Meet Our Speakers
Keith Banks BM VA and Bar
Keith Banks is one of Queensland's most decorated police officers, a recipient of the Bravery Medal and twice awarded the prestigious Queensland Police Valour Award medal, among other honours.
Keith was an undercover operative and a special weapons tactical operator for more than two decades. His police experience left him with undiagnosed chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression.
Access to psychological counselling provided by the Queensland Police Service did not exist in that era and, although he maintained an outwardly confident and calm manner, beneath the surface Keith was battling PTSD. In 1995 he resigned to accept a senior corporate role in risk management, emotionally broken and leaving the job he loved, knowing that if he stayed it would destroy him.
He completed a Master of Business Administration in 2000 and subsequently worked in a variety of senior executive roles, the most recent as Chief Operations Officer for a membership association.
Keith was formally diagnosed with PTSD in 2019.
Today, he is on a mission to help people build resilience and lead fulfilling personal and professional lives.
Wayne Bennett AM
Wayne Bennett AM is a revered figure in Australian rugby league history. He has made an indelible mark as a coach, mentor, and leader in the sport for several decades.
Bennett's coaching career spans over four decades, marked by success and a profound impact on various rugby league teams. He has coached several clubs in the National Rugby League (NRL), including the Brisbane Broncos, St. George Illawarra Dragons, Newcastle Knights, and South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Known for his astute tactical approach, Bennett's coaching style combines strategic planning, player development, and motivational leadership. His ability to connect with players on a personal level and extract the best from each individual has been pivotal in his success.
Beyond his coaching accomplishments, Bennett is admired for his mentorship and the lasting impact he has on players and fellow coaches. Many of his proteges have gone on to become successful coaches themselves, a testament to his mentorship and guidance.
Grace Edwards
Grace Edward embodies unwavering commitment, evident in impactful contributions to advocacy and the arts.
Co-founder of the Youth CALD Disability Collective (YCDC), Grace aims to create a peer support space for young people from vulnerable and marginalised communities. Her passion for advocacy was ignited at MYAN FUSE Summit in 2016.
Grace is also a theatre enthusiast, skilled Playwright & Director with a BA in Contemporary & Applied Theatre and MA in Creative Industries and is a versatile collaborator with leading arts organisations in Queensland.
Grace is currently working as a Project Officer at Queensland Performing Arts Center, working with a fantastic team of individuals shaping meaningful art experiences for advocacy & community development.
Kath Koschel
Kath isn’t your normal athlete. In fact, she’s so modest she wouldn’t even consider herself an athlete, but the former NSW cricketer has more fight in her than most professional athletes. Kath’s story is one of inspiration and utter strength; from a hospital bed defying a prognosis of paralysis to setting up a global movement that drives her desire to create a world where people are kinder to one another. There have been more than a few significant bumps along the way, but Kath has never let the setbacks get the better of her. Creating joy out of sorrow with her physical and mental resilience, Kath has pulled herself through challenges that most of us could not comprehend, without letting them shake her belief that we all have the capacity for kindness.
Now known worldwide for her kindness adventures, Kath shares her journey of how she turned adversity into triumph, with the thoughts that lead her to leave her home with nothing but the clothes on her back, attempting to prove that you really can survive physically, mentally, and emotionally, on kindness. An outpouring of support and offers of food and shelter on social media had Kath travelling around Australia on nothing but the kindness of strangers, spreading her message of hope.
Kath will inspire you to challenge the way that you see the world. She will take you on an emotional roller coaster, leaving you in awe of her incredible strength and determination to do and be better, regardless of the hurdles faced and she believes that anyone can achieve the same.
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