The 2009 Bond University Australia Day Scholarship winner is Lachlan Mitchell, a student from Narre Warren East. Lachlan, a graduate of Mountain District Christian School was awarded this prestigious scholarship after delivering an outstanding speech on his 'Vision for Australia'. Referring to Henry Lawson's 'The Song of Australia', Lachlan presented his ideas on Australia's proud heritage and of the importance to keep one's cultural individuality.

Commencing his studies at Bond University in January 2009, Lachlan is studying for a Bachelor of Sports Science. This degree is designed to produce high quality graduates who clearly understand high performance athletes, their coaches and the organisation and administration of elite sport. Bond University's study program suits Lachlan as he is extremely passionate about coaching other students, with his ambition being to coach elite athletes over a range of sports, particularity swimming. Lachlan states that his reason for choosing to study at Bond University was due to its personal approach, and the experienced teaching staff. Lachlan believes Bond University will help bring his ambition to life!

Lachlan began swimming competitively at Monbulk Aquatic Club at the age of 10 and has since broken 34 club records and achieved age and open state levels in a number of strokes. Whilst studying in Years 11 and 12, Lachlan also worked at the Monbulk Pool as a Lifeguard, as well as coaching the junior squad and completing his Bronze Licence.

Achieving high academic grades across the board, Lachlan has proven his abilities both at school and in extra-circular activities. This year, Lachlan was nominated for the Young Australian of the Year Award. Whilst studying at Mountain District Christian School, Lachlan represented his year level on the Student Representative Council and competed in various academic competitions, such as the Westpac Mathematics competition.

Judges from the Australia Day Committee and Bond University were extremely impressed by Lachlan's passion, enthusiasm and ambition. Lachlan is an individual who is not only a great ambassador for Bond University but also for Australian youth of today.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen, my name is Lachlan Mitchell and this is my vision for Australia.

I'd like to take you 100 years back, to an excerpt Henry Lawson's 'The Song of Australia'

By all my grim headlands my flag is unfurled, My artists and singers are charming the world; The White world shall know its young outpost with pride; The fame of my poets goes ever more wide.

By old tow'r and steeple of nation grown grey The name of my people is spreading to-day; Through all the old nations my learners go forth; My youthful inventors are startling the north.

Although this is called the song of Australia, I'm not sure if you could get any young Australians to sing it!

However, I chose this passage of Lawson's, written in 1908, because it encapsulates the visions many people had for Australia 100 years ago, and also because much of it rings true today. These verses resonated with me as they examine our nation from a globalised point of view, which is truly relevant to the Australia which we are a part of today. However the poet's reference to 'the white world' is proof that in the last century we have progressed, and the 'Sorry speech' of February this year attests to that fact. The main theme of the verses still remains accurate. Australians in all professions continue to go out into the world with great success.

Australia has a proud heritage, from the dream time, to federation, from the ANZACs at Gallipoli, to Howard Florey's discovery of the medicinal uses of penicillin; Australia has always taken pride in the acts and achievements of its sons and daughters. This heritage has shaped the Australian psyche; resilient, loyal, independent of thought and ever ready to take up a challenge, and also having an acute sense of justice. These values are exemplified so well by the Isurava Memorial on the Kokoda track; “Courage” “Sacrifice” “Mateship” and “Endurance”. And it is part of my vision that we retain and are constantly reminded of these ideals that have created our national identity. Despite the benefits of living in a globalised community, it is becoming increasingly easy to lose one's cultural individuality.

In my vision, as in Lawson's, I see Australia astounding the world with its creative, innovative and academic minds. We must create educational systems that encourage critical thinking. This fostering of Australia's developing minds will ensure that we continue to contribute to the international community and overcome the problems we face, now and in the future, in effective and creative ways. Such an issue is climate change. Many people wish take action but, there needs to be more people who examine the impact these actions may have on our economy and society. Creative thinking is the solution to this and many other complex issues that will arise in the future.

This fostered creativity will be unleashed into each and every industry, allowing us to develop new methods and procedures, increased productivity and decreased workloads and stress. All Australians will benefit, workers will feel less pressured, will be healthier and have more time with their families.

My vision for Australia is achievable because of our spirit, our spirit of determination, our spirit of courage and our innovative nature. All of these can work for the benefit of us all.