The final countdown to the 2019 Luminosity Youth Summit has begun with young people ready to get inspired.
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In its seventh year, Luminosity will bring together more than 400 young people from July 24-26 at the Glasshouse in Port Macquarie.
In 2019 the summit received a grant from Destination NSW to bring young people specifically from regional and rural Australia to the summit.
Co-founder and Luminosity chair Kate Wood-Foye said her team are delighted the summit has sold out with guests travelling from all over the world to be a part of the exciting line up.
"We are incredibly grateful for our amazing community who support us, the local organisations who invest in the future of our young people each year and the team at Destination NSW for their belief in this event," Mrs Wood-Foye said.
"Their investment supported by Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams ensures we can more attract young leaders to Port Macquarie across the three days to experience this life changing event.
"Our vision seven years ago was to take this event to the national stage and in 2019 that is coming true.
"Mid North Coast Local Health District, EIRE Constructions, Rydges, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, Regional Australia Bank, Charles Sturt University, Headspace and so many others have helped this special event come to life each year - we simply couldn't do it with our them."
This year the line up includes Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, Trent Maxwell 'Lifeguard Maxi' from Bondi Rescue, magician and escapologist Cosentino and Kimberly Benjamin an Indigenous documentary writer and director.
Mrs Wood-Foye said the strategic sponsorship with Destination NSW has ensured that youth in regional NSW have the opportunity to participate in the inspirational youth summit.
"It is about creating a legacy of excellence and aspiration. The organising committee are all volunteers, we want to make a difference and we are doing it as a community," she said.
"Last year we had approximately 35 students from outside the Port Macquarie-Hastings region and this year we are looking at over 140 and growing - it's incredible. We have a large group of young people coming from Taree and Gunnedah with youth also coming from right across the Mid North Coast, around the country and internationally.
"The funding for coach transport has been key in breaking down any cost or logistical barriers and the support additional high level speakers has ensured we have had national attention and created our strongest program yet."
Students Zac Terley and Lewis Kranitis said they were keen to head to the youth summit to open their minds to future possibilities.
"At school everyone is doing the same thing and personally I don't get too inspired in the classroom," Zac said.
"To be able to hear from people who are doing cool things and know they had struggles to get where they are shows that I can do whatever I want. You can be different and be an innovator and I am excited by that."
"I am so keen to see Dr Karl - he is an absolute legend, I listen to him all the time and to see him in real life will be awesome," Lewis said.
Charlotte Salt and Jenni Cooper hoped they would meet a range of new people and have the opportunity to hear from a range of excellent speakers.
"At school we are doing the same thing as students all over the state and to chat to them while at Luminosity will be great - especially as a HSC student," Jenni said.
"Last year I was really nervous but Luminosity has made me a more confident person. I am now a school leader and I want to push my comfort boundaries to see my true potential thanks to Luminosity," Charlotte said.
Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams said she was a proud supporter of the summit.
"Since the summit's inception I have been a proud supporter and it is wonderful Luminosity is putting Port Macquarie on the map as a place for young people to get inspired," Mrs Williams said.
"It is great that young people from all over the state and particularly those living in drought can come and join us in Port Macquarie."
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