By the time it was my turn to take to the stage and give a brief 5 minute account of my 24,000km paddle, cycle and backpack around Australia I had just listened to all these high profile adventurers. So how does
little old me, who no one knows in the eastern states, eclipse the professional speeches of all those great explorers.
As Dick Smith introduced me I was still wondering how I was going to start my speech. Then I had a thought. I left my front row seat by crawling towards the stage and then clambered up it on
all fours like a man who was totally physically exhausted.
I reached the feet of Dick Smith, lifted my doubled up body like an old man and came to my feet next to Dick who gave me the microphone. My entrance was set.
I looked around the room towards these rich Australian Geographic members and extreme adventurers and said, “it was a hard 3 day cycle across the Nullarbor from Perth, but I got here just in time”.
Suddenly there was an eruption of laughter from the star studded crowd and instantly my nerves had calmed and I soon had the crowd eating out of my
hand.
With a few jokes thrown in my 5 minute lecture soon turned into 10 minutes and even longer but the audience was loving it and no one gave the gesture for me to stop so I just kept talking and entertaining the people.
Eventually I drew the line and finished my lecture with an applause from the audience as I returned to my seat. Well that went well, I thought.
When all the proceedings had finished I was amazed
when so many of the other adventurers and wealthy people came up to me to tell me how much they enjoyed my presentation.
I thought this is going to be a turning point of my life. After the success of my presentation all the big businesses in Sydney will want me as a
speaker. I can't wait for them to call me.
Unfortunately I'm still waiting and 30 years have past but I still have hope!!
