SPEAKER PROGRAM
The RCMP Speaker Program was a fantastic opportunity for club members and guests to expand their horizons, and hear other community leaders speak about a topic they are passionate about.
Whether it is a representative from other community groups, an expert sharing tips and knowledge that can be used for personal and professional development, or remarkable personal stories that inspire, there is always something new to learn. We also got the opportunity to hear from those who have experienced some of Rotary's life changing projects.
Take a look below to see the wonderful variety and calibre of speakers we have had at our club meetings.
- Professional and Personal Development
- Community Leaders
- Expand your Horizons
- Rotary Programs and Initiatives
Speaker Highlights
Dr Stuart Kells speaking to our club about his career
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Dr Stuart Kells, "Networking for Business & Personal Results"
Dr Stuart Kells is a Director at KPMG and Executive Director for water reform in Victoria. He has had a diverse career, across several sectors including government, consulting, academia, publishing, banking and defence. Stuart spoke about his career, with a focus on working in the public sector and networking to achieve outcomes. Stuart has an enviable skill of bringing people together and is a highly engaging and interesting individual. Jessie Taylor, "What turns a person into a boat person"
In 2012 Jessie was the subject of an episode of the ABC’s ‘Australian Story’, ‘Stranger on the Shore’. Jessie told us the story of how she ‘adopted’ a fourteen year old Afghan asylum seeker. |
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Katherine Sampson, founder of 'Healthy Habits'
Katherine Sampson is the Founder of Australia’s largest sandwich franchise Healthy Habits. Establishing her first sandwich bar in 1992, Katherine expanded her business to over 40 stores throughout Victoria, ACT, New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand. She was featured in 2009 BRW Magazine’s Fast Franchises, 2008 BRW Magazine’s 100 Fastest Growing Start-up companies 2008 BRW Magazine’s 50 Fastest Growing Franchise Successes. During her talk, Katherine shared with us her journey on how she built her business and the sale of it, and gave us an insight to her next adventures. Trav Bell, 'The Bucket List Guy'
Trav Bell spoke about the importance of having a purpose and direction in life and using a ‘bucket list’ to pursue your goals. His mission is simple: "help as many people live their bucket lists before it's too late!" For more information about creating your own 'bucket list', check out Trav's website - The Bucket List Guy |
The 'Bucket List Guy' Trav Bell offering his tips in creating and using a bucket list
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Bob Ansett answering questions after his talk to our club
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Bob Ansett, "Leadership & Business"
Bob built Budget Rent a Car from scratch into a $400 million dollar international business, only to be overtaken by a financial crisis. He has now written two best-selling books about it. With an entertaining and informative approach, he draws from a wealth of business and sporting experience to provide practical advice, insights, anecdotes and new approaches to all facets of human endeavour. Neville Nicholls, "Climate Change: Global catastrophe or global conspiracy?"
Neville is an Australian Research Council Professorial Fellow for the School of Geography & Environmental Science at Monash University. He was a part of the Intergovernmental Panel that was jointly awarded The Nobel Peace Prize 2007 with Al Gore "for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change". |
Professional and Personal Development
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"Decisions for Success", Colin Rochford
Colin is a SUCCESS coach who works with people facing changes in their lives. Personal changes, (relationships, physical vitality or health) work changes (new job, new manager, new tasks - processes) and changes in the community. (clean-up, bike path, playground). Anything really. Colin discussed the three fundamental approaches required to facilitate changes and make them stick. "Stress Management in the Workplace", Dr Bruce Wells
Dr Wells has been involved in the Health and Wellness Industry for 15 years. With a doctorate in motivational psychology and degrees in physical education and health promotion he has developed and delivered a range of mental wellness courses to corporate clients, community groups, and university students. |
Colin Rochford detailing his three fundamental approaches to facilitate change
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Adam Voigt speaking to our club
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"Self-managed Super Funds", Arun John
Arun John is the Director of Peregrine Accountant and Business Services and has been involved in business and taxation consulting for over a decade. His vast experience in a wide range of industries and professions has seen him take on the role of business coach/mentor to many of his clients. Arun spoke to us about self-managed super funds. "Are you a leader worth following?", Adam Voigt
Adam Voigt - trainer, mentor, author, coach - spoke to us about being a leader of character and leading in contemporary business and in the community. http://www.adamvoigt.com.au/ |
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"Managing Innovation", Dr Anton de Waal
While innovation is a primary source of wealth creation and absolutely essential for corporate survival, worldwide firms still struggle to get it right. Anton de Waal explained a simple and pragmatic approach to managing innovation. He is also the Master of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program Coordinator at Swinburne University of Technology. "Year End Tax Planning", Lisa Green
Lisa Green from Dominion Private Clients spoke to our club about preparation for the end of the financial year and how to maximise and organise your tax return in the future. |
A pragmatic approach to managing innovation, according to Dr Anton de Waal
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Daniel Priestley - how to become a key person of influence
