Local Olympian Strives For Gold

Mackay's very own Meg Harris is gearing up for the Olympic trials, backed by a recent sponsorship from Auswide Bank.
Born in Bundaberg, this 22-year-old swimming sensation has captured the hearts of her hometown supporters.
Meg’s journey began on the sands of Eimeo Beach in Mackay, where her passion for surf lifesaving laid the groundwork for her Olympic success. At just 13, she traded coastal life for the pool in Brisbane, determined to chase her Olympic dreams.
Like many athletes, Meg faces the challenge of balancing demanding training with planning for her future beyond competition. As she braces for this year's trials, she acknowledges the daunting task ahead but remains firm in her pursuit of her dream of representing Mackay on the world stage.
“For many swimmers, this year will be their last. After Tokyo, so many people decided to hold out for one more Olympics, so those athletes will be giving it their all before they retire,” said Meg.
Considering this pressure, Meg says she is excited to potentially open a doorway to post-Olympic career prospects.
Auswide Bank's partnership, part of the project32 Olympic sponsorship program, offers financial support and career guidance as Harris embarks on her Olympic journey and prepares for life after chasing her sporting dreams.
“The partnership with Auswide Bank alleviates the pressure of thinking about life after swimming so I can put all my focus into training and making the Olympic team in the short term, with the comfort of knowing there is something for me when I finish competing,” she said.
Project32 focuses on supporting Australian athletes as they chase their Olympic dreams, while setting them up for future employment opportunities. The program goes beyond sponsorship funding by focusing on skills development and real-life experience across a variety of workplaces and industries.
In addition to matching athletes with businesses, project32 provides sportspeople with professional and personal development and mentorship from former Olympic athletes, giving them peace of mind about life after sport, so they can concentrate on reaching peak performance.
Meg claims that this type of support is invaluable to emerging Olympians in their quest for gold.
“So many people retire still only having half a degree or no idea what they want to do because they spend so much time thinking about sport,” she said.
“With Brisbane 2032 on the horizon, there is no better time to invest in the future of Aussie athletes, becoming a great corporate citizen while riding a wave of success.”
For more information about project32™ and how you can be a part of the program, visit https://au.bastionagency.com/think/project32

Meg Harris is a local Mackay Olympian with a passion for swimming and will represent her hometown of Mackay as she strives for a gold medal. Image supplied

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