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Lauren Jackson leads the way in a conversation on the nation’s progress.
Lauren Jackson, the three-times winner of the WNBL's 'most valuable player' award, is usually asked about rebounds and three-point shots.
But Jackson is proving she can shoot hoops on and off the court by leading the way in a national conversation based on national progress.
"What I would love to see in the future in Australia, are unity and acceptance of differences," she told Measure of Australia's Progress (MAP), adding "I think it's important being able to work together and live together peacefully".
Asked about the foundations of a better tomorrow Jackson drew on personal experience, citing family, a strong support network and education as the keys to success.
She said that "a good family environment where you are really supported and able to grow up in an environment that allows you to be who you want to be; and where you have the resources for education," helped kids grow and develop.
And while the star was more than happy to share her thoughts on the nation at large – as well as its position as an international leader – she also made time to talk about sport and the role it plays by helping to break down social barriers.
"Sport gets kids out of the house and it puts them in an environment where they have to work with people regardless of their gender, or their age or their religion. It's one of the ways which we can enrich kids' lives in moving through into the future," she enthused.
And while many parents worry about their kids' health and education, Jackson made it clear that play-time is vital to childhood development.
The star joins a number of other high profile celebrities including entrepreneur Dick Smith, feminist and activist Eva Cox, Victoria Cross recipient and trooper Mark Donaldson, economist Michael Stutchbury and ABC Radio National's Richard Aedy on national progress on the MAP blog.
The MAP 2.0 consultation is run by the Australian Bureau of Statistics as part of its flagship publication Measures of Australia's Progress, which was first released in 2002 amid growing public interest in the relationships between the economy, society and environment.
Information gathered from the blog is used to define what "progress" actually means, as well as promote national wellbeing and for those who would like to participate in the national discussion the blog is also open to members of the public and having your say is as simple as logging on to the official website.