Conference Speakers Announced

ROTARY 9980 — FEB 27, 2018

Bruce the Conference brings you Six Fantastic and Inspiring Speakers

Martin Snedden CNZOM was a Black Caps bowler alongside Richard Hadlee in the golden years of the 1980s. Trained as a lawyer, in the 2000s he was Chief Executive of NZ Cricket, but then headed the organizing team for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. 

In 2014 as a director of the International Cricket Council he led the winning NZ/Australian bid for the 2015 ICC World Cup. Recently he was CEO of Duco Sports Management, whose responsibilities include the Auckland Nines and the career of boxer Joseph Parker, but resigned from the company at the end of 2017, uncomfortable with the brutality of the sport. He has been CEO of the Tourism Industry Association. Martin is an engaging and entertaining speaker with a fund of telling anecdotes.

In 2003, a self-confessed couch potato with no previous experience, Kevin Biggar won the Trans-Atlantic Rowing Race from the Canary Islands to Barbados with fellow-rower Jamie Fitzgerald . They then carried out the first unsupported trek from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole. It took them 52 days and Kevin lost 20k. This led to him hosting the TZNZ documentary series First Crossings and Intrepid NZ. Kevin’s story will inspire you. 

Cam Calkoen was born with Cerebral Palsy. Told he would never walk he beat the odds. He says “Life is what we make it and the values needed to achieve awesomeness are simple – we need to believe,and in doing so, leave no stone unturned. My offerings help you identify these unturned stones – in other words, I inspire others to dream big and achieve more!” Hearing Cam speak will be an unforgettable experience.

In 2013 Robbie Francis, who lives with a disability, was given the opportunity to with an international disability rights group in Mexico. What she saw shocked her. She returned to NZ and in 2014 founded the Lucy Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is “the empowerment of persons with disabilities” and its projects include finding ways for disabled people to work in the hospitality industry and facilitating cultural exchanges especially with Pluma Hidalgo, Mexico.

Associate Professor Nicola Atwool of the University of Otago specialises in issues relating to Children. For nearly twenty years she worked for Child, Youth and Family, and from 2006 to 2012 she was Principal Advisor in the Office of the Children’s Commissioner. She has a uniquely experienced perspective to share with us on the issues that have led to the creation of the new Ministry for Children, in particular those relating to care and children’s rights.

Dr Lance O’Sullivan is a Maori doctor working in Kaitaia who was declared New Zealander of theYear in 2014 for his work in bringing health programmes to disadvantaged people in rural areas. In 2015 he was named Communicator of the Year. Lance is outspoken in his advocacy for better healthcare for those with few resources. In particular he criticises those who oppose immunisation. His projects include school-based health clinics and programmes to improve housing. Lance is a passionate advocate for those in need.