Sarah Prime

SPEAKER SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR CHANGE AGENT

ABOUTContact

TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION!

It’s true. I became a social entrepreneur quite literally by accident.

It was an unexpected twist of fate which saw me return to my roots, become the founder of Champions Academy and driver of a global community of interest sharing the work being done to address rural community contraction, decline and exodus around the world.

It’s all part of a much longer story, though, which will come to light as you look around this site. I hope you enjoy your visit and find what you were looking for. I’d love it if you drop me a line while you’re here and share your thoughts!

Sarah

WHAT I DO

Helping people to influence positive change through social cohesion, self awareness and conceptual thinking is something that I am deeply passionate about and have a great track record at.

When I am not delivering Champions Academy programs, I am travelling and keynote speaking. My clients are member organisations, corporates and government bodies that are delivering large international events, internal or external conferences, or staff trainings.

I am best known for my relatability and natural talent for captivating an audience through storytelling. I speak with equal passion and energy to an audience of hundreds, as I do to a small group in a more intimate setting.

In addition to keynote speaking, I develop and deliver bespoke events and tailored workshops upon request. I also mentor individuals that I come into contact with through my work.

THINGS I'M WORKING ON RIGHT NOW

Whether I'm delivering a Keynote Presentation to corporates in a capital city, rolling out a Champions Academy program in a small country town sporting club, or working with individuals on a one-on-one basis -- everything I'm working on as a social entrepreneur is about empowering people to recognise their full human potential, and motivating them to apply it for a cause greater than themselves. Here are a few things I'm working on right now!

I launched the Champions Academy AU initiative in 2015 to mentor young people and help them to recognize their human potential and give them the skills and confidence to become leaders, advocates and change agents. The framework is embedded within existing organisations to foster social cohesion and create a culture of mentoring that passes knowledge on to the next generation and reinvests in a value system of volunteerism. Champions Academys philosophy is that a Champion is a person whose actions motivate and inspire others, and leave a legacy.

GO TO CHAMPIONS ACADEMY PAGE

Following the success of the Champions Academy program and the outcomes for individuals and communities, I was challenged to build a global community of interest around strikingly similar patterns of rural contraction, decline and exodus that exist around the world. Not one to ever shy away from a challenge, I began to develop a ‘Global Rural Community’ platform to showcase the extraordinary stories of rural renewal to inspire and motivate struggling communities around the world. Ultimately I hope to travel to see these projects in action and document their outcomes for all to learn from.

GO TO THE GRC PROJECT PAGE

In 2019 I have had the wonderful opportunity to establish a pilot program within schools, to help junior and secondary students chose their behaviour and make decisions consciously. The initiative aims to inspire students to become curious questioners, innovative problem solvers, entrepreneurial thinkers and change agents, who have the confidence and capabilities to make a difference not only to their own lives, but to those around them. Rural, regional and metropolitan schools are welcome to apply to become involved in the second phase of the pilot, which will launch in term 1 of 2020.

GO TO THE SCHOOLS PILOT PAGE

UPCOMING EVENTS
I'll be giving a keynote at the ICPA State Conference, Port Augusta SA on 1 April 2022
CLIENTS
See who I've worked with and what they have to say about their experience.
MEDIA KIT
Here you'll find my speaker bio, podcast one-pager, professional images - all the resources you need to book me!
SPEAKING TOPICS
Here are the key themes I am speaking on at the moment.

THE GLOBAL RURAL COMMUNITY PROJECT

Coming in 2020: follow the stories of rural and regional communities involved in the Global Rural Community Project right here.

HERE'S WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING LATELY...

What I have learned from the process of becoming a social entrepreneur, is that entrepreneurship is one of the fastest and most powerful ways to drive systemic change in rural communities.

There is a saying where I’m from which says ‘the shorter the scrub, the friendlier the people’. I believe it originates from an Eyre Peninsula local known affectionately as ‘Scuzz’ Davey. The short scrub (short trees) is describing a low rainfall area, or marginal agricultural country. Due to the harsh and unforgiving country, the pioneers...

Where did you come from? What has happened to you in this life? How has it shaped you? It's no secret that I had a country upbringing, or that I believe that growing up on a family farm and going to a school with less than 30 kids is something shaped me as a person, more so than any other experience in my life. I talk about that part of my life openly, as well as my return to a rural area as an adult. What I don't usually talk about, are those other experiences in between.

A Champion is a person whose actions motivate and inspire others, and leave a legacy. However it's not just what that person does - it's why they are doing it that makes them a Champion.

Sarah Prime

I'VE HAD SOME AMAZING SUPPORT

Like many other entrepreneurs, I wouldn't be where I am today with out the amazing support of many other enablers. The following platforms have been critical to my emergence as a change agent, and integral in helping me to turn my vision into a tangible concept that has become a driver of systemic change and is creating an enduring social impact in the communities that it touches.

SOCIAL CHANGE FELLOWSHIP
I feel honoured to have received a Social Change Fellowship in 2019 and am humbled to be named among the W100 Scholars. This opportunity is both empowering and inspiring, investing in my ongoing development as a social entrepreneur, and agent of change for the communities that I work with.
LOCAL HERO SA FINALIST
The Local Hero Award acknowledges the extraordinary contributions made by Australians in their local community. I was anonymously nominated for this prestigious award and named a finalist for the state of South Australia in the category of Local Hero for 2017.
PURPOSE & SOCIAL ENTERPRISE WINNER
Now called the Social Changemaker Award, this award celebrates leaders and employees of organisations making a positive difference to the world around them, from social missions to environmental change. I was the recipient of this award for the state of South Australia in 2016.
STATE & NATIONAL AWARD WINNER
The Rural Women’s Award is Australia’s leading award acknowledging and supporting the essential role women play in rural industries, businesses and communities. In 2015 I was named the state winner for South Australia, becoming the national award recipient later that year.

PARTNERSHIPS

I’m a firm believer that we only increase our potential to make great things happen when we are willing to share our insights and resources with others.

I have been fortunate to have collaborated on some exciting projects over the years and developed some very cool partnerships.

Through programs and events, financial partnerships, and even entrepreneurial start ups – I’ve built strong connections that have developed beyond great working relationships, into mutual value-creating partnerships.

GO TO PARTNERSHIPS PAGE
Tanya Dupagne, Sarah Powell and Alex Thomas

As the Founder of Champions Academy I am proud of the work it has accomplished. Check out this video to see a short clip that tells the story of how it all began at Ports Football & Netball Club in Eyre Peninsula, South Australia.

More Champions Academy videos and information about programs and events can be found on the Champions Academy page.

GO TO CHAMPIONS ACADEMY PAGE

TESTIMONIALS

HOW TO REACH ME

I am based on a rural property in a farming community called Wharminda, on the stunning Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. Adelaide is the nearest capital city (a seven hour road trip), and Port Lincoln is the closest airport to me (an hours drive away). As you can imagine, I spend a lot of time travelling for work and this means I can be hard to get hold of sometimes - so the best way to reach me is by email.


I live in Wharminda, South Australia
PO Box 54, PORT NEILL SA 5604
Email is best (see opposite)

NO IT'S NOT A BOT, IT'S DEFINITELY ME.

This is not an automated service – when you send an email from here, it will come directly to my inbox. I do my best to respond in person as quickly as possible.