10 Entrepreneurs Creating Positive Change in Australia
Westpac Scholars Trust is proud to announce the 2025 recipients of its Social Change Fellowship, an innovative program that invests in individuals who are committed to creating a more inclusive Australia. This year also marks an important milestone for the Trust, which welcomes its 100th Fellow since the program’s inception.
Valued at $50,000 each, the Fellowship will support the growth and leadership development of ten remarkable entrepreneurs, totalling a combined investment of up to $500,000.
This year’s cohort are tackling some of Australia's most pressing social challenges, from disability support, and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander inclusion, to women and youth at risk, and mental health.
Caleb Rixon, one of the 2025 Westpac Social Change Fellows, is dedicated to improving outcomes for people living with a disability. After surviving a stroke at 24 that left him unable to walk, talk or swallow, Caleb founded Genyus Network in 2015 to help connect young stroke and brain injury survivors and other people facing isolation after trauma, disability or disease.
“My mission is to measurably enrich the quality of life for people impacted by these lived experiences. Story-sharing breaks down isolation, fosters understanding, and inspires hope,” says Caleb.
Alexie Seller and Georgia Weir are two 2025 Westpac Social Change Fellows invested in creating better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Weir founded Deadly Runners in 2014, an initiative aimed at improving the health and well-being of First Nations people through running and holistic health programs.
“Resilience is deeply ingrained in who I am. Running transformed my life, helping me overcome mental health issues and addiction,” says Weir.
“Deadly Runners empowers Indigenous communities by providing access to health programs that promote physical, mental and emotional well-being.”
Marcus Watson is a 2025 Westpac Social Change Fellow committed to creating better outcomes for young Australians through his work at BackTrack Works. Established in 2006, Backtrack Works has grown into a nationally recognised program, supporting vulnerable young people through youth work, education, employment and accommodation.
“My vision for social change is clear – a society where every young person, regardless of family situation or socioeconomic status, is given every opportunity to succeed,” says Marcus.
Transforming lives of Australians who have been incarcerated or have had contact with the criminal justice system is the focus for Fellow Abraham Kuol, who was born in a refugee camp in Kenya and escaped war-torn South Sudan with his parents and 10 siblings. As the Co-founder of Black Rhinos Football Club, Kuol is shifting the future of ex-youth offenders and at-risk youth offenders from African backgrounds.
“I am extremely passionate about social change, because even here in Australia, there are communities that live as we did back in the refugee camps in Kenya. We have some South Sudanese people struggling to adapt to Australia still living in poverty, I want to change that,” says Kuol.
The Westpac Social Change Fellowship allows each recipient to design a bespoke development journey. Fellows can use the funding to participate in global study tours, access mentoring and coaching, build new networks, or attend courses that directly enhance their leadership and social impact capabilities.
“This incredible group of changemakers is doing extraordinary work across the country, addressing some of Australia’s most complex social issues,” said Amy Lyden, CEO of Westpac Scholars Trust. “We are thrilled to not only support their efforts but also to celebrate our 100th Fellow, a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to fostering social innovation in Australia.”
Lyden added, “Often, these social entrepreneurs are so deeply immersed in their daily work that they have little time for self-reflection or professional development. This Fellowship is an opportunity for them to invest in themselves and enhance the positive change they are driving in their communities.”
The Westpac Social Change Fellowship is part of a broader suite of scholarships offered by Westpac Scholars Trust, which supports 100 scholarships annually for university students, early-career researchers, and social entrepreneurs. Its vision is to create a better future for all Australians by investing in next generation leaders.
Congratulations to the 2025 Westpac Social Change Fellows:
Andrew Cullen - PTSD Resurrected
Abraham Kuol – Black Rhinos Club
Noel Lim - Anika Legal
Sarah Rosenberg – With You We Can
Alexie Seller - Enterprise Learning Projects
Richard Warner - Nundah Community Enterprises Cooperative
Marcus Watson – Backtrack Youth Works
How a Westpac Social Change Fellowship expanded my impact
Reflections from Nicholas Marchesi OAM, Co-Founder Orange Sky and 2023 Westpac Social Change Fellow.
Introducing 10 Changemakers driving positive change in Australia
Tackling a range of challenging social issues, Westpac Social Change Fellows are at the forefront of driving positive change to create a more inclusive and equitable future for Australia.
Meet 10 social entrepreneurs creating a more inclusive Australia
Driven to find solutions for difficult social issues surrounding health, disability, disadvantage and unemployment, Westpac Social Change Fellows are leading change to create a more equitable future for Australia.