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Darren Flanagan
Print“Dig a little deeper”
Seventeen years ago, a phone call changed Darren’s life forever.
Summoned to the Beaconsfield gold mine collapse, he operated over 70 explosives in a continuous 30-hour stretch deep underground, helping rescue two men trapped nearly 1 km below the surface.
Speaker Categories
- Adventure and Extreme Speakers
- After Dinner Speakers
- Business Speakers
- Goal Setting Speakers
- Inspirational Speakers
- Leadership Speakers
- Mental Health and Overcoming Depression Speakers
- Motivational Speakers
- Organisational Change Speakers
- Overcoming Adversity / Resilience Speakers
- Team Building and Teamwork Speakers
- Workplace Safety/ OH&S Speakers
Testimonials for Darren Flanagan
Darren's story is amazing - everyone in the room felt like they were there. Darren made our audience laugh, cry, but most of all realise how amazing we all can be. His story is truly memorable.
ING Australia Limited
To say it was an interesting, absorbing and dramatic presentation would not be doing it justice. His talk was electrifying, emotional and detailed...His description of the rescue operation and conditions the miners survived in, made us all understand, not only the enormity of the operation and the delicacy of the final preparations… the extreme conditions that rescuers and rescued were sharing but how the Aussie spirit shone through.
Shoalhaven Heads Combined Probus
In a nutshell, he blew everyone away. Several of our guys who have been with us for 10 years or more said he was the best speaker we have ever had. It was nice to have someone who wasn’t overly professional (that’s not a criticism) and didn’t look like he was ‘just going through the motions’. He is an ordinary, genuine man who was caught up in an extraordinary set of circumstances….everyone in the room was moved by his experience … a lot of our delegates are men in the construction industry - they’re not known for being easily affected.
Hooker Cockram Projects Limited
“Darren’s message was such a great reminder for the team that no one is safe from mental illness, and you don’t need to have experienced a significant event to suffer your own battles. We would certainly have no hesitation in recommending Darren for any business wanting to make a big impact on its people.”
John Holland Group
Darren was well received from our audience. We sent out a survey and Darren received either a good or excellent. Darren has a very real story to tell which certainly feels like you are living through the moments he felt, which is not only heart breaking but inspirations. The opening video sets the scene as everyone will remember the Beaconsfield Mine disaster.
Mortgage Choice
Outstanding, memorable tale....Thank you! What an inspiration and it shows what we can face when adversity strikes.
Delegate, Infocus Conference
Fee Range: $5001 to $10000
Darren Flanagan's Biography
“Dig a little deeper”
Seventeen years ago, a phone call changed Darren’s life forever.
Summoned to the Beaconsfield gold mine collapse, he operated over 70 explosives in a continuous 30-hour stretch deep underground, helping rescue two men trapped nearly 1 km below the surface.
The impact of this experience ran deeper than initially realised. Today, Darren speaks extensively to organisations of all sizes, sharing his journey of pain, trauma, hope, and resilience. His story has taught him that conversations about these challenges can transform workplaces and organisations, proving that we have the power to spark dialogues and drive impactful change.
As a motivational speaker who covers topics including Workplace Safety, Risk Management, Mental Health, Leadership and Teamwork, Darren’s mission is to empower teams through transformative lessons built upon the foundation of the Beaconsfield mining disaster.
Why book Darren?
His talks go beyond motivation; they spark change.
He will guide your team in embracing courageous leadership, initiating vital mental health discussions, and cultivating an environment where innovation and collaboration flourish. Creating transformations that extend far beyond the presentation room.
Themes:
Risk Management:
Drawing from his role in the mine disaster, he underscores the necessity of “reducing risk as part of your DNA.”
Teamwork
From his direct engagement in the mining disaster, Darren crafts a narrative showcasing the unyielding strength that emerges when individuals unite to conquer extraordinary challenges.
Mental Health
Drawing from his own experience, particularly the mining disaster that altered the course of his life, Darren passionately discusses the real issues surrounding mental well-being.
Workplace Safety
Darren’s talks don’t just emphasise the significance of risk management; he backs it up with vivid anecdotes that underscore the importance of best practices in this field.
Perseverance
By sharing the raw, emotional journey of the mine disaster, he conveys the unyielding human spirit under immense pressure, emphasising the importance of determination in tough times.
Leadership
Centred on leadership, he uses the mining disaster experience to inspire unrelenting spirit and guide effective team communication.
Speaking Topics Include
Darren combines the principles of courageous leadership and mental health awareness to empower your team and cultivate resilience.
“Dig a little deeper” - COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP
His presentations reveal how ordinary people can exhibit unwavering determination and peak performance in exceptional circumstances. Darren supports these insights with compelling anecdotes that reinforce risk management best practices. During his talks, he aims to:
- Nurture open dialogues among your staff and team leaders.
- Foster improved communication and heightened productivity.
- Emphasise the value of approachable leadership.
“Dig a little deeper” - MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
His personal experiences underscore the paramount importance of mental health awareness. Darren shares the poignant story of nine resilient minders who, despite their physical strength, grappled with mental health challenges following the harrowing rescue. During his talks, he advocates for:
- The courage to speak up and seek assistance.
- Shattering the stigma around mental health issues.
- Open discussions that can benefit everyone.
As a result of Darren’s incredible experience plus both his Mental Health & Risk Management advocacy that he proudly fulfilled the role of Chair & Ambassador for the NSW Govt SafeWork initiative “Family and Injured Worker Support Group” from 2020-2022.