I boarded a plane from Brisbane to Sydney early in the morning, half-asleep, rushing to the airport as usual. Trying to look presentable in my formal dress while taming my messy hair was a challenge in itself.
In front of me, a man was so absorbed in his phone that I almost felt sorry for his poor device. Meanwhile, the flight attendant forgot my water for the fourth time. Flying is always a rollercoaster for me. I love the idea of traveling, but once I’m on the plane, it’s a different story.
After surviving the flight, I finally reached the event hall. The afternoon was filled with successful people, but my mind was fixated on one thing: waiting for former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to walk through the door.
When Malcolm finally arrived, the room buzzed with excitement. During the lunch break, I saw my chance to introduce myself. He was finishing a phone call, and I was a nervous wreck. My heart was pounding, my mind was blank. When I finally approached Malcolm, I froze. Thankfully, there were no rolling cameras because my brain was screaming at my limbs to move. Eventually, they did. Meeting someone you’ve admired for years is awkward. Do you shake their hand? I ended up shaking his hand while trying not to hyperventilate.
We spent the next few minutes doing my 5mins elevator pitch to Malcolm.
Let that sink in.
Oh no. Not for you.
Let that sink in for me.
This is my pep talk to me. To try and deal with this new addition to my ‘Have dones’ list.
It was a blur, but every minute was priceless. It felt like chatting with an old friend, not a former Prime Minister.
Later, we talked about investments in Australia. Malcolm was incredibly warm and down-to-earth. I asked if I could get a photo with him, and he was more than happy to oblige. He even invited me to his office the next day to discuss my company in more detail. I told him I was flying out that evening, but he made time for me at 9 am the next day. Despite his busy schedule, he accommodated me!
“That’s how Malcolm makes you feel—normal, relatable, and valued. ”
I saw Malcolm again at the Gala Dinner that evening and tried not to bug him too much. The night was beautiful, and I felt humbled to be acknowledged alongside such overachiever Scientists. But more than anything, I was excited about the next day.
At his office, I promised myself I would act normal and not shiver. Malcolm and his colleagues were welcoming and genuine. I pitched my company to him, but most importantly, I realised that big celebrities are just normal people like you and me.
“I loved how my business partner and I had a voice, and we weren’t scared to make it heard.”
Waking up to a life where I got to pitch my company to Malcolm Turnbull is surreal. This adventure was a mix of humor, nerves, and incredible moments—truly unforgettable!