As one of Australia's swimming greats, Matt Welsh has built a reputation as an excellent athlete and ambassador for Australian sport. With seven years at the top level, Matt has recently retired from competition to enjoy swimming from a different standpoint.

His reputation as a role model and the perfect professional has lead to Samsung inviting him to become involved in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay celebrations. He will participate as both a Samsung Athlete Ambassador and Torchbearer, representing Australian one more time.

Matt took up competitive swimming at the age of 18. Initially a butterfly specialist, Matt made the switch to the backstroke with resounding success.

At the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Matt won silver in the 100 and 200m backstroke events and bronze in the 4x100 Medley Relay. This success catapulted Matt onto the international stage and further success followed. His talent became well recognised within swimming circles and resulted in him forming an international rivalry with American swimmer Lenny Krayzelburg.

Following the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Matt won gold in the 100m backstroke and 4x100m medley relay at the 2001 World Championships. Then he competed in the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002, only to add three gold medals and the title of Commonwealth Games Record holder to his list of achievements.

In 2003, Matt won gold for the fifth consecutive year in the men's 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke at the Telstra Australian Short Course Championships. A few weeks later in Barcelona at the World Swimming Championships, Matt, better regarded as a backstroker, won gold and set a new world record in the 50m butterfly.

Welsh competed at his second Olympics in Athens, again sweeping the backstroke events at the Telstra Olympic Swim Trials. Welsh also took silver in the 50m butterfly.

The highlight of Welsh's Athens Games was his valiant fifth in the Men's 100m backstroke. Welsh led with just strokes to the finish, with the difference between first and fifth just 0.46 sec. This is a result Welsh is very proud of as he was battling illness in the lead up to the Games which severely hampered his preparation.

Welsh hit top form during the backstroke events at the Barcelona 2003 National Championships, securing 24 long-course National titles including eight straight 100m backstroke titles. At the World Championships in Montreal he continued form, winning silver in the 50m backstroke. Welsh now has 32 short-course titles to make him one of the most prolific Australian swimmers in recent times.

Welsh continued his domination at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in his hometown of Melbourne. He won gold in the men's 4x100m Medley Relay and produced great individual performances to win silver in both the 50m Butterfly and 100m Backstroke.

Following the Commonwealth Games, Welsh competed in his third World Short Course Championships in Shanghai. He produced the best performance of his career, breaking through a three-year international drought to win four gold medals and one bronze. He capped off 2006 by winning the 50m and 100m Backstroke and 50m Butterfly at the National Championships, along the way becoming Australia’s first swimmer to win 50 national titles.

Competing again in front of a home crowd in Melbourne at his fifth FINA World Championships in March 2007, Welsh made the finals of both the 50m and 100m Backstroke and was a member of the gold medal winning 4x100m Medley Relay team.

Matt Welsh announced his retirement from competition in March 2008. His retirement has led to him being selected as Samsung’s Athlete Ambassador and Torchbearer for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay, representing his country in Olympic spirit once again.

Samsung’s 2008 Olympic Torch Relay Ambassador, Trooper Andrew Behrndt – ASLAV Crewman 2nd Cavalry Regiment, exemplifies the Olympic spirit and strives for excellence, having pushed the limit to a better life through his service to the nation.

Trooper Behrndt defined mateship, leadership and dedication to improving the life of others during his tour of duty in Iraq. He regularly participated and trained Iraqi security forces that will ultimately lead to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the country.

While on patrol, Trooper Behrndt suffered multiple injuries and burns when an improvised explosive device detonated alongside his armored vehicle. Throughout his recovery, his one concern was returning to Iraq to support his regiment.

Recommended by Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Rawlins, Commanding Officer 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Trooper Behrndt was nominated by Air Marshal Angus Houston, Australian Chief of Defence.

Trooper Behrndt has been awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal, Australian Service Medal with Clasp IRAQ and Returned from Active Service Badge for his service.

Andrew Heslop established the non-profit organization Neighbour Day and has followed a deep family heritage of being an active part of the community. Neighbour Day aims to encourage a greater sense of community caring by encouraging the community to look after those vulnerable and isolated, especially those who live alone.

Andrew was the first Torchbearer to be selected by Samsung. He was nominated by a close friend because of his devotion to developing stronger communities here in Australia.

Andrew was a nominee for the Commonwealth Bank Local Hero Award – a part of the 2008 Australian of the Year Award – for the development of Neighbour Day and his association with Australian Red Cross and the former Victorian Relief Committee. Through Neighbour Day, Andrew has been invited to deliver a speech to the United Nations.

In 2007, Andrew was nominated for a prestigious Melbourne Award within the Individual Contribution to Community category for raising the international profile of Melbourne through the development of Neighbour Day.

In December 2005, Andrew was put up for the National Australia Day Council’s Australian of the Year Award. He was subsequently nominated for the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Australian of the Year Awards.

Janelle White is an Ambulance Paramedic with the NSW Ambulance Service. In the nomination, Janelle was praised for her indomitable spirit and inspirational attitude to life and as a shinning example of human endurance.

Nominated by a close friend, Janelle was wheelchair bound with Multiple Sclerosis before re-gaining her strength to complete marathons and triathlons, all the while working to train as a high school teacher in New South Wales. Janelle was then diagnosed with Lymphoma. Following 12- months of chemotherapy, Janelle overcame significant physical challenges to participate in a 35km mountain run just six weeks after ending her treatment. Janelle’s recent 40th birthday celebrations included completing the NSW Iron Man competition with a sub-12 hour time.

Living in Perth, West Australia, Sophie attends Notre Dame University and is currently working towards a double degree in Law and Arts, majoring in Politics and Journalism.

Sophie is an inspirational Australian and was nominated by her Aunt for her selfless commitment to her local community. Through various charity activities outside her studies, Sophie devotes herself to volunteer work with the Red Cross Soup Kitchens and Door Knocks; Clean Up Australia; Amnesty International and the St Vincent de Paul Homework Club.

In addition to her ongoing charity involvement, Sophie was nominated for the 2007 Lions Youth of The Year Award and the WA Youth Award that recognises outstanding West Australians between the ages of 13 and 25 years. In addition, she was nominated for a 2007 Positive Image Award that recognises secondary school students who promote a positive image of young people within their school or wider community. Last year, she was an interview panel with the Director Generals of Education for the then, newly created Senior WA Government position of Commissioner for Children and Young People.

Corporate nominee, Mark Brunton, is the Consumer Sales Director at Optus. Since joining Optus in July 2006, Mark has worked diligently with Samsung and the Australian mobile phone industry to keep Australia at the forefront of telecommunications.

Prior to joining Optus, Mark was Sales Director and Managing Director of the Tooheys Division for Lion Nathan Group. While there, he achieved a successful sales record all the while working to complete his MBA through the Macquarie Graduate School of Management.

Following a three-year recovery from a serious lung ailment, Aaron trained for the ultimate test of human endurance, an Ironman race. As a testament to his passion for life and helping those afflicted with cystic fibrosis, Aaron raised $22,000 for the New Zealand-based charity, Breath4CF.