Australian Geographic is proud to represent its inspirational community of Trail Blazers, Explorers, Adventurers and Scientists, for corporate and community speaking engagements. If you would like Sophia to be a keynote speaker with themes including youth action and how to be ‘game-changers’, click the button below.
Sophia receiving a handshake from the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry
Australian Geographic Society Gala Awards
26 October 2018
Sophia was awarded the Young Conservationist of the Year due to her efforts in obtaining nearly 12,000 hard copy signatures for legislation to ban the plastic bag in NSW. The Award was presented by HRH Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. The award is given to a young person who has achieved significant outcomes in the fields of conservation and environmentalism. Sophia had an opportunity to respond in receiving the award.
Sophia first recognised a need to ban plastic bags in NSW when she observed the amount of plastic and rubbish at the soccer grounds she trains at. Rather than ignoring the problem she had a vision to be part of the solution and identified that NSW was the only state that had not banned the plastic bag. This motivated her to commence a NSW Government approved petition to ban plastic bags. Her goal was to obtain 10,000 signatures as this would mean that the petition would be required to be tabled in NSW Parliament and that there would be a conversation.
Sophia and Duchess of Sussex watching video of Sophia’s quest to petition for legislation to ban plastic bags in NSW
Keynote Speaker
Sophia Skarparis is a walking embodiment of the saying ‘age is just a number’ because at just 16 years old, she has caused a wave of positive impacts on the fight against single-use plastic in NSW. In 2018, the year 10 student set out to attain 10,000 face to face signatures on her petition to ban plastic bags in NSW, and to educate Sydney residents about the damaging effects plastic can have on the environment. She smashed her goal, presenting New South Wales Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, with over 12,000 signatures, guaranteeing her petition would be tabled in parliament. Sophia was awarded the Australian Geographic Young Conservationist of the Year award for 2018, which was presented to her by Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. Sophia is an iconic ambassador for young Australians and a true advocate for the power of community action. In 2019, she was named North Sydney Council and Willoughby City Council Young Citizen of the Year.