Course Instructors

Geoff Johnston - Regional Director

Geoff has been a member of the programme since 1999 and has progressed from being a chronic out of control stutterer to being a certified primary coach, course instructor, staff trainer to leading the programme in Australia. Geoff a father of two and "Pop" to Indigo, lives in a log cabin in the beautiful Adelaide Hills. In his spare time, if any, Geoff works in the area of IT, Quality Management and Auditing. Geoff plays tennis for the Hahndorf tennis club and being an old footballer, supports North Adelaide in the SANFL and the Adelaide Crows in the AFL. Geoff made the SA finals of the recent Toastmasters' public speaking finals in three of the four available categories.

Peter Nastasi - Course Instructor

I am a recovering stutterer and prior to my first course, I was a covert stutterer who avoided feared words and situations.

My first McGuire Programme course, in Melbourne of October, 2003, changed my life dramatically. Not only did it empower me with the knowledge and tools I needed to make those changes, it gave me a new sense of pride and the freedom to achieve things I would have otherwise avoided. Conducting presentations and even giving speeches in front of audiences of up to 200 people were speaking situations I would have turned away from before, but the Programme gave me my confidence and self esteem back that I now see these situations as opportunities to face fears and broaden my experiences. I personally continue to challenge myself through being a member of Toastmasters.

I have since become and coach and course instructor and thoroughly enjoy presenting at the courses. It is the coaching of the students and graduates that I gain an enormous amount of satisfaction in making a positive difference to someone else’s life.

The people who have joined the McGuire Programme provide a wonderful network and invaluable support in which we all benefit, and not to mention making new and sometimes, lifelong friends.

Rob Lucas - Course Instructor

Rob has been involved in the programme since 1999 and started the Adelaide support group soon after his first course. Rob and his wife Kay live in the Adelaide Hills, has two children and four grandchildren, and although trying hard to retire, works as a contract CAD draughtsman. Rob was SA Toastmaster of the year in 2004 and initiated the formation of the Toastmasters Club "More Than Words". He has competed in the national finals of the Toastmasters' humorous speech competition. Rob recently made the SA finals in two of the four available categories at Toastmasters. Rob just loves attending McGuire courses to help and to see the life-changing experiences new students go through.

Scott Harper - Course Instructor

Scott and his wife Vicki live in Sydney and run a home improvement / landscaping business. They have two grown up children and one grandchild. Scott has been involved in the programme since 1998 and provides the "fun" element on courses in which he's involved. Scott enjoys cooking, reading and motor cycle riding including recent rides through Thialand and other parts of Asia. Oh yes, he now also enjoys talking: lots of it! The "motivator" of the Australian programme!

Gerry Hill - Course Instructor

Gerry and his wife Lucille live in Brisbane and are parents to six young children. Gerry is a Food Quality Auditor and Management Consultant and adds value to the programme by bringing forward recent developments in personal and professional training. Being a covert stutterer in the past, Gerry understands fully the issues surrounding people who to the observer, aren't obvious stutterers.

Chris Gerraty - Course Instructor

Chris has been involved with the Programme since Aug 2000. He is married with a young son and works as an Interior Plantscaper, Guitar Teacher, and Primary/Secondary School Relief Teacher. His hobbies include reading, science, philosophy, psychology, music, composing and gardening.

Andrew Bowring - Course Instructor

Barry Fraser - Course Instructor

Nedeenia Nation - Course Instructor

Brett Doolan - Course Instructor

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Certified Primary Coaches

Scott Monson

I joined the Programme in April 2007 at the age of 35. Having stuttered for my whole life - my earliest memories are of reading Dr Suess in speech therapy - I had achieved little success with various intensive programs and other treatments over 30 years. Because of these past experiences, I started my first course with little expectation of a "magic cure" for my stutter - but I was determined to keep an open mind and apply what was being taught.

The results speak for themselves quite literally. Before the Programme I would avoid speaking in public situations. Now I have set-up a support group, delivered university lectures, been interviewed by a national magazine and a local radio station and have won a speaking contest at my Toastmasters club. I have also become a primary coach and get a real kick out of seeing other people overcome their biggest fears and doing what they previously believed was impossible.

Changing a lifetime of stuttering takes time and effort - and lots of it. But the backbone of this programme is the fantastic support network that is available across the world. The support and assistance I have got from other people who know exactly what it takes to overcome a lifetime of stuttering has been invaluable in helping me achieving the results I have.

May we all have the courage to face our fears, the strength to never give up, and the belief that we can succeed.

Scott Monson
Canberra, Australia

 

Ken Fawkes
Paul Loveless
Bill Fabian
Nola Linnane
Peter Jumeau
Tom Fiala
Robert Sabec
Dave Simpson
Darren Kick
Andrew Harris
Carl Hippman
Terry Laverack
Trent Nicholls
Ken Fawkes
Adam Wells
Matthew Tucker
Mark Livingston
Andrew Papadopoulos
Joe O'Hanlon
Ben Abinett
Ray Welchman
Nola Linnane
Paul Loveless
Mark Badham
Ashley Davies
Geoff Stevens
Sonya Huang
Craig Harrison
Peter Baade
Frank Ruggeri
Barry Andriessen
Tracy Brealey
Peter Nastasi
Daniel Carrafa
Peter Jumeau
Tom Fiala
Robert Sabec
Chad Ellis
Geoff Martin
Eddie Taylor
Wendy O’Hagan
Ian Maskell
Milan Gnezda
Andrew Harris
Glen Galvin
Ricky Nelson
Adam Robinson
Robert Cannock