Boyd Dinner for Emerging Leaders

In April 2024, St Catherine's College hosted the inaugural Boyd Dinner for Emerging Leaders. This prestigious event, designed to inspire and motivate our future leaders, featured the remarkable Australian Olympian and WA Young Person of the Year 2023, Peter Bol, as our guest speaker.

The emerging leadership series is held in honour of Dr Sue Boyd AM in recognition of her notable achievements. Dr Boyd was bestowed with the title Member of the Order of Australia to acknowledge her substantial contributions to international relations, tertiary education and women's affairs. Notably, during her residency at St Catherine's College from 1966 to 1969, Dr Boyd made history as the first female student to be elected Student Guild President at the University of Western Australia. Subsequently, she pursued a distinguished career as a senior diplomat, where she played a pivotal role in advancing the representation and rights of women within the realm of foreign affairs.

Our guests included student leaders from the Perth Metro Area and Regional WA who were captivated by Mr Bol's extraordinary journey, a testament to the power of resilience and determination. Born in Sudan, his family sought refuge in Australia, where he discovered his passion for athletics. His natural talent for running, combined with his unwavering dedication, propelled him to the world stage.

At the core of Mr Bol's success lies his commitment to his goals. From a young age, he recognised that achieving greatness required more than just talent; it demanded unwavering dedication and effort. He embraced countless hours of training and pushed himself to the limit, all to realise his full potential.

However, his resilience in adversity truly sets Mr Bol apart. He has encountered setbacks and disappointments throughout his journey, from injuries and a false positive drug test to missed opportunities. His story is a testament to the power of resilience, inspiring us all to face our challenges with strength and determination.

"When you know your goals and values, decisions may be tough, but you know deep down what you need to do," said Mr Bol.

The St Catherine's College community gives Mr Bol their heartfelt wishes for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

View the gallery from the Boyd Dinner for Emerging Leaders images below.

Read the full Peter Bol story here.