Angus Olsen 2024 NSW Australian of the Year Local Hero

For many, this time of year often comes with (self) reflection and usually common phrases that are thrown about are like where did the year go, yikes, I was meant to do this and that…. And for some, the gift of giving is especially heightened around the festive/holiday period – be it volunteering in soup kitchens and schools fairs, monetary donations, donating personal items and so.

With that in mind, we wanted to share the unbelievable work and impact a local member of the Blue Mountains community has done to not only those in his community but across the globe. Here it goes…

Angus Olsen’s daughter, Jane, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer at the age of two. During her weeks of chemotherapy and surgery, Angus, a former Disney cartoonist, started writing and illustrating her procedures as a way to understand and share her experiences with other young patients and their families.

At the time, most of the available information about cancer was geared towards adults.

Angus … a former Disney cartoonist!

Gone Global. Translated in other languages.

Filling this enormous gap has meant that his work has been widely shared, going viral and downloaded approximately half a million times around the world, all without charge. Angus’ main goal has been to raise awareness about the experiences of children with cancer. His work has also gone on to be translated in Italian by an Italian pharmacist and in Portuguese by a Brazilian surgeon.

But his efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, with Angus recently being nomination and winning the Local Hero Award in the 2024 NSW Australian of the Year in a November ceremony. Angus was up against three other great nominees. NSW nominees were:

“ordinary people doing the most extraordinary things”

as described by Mark Fraser, National Australia Day Council chief executive. Angus alongside other awardees traveled to Canberra over the recent Australia Day long weekend to take part in the official ceremony. See images below.

Angus hopes that with this recognition and increased attention it will encourage and drive more people to sign up to be bone marrow donors. Thank you Angus for all you have done and Congratulations 👏 on the nomination and award.

So, what is the connection between Angus Olsen & Segafredo?

Angus has been a long-time customer of Segafredo. He is the main barista at the CafeXpresso kiosk at Katoomba station, giving commuters their daily Segafredo caffeine fix along with other goodies as they make their way to and from work.

He continues to draw cartoons between making coffees. And make sure if you are in and around Katoomba, you drop by for a coffee and a chat!