OLYMPIC sport climber Oceana Mackenzie has given a small team of Ballarat girls a special confidence boost direct from her quarantine.
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Mackenzie was a surprise virtual guest speaker for GirlGlossOphy, a homegrown female empowerment program for tweens, talking about her experience in the Olympic village and her personal challenges.
GirlGlossOphy founder and facilitator Vicky Robinson said the chance for girls to listen and speak with Mackenzie came up unexpectedly fast.
Ms Robinson said the 19-year-old proved a great fit for the program as an emerging talent still facing many hurdles in a sport that made its Olympic debut in Tokyo.
The weekly GirlGlossOphy program is aimed for girls aimed aged 10 to 13, mostly with anxiety-related concerns. Ms Robinson said the girls worked on team activities to tap into their strengths and inspire each other.
Oceana didn't win a medal in the Olympics, but she has the talent and strength to inspire in the future. She is a role model for the girls to follow.
- Vicky Robinson, GirlGlossOphy facilitator
"Oceana spoke about being true to herself and not copy anyone else," Ms Robinson said. "On social media girls want to be famous like a lot of people they see.
"Oceana didn't win a medal in the Olympics, but she has the talent and strength to inspire in the future. She is a role model for the girls to follow."
Ms Robinson said the girls were particularly impressed by how Mackenzie uses her personal strengths to make the most of quarantine - literally climbing the walls and windows.
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Mackenzie also spoke about her experience being homeschooled, like most of the girls in the program, and how this helped her achieve her goals.
Leading up to the Olympics, Mackenzie trained a lot alongside male athletes and told the girls this helped sharpen her mentality and belief she could achieve greater things.
"She also gave us insight into being an introvert in sport and how she uses her skills, passion and strength when it's not a team sport," Ms Robinson said. "Oceana uses her introvert skills to solve puzzles to climb walls.
"I try to think outside the box in sessions for the girls and Oceana gave the girls a real boost."
Ms Robinson launched GirlGlossOphy in February to help meet needs of her daughter and connect girls in their personal development.
The small group meets once a week in person, depending on restrictions, working together on music, drama, craft and community projects.
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