Kerryn Redpath
Book Kerryn Redpath for speaking engagements & events.
Kerryn Redpath grew up in a loving family, is a devoted mother of three wonderful adult children and a powerful speaker on the dangers of substance abuse.
Over the past six years, Kerryn has dedicated her life to delivering a powerful Drug & Alcohol Awareness presentation in Secondary Colleges and Businesses across Australia. This role evolved out of Kerryn’s own devastating life and near death trials many years ago.
Despite having a happy childhood and attending good schools, like so many teens who just want to ‘fit in’, Kerryn followed her peers into the party scene. After what began as ‘just a bit of fun’, her life gradually spiralled out of control. At the age of twenty five Kerryn was rushed to the Alfred Hospital Melbourne, where she was diagnosed with drug related heart and kidney failure and given less than two hours to live. After spending five longs months gravely ill in hospital, amazingly Kerryn survived but has been left with life-long consequences. Kerryn deeply regrets the choices of her youth and has not touched an illicit drug since.
Kerryn recently completed 10 years of employment in an independent college, working with students from all levels. In 2010 she was invited to speak in a secondary college by a teacher who knew of her story. Her message was so well received by students and staff members that Kerryn realised she had a vital message of warning that she needed to share and so her journey began.
As one with first-hand experience, Kerryn understands just how easy it can be to slide from experimentation to addiction and she speaks with authority on this topic. Naturally the audience respond extremely well to the authenticity of her message as her knowledge and passion to make a difference are made evident.
Kerryn’s message is not purely academic. She also regularly receives calls from distraught parents who have a son or daughter who is battling drug addiction. She has met with several of these young people and directed them into rehab, with some great outcomes. Kerryn is on the ground passionately using her experience to make a difference. She hears their stories and understands the current reality of drug & alcohol addiction.
As the authorities, health systems and families of this nation struggle with high levels of drug and alcohol use and abuse ( in particular the current devastating scourge of Crystal Methamphetamine use) warning people of the dangers of drug & alcohol use and equipping them with vital information is the aim of Kerryn’s program. As indicated in her feedback and references, Kerryn has a message that really causes those that hear it to sit up and listen.
Kerryn’s presentation brings a compelling message of real-life stories intertwined with up-to-date information on the most commonly used drugs and alcohol. Her PowerPoint presentation also includes newspaper articles, video & radio clips, information on the brain and risk-taking, what to do in an emergency, why people use drugs and alcohol and much more. She concludes her session with a message of the potential and hope for the future.
Kerryn has also spoken at forums on ICE and other drugs & crime, she has been on radio interviews and in 2014 featured in an SBS documentary on Marijuana.
A compelling speaker whose message is changing lives in the workplace and at schools.
BOOK
Kerryn’s new book, ‘Chasing After The Wind’ is now available for order on either the ATOM website:
http://theeducationshop.com.au/books/chasing-after-the-wind/
or her website: www.daesy.com.au – It is now also available on Amazon and Kindle.
‘Chasing After The Wind’ is an autobiographical/educational book aimed at educating and warning readers about the potential dangers of alcohol and other drug use.
This is a riveting compilation of real-life stories intertwined with up to date information, links and help services etc., and has been passionately written for ages 15 through to adult, across all demographics. My hope is that young readers in particular, might learn about some of the consequences of substance use and take on a message that encourages them to make wise choices in their lives. The feedback has been extremely positive with indications that it also serves as an educational awareness tool for parents.
Kerryn was recently invited to the organisation in which I work to deliver her important message on the topic of drug and alcohol related substance abuse and its impacts within the community and the workplace. Kerryn delivered 12 highly personable and powerful presentations on the impacts of drugs and alcohol to employees over a 5 day period that struck a chord with many of the individuals present. Kerryn is a remarkable speaker and very well educated on the subject or drug use/abuse in the workplace and in general. I would highly recommend having Kerryn come speak with employees, students and the community. She did an incredible job of communicating the dangers of substance abuse and how it affects not only the addict but family members as well.
Following the launch of the Australian War Memorial’s first Drug and Alcohol Policy in early 2019 the Memorial wanted to provide staff with a highly engaging speaker to address this important but sensitive topic. Kerryn Redpath was identified and proved to be just the right type of speaker. By discussing her own very personal experience with drugs and alcohol Kerryn swiftly captured the attention of our staff, and an extended question and answer session followed her presentation. Kerryn skilfully incorporated the Memorial’s new Drug and Alcohol policy within her presentation to ensure staff were also educated on the Memorial’s processes and supports to assist those experiencing difficulties in this challenging area. I would recommend Kerryn to other employers – her story is very honest and powerful and demonstrates how people can turn their lives around despite serious addiction.
Recently our students received the opportunity to hear Kerryn Redpath speak on the important topic of drug and related substance abuse issues in our community. While Kerryn is certainly a proficient and engaging public speaker, it was the highly personal nature of her story which struck a chord with our students most. They were offered a valuable insight into the means by which a young person from a loving home can, through a few bad choices, so easily slide into a lifestyle which offers such dangerous consequences. I applaud Kerryn for the work that she does and have no doubt that the students she speaks to are affected by her message and have cause to reflect on it for years following.
Please accept my gratitude for your attendance at Mission Australia on Tuesday 24th April.Following completion of the Program, the participants were asked to provide feedback regarding the content of the course and its relevance to them.Given the age range of the group (18-61 years) I expected a large variance in the replies.I am happy to advise that your session received very positive feedback from a cross section of the participants with some stating that it was one of the sessions that had the most effect on them.Once again thank you for your attendance and for sharing your insights and experiences with the group.