Testimonials
We recently had Michael Jeh present to our staff at our Student Free Day. This was on the back of highly successful presentations to our Yr 6 students and their parents in 2023.
With the key focus of the session being to embrace risk-taking as an intellectual exercise and to open our minds to new ideas. We need to remember that not every child is the same and to always look for opportunities to connect with every child. The session was outstanding with many staff members (teachers, teacher aides and the leadership team) commenting on how uplifting it was and with a renewed vision of how important the role of an educator is.
Michael tailors the presentation to the needs of the group with our presentation being directly linked to our Explicit Improvement Agenda. He engages the audience in a manner rarely seen from guest presenters and this is due to his relational manner and fantastic storytelling ability.
I would highly recommend Michael Jeh to any school. He will most certainly be coming back to Dakabin State School.
Michael Drake, Principal
SLSQ recently secured Michael to present at the SLSQ Conference. This event gathers lifesavers from 58 Clubs and 6 regions to collaborate, learn and lead. SLSQ is the largest volunteer organisation in Queensland with over 36000 members.
Michael's presentation was engaging, interesting, thought provoking and challenging in so many ways. Our members holistically gave positive feedback and we could not have been happier with his messaging on our behalf and his professionalism in every way.
Our volunteers are at the centre of our world and their efforts in volunteering within QLD and keeping the bathing public safe is a service second to none. Michael presented to our volunteers on real life challenges in leadership, the necessity and importance not only of inclusion but belonging. His message was resolute, real and stimulating. Collectively our membership have given only positive feedback for his presentation. I would highly recommend him as a speaker for any and all organisations.
Kerrie Barnes, General Manager Ethical Standards, SLSQ
Michael Jeh Michael Jeh has been working with our Year 10 and 11 students for the last 3 years as a guest presenter in the area of respectful relationships. Our school is Year 7-12 all-boys College in the western suburbs of Sydney and his values, life experience and practical advice have become an invaluable part of Student Wellbeing program. Michael brings tremendous integrity and leadership skills to his work, and his presentations on bystander theory, respect for women, consent, and gender equity convey strong and clear messages about the need for young men to take a personal stand against coercion and toxic masculinity, disturbing worldviews that have infiltrated social media and society in recent years. He has a rare ability to relate to young men using stories and scenarios that ring true to their own experience, and his sessions always provoke great discussion and reflection afterwards. We hope to continue this connection for many years to come.
Mr Brian Edmonds Assistant Principal – Pastoral Care Patrician Brothers’ College Blacktown
I have worked with Michael Jeh in a professional capacity since 2011, where he was our guest of honour at our Annual Speech Night. His engagement with the audience and connection with our students had such an impact that we have continued to invite him into our school on an annual basis to work with our students. Michael has delivered a range of very effective, informative and well researched programs. Following his presentations, he often has a large group of students who remain behind to talk further about his presentations and seek out advice and clarity. He has a remarkable ability to be able to connect with the students and provides honest ‘real’ examples of his topics. Michael has also delivered Parent Programs to our neighbouring Primary Schools and they now intend to engage with him on an annual basis. Parents find his presentations to be very practical and real and they can relate to what he delivers. Michael’s interpersonal skills are of the highest standard and he is able to communicate with such a broad range of people – principals, teaching staff, parents, students and the broader community such as Queensland Police and Sporting Associations. He has the ability to capture his audience no matter what the size of the group. I have every confidence that Michael can present very effective and engaging presentations based on well researched evidence and anecdotes – no matter what the topic may be. His ability to transfer this information into a suitable context for diverse audiences is a real talent that Michael possesses.
Helen Jamieson, Principal, Corinda State High School
It was interesting to hear Michael flipping the focus on the perpetrator, and not the victim. Asking questions like, 'Why doesn't he leave if he's not happy?' This was a new way of thinking for me, and really bold and brave of him to say things like that. What a hero!
Michael Jeh was such a compelling speaker and was not inhibited by having to toe the company line as so many of our speakers are. Reaching outside of the public service for theses speakers is beneficial for everyone.
