Sam & Jenny Bailey

Catholic school leaders pursue possibilities

2011-06-11T03:13:00.000-07:00

Had a great trip to Melbourne on June 10 to speak to almost 300 Catholic School respresentatives at the CEOM Catholic Schools Conference at the Melbourne Entertainment Centre. It was amazing to be speaking on the same stage the Dalai Lama was to appear on less than 24 hours later. Of course, they were moving the walls in the conference centre out a bit - from the hall where I spoke to about 300 people to accommodate the 5500 coming to see him. So I've got a little way to go! For more photos and details about my Melbourne talk visit my 2011 News Page.

Great visit to Julia Creek

2011-05-28T18:11:00.001-07:00

We've just had a fantastic visit to Julia Creek in Central Queensland where a Men's Day attracted more than 100 participants to have a health check and hear myself and legendary Bronco's league ex-player Shane Webcke speak. Great to see the season looking so fantastic in the district - we really enjoyed the drive from Mount Isa across to Julia Creek and back because the landscape is stunning at the moment. Never seen so much grass! See more at our 2011 News Page.

Supporters came from miles around to fight cancer

2011-05-26T03:39:00.000-07:00

The small rural community of Inglestone in south-west Queensland drew supporters from miles around for its annual fundraiser for cancer research. Its Biggest Morning Tea for Funds for Cancer was organised by the Inglestone CWA, which is celebrating its 60th year. Find out more.

Tough job but somone had to do it!

2011-05-26T03:22:00.000-07:00

"It was a tough job but someone had to do it," was Sam Bailey's comment after being special guest at this year's Goondiwindi Anglican Church Deb Ball on May 20. He's pictured above with some of the stunning Debutees. Find out more here.

Local chaplaincy invite Sam to Warwick

2011-05-26T02:55:00.000-07:00

School chaplains in the Warwick area invited me to visit to speak to local schools and a community "Raising the Spirit" dinner on May 19. It was a huge success with more than 270 in attendance. See more details and photos on my 2011 News Page and 2011 School News page.

Great trip to the NSW north-west with RFDS

2011-05-14T04:48:00.000-07:00

Just back from a fantastic trip to the NSW north-west with the Royal Flying Doctor Service speaking at community events and schools in Wanaaring, White Cliffs, Wilcannia and Louth. A highlight was staying at PJs Bed and Breakfast at White Cliffs which was underground.

I'm pictured above with the organisers of our trip Rusty Stoddart and Matt Bolte (middle back) from the RFDS Mental Health Unit; Denise Perkins, RFDS psychologist (front right) and Robyn (back left) and David White (back right), owners of the Louth Post Office Bed and Breakfast. It was great to see the north-west has been transformed by the recent good season.
There are more photos on my web page 2011 news page and 2011 school page.

Lifting spirits in SA's south east

2011-04-14T04:36:00.000-07:00

It was fantastic to visit the beautiful south east of South Australia in early April to lift the spirits of residents of the Tatiara District - where tough economic conditions and drought have challenged local residents in recent years. We visited three schools - Bordertown High School, Keith Area School and Tintinara Area School throughout Friday, April 8. That night we spoke at a community event at Keith, which attracted about 170 people. The event was organised by the Northern NRM Group of the South East Natural Resources Management Board, with financial support from Country Health SA. We really enjoyed seeing the area, which is the largest lucerne seed producing region in Australia. Find out more on our webpage.

Yarrawonga footy club off and running

2011-03-29T22:32:00.000-07:00

It was fantastic to visit the beautiful area of Yarrawonga/Mulwala again on March 16 on the NSW/Victorian border to speak at the season's opening dinner for the Yarrawonga Football and Netball Club. There as a great roll up - here's hoping it translates into a successful season. More details on 2011 News page.

We also visited the local high schools again - having spoken to some students there last year. See photos on the 2011 School News page.

Yarrawonga and Mulwala are on the shores of Lake Mulwala which is looking absolutely stunning thanks to the outstanding season being experienced across southern NSW.

