Role Funding:Across the Tasman today, Australian sporting icon Cathy Freeman has received one of the country’s highest honours, being named a Companion of the Order of Australia. Freeman is not just remembered for winning Olympic gold, but for what she represented at the time. She carried pride, courage, and hope for many First Nations people, and her legacy continues to inspire Indigenous communities and young athletes today. Freeman has spent years supporting Indigenous wellbeing and education initiatives, and her influence still reaches far beyond the track. For many Māori watching from Aotearoa, it is another proud moment for Indigenous people globally, showing what is possible when talent is matched with strength of spirit.