FIRST NATION YOUTH ORIELLE MICHAELIS-THORPE SELECTED TO AUSTRALIAN YOUTH CLIMBING TEAM

Ellie Longshank Photography

By Tangiora Hinaki

Year 11 student Orielle Michaelis-Thorpe has been selected to represent Australia at the World Youth Climbing Championships in Finland later this year. She is from the Bidjara and Dhunghutti tribes.

This young Murri  teenager secured her place on the Australian Youth Climbing Team after a strong performance at the National Youth Climbing Titles in Ballina, New South Wales. She took out first place in the Youth B Lead category and placed second in Boulder.

Lead climbing involves scaling a 15 to 18-metre wall while clipping into safety holds along the way. The aim is to climb as high as possible within 6 mins—speed doesn’t matter.

“I was quite nervous going in,” Orielle said. “Last year was the first time I did well at a comp, so I felt a lot of pressure. I did some meditating to calm myself and just climbed smoothly.”

In the final, she reached around 13 to 14 metres. One of the toughest moves involved a blind jump on an overhanging section of the wall.

“It was about a 20 or 30-degree overhang, and there was a hold blocking the one you had to grab. So I had to fully commit—jump and catch it without seeing where it was,” she said. “You’re in the air, no feet, just your hands catching the hold.”

Orielle admitted she hadn’t studied the top section of the climb properly, not expecting to make it that far.

“In lead, you only get one shot, and I didn’t read that jump. That’s something I’ll do differently next time.”

In the Boulder event, where climbers solve shorter, more complex routes under time pressure, nerves kicked in early.

“Sometimes my nerves take over and I can’t even think. But I got the first one on my second try, and after that I reset, focused, and got the second one first go.”

She also competed at the WA Open Boulder Titles in Perth over the weekend, now that she is deemed old enough to compete against adults.

“It’s not about winning,” she said. “It’s about gaining experience. I’m just doing it to push myself. Some mob from WA might come down to support me, which will be really nice.”

Orielle’s mother, Ljudan Thorpe, said her daughter was unwell heading into the semifinals in Perth.

“I’m relieved she got to rest,” Ljudan said. “It’s a better story when you don’t get through and learn how to strategise. I think being a hero isn’t about being the best—it’s about resilience and learning to adapt.”

Orielle had placed second in the qualifiers, topping four of the five climbs- a tremendous effort. In the semifinals the next day, she just missed the finals selection but she got to cheer on her fellow peers that made it through.

“Her ancestors are looking after her, giving her rest,” says her mum.

Later this year, Orielle will head to Helsinki with the Australian Youth Team for the Under 17 Female Lead category. It will be her second time overseas. Last year in China at World Youth she experienced how much higher the level is outside Australia. This year she has been training to be better prepared for international competitions.