Mark has a long and proud history in the design and delivery of speeches, presentations and workshops for a wide variety of audiences and on a wide range of topics. The following are some examples of his achievements.
As The Tough conversations Guy, Mark …
Delivered (and still does deliver) a one-day training program every month to frontline staff of a government department “Techniques for handling difficult clients.’
Acted as the MC for induction programs for Housing NSW.
Delivered ongoing programs to both front line staff and staff ‘behind the scenes’ of Local Government.
Presented to Body Corporate management organisations, the Funeral Directors Association of Australia, Bowls Australia, Sports Federation of NSW, etc.
As a consultant, Mark …
Wrote and delivered papers at national and international conferences such as at the:
International Harm Reduction Conference, Belfast, Ireland,
wrote ’Pooling Your Wisdom for Safer Sex.’ (McPherson, M. A. Blissvale: Sydney. 1989. 2nd Edition 1994.) which was then revised in 2003 with the new title ‘A practical method for helping people learn and use skills to negotiate and insist on Safer Sex’.
wrote a complete step-by-step detailed curriculum package for police in Asia called ‘Effective Strategies for Police for reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS among, and from, Injecting Drug Users’. This consisted of 9 Topics which comprise 4 separate competency-based Modules and is consistent with the Australian Quality Training Framework. Each Topic consists of educationally sound educational objectives, a step-by-step Teacher’s Guide, assessment tasks, background reading, participant handouts, and slides. 2004. The Package is comprised of over 150,000 words.
wrote ‘Party Without Pain. The use of Real Life Rehearsals to help teenagers control their drinking.” (2007) Price: $45.00 plus GST. This 35-page document (2004) provides teachers with details of each of the 10-steps in Real Life Rehearsals as applied to helping teenagers resist the pressure to drink.
wrote ’Babies don’t need drugs.’ a slide and sound teaching package with notes for the teacher produced by the Health Education Unit, Sydney University, 1985.
wrote ‘No thanks I don’t smoke.’ Participants learn the art of refusing the offer of a cigarette. Given to Life Education Centres Australia to use it as they required. 1989.
As a Principal Policy Analyst and Coordinator of the Drug Programs Unit, NSW Police, Mark …
co-designed, wrote and delivered an 8-day fully accredited course for police titled ‘The Minimisation of Alcohol-Related Crime’.
Presented programs at the Police College and across NSW to new recruits, serving officers and senior executive on a broad range of topics as varied as new legislation,
updated policies, working with other government departments, handling
intoxicated people, the nature of drug use, infection control practices
and how to write briefings for Ministers.
Delivered numerous presentations on topics such as legislation, policies, Standard Operating Procedures, etc to members of the public.
Produced numerous resources for the community including: Information cards, pamphlets, material for the intranet and internet. Responsible for the design, production, and dissemination of a wide range of resources (information cards, pamphlets, information for the intranet and internet) for a wide range of audiences on issues such as: the Cannabis Cautioning Scheme, “move along” legislation, drugs and the law (tailored for different drugs and in a variety of languages).
Conducted programs for Police on how to design and deliver talks to school students, teachers and parents.
As Manager Professional development, Centre of education & Information on Drugs & Alcohol, NSW Health, Mark …
Presented short talks and seminars and delivered full-day programs for doctors, nurses, allied medical staff, administration and support staff on topics as diverse as directions in outpatient facilities, the nature of Hepatitis C, and health promotion in the workplace.
As a Senior Health Promotion Officer, Mark …
designed and presented programs on HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, sexual health and infection control to doctors, Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses, social workers, etc. Mark also designed and implemented programs to catering, cleaning and linen staff and a 3-hour course on HIV/AIDS and Hep C for outdoor staff of Fairfield City Council. Because of the nature of the work at health facilities, Mark delivered programs as late as 11pm and on weekends.
