John Bertrand turns spotlight on leaders
John Bertrand AM
Monash University’s new Leadership Series brings together some of Australia’s finest leaders from the worlds of politics, commerce, science, the military and sport with invited participants from the University’s student and alumni community who have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities.
With world champion yachtsman, businessman, philanthropist and Monash alumnus, John Bertrand AM, at the helm, these high-powered gatherings will discuss the essence of great leadership in a series of meetings starting in July 2013.
“I will be interviewing six of Australia's greatest leaders in a format not unlike Andrew Denton’s Enough Rope, drilling down into what makes these people who they are; their leadership styles, their values and their inherent abilities to form high-performing teams which achieve incredible things,” Mr Bertrand said.
Mr Bertrand will interview his first guest in the Leadership Series, Deputy Chief of Army Major General Angus Campbell, on 24 July. Next up will be Royal Children’s Hospital chief executive Professor Christine Kilpatrick (29 July), followed by football legend Paul Roos (6 August),Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce (9 October), former Prime Minister Bob Hawke (16 October), and burns specialist and Australian of the Year 2005 Dr Fiona Wood (23 October).
The program gets under way today (July 2) with a Foundation Day hosted by academic leaders from the Monash University MBA program. Speakers, simulations, discussion and workshops will all sharpen the skills and challenge the thinking of participants.
John Bertrand is best known for skippering Australia II to victory in the 1983 America’s Cup, breaking 132 years of American domination of the yachting race. His sporting achievements, which include participation in two Olympic Games, were recognised by his Member of the Order of Australia award in 1984. He is now chairman of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, and continues to sail competitively.
A successful businessman, Mr Bertrand is also chairman of the Alannah and Madeline Foundation and his philanthropic work and community leadership have won him awards including Monash University's Distinguished Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011 and Melburnian of the Year 2008.
The John Bertrand Leadership Series will be conducted in the Clemenger Auditorium, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne and broadcast by ABC television.