive Committee, Thrive Sessions are aimed at anyone interested in personal growth, hearing people's stories and those wanting to flourish.
For our first Thrive Session of the year, we were privileged to welcome the founder of Men of Business Academy and the 2024 Queensland Australian of the Year, Mr Marco Renai. Men of Business or MOB Academy, is a senior secondary school in Southport which focuses on empowering at-risk-young men with the skills, knowledge and confidence to be happy, healthy and successful. Marco's commitment to unconditional love and support has transformed the lives of many young men, providing them with the opportunities that many of them may have never had.
Marco's presentation had our audience immediately engaged, commencing with a dance circle to evoke joy and a sense of freedom followed by an interactive seating arrangement for the audience to connect beyond our comfort zones and hopefully learn something new. Marco shared his personal experience of being an energetic, but disempowered young boy in his time at school before working in a dynamic role in hospitality, opening his own gym, and working with disengaged young men, culminating in fundraising one million dollars to open his own school. His story of building relationships, taking risks and giving back to his community reiterated the benefits of persistence and hope in all who attended the Thrive Session. This appreciation for the impact Marco has had on the lives of others was further solidified in a Q&A session with our audience, who could have asked questions well into the evening.
“I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I went to the Thrive Session on Tuesday, but I found myself pleasantly surprised. It truly was a privilege to be able to hear from not only a talented speaker, but also someone who has managed to create a wealth of positive change in our community, despite the adversities that life has presented him with. Marco Renai truly serves as a testament to the idea that you really can achieve anything that you put your mind to. I found his ability to be vulnerable inspiring, as it helped me to truly understand how he was able to get to where he is today, and the gravity of his impact through the Men of Business Academy. Walking away from the session, I felt inspired and as though I had the ability to make a change within my community, however small that may be".
Tamsin Bailes, Year 12 Global Learner Representative
The first Thrive Session of the year, presented by distinguished guest speaker Marco Renai, encapsulated what it means to be resilient and passionate. He shared with us his experience as a disengaged youth in school who felt that he would never become successful. Once Marco grew older and found his passion, he reflected upon his experience in school and felt compelled to create the school that he had always dreamed about to transform the lives of young, disengaged boys. I empathised with these boys and his mission, and what resonated with me the most is the idea that we can achieve anything if we are resilient. Marco truly set the bar high for our future Thrive Sessions.
Clara Sheridan, Year 12 GL Representative
Marco Renai was someone who I'd always wanted to talk to, as his mission to empower youth connected strongly with my own values. Being able to meet him and talk to him in person was an amazing opportunity. I went to the Thrive Session expecting to hear a leadership speech from an impressive person, but Marco went beyond this by creating an open dialogue, being approachable and answering all of the questions we had for him so genuinely. When it came up in discussion that I volunteer for a youth charity that is struggling to make ends meet, Marco was generous in donating a large sum towards the cause. I definitely got a lot out of the session, not purely because of his kind donation, but through the life experience shared which I will hold close as I continue to advocate for young, under privileged Queenslanders. Thank you, Marco.
Matilda Heufel, Year 12
We thank Marco for being so generous with his wisdom and time and congratulate him wholeheartedly on his well-deserved title of 2024 Queensland Australian of the Year. The next Thrive Session will take place in June, Term 2, and is open to anyone hoping to not just survive, but thrive.
Marnie Chetter
Student Leadership Coordinator