As a Senior Education Officer at the NSW Board of Studies, Mark …
Presented to groups of teachers, youth workers, lecturers and parents
As a Senior Education Officer at the TAFE Drug and Alcohol Studies Unit, Mark …
Wrote and delivered papers at national and international conferences such as at the:
International Harm Reduction Conference, Belfast, Ireland; and
World Tobacco and Health Conference, Perth, Australia.
delivered programs across NSW to College students on drug and alcohol issues, handling stress and study techniques, and to teachers and counsellors on drug and alcohol issues, drug and alcohol education theory and practice. Mark also co-conducted a speciality course for counsellors and teachers titled ‘research-based drug education’ which ran for 18 weeks at 2 hours per week. In addition, Mark co-produced many teaching kits and resources for teachers such as:
‘I’d rather you didn’t' Participants learn strategies to avoid, and deal with, passive smoking. Hamilton, H, McPherson M.A., and Wheller, R. (1990) NSW TAFE in-house publication series. 1990.
‘Drug use – from myth to reality. A Group Leader’s Guide.’ McPherson M.A. Sydney: NSW TAFE in-house publication series, 1990.
‘Help a student in my class is on drugs! – A Teacher’s Guide.’ and Help a student in my class is on drugs! – A Group Leader’s Manual. McPherson M.A. and Dwyer P. Sydney: NSW TAFE in-house publication series, 1989.
‘The Fatal Mix: A Set of Lessons.’ (Incorporated a specially produced video of “triggers”.) McPherson M. A. and Wheller R. (1989) Sydney: NSW TAFE in-house publication series.
‘Pooling Your Wisdom: A Method for Generating Role-Plays.. McPherson, M.A. (1988) Sydney: NSW TAFE in-house publication series.
‘Alcohol Without Tears: A Set of Lessons.’ McPherson, M.A., Palin M.N., and Wheller, R. (1988)
‘Have a Drug-Free Pregnancy: A Set of Lessons.’ Sunderland, G., McPherson M.A., and Wheller, R. (1988)
‘Playing Safe with Tranquillisers: A Set of Lessons.’ McPherson, M.A. and Wheller, R. (1988)
‘Confessions of a simply surgeon.’ This 23 minute highly acclaimed video features Australian surgeon and tobacco control campaigner, Dr Arthur Chesterfield Evans, in a hard hitting expose of the insidious effects of cigarette smoking on the individual and on society. From cancer scarred lungs to the politics of passive smoking, the doctor takes no prisoners as he reveals the effects of the deadly drug. It is humorous, witty and entertaining but with a serious message. A breath of fresh air for educators wanting a high impact resource for smoking education classes and groups.
As an Educator with the Family Planning Association, Mark …
conducted workshops and programs across NSW for young people (within the typical school system, in detention centres and in youth centres) and to youth workers, teachers and parents.
As a lecturer in Health Education & Classroom Management, Mark…
presented to teachers, trainee teachers, nurse educators, youth workers, counsellors, HR staff and others on how to: conduct needs assessments; review literature; design programs on nutrition, emotional well-being, sex education, etc; use questioning and other micro-skills; use group work and experiential learning techniques; conduct assessment and evaluation; and present with clarity to a broad range of people in a wide variety of settings.
As a schoolteacher, Mark …
designed and delivered numerous programs to teenagers, and did so on a daily basis. He worked in many different disciplines including mathematics, social science, junior science, senior physics, health and personal development. Mark was also a very keen sports teacher and naturally conducted many education sessions out in the open. Particularly in his role as a health and personal development teacher, Mark used group learning and experiential learning strategies and developed the role-play technique ‘panel of experts’ the forerunner to the Pooling Your Wisdom technique and Real Life Rehearsals. Marl also conducted inservice programs for teachers, ran programs for parents and regularly presented at staff meetings.
As a tourist guide at Jenolan Caves, NSW, Mark …
presented to groups of people of all ages and from many different countries and cultures. He led groups as small as 2 and as large as 250 and developed the skills to engage and entertain as well as help people learn about regulations, history and geology. It is here that he first learnt the importance of non-verbal communication and how to use it to both ‘make the point’ and to make it interesting.