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"Time Management", Wendy Cole
Wendy Cole is i-Mastery’s Principal and is actively involved in designing and facilitating customised training workshops and providing individual coaching. Wendy has extensive management experience; successfully leading teams through periods of rapid growth and change. Wendy used her years of experience to provide insight into how to use your time more effectively, presenting practical time management skills and useful tips. "Become a Key Person of Influence", Daniel Priestley
Daniel is a successful entrepreneur and international speaker who spoke about the principles in his best selling book: “Become a Key Person of Influence". Daniel is an event producer, seed capitalist and technology entrepreneur who, with a multi-million pound global business and very exclusive clients, is widely regarded as a leader in his industry. He has been written about in the Financial Times and speaks to thousands of people a year at business events and advises start-ups and fast growth companies. |
"Stockmarket Investing for Beginners", Paul Benveniste
Initially with ANZ Private Bank, Paul joined Investec Bank in 2001, and was most recently responsible for the Private Client Treasury and Investments area in Melbourne. Paul has worked with Private Clients across a range of issues including debt and investments, in both listed and unlisted markets. Paul talked about Stockmarket investing for beginners and the current state of the Australian share-market.
Initially with ANZ Private Bank, Paul joined Investec Bank in 2001, and was most recently responsible for the Private Client Treasury and Investments area in Melbourne. Paul has worked with Private Clients across a range of issues including debt and investments, in both listed and unlisted markets. Paul talked about Stockmarket investing for beginners and the current state of the Australian share-market.
Community Leaders
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"Raising the Profile of Ovarian Cancer", Danielle Marsh - Mrs Australia World 2014
Danielle was crowned Mrs Australia World in 2014 and represented Australia in the US in the prestigious Mrs World competition. Danielle has been active in educating the community about Ovarian Cancer, and has personally led several fundraising efforts to raise funds to support research on this devastating illness. Her efforts to raise funds and awareness including a 16km solo swim from Victoria Point to North Stradbroke Island, and climbing to Everest Base Camp. "The Open Food Network", Rob Harrington
The Open Food Network is a Melbourne-based project which seeks to foster food system diversity and accountability through empowerment of small-scale local food businesses and producers. As an online food market place where transparency of production practices is preserved, it aims to re-democratise decision making around what constitutes acceptable practice in relation to the production, procurement and transport of food. Rob Harrington is a software developer working on the Open Food Network, the co-manager of a vegetable box scheme servicing around 100 families in his hometown of Warragul and a part-time market gardener. He discussed the food system dynamics which precipitated the creation of the Open Food Network and the role of the project in supporting transformative change by encouraging active participation in the sharing economy. |
Rob Harrington explaining The Open Food Network to our club.
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Andrew Cameron explaining the different programs that Doxa offer disadvantaged youths.
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"Doxa Youth Foundation", Andrew Cameron
Andrew is the General Manager of Operations for the Doxa Youth Foundation, an organisation that creates opportunities for disadvantaged children and young people by providing education related programs that help them achieve their potential. Doxa engages over 5000 young people in their projects annually, primarily through camps, school programs and cadetships. "Days for Girls International", Michelle Gates
Michelle Gates is the Victorian Coordinator of the Days for Girls organisation. Days for Girls International is a not-for-profit group dedicated to creating a more dignified, humane and sustainable world for girls through advocacy, reproductive health awareness, education and access to sustainable feminine hygiene - because no girl should go without. Their vision: Every girl and woman in the world with ready feasible access to quality sustainable hygiene & health education by 2022. Days for Girls are accomplishing this through direct distribution of supplies via non-profits and other groups, raising awareness, helping other organisations start their own programs, and - importantly - constructing the feminine hygiene kits. |
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"Whitelion", Mark Watt
In 1999, Mark Watt co-founded Whitelion with former AFL premiership player Glenn Manton. Whitelion is a community organisation that works to reconnect ‘at risk’ young people with the mainstream community through mentoring, employment, education and leadership programs. "The Adesua Project", Project co-ordinators from The University of Ballarat
Adesua is an Enactus program at the University of Ballarat and aims to improve the standard of living for the community of Frankadua, Ghana. This program facilitated the development and construction of a library in Frankadua during December 2013 in The Lords Doing International School, as well as providing assistance and support for the people of the community. |
Adesua Project Coordinators from The University of Ballarat
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"The Butterfly Movement", Dalice Kennedy
Dalice Kennedy is the founder and Chief Executive of The Butterfly Movement Ltd Charity. The Butterfly Movement’s inaugural campaign began in September 2011 with the original goal to collect 10,000 pairs of new and gently worn shoes over a three-month period. Such was the support and interest in the campaign the original goal was surpassed in 5 weeks and by the time the three-month time-frame was through more than 54,000 pairs of shoes had been received from all states and territories in Australia.
