The mum-of-two could be back for more at the Brisbane Olympics

She made Australia proud as she soared high above the stadium in the 2000 Olympic Games opening ceremony when she was just 13 years old.

And as our country prepares to host the Games once more in 2032, our “Hero Girl” Nikki Webster tells Woman’s Day that she’ll jump at the chance to do it all over again!

“I’d love to perform in Brisbane, who wouldn’t?! I mean, it’s the most rewarding performance of any person’s career, to represent your country on a global scale. It’s pretty awesome,” she says.

The 34-year-old says her “mind was blown” when she woke up to a petition, started by 2GB’s Deborah Knight, to get her back to perform, adding, “The Olympics are always a very special time for me, so to be thought of in that way is just incredible. It’s very humbling.”

By the time the ceremony arrives in 2032, Nikki will be 45, which she admits is “crazy” to think about – especially as she remembers standing on the stage in 2000 like it was yesterday!

“I remember watching Cathy Freeman light the cauldron and I was thinking, ‘Where will I be in four years’ time?’ I certainly wasn’t thinking about where I’d be at 45,” she laughs.

And while she acknowledges the ceremony is years away, Nikki still has some ideas about what her performance would look like.

“I would love to fly again! And technology has come a long way so maybe I could even levitate across the stage or something,” she laughs.

“But I definitely won’t be wearing the pink dress.”

Perhaps her seven-year-old daughter Skylah, who will be just a few years older than Nikki was when she performed, could get involved, too?

“If she wanted to be, absolutely,” Nikki enthuses.

“Watching my kids watch the coverage now, it’s clear they love the Olympics. So whichever way, we’re going to be in Brisbane in 2032, being proud Aussies.”

And if she had any wisdom to impart to Skylah and three-year-old son Malachi, Nikki would tell them to “enjoy it, shine and be grateful”.

You have this opportunity to make your country proud, so go out there and have fun and soak it all up,” she says.

Source: Woman’s Day
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Nikki Webster has launched her own children’s book with her brother Scott Webster to help inspire Australian youth to live their dreams.

The book, Dare to Dream, is a story about a young girl who falls asleep and dreams of doing what she loves – performing and dancing on stage at the iconic Opera House.

With challenges to overcome to achieve her ambitions, she wakes from her dream – inspired, motivated, and passionate to conquer the obstacles that lie between herself and her goals.

Nikki said she was lucky to live her own dream of performing and singing for audiences from a very young age.

“As a child, I had the opportunity to learn important lessons about the power of hard work and, above all, believing in yourself,” she said.

She and her brother teach children the art of dance out of their studios on the Central Coast and in Sydney.

“Through both our work at the dance studios and now with the release of Dare to Dream, we always work together with the one overarching goal of inspiring young talent,” Scott said.

After reflecting on who and what had the greatest impact on their lives, the brother and sister decided to draw inspiration for the book from the story of one of their dearest and longest friends, four-time Paralympian, Ben Weekes.

The two have been friends with Weekes since they attended the same childcare centre, primary school and high school.

While playing tennis at school one day, Weekes suffered a blood clot to the spine, leaving him permanently disabled.

“I still remember the shock of that day when Ben went into the hospital,” Scott said.

“But by far my strongest memory, and what’s left a lasting impression on me, is the amazing way in which Ben dealt with the adversity.”

Nikki said she was inspired by Ben’s positivity to still achieve his dreams.

“Ben’s ability, even as a young teenager, to accept what happened to him and then go on with so much positivity and perseverance to achieve so many great things left an indelible mark on both Scott and I,” she said.

“We both still draw inspiration from him today, which is why we’re so pleased to be able to share some of this inspiration with children through Dare to Dream.

“We want to encourage children to believe in themselves, dream big, and stay positive and passionate, no matter what happens on the road to achieving (those dreams).”

Inspired by Weekes’ story, and in the spirit of encouraging and nurturing youth, Nikki and Scott have partnered with Paralympics Australia and will be donating a percentage of the proceeds from book sales to the organisation.

“We’re so pleased to be able to give back to an organisation like Paralympics Australia who do such great work with children through their Come and Try Days and Paralympic School Education programs,” they said.

Source: Central Coast News