Rachael Robertson
TopicsAdventure - After Dinner Speakers - Challenge - Change Management - Corp. Social Responsibility - Corporate Culture - Environment - Inspiration - Inspirational Speakers - Leadership - Life Planning - Motivation - Overcoming Adversity - Risk Management - Teamwork - Time Management - Women in Business
Antarctic Expedition Leader
Rachael Robertson had the unique honour of leading a 12 month expedition to the Antarctic’s Davis Station, and is only the second female to do so. No ordinary leadership role, Rachael shares her leadership and team building experiences of a group of 18 people she barely knew faced with 9 months in isolation together, whilst juggling the responsibilities of her role in the highest, driest, coldest and windiest place on earth. The photo images are breathtaking.
About Rachael
Rachael Robertson returned to Australia after 12 months in the Antarctic in 2005, where she successfully led the 58th Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition to Davis Station. She is only the second female to ever lead a team at the Station and one of the youngest ever leaders.
This leadership role is truly a very unique experience. Faced with 9 months of total isolation, with 18 people Rachael hardly knew, ensured this was no ordinary leadership role. Antarctica in winter is totally inaccessible which means once the last ship leaves at the end of February, no one can leave the base under any circumstance (not even if you are dying) until the ship returns in November.
Chief Ranger
In 2004 Rachael was seconded to the Australian Antarctic Division from her job as a senior manager (Chief Ranger) at Parks Victoria. In this role Rachael was responsible for a team of over 30 staff but more importantly the safety of millions of visitors who come to the Port Phillip Bay region each year.
As Station Leader Rachael was responsible for all aspects of life on Station, from the safety and welfare of over 80 expeditioners to the delivery of the Australian Government’s $10m science program. In any circumstance, this would be a very tough roll, however for a female in a very male dominated environment, this certainly added to Rachael’s challenge!
Before her departure, Rachael underwent three months training in Hobart before setting sail for the three week voyage through the Southern Ocean to Davis Station.
Presentation
With breathtaking photographs and plenty of humour, Rachael will recount her leadership and team building experiences from a year in the highest, driest, coldest and windiest place on earth.
After managing a highly complex operation with the added challenge of isolation and extreme risk to life, Rachael’s talk will focus on the lessons she learnt from her most challenging leadership role to date.
From the complicated logistics of using airplanes and helicopters to deploy scientists thousands of kilometers away deep into remote Antarctica; to managing a team of trades people delivering a maintenance program for the station infrastructure including an adequate supply of power and water, there was never a dull moment.
Antarctica
Although Antarctica is dedicated to international peace and science, having dealt with everything from plane crashes to negotiating a diplomatic settlement in the bacon wars, her conclusion is that life down South isn’t always peace and harmony.
After her stint in Antarctica, Rachel returned to her previous role as senior manager at Parks Victoria and the senior Ranger for Victoria.
Topic Includes
¨ The ability to adapt to a changing environment
Testimonials
“Rachael was engaging and responded well to the group. Her experiences are extraordinary and she did a great job of relating what she learnt. She was also able to illustrate the similarities between her roles and those of my team. In one word, "Terrific!"”
ANZ
We've had great feedback about Rachael. Her presentation was excellent and very relevant to our leadership conference. Hearing her story was both educational and uplifting and Rachael herself was extremely personable, making the presentation all that much more enjoyable to listen to!
Fairfax Community Newspapers
I have never received so much positive feedback from a guest speaker as I have this time. People continue to tell me how impressed they were with Rachael's story. She provided a fantastic insight into difficulties around management in a remote site. Her messages and insights can be applied within our business. She shared a range of unusual and interesting stories which made her message even stronger.
Crown Ltd
Excellent - Rachael's presentation style highlighted why she was so successful in her role as leader at Davis Station. The wonderful stories told contained highly entertaining and compelling examples of leadership, hardship, and teamwork in extreme conditions. Rachael is a model of excellence in communication.
Victorian TAFE
More inspirational than motivational and enjoyed by all. A very informative talk, she held them (200) for the hour and had heaps of questions.
Rural Press
Rachael was very interesting to listen to. When Rachael was presenting, she made you feel that you that you were actually there with her. She made you feel that you could actually listen to her amazing stories all day. Allot of people from my division that attended gave me very good feedback. People were that amazed with her presentation that people are asking me details of how they could invite her as a guest for their forum.
Australia Post
Rachael was a very inspiring speaker and she delivered a very professional leadership presentation. We had some great feedback from the delegates too.
Australian Institute of Management SA
All delegates were impressed with Rachael's presentation. The Antarctic must be an awesome place to be and she is obviously a wonderful leader. Fitted in very nicely with the theme of our conference. Made us all want to go there for the experience.
Transport Women Australia Ltd
Rachael was excellent - she was both inspiring and informative and the audience loved her. Thanks so much.
NAB
“Rachael was extremely easy to talk to and listen to, her
audience was very diverse with a large range of interests and her
presentation managed to get make every one of them listen. Her down to
earth, honest and amusing approach was spot on.I have had three people ask
for her details for future speaking engagements since the presentation “
Melbourne Water
Rachael tells an amazing story. The room fell silent as Rachael began and remained that way for the entire presentation as the audience listened intently to Rachael's experience in Antarctica. Using images set to music was a lovely way to finish and brought a tear to the eye.
Meetings & Events Australia ( Victoria Branch)
“Excellent. Exactly what we were after for this session. “
Melbourne Business School Ltd
