Oliver, a 16-year-old history buff from Sydney, has been named one of the eight finalists for the Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship.  

“My dream is to walk the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea. What it means to me is it’s proving to myself that I have my fitness back and I can do difficult things again.” 

The Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship was established 11 years ago, to inspire young people whose physical or mental health has been affected by cancer and to achieve their goals and ambitions. This scholarship, funded by Coles, helps young people build their future and can be put towards education or life goals.    

In June 2023, Oliver was diagnosed with Classic Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, two weeks before his 15^th birthday. 

“The diagnosis flipped my life upside down. I have always loved the outdoors and have a passion for history, music and fitness,” Oli said.

Before Oliver was diagnosed, he was in the middle of completing The Duke of Edinburgh’s program but had to give that up.  

Before diagnosis, other than a persistent cough, there wasn’t really anything Oliver’s mum Niki noticed for the reason he wasn’t thriving. She felt something wasn’t right though and a day after taking Oli to the GP, Oli was asked to go to the ER.  

“The doctors found a big mass in Oli’s chest. It was surrounding some of his major arteries and lungs, and they were concerned it would impact his heart and his lung capacity,” Niki recalls.  

What followed was a week of diagnostic tests before the final diagnosis was made, and from there Oli began treatment. 

Having to stop all his activities and be stuck in bed was an incredibly difficult challenge for Oli. 

“I had to stop training for my karate brown belt grading and couldn’t play in any of the school bands that I was in. The doctors were concerned about my heart and lungs, so I was confined to bed, which made me physically weak, and I lost a lot of weight.” 

The physical rollercoaster, combined with the social isolation, impacted how Oli felt about himself.  

“During treatment, I had to take steroids which then made me put on a lot of weight, as well as feeling awful from the treatment and being alone.” 

Although treatment was difficult, Niki credits Oli’s fitness and health as one of the reasons why, physically, he was able to cope so well through treatment. 

“I think Oli’s just incredibly resilient and he’s physically robust. The fact that he was so fit before he became sick, I think really helped him.” 

Having always loved history and with his active lifestyle, Oli’s dream to walk the Kokoda Track is the perfect aspiration.  

“With the Dare to Dream scholarship money, it would cover half the costs, and that would make it possible!” 

Oli wants to walk the track with his mum.  

“I was lucky to have lots of family support during my illness, but my mum was the one who was with me every step of the way. She made lots of sacrifices, such as giving up her job, to help me. For us to conquer Kokoda, as well as cancer, together would be incredible.”  

In his own words, Oli’s cancer journey “gave me a newfound appreciation for my health and well-being”. It also meant he could brush up on history, particularly Australian military history, further fuelling his dream of walking Kokoda. 

“Having cancer, has helped me to see the best in everything. To try to be positive, even if it’s bad – try to make something good of it, and don’t push people away from you. Be open and welcoming to others.” 

Oliver is now in remission and has gained his fitness back.  

“I think he’s fitter now than he was before he got sick!” Niki said. 

“Throughout his treatment and ongoing recovery, he has demonstrated many of the traits that make up the ANZAC spirit such as courage, determination and the ability to maintain his sense of humour and mischief in the most trying of circumstances.” 

Since 2013, Redkite and Coles have awarded 500 Dare to Dream Scholarships worth over $800,500 to support young Australians whose aspirations and goals have been impacted by their cancer diagnosis.