Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as students share biggest stage

Milo Smith prepares to take part in the Welcome to Country

Last Thursday, over 75,000 people rolled into Stadium Australia for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup opener.

Though this was a historic feat for the Matildas, who faced Ireland in front of their largest ever crowd on the day, it was 14 Aboriginal students who earned the spotlight before the girls even hit the pitch, showing viewers from all over the world what Australia is really made of.

The students, all from western Sydney schools, were recruited to perform the Welcome to Country at the event, with Caroline Chisholm student Milo Smith recalling nothing but excitement when she was told she would be taking part.

"I was in the middle of a bakery having something to eat for breakfast, and I had to step out for maybe three minutes, because I could barely process it," she said.

Caroline Chisholm students Aliyah Chilly and Milo Smith.

Over the past few weeks, the girls attended a number of rehearsals at a local school before stepping onto the field for the first time on the night prior to the big event.

"It's massive in there, it's actually insane," Milo said

We'd seen the seat point of view, but we'd never seen the point of view from the field with everyone looking down on you - it's really crazy, and I think I had more of a shock then than when we were just about to perform."

But, Milo said this didn't make the day itself any easier, despite her adrenaline calming the nerves.

"You're trying to suppress all of these emotions that are overwhelming you, but I started crying the second we got out because of how excited I was," she said.

"Stepping out there, you look completely serious and like you're not feeling anything, but inside you have butterflies."

Though Milo admitted she's not the biggest fan of soccer, the 14-year-old said she couldn't be happier about the performance, which aired in full on Optus Sport.

"The opportunity that I've gotten at 14 is a blessing, it's more than just an opportunity," she said.

"Surely this is a positive karma for something!"

The performance was also shown all across the globe, with Milo saying she's always excited to showcase Aboriginal culture through dance.

"Because of everything that's happened, there's not a lot of Aboriginal stuff, and so we have to pass it down to keep it going," she said.

"That's what I want to do, I want to be a part of that. I want my kids someday to be a part of their culture, and I just really hope I get that opportunity someday with dance."