Public Speaking
Russell McGilton
Public Speaker
Bombay to Beijing by Bicycle
AUTHOR / ADVENTURER / PERFORMER
‘Congratulation,’ grinned Dr Chawla. ‘You are having the malaria.’
And so begins Russell McGilton’s trip as he attempts to cycle from Bombay to Beijing by bicycle in the hope of writing a book about his cycling odyssey.
Inspired by a life changing event and the taste for good ol’ adventure, Russell would not only battle the reoccurring malarial fevers but would unwittingly cycle near a nuclear test site, be chased by packs of wild dogs in the dead of night, run up trees to escape charging rhinos, get caught a little too near to Afghanistan during September 11 and lastly, have a stack with a yak.
Overcoming these adversities, Russell managed to complete the trip in 10 months and to successfully have his dream of having the book published (Yakety Yak: Bombay to Beijing by Bicycle Penguin Group) while a one man show of the trip Bombay to Beijing by Bicycle won the George Fairfax Playwright Competition 2003 and performed to sold out audiences at the Melbourne Comedy Festival 2006 and The Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2008.
Russell was also featured in the Melbourne Writers’ Festival 2004 and has appeared on Red Symons’s 774 radio program, 2UE Sydney and with Russell Gilbert on Radio SEN 1116.
Apart from this great adventure, Russell has travelled and worked in over 30 countries from sitting with mountain gorillas in the African Congo, motorcycling through typhoons in Taiwan, picking grapefruit a kibbutz and climbing Mount Kenya.
Other professions include, performer and writer for children’s theatre, television producer, writer and director for commercials for TV Media Consultancy and as a director of his own advertising company, Big Mouth Promotions.
Speaker topics:
- Challenge and Adventure
- Inspiration
- Performance and Entertainment
- Humour and Comedy
Testimonials
‘The kids loved having Russell as MC. I could not have asked for anyone better to host the event. Russell was sensational and I would have no problems giving the highest recommendation to anyone else hiring him.’
- Liz Zelencich, Newspapers in Education, The Courier
‘Russell spoke from the heart and his sincere, honest approach is to be commended. It is very difficult to speak openly about aspects of your life to others but he managed to do it in such a way that I could relate to him. Very entertaining and inspiring, what a journey and the photos were great. Thanks for the great opportunity to hear someone of such quality!! Excellent!!!’
- Staff from Caroline Chisholm Catholic College
‘So lively and a real story-teller, he took us through his cycling adventures from Bombay/Mumbai to Beijing in such detail, that one could almost feel his pain at times. Needless to say, Russell’s adventures left a large majority of the audience shaking their head in amazement!’
- Sally Meares, Queensland Transport
“Russell McGilton was a guest speaker in my Writer and Publication course (Master of Creative Media) this year. Russ is a brilliant speaker. He combines wit with insight and erudition. He relates well with students. He is a natural teacher…”
- Antoni Jach author and creative fiction lecturer at RMIT
Russell’s session was excellent. His talk was clear, funny, well presented and enjoyable. Many people indicated to me how they had enjoyed his talk and how he present it to the group.
- Pippa Andrews, ISACA
References
Tanya O’Brien
Monash University
Tel: 03 9904 4000
Liz Zelencich
The Courier
ph: 5320 1614
Stuart Daly
Oatlands Primary School
Tel: 03 9705 6055
Bookings
Russell McGilton is available for public speaking at your next event luncheon, dinner, AGM, school or to simply inspire. He can also tailor his talks to any theme you may wish him to present.
School enquiries contact Booked Out (03) 9824 0177 or bookings@bookedout.com.au
Corporate Bookings: (03) 9529 3711 or carson@icmi.com.au
Special requirements: AV data projector and screen
Clients
Pyramid Hill Secondary (2009)
The Courier Newspaper (2009)
Isaca Information Systems (2009)
Corenet Global (2008) – Grand Hyatt, Mumbai, India
Oatland’s Primary School (2008)
Frankston High School (2008)
Monash University (2008)
Serpell Primary (2008)
Financial Lifestyle Group Pty Ltd (2007)
Meetings And Events Australia (2007)
Jack Morton Worldwide (2007)
Queensland Transport (2007)
Camperdown High School (2007)
Belmont High School (2007)
Seymour High School (2007)
Pakenham College (2006)
Emerald College (2006)
Yarra Valley College (2006)
Price Waterhouse Coopers (2005)
STA Travel Debate (2005) – Featuring Julia Zimmero, Tony Wilson, Libby Gorr.
Aquinas College (2005)
Chisholm College (2005)
RMIT Creative Writers (2004)
Intrepid Travel (2004-2007)
Penguin Book Launch (2004)
MC, Appearances and Performances
The Federal Election Night Party (2007)
Seditious Delicious – A Portrait Of John Howard (2007)
Intrepid Tsunami Benefit (2005)
774 ABC – Red Symons (2004)
2UE Sydney Radio (2004)
Radio SEN (2004)
Melbourne Writers Festival (2004)
Commonwealth Games Showcase (2004)
Sleepers Salon (2003)
Visible Ink Book Launch (1999)
Visible Ink Readings (1998)
Stand Up Comedy (London 1992-1996)
