40 prominent Australians have come together to tell their inspiring stories in a landmark series of events in the central business districts as part of Connect09.

The Connect09 CBD strategy is being timed to occur as the Jesus All About Life media campaign gets underway and the website, inspiringpeople.com.au went live last week.

Speakers include the inventor of the bionic ear, Graeme Clark, former Treasurer Peter Costello, league great Steve Mortimer, Australia’s first lady of style, June Dally-Watkins,  rugby legend Nick Farr-Jones, former deputy Prime Minister John Anderson, archaeologist Dr Karin Sowada, World windsurfing champion Allison Shreeve and businessman Roger Corbett.

Brought together by the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen, sixteen ‘Inspiring People’ events are planned at various locations in Sydney, North Sydney, Parramatta and Wollongong.

Photo: Dr Jensen places the first of the door hangers on his office door.

At each event, three high-profile speakers will tell of their life journeys and their inspiration.

"Each of these people has a distinctive story of success and failure, of faith and doubt. I hope people will be challenged and inspired. I’m grateful to each of them for taking part” Dr Jensen says.

More than 100 thousand door hangers are being distributed in major publications in Sydney and Parramatta to publicise the events. The door hangers are also being distributed to chuches via Southern Cross.

In a video on sydneyanglicans.net, Dr Jensen urges workers in the CBD’s of Sydney, North Sydney, Parramatta, and Wollongong to support the events and invite their friends.

The panel events are being moderated by Karl Faase, one of the leading figures of the Jesus All About Life campaign and historian Dr John Dickson will be a special panellist at each event. His course, The Life of Jesus, will be offered to those who attend.

The CBD ministry, City Bible Forum is providing support for the event in co-operation with a number of key churches.