Michael Jeh was the best speaker I've heard in a long time. Such a powerful presentation - we need men to be our allies and his approach was truly wonderful.
Audience feedback from White Ribbon Day event Nov 2021
Michael is a dynamic and engaging speaker. His humility, life experience and intelligence combined with his passion for social justice means that he gets the audience thinking out of the box. There is no one like Michael Jeh to challenge status quo with truth and integrity.
Anoushka Dowling, Deputy Director -MATE Bystander Program, Griffith University
One of the major issues on every agenda for women and girls is the level of disrespect and actual violence they contend with in everyday life, in workplaces, schools, public spaces and events, and of course in the home. Every community we work with asks for this issue to be on our agenda, and we have been engaging male speakers and role models to shape these conversations for several years.
Over the last three years, Michael Jeh has become an important contributor to our work. His workshops have been a significant drawcard for audiences.
He has a strong presence, and holds the audience’s attention easily; he has some unique life experiences to add story and colour (his career as a first-class cricketer, and his business leading wildlife safaris in Africa); he has a capacity to reflect on human behaviour and situations, and on the lessons he has learned, including as a husband and parent; and is able to both challenge and to empathise with his audience, and to bring a lighter touch when needed.
Leigh Tabrett, WOW Festival Chair
Cricket Australia had Michael present at our U17 National Championships and he was such a well-received speaker by the players. Not only was he entertaining, his messaging and his engaging delivery style is second to none. It is always a joy to work with Michael, he collaborates and clearly identifies where he can impact an education session. We look forward to working with him much more in the future.
Lauren Cooper, Cricket Australia
These skills are vital to any young athlete who intends to make a life in sport and it’s great that someone’s doing something to create good role models rather than fixing problems later in their career.
Libby Trickett, Olympic gold medallist and world champion swimmer
I have got to know Michael across a number of settings over the last 6 years through our connections and involvement in Rugby and Schools. When presenting to teenage boys, Michael’s seminars are always engaging, well researched and insightful. He is a consummate professional who is highly organised, communicative and passionate about making a difference by educating young men.
Michael questions the status quo and asks his audience to do the same.He uses tactful and intelligent humour and real life story telling to share his message. I highly recommend him to add value to boy’s educational and sporting programs.
Mark DeBrincat, Head of Rugby – Cranbrook School, Sydney
Extremely well targeted and presented ensuring quality cut-through on issues that have proven to be so important in today’s professional sporting arena. Ben Whitaker, Rugby Australia
Michael Jeh has regularly been invited to present at QUT’s Stepping Out Conference for graduating teachers. He is an excellent role model for teachers in training, reminding them of the significant part they will play in supporting and shaping their future students’ lives. He instantly captures your attention with engaging and entertaining personal stories. His thought-provoking ideas are further supported with research. He encourages his audience to engage in deep reflection and to consider the consequences of their everyday decisions and actions. He inspires graduating teachers to adopt a positive outlook and to connect with their students by seeing the world through their eyes. Michael is a motivational speaker whose message stays with you long after the conclusion of his presentation.
Rebecca Spooner-Lane, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education, QUT
We were fortunate enough to have Michael work with our 1st XV rugby and cricket squads during their pre-season. Michael has an amazing talent for engaging with student athletes in a workshop environment, in a meaningful, life-changing way.
