PARENTING / STUDENT MOTIVATION /
STAFF COMMUNICATION

He is a published author of two books: MEN! STIRRING STORIES FROM THE SOUL! That covers the lives of 41 inspirational men from different backgrounds in Australia and HELPING YOUNG MEN UNDERSTAND THEIR SOUL that is designed to lift the resilience of students in schools.

During his four years (2001 – 2005) at Relationships Australia (Victoria) he wrote, coordinated and facilitated parenting and student engagement programs across Australia. This included covering issues such as:

- Communicating With Your Adolescents

- Alternate Approaches To Discipline

- Understanding Teenage Children

- Lifting Children’s Esteem

- Building Resilient Students

- Understanding the Differences between Boys and Girls

Having working with students at schools including Xavier College, Gary is equally comfortable facilitating workshops for students in schools.

- Developing Positive Relationships

- Communicating with Your Parents

- Setting Goals in Life

- Resilience Building Skills

- Tips For Succeeding At VCE

- When Testosterone Kicks In and Brain Cells Go out the Window

- Queen Bees and Wanna Bees

Having been a Principal of a Melbourne school he knows how to understand and connect with staff. His presentations include:

- Engaging Parents In Your School (through Freddos!)
- Taking the Nerves Out of Public Speaking
- Communicating With (not fearing) Parents
- Feeling Positive About Yourself
- Engaging Boys In Your Curriculum

Gary was quoted in The Sunday Age 'In young children, positive father involvement is positively related to cognitive performance, empathy, self-control, appropriate sex-role behaviour, and security of parental attachment.'

Gary divides his time now between full time Professional Speaking and coaching and motivating students and parents of all ages.

"We were all challenged and encouraged to consider the many positive skills we possess as teachers and people by the questions posed. The energy as a result was very positive. This is important as some teachers have become dissatisfied with aspects of teaching. We appreciated your manner in conducting the workshop with humour and careful guidance. It is a skill to be valued."

- David Godkin, Ovens Valley MACC

“I’m yet motivated that little bit more after your visit. I have started revising again what I’m doing and how I can accomplish things differently, a win-win for everyone involved. Thank you for coming it was a very valuable experience.”

- Katrina (Gladstone Community Health)

“Very enlightening and insightful. Made me think more about my dreams.”
“A great workshop, which made me think more about life.”
“Thanks. It gave us the chance to identify certain issues we normally wouldn’t and was something that I thoroughly enjoyed.”
“ Will help the school solve social issues”

- Students from Xavier College, Senior School