Living in Brisbane, wife to husband Greg and Mother of two sons of Jacob and Kai both of primary School age, Hayley Lewis is remembered as the 15-year-old “girl next door”.
Swept to fame in 1990 by winning five gold medals at the Auckland Commonwealth Games. This amazing feat placed Hayley into the hearts and minds of Australians everywhere. 12 months after Auckland, Hayley went on to greater fame by winning the 200m freestyle World Championship in front of an ecstatic Perth crowd.
In 1992, Hayley was again performing on the world stage at the Barcelona Olympic Games. She brought home two medals – one silver and one bronze.
Over her swimming career Hayley has remained one of Australia’s most consistent swimmers with success at all levels of competition including. Australian Titles, Pan Pacific Games, Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games and World Championships.
1996 was a tough year for Hayley. Her training was constantly interrupted by illness but she fought back to win the National 400m and 800m titles and passed a gruelling fitness test allowing her to take her place in the Olympic team. Unfortunately, the breaks in training and brief hospitalisation had affected her Olympic preparation and Hayley was not able to copy her Barcelona success. 1996 ended on an up note with Hayley being voted “Female Distance Swimmer of the Year” at the Telstra Australian Swimming Awards.
In 1998, after the birth of her first child Jacob, Hayley joined forces with Jenny Craig Weight Loss
Centres as a key spokesperson helping her to get back in shape and encouraging other young mothers to do the same.
Back in top shape Hayley surprised herself by powering onto her third Olympic team with emphatic victory in the 800m freestyle at the Olympic trials in May 2000. Hayley competed in the World
Swimming Championships in Japan in July 2001 in three events – 1500m in the pool and Open Water 5km & 10km and winning Bronze medal in the 5km.
Hayley’s decision to retire was due to the fact that Open Water swimming would not be included in the 2004 Olympics but she went out in style and remains the current Australian 5km & 10km Open Water Champion.
Out of the water, Hayley has embarked on several business ventures including her own swim school at Westfield Carindale in Brisbane. This was the first time anyone had placed a Swim school in a shopping Centre and as a result was proven to be a very successful business plan spanning over ten years.
Hayley has owned other business ventures including, a range of fitness equipment, she has been involved with television commentary – Hayley joined the Channel 7 team during their coverage of the XVII Commonwealth Games in July/August in Manchester – and is highly sought after for speaking engagements and personal appearances.
In 2010, due to Westfield closures, Hayley said good bye to Swimming and closed the Swim School.
This became an opportune time for Hayley to embark on another life-long dream and bought a well
Known Brisbane gift store called ‘Coming Up Roses’ which is already proving to be a another one of
Hayley’s business successes.
On 1 April 2011, Hayley launched her first book, ‘Dream Believe, Create. A Woman’s Guide to Small Business’, published by Harper Collins.
Hayley also continues to enjoy her role as host (2010, 2011 and 2012 season) of successful Network Ten reality show, The Biggest Loser.
When Hayley is not working on ‘The Biggest Loser’, she also owns and runs her dream business, a beautiful gift store ‘Coming Up Roses’ in Balmoral, a lovely leafy suburb of Brisbane.
Hayley lives in Brisbane with husband Greg and two sons Jacob and Kai.
Speaking On:
The Hayley Lewis Story
Libby has been the EA to the CEO of Australian Red Cross for the past 12 months and prior to that was the EA to the Director, Human Resources for Australian Red Cross.
Earlier roles include PA and administrative positions in diverse industries such as hospitality, real estate, finance and legal. Libby started working life as a 17 year old dental nurse. She holds Certificate level qualifications in IT, Workplace Training and Assessment and has partially completed Cert IV in Business Administration. Libby is a single mum/chauffer to two teenage daughters and in her spare time loves AFL footy, eating and walking her beloved border collie.
Speaking On:
Understanding what your manager is looking for in an assistant
Patrizia’s career experience, as an Executive Assistant, spans over 20 years, during which she has evolved her executive skills by supporting some of the most influential Chairmen and CEO’s in Australia.
Patrizia’s career catapulted from humble beginnings as a travel consultant, film production assistant and advertising account executive to managing the lives of the CEO’s and Chairmen of Australian Consolidated Press, Lion Nathan Australia, Mattingly & Partners and Grey Advertising to name a few.
Patrizia has not only supported her executive’s business activities and sometimes personal diaries, but also led a number of complex high profile and important initiatives, such as leading the project team in a major
relocation, the business transformation of an advertising agency to orchestrating and directing one of the largest Christmas events for over 4000 employees across multiple locations around Australia.
Patrizia has also worked for a global IT management consulting business travelling the world alongside the COO and running her virtual office with only a mobile phone and laptop in hand.
In 2010 Patrizia made a decision that her next employer would be her choice, one that would support diversity and balance in the workplace, where her passion for people, hard work and dedication would be recognised and her career development encouraged.
Patrizia chose Westpac as her employer of choice and is currently the Executive Assistant to the Chief Information Officer of The Westpac Group.
Patrizia’s passion for people and her commitment to the professional development of the role of an Executive Assistant has her being sought after as a mentor to EA’s within Westpac and across the corporate world. Time well spent, where Patrizia feels that she gets as much out of those relationships as her mentees.
In 2010 Patrizia was selected to represent NSW in the Australian Executive Assistant of the Year, and went on to be awarded 3rd place nationally. In 2011 Patrizia was a guest speaker at the EA/PA Forum in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney and has been invited to present again in 2012.
Patrizia has been married for 24 years and has a beautiful daughter. In her spare time, Patrizia dedicates every moment to her family and friends.
Speaking On:
Working your way to the top: Recognising opportunities & continuously growing your career
With fresh ideas and unique insight, Jarrod Lomas demonstrates that young people with get-up-and-go are only limited by their ideas commitment. In just three years Jarrod has proven that with hard work and an open mind, anything is possible. Now, at just 21 years of age, Jarrod is the youngest Office Manager for any Federal Parliamentarian and is also a respected youth advocate.
After starting a Bachelor of Commerce/Arts in 2008, Jarrod realised that he wanted to make a genuine contribution to the greater community, and began volunteering with not-for-profit groups to promote youth issues.
In 2010 Jarrod was given the opportunity to work with political newcomer, Ken Wyatt, as his sole political adviser. Jarrod coordinated a highly successful federal election campaign, managing everything from diary, to media, to correspondence; resulting in the election of the first Indigenous Member of Parliament, Ken Wyatt MP.
Since 2010 Jarrod has worked as Mr Wyatt’s Office Manager and Executive Assistant, effectively managing national media opportunities, as well as establishing a new office and recruiting staff. In his spare time, Jarrod continues to advocate on behalf of Western Australian youth through his role on a number of committees.
Speaking On:
Time & diary management: How to stay on top & maximise efficiency
The evolving role of today’s EA & PA
The role of an Executive or Personal Assistant is always expanding to include new functions and responsibilities, often indicating an increasing workload. Clear and honest communication, prioritisation of tasks and increased personal efficiency are the foundation to ensuring personal growth and career success.
The National EA & PA Convention will help you excel in your role and develop the skills needed to assist your manager and organisation to operate effectively in a fast paced, complex and increasingly changing environment.
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