Dalice Kennedy is the founder and Chief Executive of The Butterfly Movement Ltd Charity. The Butterfly Movement’s inaugural campaign began in September 2011 with the original goal to collect 10,000 pairs of new and gently worn shoes over a three-month period. Such was the support and interest in the campaign the original goal was surpassed in 5 weeks and by the time the three-month time-frame was through more than 54,000 pairs of shoes had been received from all states and territories in Australia.
Lisa Clark from Swags for Homeless demonstrating how the backpack beds can be used for shelter
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"Swags for Homeless", Lisa Clark
Swags for Homeless is a not for profit charity and provides emergency relief backpack beds for those who are homeless and who are turned away from shelters. Lisa spoke to us about the work they are doing and what can be done to help this fantastic cause. "Guide Dogs Australia", Joan Smith
In the early 80’s Joan was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa causing a loss of peripheral vision. When Joan began to lose her vision she also began to lose her confidence but was able to get back on track after training with her first guide dog Nelda. Joan shared with us her experiences and the services that Guide Dogs Victoria provides. |
"Asha Global", Emily Hanscamp & Manju Vyas
Asha Global is an organisation working to support women and children living in poverty and being exploited by the sex-trade, providing them with self-empowerment, health care, education and training. Emily is the Founder of Asha Global and Manju is a Director. Manju spoke about her fourteen years’ experience working with women and children.
Asha Global is an organisation working to support women and children living in poverty and being exploited by the sex-trade, providing them with self-empowerment, health care, education and training. Emily is the Founder of Asha Global and Manju is a Director. Manju spoke about her fourteen years’ experience working with women and children.
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"Asylum Seekers Resource Centre", Rachel Waters
Rachel Waters from the Asylum Resource Centre in Footscray speaking to us about refugees and the asylum seeking process. "Youth programmes run by Police in City of Yarra", Leading Senior Constable Chris McGeachan
Chris McGeachan of Victoria Police, speaking on the youth programmes run by police in the City of Yarra. "The Humour Foundation", David Symons
The Humour Foundation is an Australian charity dedicated to promoting and delivering the health benefits of humour. It's inception was inspired by a meeting with Dr Patch Adams, by research findings on the benefits of humour, and the work of Swiss-based Theodora Foundation and the Big Apple Clown Care Unit in New York. |
Rachel Waters speaking about Australia's asylum seeker process
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"Interplast", Mike McFarlane
A Rotary affiliated program that sends teams of qualified surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and allied therapists to developing countries in the Asia Pacific Region to provide surgical procedures for those in need.
A Rotary affiliated program that sends teams of qualified surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and allied therapists to developing countries in the Asia Pacific Region to provide surgical procedures for those in need.
Other topics include
- "Alannah & Madeline Foundation"
- "The Oaktree Foundation", Sam - Oaktree Foundation is a youth movement to end poverty. Oaktree is Australia’s largest youth-run organisation with over 150,000 members.
- "Foodbank Victoria", Ric Benjamin - Foodbank Victoria is a not for profit, independent charity that rescues and provides food and material aid to individuals and families experiencing hardship.
- "The Violence Free Families Project", Kerry Kornheiser & David Smyth
- "Sir Donald Bradman Foundation", Kevin Mooney
- "Red Cross: Donating Blood and Where it Goes", Kyleigh Palmer
Expand your Horizons
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"Fighting Poverty through Education", Felix Mollel - The School of St Jude
Felix grew up in the Maasai tribe in Tanzania. Felix Mollel has been working at St Jude’s since 2005, a school which offers free education to over 1,650 of the poorest children from Arusha, Tanzania. Felix shared his inspirational story of his promotion from bus driver to role of Visitor Coordinator at St Jude’s, and how working at St Jude’s has empowered him, along with over 400 of his Tanzanian colleagues who have the opportunity to develop skills, learn English and work as part of a community who are fighting poverty through education Author & historian of "Rescue at 2100 Hours", Tom Trumble
Tom Trumble has worked in journalism, policy development and advertising copywriting. He is the author of Unholy Pilgrims (2011) and Rescue at 2100 Hours (2013), both published by Penguin. "Rescue at 2100 Hours" is the true story of a group of Australian airmen who were stranded on Japanese-occupied Timor for 58 days. |
Felix Mollel with club member Rick, dressed in traditional Tanzanian robes.