Great trip to Henty over three days

2011-03-12T19:28:00.000-08:00

Sam and Jenny Bailey had a great trip to the Henty area on March 7 to 9 where Sam spoke to a number of local schools plus a community event on March 8 at the Henty Bowling Club which attracted about 200 local residents. The trip was sponsored and organised by the Henty Branch of the Bendigo Community Bank. For more details and photos visit 2011 News page on Sam's webpage.

Stunning views at Mornington Peninsula

2010-11-22T01:20:00.000-08:00

We visited the Mornington Peninsula for the first time on November 18 and 19 to speak at a PricewaterhouseCoopers event and a couple of schools - what a stunning place. We stayed at the Moonah Links Golf Resort. Amazing. If you're in a wheelchair and want to stay somewhere stunning, with great disabled facilities we can recommend Moonah Links. See photos of the bathroom above...how's that for a SPACIOUS bathroom and with great views of the sand dunes as well. For more details about our talks in the area visit our 2010 News and 2010 School News pages.

Great trip to lower Hunter Valley

2010-11-22T01:13:00.000-08:00

We had a great trip to the lower Hunter Valley in the second week of November to speak at two events - the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care "Building Inclusive Communities Conference"on November 10 at Noah's on the Beach, Newcastle; and on November 13 at Dungog Show. Details are now available on our 2010 News Page.

The people you bump into!

2010-11-04T15:23:00.000-07:00

It's amazing the people you bump into on your travels. Just arrived at the Sydney Airport on my way home on October 29, wheeled out of the elevator and a voice called out my name. It was my former House Master from TAS (The Armidale School) - Jim Graham. Fantastic to see him and his sister Noni.

Back to web page.

Fly in to Sydney for RFDS AGM

2010-11-04T15:19:00.000-07:00

Great to meet Geoff and Rachel O'Conor (right) at the Royal Flying Doctor Service South Eastern Section AGM on October 28 at Parliament House Sydney. Find out more on my 2010 News Page.

Great response to Wandoan men's night

2010-10-25T22:47:00.000-07:00

More than 100 people came to the Wandoan Men's Health Night on October 22, with more than 50 men having check ups. Great response!

See more details at 2010 News Page. Also visited the school. Photos on 2010 School News page.

Four hundred Lions converge on Goondiwindi

2010-10-20T16:41:00.001-07:00

It was fantastic to meet lots of enthusiastic Lions Club members at the Lions District 201Q1 Convention at Goondiwindi, held from October 15 to 17. I spoke there on Sunday, October 17. See more photos and story on my 2010 News Page.

I'm speaking at Wandoan on Friday night, October 22. Details in Diary.

Young farmers learn leadership skills

2010-10-12T21:49:00.001-07:00

Sam and Jenny Bailey spoke to a group of young people in agriculture on September 29 and 30 in Armidale. It was part of a series of three workshops aimed at developing leadership skills.

See more info and photos.

Show finalists compete in Adelaide for top titles

2010-09-11T20:35:00.000-07:00

It was great to travel to Adelaide to speak on September 1 to the finalists in the National Council of Agricultural Societies 2010 Young Judges Competition. Good luck to all! More details on the 2010 News Page.

Green, green, green at Deniliquin

2010-09-11T20:22:00.001-07:00

I had a great visit to Deniliquin from August 26 to 28. Great to see the area looking much greener than last time I was in the area. I spoke to students from all the schools, plus a community dinner at Deniliquin RSL Club on the Saturday night, which attracted about 80. More details and photos on my 2010 News Page and 2010 School News page.

Sam gives two talks at ClubMulwala

2010-08-26T18:26:00.000-07:00

Sam and Jenny Bailey spoke twice to two enthusiastic audiences at ClubMulwala, on the Victorian border, on August 25. More details on 2010 News Page.

