Lucy Thomas OAM

Education Consultant, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development, Social Issues, Well Within

Lucy Thomas is the cofounder and CEO of PROJECT ROCKIT, Australia’s youth-driven movement against bullying, hate and prejudice, Lucy has dedicated her whole life to empowering school students to improve the world around them. She has personally worked with thousands of young people all over the world, from Wangaratta to Texas, Wollongong to Auckland, Atherton to Perth.

Hear the story of how a simple idea grew into an enduring social movement and leave the session with simple, safe and socially credible strategies for challenging (cyber)bullying. As a keynote speaker, social entrepreneur and facilitator, Lucy is a mighty force of kindness, equipped with the precious ability to creatively engage young people to generate positive social change.

Where were you born?

I was born and raised on Wurundjeri Land in Melbourne.

What other jobs have you had?

My sister and I cofounded PROJECT ROCKIT when we were fresh out of school, so my CV is pretty short. But while hustling to get the organisation off the ground, I did do a variety of different work on the side – graphic design, sports coaching, performing in a band. I also do a lot of work advocating for young people’s perspective to decision-makers, so I these days I sit on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter’s global Safety Advisory Boards and other government working groups.

What themes are recurring in your work?

One of the major themes in my work (and indeed my life) is the wrestle between bullying and kindness, prejudice and compassion. Throughout my career, I’ve observed how, as our lives spill further online this struggle is playing out in different ways. I’m interested in how we can mobilise technology to disarm hate, build inclusive communities and elevate diverse perspectives and these are big themes in my work too.

What have been the highlights of your career?

Without a doubt, the number one highlight is working with school students. I did learn more in my 12 years as a PROJECT ROCKIT presenter working in schools than I did in my 12 years as a school student myself. I believe we have so much to learn from emerging generations about how to improve humanity.

The second highlight would be having the opportunity to share my own story about bullying. I’ve spent over a decade sharing other people’s stories and experiences, but it wasn’t until I found the courage to to a TEDx talk speaking out about my own that I discovered how powerful the support of the PROJECT ROCKIT community could be.

To view Lucy in action, check out her TEDx talk here.

What are you passionate about?

I’m passionate about exercising kindness, especially in the face of the cruelty that exists in this world.

Haven’t I seen you before?

Perhaps you have? I’m a pretty vocal advocate for positively using tech, listening to young people and spreading kindness so you may have seen me on a stage or on the telly speaking out about those topics.