Optus

What a terrific experience to have Optus Sport’s Director of Product Stephanie Foran attend SXSW Sydney this week to discuss how vision and innovation in broadcasting women’s football has changed so much more than sport!   She joined Football Australia’s Sarah Walsh and lead football presenter at Network 10 and Paramount+ Tara Rushton to talk about how the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup started a cultural phenomenon.   Key takeaways from the session: ⚽ The key to making big moves is having bold leadership, alongside a strong strategic vision. ⚽ The national psyche and attitudes towards women’s football have changed irrevocably following the Women’s World Cup. ⚽ The success of the tournament became a platform for change across so much more than sport.

“When the WiFi or power went out at home near assessment or exam times, I couldn’t do anything to study and felt nervous,” says Shiva. “Donate Your Data is a great help for me as it runs much faster than our home WiFi, and there’s enough of it to last the entire month.” Your donated data could have a huge impact on a young Aussie’s life. Take 17-year-old Shiva, who no longer has to worry about getting reliable access to the internet to do his schoolwork thanks to Optus and The Smith Family. “With a good education, anyone can change their lives for the better. It’s like a gateway to success and growth and an amazing opportunity that everyone should be able to receive.” Looking for a way to give back? Find out more: https://lnkd.in/g8jkWBaJ

If you pursue your dream, do it aggressively. Be bold, back yourself and seek out every opportunity to gain experience. This is the advice Katherine Bennell-Pegg, the first astronaut to qualify under the Australian flag, gave to our people when she shared her story with us.   As Australia’s leading satellite operator, we are passionate about space innovation and careers in STEM. It was wonderful to have local school kids join the session, and to see Katherine inspire the next generation with these words of wisdom: 🚀 Don't underestimate the importance of effort versus talent. If you're not naturally good at something, don’t give up. 🚀 Prioritise working on your character and being an allrounder – extracurriculars can be just as important as your formal studies.   #OptusLife

We love partnering with What Ability to give their participants unforgettable experiences – like joining soccer star Alex Chidiac and Walkinshaw Andretti United’s Chaz Mostert for a hot lap in the Mobil 1 Optus Racing rocket! 🚀 🏁

Empowering our people to innovate, upskill and take on new challenges is a big part of our culture, especially when it comes to working in an AI enabled future. 250 Optus employees from across 41 departments rolled up their sleeves and participated in our inaugural AI Hackathon. No technical experience required – just enthusiasm, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. The task: to identify how an AI copilot might supercharge how we work, empowering us to bring our best selves to work every day so we can deliver the most for our customers. With each team participating in workshops, pitch development sessions and mentorship over two days, the competition was fierce. Most excitingly, all of the teams, not just the winners, will have the opportunity to directly contribute to Optus’ AI strategy by having their ideas considered for development. Congratulations to the winners and to everyone involved!

Each year, one of Australia’s biggest country music festivals draws thousands of people to Queensland’s Amamoor State Forest 🤠🌵🐎   Not only is the Gympie Music Muster a fantastic event for music and connection, it has also raised more than $20 million for charities and community groups since 1982.   Optus is very proud to have provided vital connectivity to the Muster for over 20 years.

Volunteering with St Patrick's Community Support Centre had a profound impact on the Optus employees who dedicated their time last week to transform facilities for those experiencing homelessness in Fremantle.   Thank you Michael Piu for all the work you do, and we hope the communities you serve enjoy the renovations.

This R U OK? Day we welcomed Julie Goodwin, Australia's first MasterChef, to Optus.   Julie shared the ups and downs of her life story, discussing the importance of focusing on your mental health and asking for help. Her key message was to be courageous; ask yourself if you are ok, ask your friends and family, and be brave enough to answer truthfully.   Following the session our people connected over morning tea, writing kindness messages to each other, and reflecting that a conversation could save a life. #OptusLife #Wellbeing #RUOKDay

“Before Donate Your Data, I would only recharge my phone when absolutely necessary. I had to be very careful with my data usage, keeping it strictly for calls and texts.”    Growing up, James sometimes felt like he didn’t fit in because he missed out on the things other kids had at school.    But his dream of becoming an engineer propelled him forward, and when he got access to free data through Optus and The Smith Family, it was a game-changer for him. Now, as a university student, he can access educational resources without limitations.    Looking for a way to give back? Consider helping Australians in need by donating some of your data with an eligible mobile plan. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/g8jkWBaJ  

This Women’s Health Week, our people came together to discuss how the pressure to ‘have it all’ and be contactable 24/7 can contribute to burnout. Our onsite GP Dr Sam Parimalanathan and EAP clinician Dr Julie Bajic spoke about how to identify, prevent and manage burnout, and highlighted the importance of: ⭐ Setting healthy expectations and boundaries for yourself.  ⭐ Implementing practical solutions to improve sleep and switch off.  ⭐ Recognising that burnout can affect us all, regardless of seniority, age, or gender. Thank you to our host Roxanne Tyler, our women’s network Elevate and our Wellbeing community for organising such a valuable event and giving people the opportunity to share their stories. #WomensHealthWeek