GRACE TAME: My childhood was, for the most part, it was full of love. It might upset some people, but I think perhaps truth is what we need to hear She can only tell the truth as she sees it, and she can be very blunt with the truth. But I think it's what contributes to Grace's fierce honesty. PENNY PLASCHKE, MOTHER: Grace doesn't necessarily read social cues. You know, I already felt like there was something wrong with me. GRACE TAME: The autism diagnosis was certainly a vital piece of the puzzle, which helped bring a little bit more clarity to the picture. And that then helped us to understand some of the things that we had just accepted and maybe occasionally struggled along with, but didn't understand. PENNY PLASCHKE, MOTHER: Grace was living in the United States when she was diagnosed with high-functioning autism. We're a close-knit family, and it's wonderful to spend time together, especially after the relationship between Grace and her little brother Oscar was so disrupted when the abuse happened and Grace moved overseas. PENNY PLASCHKE, MOTHER: It means a lot having Grace home now. GRACE TAME: Let's make some noise Australia! GRACE TAME: My job is to hear and stand with the oppressed and if I have a platform that allows me to do that, you bet your arse I'm going to use it. GRACE TAME: Our collective voices can make a difference. GRACE TAME: Child sexual abuse and cultures that enable it still exist. KAREN MIDDLETON, CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, THE SATURDAY PAPER: Grace Tame is a very outspoken Australian of the year and she's disturbed some people because of her direct criticisms but she has started and kept going a national conversation that we probably needed to have. GRACE TAME: I spent the next six months being raped by him nearly every day. GRACE TAME: I lost my virginity to a paedophile. NINA FUNNELL, 'LET HER SPEAK' CAMPAIGN FOUNDER: She's very polished and she's very articulate and she's very intelligent, but she's still just a 26-year-old who's doing all the things that 26-year-olds do and who's processing years of trauma If you don't want to be filmed, put your hand up.
And I think that's why so many people can connect with her. She's so fiercely strong whilst being incredibly vulnerable all at the same time. People are drawn to her because of the way that she speaks, the way that she conveys her message. MADDISON CUTLER, FRIEND: People flock to her. GRACE TAME: Max and I were flying by the seat of our pants. MAX HEEREY, PARTNER: If we can get through this year, we can get through anything. I can't be operating at this pace for the rest of my life GRACE TAME: The answer is probably not a sustainable amount.
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They have more experience and they've got some knowledge of how to navigate, you know, a speaking circuit. GRACE TAME: Usually, recipients of Australian of the Year are much older than I am. GRACE TAME: I swear they'd be more than that.
GRACE TAME: How many talks do you reckon I've done this year? (Grace and Max driving to speaking event)
GRACE TAME: I don't claim to have all the answers. As her tenure nears an end, Grace looks back over a tumultuous 12 months. She's empowered many to speak up and many more to get active, all the while speaking truth to power. She's been a fearless and unapologetic advocate for survivors of child sexual abuse. When Grace accepted that honour back in January she vowed to make some noise and she hasn't disappointed. And it's fitting that the subject of tonight's story is the 2021 Australian of the Year, Grace Tame. Welcome to the final episode of Australian Story for the year.