Meet the Team
Peak Presenting facilitators bring decades of real world experience in communication, public relations, media and leadership roles to our workshops, coaching programs and communication consultancy service.
So you receive a communication toolbox filled with proven practical tips, tools and techniques to use straight away in your workplace.
We know that public speaking is one of many people’s biggest fears. We create a safe and inclusive space to stretch you, not scare you. Whatever your experience and expertise, we’ve got you covered. Instead of “gotcha” training or scoring you, we give you lots of encouragement, support and constructive feedback.
Our programs are interactive and fun to maximise engagement and learning outcomes. People learn by doing, not just watching and listening.
If you want to be a peak presenter you need a workshop facilitator or coach who walks the talk. A specialist who can show you that you can present. Moving to your next level of performance is not as hard as you think – when you are prepared and have the right approach.
Melinda Smith
Director
Melinda Smith spent 25 years working as a television journalist, news presenter, and radio broadcaster.
After undertaking a Master of Business, she applied her expertise and media experience to corporate communications and public relations. Melinda then established her own consultancy where she delivers strategic communication guidance, training and coaching services.
Melinda's broad and extensive experience means she understands the importance of presenting yourself in the best and most authentic way, whether that is during a meeting with colleagues or clients, delivering a presentation, or doing a media interview.
The consummate presenter, Melinda has been the emcee at countless business and other events.
She says advocating effective communication means that “…both sender and receiver understand with clarity and purpose”.
Her other passion is to help people and organisations to better understand and harness the power of breathwork. She brings her extensive knowledge of the practice to our programs to help people to manage nerves and to prepare and deliver with greater clarity and. confidence.
Melinda is:
a Member of Professional Speakers Australia (PSA)
a Level 2 Breathwork Practitioner after studying with Breathwork Trainings
an endorsed member of the Australian Breathwork Association (ABA).
Melinda’s top tip for presenting at your peak
“Know your style. Be authentic and have a conversation with your audience.
You’ll be a more effective communicator if you are true to yourself, rather than copying someone else.
Having the right skills, technique and approach are essential to being an effective communicator.”
Craig Eardley
Director
Craig Eardley brings decades of real-world communication and public relations experience to our workshops, coaching sessions, and consultancy services.
He worked in media, community consultation, public relations and corporate communication roles before starting his own public relations and communication consultancy more than 20 years ago.
He wishes he had a dollar for every presentation he has written and delivered. He loves sharing practical tips and tools on how to structure presentations or facilitation sessions to be effective.
Craig has helped many organisations, large and small, to generate positive media coverage and to manage sensitive media issues and crises. His extensive experience and knowledge of the media will help you to work more effectively with media outlets and prepare for and deliver effective media interviews.
Craig’s understanding of communication and issues management strategy and planning is second to none. He shares his top tips and tools with you in our media skills and presentation skills workshops and coaching sessions and communication strategy and planning consultancy service.
Peak presenters know how to manage relationships and keep messages and content clear, concise and compelling. In our Writing for Impact, Profile Raising and other training, Craig will get on his soapbox about making written and verbal communication about your audience, not you. He may froth as he counsels you to avoid jargon and buzzwords, babble speak and exclamation marks.
Craig’s top tip for presenting at your peak
“Proper preparation prevents piss poor performance.
Don’t wing it. There’s a correlation between preparation and performance. Preparation saves time and money in the long run.
Whether you have five minutes, five hours or five days, our proven and practical formula, frameworks, tips and tools will help you efficiently prepare and deliver more effective written and verbal communication.”
Martin Coates
Associate
Martin is an experienced senior business leader who now works as an accredited Life Coach and business consultant.
He uses the Enneagram framework to uncover what subconsciously drives and motivates behaviours, including communication styles. He has facilitated Enneagram personality profiling workshops and coaching for hundreds of private sector and public sector employees.
Martin’s career includes leadership roles within Telstra Country Wide, where he consulted with rural communities to extend mobile phone network coverage. That included facilitating positive relationships with many stakeholder groups, including NSW Members of Parliament.
Martin was an active member of Telstra’s National Communicators Team, delivering presentations to a range of community groups in metro and regional locations.
As Director, City Engagement at the City of Newcastle, Martin’s portfolio included managing Council’s Human Resources, Legal, Governance, Communication, and Public Consultation teams.
He moved to leadership roles in the Federal Government business enterprise, Defence Housing Australia (DHA). His roles as Regional Director Northern NSW, then National Service Delivery Operations Manager, required high-level presentation, communication and facilitation skills.
Martin understands the training and skills development environment. He was a Board Member of Atwea College for 14 years, including four years as Chairman. Atwea is one of the largest providers of community-based adult learning in NSW.
Martin has a Master of Business Administration and qualifications in project management and public participation.