A decade ago, we could never have imagined that a middle-aged, mum of three, promoting body positivity would be the recipient of the country’s highest honour, Australian of the Year.
But last night, Taryn Brumfitt achieved just that; with the Prime Minister and the nation celebrating the leader’s significant work promoting body positivity in widely acclaimed documentaries, books and speeches over the past ten years.
It all started in 2013, when Brumfitt posted a photo on Facebook that went “seriously viral”. It sparked a rapid conversation that led into a global movement.
The image/s flipped the ‘before and after’ phenomenon on its head, showing a heavier Brumfitt in the ‘after’ position.
Brumfitt successfully leveraged this exposure, understanding the acute importance of advocating for women and girls weighed down by social pressure to look a certain way.
In ten years, Brumfitt has released two award-winning documentaries with a third film to be released this year. Her first film, ‘Embrace‘ — viewed by more than 45 million people worldwide– was applauded for inspiring us to change the way we feel about ourselves and think about our bodies.
This led into ‘Embrace Kids’, released last year; an energetic exploration of the relationship children have with their bodies, covering areas such as social media, disability, gender identity, representation and diversity.
She was also the executive producer for The Last Daughter which will be released later this year– a film centring on a young, Aboriginal woman and her struggle for cultural belonging.
Brumfitt has also released three bestselling books — Embrace Yourself, Embrace Your Body, and Embrace Kids. She has given more than 100 keynote addresses, made 1000+ media appearances and been recognised by international advocacy groups including UN Women, Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls and the Geena Davis Institute.
Her social media following now sits upwards of 500,000.
Critically, and as she told the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last night, she has no intention of slowing down. Only minutes after winning the accolade, she’d requested a meeting with the government about the “paediatric health emergency” spurring suicide, depression, eating disorders, anxiety and steroid use, adding that body image was the number one concern for 70 per cent of Australian school children.
“Every adult is a role model to a child, and I’m not here to shame you or make you feel bad. I’m here to ask you to shift the way you think,” she said.
“Little Aussies describe their bodies as strong and energetic and powerful, and they have genuine love for all the things their bodies can do.
“This gives me hope that we can get in early and block the shame and despair.”
Brumfitt also acknowledged that what we have learned to hate can be just as easily unlearned.
“We weren’t born into the world hating our bodies, this is something the world has taught us,” she said.
“Body-shaming is a universal problem, and we have been bullied and shamed into thinking our bodies are the problem.
“What if, instead of spending precious time and energy at war with their bodies, our young people were free to become the leaders, big thinkers and game changers the world needs more of right now?”
She added that promoting a healthy body image was not about encouraging obesity.
“It’s about the way that we feel about all of ourselves: our skin colour, our height, our age, our gender, our unique selves — and it is learning to move, nourish, respect and enjoy our bodies.
“Because you can’t look after something you don’t love.”
Addressing attendees at the start of the awards ceremony, the Prime Minister said Brumfitt and the other nominees represent the best of Australia.
“We gather tonight, on the eve of our national day, to honour and celebrate those who represent the very best of our national character,” he said.
“Global stars and local heroes. Young Australians and those rich in years. People of all backgrounds and from every part of our continent.
“A diverse group, united by a common quality: they inspire us.
“They inspire us by living and serving and upholding our nation’s values: our compassion and generosity, our courage and initiative, our ingrained sense of fairness and our deep belief in service to community.”
Tom Calma AO, a public human rights activist and one of the chief architects of a Voice to Parliament, was named Senior Australian of the Year, while Socceroo Awer Mabil became Young Australian of the Year for his refugee support organisation, ‘Barefoot to Boots’.
The founder of Western Sydney-based charity Turbans 4 Australia, Amar Singh, was named Australia’s Local Hero on the 20th anniversary of the award.