Professional Development Program
Keynote Speakers
Allana Corbin
Sponsored by CommInsure
Allana Corbin's (nee Arnot) story is a thriller of adventure, danger, tragedy and love. She delivers an inspirational message, which touches the hearts of all who listen. Allana is the survivor of a tragic plane crash in 1990. Prior to the crash she was a flying enthusiast. Her passion for flying began at the age of eighteen with her first ride in a hot air balloon. Soon she was parachute jumping and flying planes.
In 1990 Allana Corbin was one of only two survivors of a crew who were - incredibly - on a search and rescue mission themselves. She was trapped in the wreckage for three excruciating hours while four of her friends died before her eyes. Her injuries were horrific and she was told she would never walk again, but twelve months of intensive rehabilitation paid off and Allana said goodbye to her wheelchair for good.
Hear how Allana overcame these surmountable obstacles and rediscovered her new self. She did not give up hope and went on to achieve the unbelievable - overcoming the greatest hurdle of all, the fear of flying. Incredible she did this standing on the wing of a plane 1000ft in the air. Allana went on to achieve her commercial helicopter licence and in 1997 became the first woman to circumnavigate the mainland of Australia solo in a helicopter.
David Avrin
the visibility Coach
“The greatest enemy of success in business is anonymity…”
David Avrin shows business owners, franchisees, entrepreneurs and professionals how to stand out in a competitive marketplace. With 20 years experience on the front lines of marketing, public relations and strategic branding, David gives audiences a new perspective on the importance of promoting their business. He says: “The greatest enemy of success in business is anonymity,” and he shows audiences how to creatively, strategically, and aggressively raise the visibility of their business by using the news media and other under-utilized marketing tactic.
With clients across the country and as far away as Singapore and London, David has a strong track record of successful promotion having successfully pitch stories to Oprah, the Today show, Good Morning America, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, ABC, CBS and NBC news and in such publications as Entrepreneur magazine, Fast Company, Sports Illustrated, Franchise Times, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and thousands of other media outlets.
Audience members leave with a notebook full of new ideas and a renewed sense of what is possible, and most importantly – what comes next.
“It’s not who you know – It’s who knows YOU!”
How to build your business by building your brand
Designed for small businesses, corporate and organizational audiences, David Avrin, The Visibility Coach, lays out the winning formula for professionals to stand out, move ahead and become go-to leaders in their workplace. He demonstrates how the core elements that create a popular and marketable consumer
Eric Bailey
Sponsored by PS146
South Central Los Angeles is one of the toughest neighbourhoods in America. At the age of 10 Eric was told that he would die on those very streets. Born with a devastating bone disease in both knees, with no access to advanced medical services to correct the problem, he faced incredible odds to elevate himself to a brighter future. Each day he was forced to deal with racism, drug infested surroundings, gang violence, low socio-economic conditions, and a tough school system.
The turning point came at age 14 when Eric began to plan his future. Not by saying, but by doing. Eric trained every morning and studied every evening. He tried out for the school basketball team and went on to take his team to its first and only state championship.
In 1982 Eric moved to Australia to play basketball in the National Basketball League. He played with the Hobart Devils, Melbourne Tigers, and Gold Coast Rollers. During that time he worked in many customer driven businesses such as sales, promotions, fitness, media, marketing, basketball coaching, and health industries.
Eric Bailey is now one of the most sought after motivational speakers in the world and has worked hand in hand with the big names of sport and entertainment. His story will move you, his determination will motivate you and his success will inspire you.
“Your energy and spirit are contagious. On a personal note, I was inspired by your redefinition of the words 'FEAR' and 'DREAM', and have begun applying what you have shared without concern for limitations.”
Khoa Do
“In every obstacle lies an extraordinary opportunity”
Sponsored by AMP
Khoa Do is a film director, screenwriter and teacher who has had extensive experience working with the most disadvantaged in our community, inspiring them and guiding them to incredible success. Khoa’s belief is that everyone on a team, no matter what their background or experience, is extraordinarily gifted, and our goal is to help others to realise their true potential.
In 2002, a group of young kids in Cabramatta, south-western Sydney, had come to a welfare centre seeking help. One was homeless, sleeping in refuges and in McDonald’s play areas, another was a shy Aboriginal young man who never spoke a single word, another a longterm drug addict, and another was an accused criminal currently on parole. None had ever finished high school.
Two years later, they were all AFI Award nominees, walking the red carpet opposite Geoffrey Rush, Naomi Watts and Cate Blanchett. Hear their extraordinary story, and how Khoa harnessed their talents and abilities to make an internationally acclaimed film, which became a true lesson in teamwork, motivation and inspiration.
Khoa’s own amazing story - coming to Australia as a refugee on a tiny fishing boat crammed full of people to becoming the 2005 Young Australian of the Year is a journey of courage, resilience and hope amidst incredible opposition. Growing up in the western suburbs of Sydney, Khoa recalls going to school with sticky-taped shoes and coming home to find out that their electricity had been cut off because the family couldn’t afford to pay the bills.
In 2004, he was the youngest film director in Australian history to be nominated for an AFI Award for Best Director. Over the years, he has received many awards for his work in the community and with young people – Young Vietnamese Australian of the Year Award 2000, Young Citizen of the Year
“Khoa was extraordinary – his story touched me. It helped me realise that when you’re up against all odds that opportunity presents itself the most..”
Dr Don Stammer
Chief Economist
A brilliant communicator, Dr Don Stammer has a rare ability to make economics come alive for his audience and has received innumerable accolades for his highly accessible, meaningful, and entertaining presentations.
Dr Don Stammer is currently enjoying his fourth career. His first was as an academic. His second, was spent in central banking. Then came a long period as an investment banker. Don’s current, and fourth career, is as a company director.
For ten years Don Stammer was Chief Economist/Director of Investment Strategy for Deutsche Bank and its predecessor, Bain and Company.
In 1981, Dr Don Stammer moved to the Reserve Bank of Australia where he held senior positions in the Research Department and the Banking and Finance Department.
Rated highly by business leaders and fund managers for his analysis of the trends and opportunities in investment markets, Dr Don Stammer has given over 9,000 presentations on the economy.
Over recent years, Dr Don Stammer was a director of ING Australia Holdings Limited and currently chairs the three listed ING property trusts and the Investment Committee of Optimix.
He is also Chairman of Mosaic Oil NL, Chairman of Novera Energy Limited and Chairman of the Australia Korea Foundation.