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Tom Trumble telling the story of his grandfather, the basis of "Rescue at 2100 Hours"
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"The future of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre",
Daniel Pilbrow Daniel is responsible for Peter Mac’s strategic planning, partnership building and the development of Peter Mac’s new home in Parkville as part of the $1.2B Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Project. Daniel gave us an informal insight into Peter Mac's new directions in its new home in Parkville and the challenges in the planning and delivery of a major project. We also heard about the challenges, issues an opportunities facing Peter Mac as a public cancer institute in an ever changing funding and political environment, while cancer incidences keep rising. |
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"Run Donna Run: A Remarkable Personal Story",
Donna Campisi Donna Campisi is an inspirational keynote speaker and campaign fundraiser, and the creator and coordinator of ‘Run Donna Run’. Her story about surviving a stroke when she was only eight years of age is a miraculous one about strength, overcoming struggles and achieving results that even shocked doctors. "Is This The Real You?", Amanda Stuart
Amanda is a trained counsellor and psychotherapist who works with individuals to develop their sense of self to improve relationships and to change negative patterns in their lives. |
Donna Campisi sharing her personal journey of learning to run again after suffering a stroke at the age of 8 years old
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The very entertaining Graeme Johnson
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"Why Some Ads Work & Others Don't - Who's Doing it Right", Stephen Yolland
Guest speaker is Steve Yolland gave us insight into marketing decisions , more information about Steve can be found on his website: http://www.decisionsdecisions.com.au/ "Anecdotes from a Prominent Sports Lawyer", Graeme Johnson
Our guest speaker was Graeme Johnson, who entertained with stories from his experiences as a prominent sports lawyer, particular in relation to AFL, cricket, the Grand Prix and the President's Cup. "The Genetics of 'Good' Cholesterol", Nicole Lake
Nicole spoke about her research into how our genes influence 'good' cholesterol levels, and why the study of good cholesterol is important in the fight against heart disease. |
Other topics include:
- "Human Rights Legislation in Victoria", Alexandra Phelan
- "Hitchhiking around Australia", Jeremy Marie
- "History of Berlin", Clemens Witt
Rotary Programs and Initiatives
"Youth Suicide Awareness Program", Gerry Lambourne
Gerry is a former police officer who served with Victoria Police from 1974 to 2009, has been a member of the Rotary Club of Brighton North since 1996 and has chaired the Community and Youth Portfolios many times since. Gerry spoke to us about the Youth Suicide Awareness program, of which he is the co-chair of for the District Committee. It was established through a partnership with Professor Carr-Gregg who was then a Director of the newly established Centre for Adolescent Health at the Royal Children’s Hospital, and has been active now within our District for nearly 18 years during which many teachers, police officers and other professionals who work with youth have studied for a Graduate Diploma in Adolescent Health with funding support provided by Rotarians.
Gerry is a former police officer who served with Victoria Police from 1974 to 2009, has been a member of the Rotary Club of Brighton North since 1996 and has chaired the Community and Youth Portfolios many times since. Gerry spoke to us about the Youth Suicide Awareness program, of which he is the co-chair of for the District Committee. It was established through a partnership with Professor Carr-Gregg who was then a Director of the newly established Centre for Adolescent Health at the Royal Children’s Hospital, and has been active now within our District for nearly 18 years during which many teachers, police officers and other professionals who work with youth have studied for a Graduate Diploma in Adolescent Health with funding support provided by Rotarians.
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"RYLA: Rotary Youth Leadership Awards", Jess Wheeler
Late last year the club sponsored Jess to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA). Jess shared with the club why she is so passionate about youth mental health and becoming a psychologist, how RYLA has given her momentum towards accomplishing her goals, and how the Rotary Club of Melbourne Park can contribute to the program as the 2014 RYLA host club. Other topics include:
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Jess Wheeler sharing why she is so passionate about youth mental health and becoming a psychologist, and how RYLA has changed her life
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Club member Katrina John sharing her experiences at attending the Hiroshima Global Peace Forum
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- "Rotary in Action: A Community Initiative (Whycheproof)", David Burke
- "Rotary Youth Arts Project (RYAP)", Tim Baker
- "Rotary Clubs of Cahors, France", Alex Buchanan
Alex Buchanan was a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar from the Rotary Club of Cahors, France. - James Wheeler, "Rotary International Youth Exchange Ambassador"
James shared his experiences of being a Rotary International Youth Exchange Ambassador in Brazil.
