Edition #3
Need a conference/event speaker or master of ceremonies?
With such a wealth of ADVENTURE AND LIFE experiences to draw on, it’s no wonder the AE Team is able to keep audiences of all sizes enthralled with spellbinding stories that convey true Aussie spirit and courage. We have spoken with and in front of the Nation’s Leaders, Prime Ministers past and present, Governor Generals past and present and leaders of the Australian business community. Our perspective is unique, and our story telling is truly original, challenging, motivating and inspiring. These are keynotes with a difference, or consider getting more value by having us MC your event and weave some life lessons throughout your program. Here are a few of our Speaking Testimonials:
“An amazing experience. Emotional highs and lows”
KATIE FINNEY
Melbourne Sales Manager, Channel Seven
“An incredible and inspiring human being, with such moving stories and a motivating strength of character.”
KATE O’RYAN-ROEDER
Chief Executive Officer, Mindshare
“I didn’t move and barely breathed during his speech. What a storyteller and what a human.”
GEMMA HUNTER
Executive Creative Director, Mediacom
“Thank you for reminding me that true courage and humanity still exist. Life Changing.”
Former Head of Account Management, Naked Communications
THE AE ADVENTURE TEAM – OUR HEAD OF ADVENTURE MEDICINE
The AE Adventure Team – Our Head of Adventure Medicine
MEDICAL QUALIFICATIONS |
|
|---|---|
| MBBS, University of Queensland | 1982 |
| FRACS, Orthopaedics | 1992 |
| Hospital Training | |
| Royal Brisbane Hospital, Resident Medical Officer | 1983 – 1985 |
| Cairns Base Hospital, Orthopaedic Registrar | 1986 |
| University of Queensland, Anatomy Tutor | 1987 |
| Ipswich Hospital, Orthopaedic Registrar | 1988 |
| Orthopaedic Training Program | 1989 – 1992 |
| Royal Brisbane Hospital | 1989 |
| Townsville General Hospital | 1990 |
| Princess Alexandra Hospital | 1991 |
| Prince Charles Hospital | 1992 |
| Visiting Surgeon, Specialty Trauma | 1993 – 1999 |
| Cairns Base Hospital (Public) | 2013 – present. |
| Private Surgeon: Trauma, Sports Medicine, Joint Surgery | |
| Cairns Private Hospital | 1993 – 2012 |
| Australian Trauma Society | 1995 – 1998 |
| 2014 – present. | |
| Swiss Trauma Society | |
| Lecturer, AO Swiss Trauma Group | 1995 – 2002 |
| Australia State and National Level | 2014 – present. |
| Invited to Demonstrate at International Trauma School (Davos, Switzerland) | 1997 |
| Participant, AO Advanced Courses | |
| Advanced Trauma Management – New Zealand | 1993 |
| Complex Hand Trauma – Sydney | 1995 |
| Complex Multi-Trauma Management – Hong Kong | 1996 |
| Advanced Trauma – Singapore | 2013 |
| Masters Trauma – Sydney | 2014 |
| Instructor AO Course – Sydney | 2015 |
| Military Trauma Surgery – LasVegas | 2015 |
| Masters Trauma – Los Angeles | 2015 |
WILDERNESS AND REMOTE AREA MEDICINE
| COURSE COMPLETED | |
|---|---|
| Outdoor Guide Level 4 Certificate Bushwalking, Ocean Kayak, Abseiling – Brisbane |
2003 |
| Advanced Survival Certificate Pilbara Desert |
2006 |
| Kimberley Survival Course | 2007 |
| Snow Board Instructor – Colorado, USA | 2010 |
| Outward Bound Course – Snowy Mountains | 2000 |
| PADI Dive Course – Cairns | 1986 |
| PACI Rope Course – Cairns | 2002 |
1. Qualifications
(a) Level 4 Outdoor Guide (Trek, Ocean Kayak & Rope)
(b) Orthopaedic Surgeon (FRACSORTH ’96)
(c) Advanced / Extreme Guide (Cooper Survival Sept 2006)
(d) Army Reservist – Current Rank: Major – Surgeon, Australian Army Medical Corps
2. Experience
- 15 years working as a guide/medic with Australia’s best Adventure Leaders.
- Trips involving all geographic types: rainforest, desert, ocean, and mountains with expert knowledge of wilderness medicine relevant to each region.
3. Passion
- I love being out in the bush. This is why I choose to live in Cairns despite being raised as a city boy in Sydney.
- I love taking people out into the bush and sharing their experience – from taking my children for simple rainforest walks to taking VIP’s on a survival trip through the Kimberley Desert with the Leader of Adventure Excellence.
- Even at work, I will take groups of doctors or nurses on trips locally – the smiles, conversations and excitement are reward enough but the team building bonus has been unexpected.
4. Fun
- It is not work for me. It is part of my life to help people and to make their trip just that little bit more special.
5. Favourite Program
- Kayaking across Bass Strait in 2 man kayaks to raise money for Charity.
- We trained 6 clients for 6 months (and raised $200,000).
INSIGHTS
Walking poles – The good and the bad
Research was conducted by a team of specialists to determine if downhill walking has a detrimental effect on the knee and hip joints. All participants were in a controlled environment dressed in trekking gear. The study found that when walking downhill without hiking poles, peak ground reaction forces of 17.0 N.kg-1 were typically experienced, compared to values of 11.7 N.kg-1 during level walking. However, when the subjects completed the test using hiking poles, the peak ground reaction forces experienced were reduced by as much as 15%. This reduction in compression forces has important preventative implications for all trekkers, especially those with back, hip and knee problems.
You will appreciate that you are participating in an activity that will require you to walk along flat, uphill and downhill terrain with additional weight generating forces (weight loaded pack) upon your joints every time you move. Hiking poles are designed to provide extra stability and to spread the load on your legs onto your arms. Many people feel no need for this support when hiking, but there is a minority who suffer from back, hip, and knee pain, and they usually encounter it when participating during uphill, downhill, weight load and prolonged walking periods.
This table below may aid your decision on the use of hiking poles:
| FOR | AGAINST |
|---|---|
| Reduces knee pain | One or both hands occupied |
| Increases hill climbing power | Poor technique may create frustration |
| Aids balance overall | Can be cumbersome when broaching a technical area |
| Aids crossing soft ground, creeks and rivers | Takes time to get the correct technique |
| Can increase levels of individual endurance | Monetary cost (although basic poles are affordable, or you may be able to borrow them from a friend) |
| Increases confidence levels |