Michael worked collaboratively and professionally with us prior to the workshop, seeking to tailor his messages and method for greater effectiveness. The results are still prevalent well after the time Michael spent with us. I could not recommend Michael more highly. He is a true professional with a unique life story and an extraordinary understanding of contemporary issues facing young student athletes and future sporting role-models. Greg Thorne, Director of Activities (Sport & Culture), St. Joseph’s Nudgee College, Brisbane
Michael has conducted ‘Life Skills’ development workshops at Hilder Road State School for our Year 6 students and parents since 2016. This program forms an integral part of our broader transition to high school program. Michael understands contemporary issues and their potential impact on young people. When presenting, Michael effectively engages both students and parents through a unique ‘story telling’ approach drawing from a deep well of diverse life experience. John Collins, Principal, Hilder Road State School, Brisbane
What a perfect balance … serious and important topics to prepare kids (and their parents) for the challenges of adolescence, but delivered in a highly engaging and entertaining way! Michael covered so many pertinent topics in both the student and parent presentations, including navigating challenges relating to drugs and alcohol, gender respect, life ‘online’, body image, and some super tips and tricks for both kids and parents to support and optimise safe decision-making across the board. Students were captivated and many parents reported their kids returned home from these presentations bursting with sharings, thereby providing timely opportunities for mums and dads to connect with their kids and further discuss these important topics with their children. The evening session for parents provided up to the minute evidence based strategies to support our children through the challenging teen years, with plenty of good humour and opportunities to share ideas and questions, empowering parents further with the task ahead! Michael Jeh’s Life Skills proved an excellent package of learning that will certainly remain a highlight of our transition to high school planning.
Tracey Jenkinson, Wellbeing Coordinator, Ironside State School
Michael Jeh is a highly experienced motivational speaker and educator who specialises in working with late primary school children and adolescents (and their parents, community, teachers) in the area of risk-taking behaviours which encompass drugs, alcohol, social media, sexuality and the many issues that confront parents as they attempt to navigate through the teenage years.
I have now been most fortunate to have seen Michael present in six different styles of workshops and cannot recommend him highly enough. He is truly inspirational! Michael covers many subjects in a way that reaches students or any audience by both “touching them emotionally” and confronting them all at the same time though his own personal experience of being a refugee, international cricketer and currently a wildlife ranger in Africa and motivational speaker. His journeys alone again are nothing short of incredible and he connects with his audience on a level that far exceeds all expectations.
Vanessa Perrin, Careers Adviser, Mullumbimby State High School, NSW
Michael challenged our students to think; to think about the now, to think about tomorrow, and to think about the person they want to be. His presentation provided the critical edge in ensuring our students challenge assumptions about what students from a rural setting can achieve.
Neal Reed, Acting Principal, Gilgandra State High School, NSW
Your presentation was cleverly crafted, capturing the interest of all participants. The content was extremely relevant and presented in a way that hooked the students and delivered a clear message that will be of benefit in their work as school leaders and in their lives beyond the school gate.
Mark Breckenridge, Principal, Ferny Grove State High School, QLD
I can’t thank you enough for your presentation to our parent body. I have had many parents come and see me specifically to say how much they valued your session and how much they would like it to be added as a yearly event. Thank-you for your obvious passion and dedication, it is inspiring and thought-provoking. Aminta Miller, Deputy Principal, Nundah State School, QLD
Michael’s message to the students was delivered in an open, direct and sometimes brutally honest manner using current data and engaging technologies. The parent information evening was equally impressive with Michael speaking openly about the need for adolescent boys to take risks but all within a controlled environment. The discussion following Michael’s presentation was indicative of his success in engaging the parent audience.
Matthew Hutchison, Principal, St Augustine’s College, Sydney
Just wanted to thank you for the recent life skills course you provided to the Corinda SHS Football Excellence students. We all had a fantastic day, students and teachers alike. There was a buzz of excitement on the bus ride home and I could see the students were really inspired by you. I personally see this as a highlight of the year. Matthew Redman, teacher, Corinda State High School, QLD
An amazing story, Michael, keep doing what you are doing so well, changing young people’s lives for the better. Pam Parker, Former Mayor of Logan City
A professional presentation that was run in a manner that was sports specific and appealed to our younger athletes. James Eggington, Surfing Australia
I have been getting some excellent feedback from the session from both players and parents!! One parent called me personally, on the verge of tears, to say thank you for the impression the session left on their boy. They have been trying to get the message across to him about facebook with no success. After Wednesday he has shut down his facebook page. Grant Anderson, The Rugby Academy