Alex Dekker

Inspirational Speaker, Social Issues

Alex Dekker is a 21-year-old impact entrepreneur and change maker, reimagining food relief in Australia through the NFP organisation started just a year ago, Alex Makes Meals.

Nominated as the Victorian Young Australian of the Year 2021 as part of the Australia Day Councils’ highly lauded Australian of the Year Awards.

Where were you born?

I was born in Gembrook, just out of Melbourne and grew up working on my family’s flower farm. 

What other jobs have you had?

Prior to starting Alex Makes Meals I was a full-time student at Monash University studying Science and Global Studies. I also worked on the family flower farm which gave me a good grounding in seeing now hard work can make a difference

What themes are recurring in your work?

Without a doubt, it’s all about making a difference. It’s also very much about showing that being young has not stopped me from making that difference

What have been the highlights of your career?

Creating a movement and not for profit charity in just 12 months that has managed to turn out 200,000 meals in that short time. Helping others

What are you passionate about?

Social justice, helping others, making a difference and making sure ‘the next guy fights a little less hard than others”. I’m also a big advocate for lowering food waste in our society

Haven’t I seen you before?

Please see as below the full list and links to media appearances on TV and in print:

1. https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/thanksamillion/thanks-a-million-campaign-alex-makes-meals-founder-alex-dekker-nominated/news-story/93ddf6044b4c3ec3f6b3afaa7cb4ba3b
2. https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/it-s-humbling-the-young-man-behind-50-000-free-meals-for-front-line-workers-20200801-p55hjv.html
3. https://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/food-and-drink/article/lasagne-kickstarted-charity-feeding-frontline-workers
4. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8668787/Australian-student-cook-nurse-sister-lunch-makes-60-000-meals-frontline-workers.html
5. https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/melbourne-to-honour-community-heroes-who-stood-up-during-lockdown-20201102-p56ao0.html
6. https://www.c-store.com.au/lion-dairy-drinks-helping-to-keep-frontline-health-workers-fuelled-during-pandemic/
7. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/australian-student-coronavirus-free-meals-healthcare-workers-a9458911.html
8. https://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/first-a-humble-lasagne-then-loaves-and-fishes-to-feed-healthcare-heroes-20200401-p54g38.html?fbclid=IwAR2gNObIgJq_DYiDG2WwM7K0IFivUlPU_CXfsk2I-5eMiyCK88Cmwx9NTSI
9. https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/it-s-humbling-the-young-man-behind-50-000-free-meals-for-front-line-workers-20200801-p55hjv.html
10. https://7news.com.au/sunrise/on-the-show/coronavirus-melbourne-uni-student-making-thousands-of-meals-for-exhausted-health-workers-c-969049
11. https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2020/04/13/lasagne-his-doctor-sister-thousands-meals-health-workers?fbclid=IwAR2CjI_4ChRYevL8Sigmrr97WcnK4xB9pwawJt8A80nBli3gyDVKmw4sxJU
12. https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/how-a-20-year-old-quit-uni-to-make-55-000-free-meals-for-medicos-in-melbourne-s-lockdown
13. https://www.abc.net.au/radio/melbourne/programs/thisweekendlife/meet-the-teenager-feeding-melbournes-medics/12123188
14. https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/alex-makes-meals/12219076?fbclid=IwAR1sEQBsR-GhC4zrJRMqUDglyeolnFNauzIFm2S0qvr_BcynOsdFPRKAbDQ
15. https://www.buzzfeed.com/marielasummerhays01/feel-good-australian-stories-coronavirus?origin=web-hf
16. https://www.franchisebusiness.com.au/red-rooster-alex-makes-meals-food-deliveries/
17. https://www.mojonews.com.au/monash-student-makes-meals-for-healthcare-professionals-working-during-covid-19
18. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/australian-student-coronavirus-free-meals-healthcare-workers-a9458911.html?fbclid=IwAR1kSa_EkxMgp2Uo_WCQMGHUbKm1xMtSK2kazj7ZLcdg6DZOIuFXEjHjRpU