Our Guest Speaker - Mark Hunter
MARK HUNTER
Keynote address: “The Road Travelled Well”
In this address Mark, will share some of his learning as an individual with a disability, a leader, advocate, teacher and speaker. To be successful in many aspects of life, we need to be conscious of how we manage what comes our way: how we manage adversity; how we design our journey through adult life; how we manage those ‘interruptions’ from those people who would not have us succeed, or those would dare to try to limit our view of self. There is not a ‘recipe’ for success, and Mark believes in sharing his ideas, not marketing them as certain way to success. His hope is that these ideas, when shared, may just make a positive difference for those with whom he speaks.
MARK HUNTER M.Ed., B.Ed., Dip. Ed. Admin., Cert Coach
WORLD CHAMPION OF PUBLIC SPEAKING 2009
Australia’s first World Champion of Public Speaking in nearly 30 years
The Wizard from OZ – One of only Five World Champions to come from countries outside the North American Continent
Australian Champion of Public Speaking: 1996, 1999, 2001, 2007, 2009
Personal History:
Mark Hunter is the World Champion of Public Speaking (2009) . He won this title at the Toastmasters International Convention held in Connecticut (USA) in August 2009, a competition which has over 30 000 competitors. Mark comes from Brisbane, Australia. A Toastmaster since 1994, he was five times Australian Champion before becoming the World Champion. Passionate about Toastmasters, he firmly believes in the organization’s capacity to provide personal and professional development in both areas of leadership and communication.
Mark was a school principal for 32 years. He owns a business as life and executive coach and trainer. He trains organizational leaders in the science of coaching for performance development. He presents keynotes, workshops and educational sessions for organizations at home and abroad. He also trains in the area of public speaking and presentation skills for individuals and small groups.
Mark had a water skiing accident in 1975, and has since used a wheelchair. He was the first primary school teacher in a wheel chair in Queensland, and was the only school principal in Australia using a wheelchair. He is a strong advocate for people with a disability. He has persisted when times were tough, and persevered when those around him would have him do otherwise. He is both an optimist and a risk taker. He has travelled the world, is passionate about life and lives it accordingly.
Personal Passions:
Bonsai, Travel, Teaching, Advocacy for Disability Rights, and Life itself!
