When we share, we heal.
Grace Tame is a survivor of child sexual abuse, author, columnist, campaigner, and advocate for fellow survivors. She is the Founder of The Grace Tame Foundation (GTF), a not-for-profit organisation which creates and funds initiatives to prevent, disrupt and respond to child sexual abuse.
In 2022 she released her number one best-selling memoir, The Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner, which was shortlisted for three Australia Book Industry Awards.
Between the ages of 18 and 24, Grace lived and worked in the United States as an artist. She now resides in her hometown of Hobart and regularly competes in ultramarathons around the country.
In December 2023, she broke the female course record for the Bruny Island 64km Ultra and in May 2023 won the Great Ocean Road Ultra as the first women and 6th overall. Grace raced Bruny Island again in December 2024 and smashed her previous record by over 12 minutes.
Grace joined Nike as a Nike running ambassador in 2025 and recently returned from Tanzania where she competed in the Kilimanjaro Marathon, coming 7th.
She is a regular columnist for titles including The Monthly and the Saturday Paper. For her contribution to legal reforms that allow child sexual abuse survivors to tell their own stories publicly,
Grace was named the 2021 Australian of the Year.
Talking Points
Advocacy, Autism and Running
The path to being a changemaker.
Advocacy, Autism and Running
Lightening the Load - Grace Tame in Conversation with Dan Illic
Blending unfiltered honesty with sharp wit, this offering tackles the weight of serious issues - from advocacy and resilience to systemic change - while proving that humour and storytelling can be powerful tools for connection and action.Lightening the Load - Grace Tame in Conversation with Dan Illic
With Grace’s raw authenticity and Dan’s incisive humour, audiences gained fresh perspectives on leadership, accountability, and how we can all play a role in shifting the cultural conversation.
Perfect for corporate audiences across any setting, seeking inspiration, courage, and a little levity in the face of challenges, Lightening the Load is more than a fireside chat - it’s a call to action, wrapped in the kind of insight and humanity that stays with you long after the final word.
Video
Grace Tame | National Press Club Address
Australian of the Year Grace Tame says survivors speaking out increases their power during her National Press Club address.Sexual assault survivor and advocate Grace Tame named 2021 Australian of the Year
Grace Tame, a 26-year-old who helped lead the fight to overturn a law preventing sexual assault survivors from speaking out has been named Australian of the Year for 2021.Grace Tame on Empowering Survivors to Speak Out | Q+A
Australian of the Year Grace Tame speaks about the importance of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault to empower each other.Abuse Survivor And Advocate Grace Tame Named 2021 Australian Of The Year | The Project
Grace Tame is a survivor, a fighter and a game-changer for others who, like her, have lived through unimaginable trauma. Last night she was also named Australian Of The Year for 2021, with an incredibly powerful speech.Grace Tame | Time Magazine Next Generation Leaders
A Tasmanian law silenced survivors of sexual assault. Grace Tame refused to keep quiet.Grace Tame seeks consistent sexual abuse legislation nation-wide | ABC News
2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame has addressed a meeting of attorneys-general this afternoon, calling for sexual abuse legislation to be consistent across states and territories. She says she left "heard and hopeful", and says there are "fantastic reforms" under way.Grace Tame's wild ride as Australian of the Year | Australian Story
When Grace Tame was named Australian of the Year she promised to make some noise and she hasn't disappointed. The 26-year-old child abuse survivor has been one of the most outspoken recipients of the award in its 62-year history, unafraid to criticise the Morrison government and the Prime Minister himself about the treatment of women and children. In an intimate and revealing Australian Story, Grace Tame looks back over her tumultuous tenure as Australian of the Year and the difficult journey that led her there.Eat My Fear': Grace Tame on survival, resilience and speaking out | One Plus One
Grace Tame is many things: an artist, a marathon runner, and a survivor. The 2021 Australian of the Year speaks to Kurt Fearnley about trauma, resilience, and raising awareness.Grace's presentation was unflinching and courageous. Her story had a powerful impact on our delegates. We will still be talking about her presentation for many years to come. ... keep reading ACC Global
Grace is such a powerful speaker, very down to earth and relatable. Her words were so meaningful and inspirational to many within our community. She is a true change maker!
Grace Tame is a speaker that needs to be heard. Her ability to connect with the audience, her openness, vulnerability and fierce passion to create a world that is safer is inspirational.While her keynote may challenge people it is a keynote that should be heard by as many people as possible. She is able to break down some very complex issues into language that allows further discussion and education. She would be an amazing speaker for your event.
Grace engaged our audience with her vulnerability, her truth, humour and exceptional story telling. She has the ability to deal with confronting topics in a way that simultaneously had us laughing in stitches and shedding tears of empathy. She was warmly received with two standing ovations and we are so grateful for the way she uses her platform to raise awareness and to create systemic change in our community. Thank you Grace.