Back to Sam's webpage www.sambailey.com.au

Great crew at Albury Commercial Club

2010-08-23T19:08:00.000-07:00

Fantastic to speak to staff at Albury's Commercial Club staff on Monday, August 23. What a great bunch of people! I'm pictured above with some of them including (back l-r) Lauren Shepherd, Rikki Pyle, Leah Witham, Mel Bryant, Tahlia Carey; (front l-r) Rachael Halpin, me and Brooke Taylor. Great to meet you all and hope you were able to take something from my talk.

Supporting parents of children with VCFS

2010-08-22T02:49:00.000-07:00

I'm pictured above with parents of children with Velocardiofacial Syndrome (VCFS) after speaking at their annual gathering on August 22 at Westmead Children's Hospital in Sydney. What a great bunch of people. It was a pleasure meeting them. Find out more here.

Small but intimate night at Batemans Bay

2010-08-22T02:41:00.001-07:00

We had a great night at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club's community dinner on August 21. It was a small but intimate audience, no doubt in part due to it being Election Day for the Federal Election. See more details and photos on my webpage.

Great email from 12-year-old reader

2010-08-18T23:55:00.001-07:00

Sam Bailey would like to share the following email with others because it touched him so much.
Millie Logan wrote, "Hello Sam, I am 12 years old and read your book. I told my brother about you and you were a huge inspiration to him. My brother Cameron is 17 and was in a surfboard accident. He was told he would never run or play football again. He was selected for the 1st squad and was the 2nd fastest runner at St Stanislaus College Bathurst and to be told that he would never run again and now he is in the 3rds and running again. Your book was amazing and I think you are incredible. I now look more at how lucky I am and not all the bad things about me, from Millie."
Sam says emails like this one from Millie are the reason he wrote "Head Over Heels", hoping to help others through their own challenges. "I just want to thank Millie for letting me know that it is making a difference and I would like to wish her and her brother all the best for their future. With an attitude like they have both shown they will no doubt achieve great things in their lives," he says.

Supporting the Royal Flying Doctor Service

2010-08-16T19:28:00.000-07:00

Sam and Jenny Bailey travelled to Brisbane for "An Inspirational Evening with the Royal Flying Doctor Service" on August 13. It was a fantastic night and they caught up with family and friends, as well as helping supporting the RFDS - which provides medical services to outback Australia. See photos and more details on the 2010 News Page.

Lifting the spirits of cotton growers

2010-08-04T18:59:00.003-07:00

Cotton growers in the Central Highlands of Queensland had a tough season during 2009/10. Hopefully my talk at their local irrigators awards dinner on July 30 at Emerald helped. See more details.

Visiting Emerald schools to tell my story

2010-08-04T18:54:00.000-07:00

It was great to speak to students at Marist College (pictured left), Emerald High, Emerald North primary and Comet State School during our visit to the area from July 28 to 30. See full details on my 2010 School News page.

Great feedback from Emerald ag students

2010-08-04T18:47:00.000-07:00

Fantastic to meet the students at Australian Agricultural College Corporation Emerald Campus on July 28. They were a fantastic audience and we've had some wonderful feedback. See more.

Sydney fundraiser a huge success

2010-07-26T01:15:00.001-07:00

The north Sydney community, with support from quite a few rural friends, raised more than $230,000 at a fundraiser for Brett Stevenson on Saturday night, July 24, at Dockside, Cockle Bay. Just proves community spirit is still alive and well in the city as well as the bush! Jenny and I are pictured above with Brett and his wife Jo. Brett suffered a spinal cord injury diving into the surf at Avoca Beach early this year, leaving him a quadriplegic but he is getting some movement back into his legs and recently started walking with support. He's got a great attitude and I wish him good luck with his recovery. See more photos from the night here.

Meeting students at Joeys

2010-07-26T00:59:00.000-07:00

It was fantastic to speak to Year 11, 12 and 8 students at St Josephs College at Hunters Hill, Sydney, on Thursday evening, July 22. Thanks for making me feel so welcome. See more photos on my website.

Spectacular photos of Ord River

2010-07-19T04:12:00.001-07:00

Sam Bailey with pilot Craig Cook flying over Lake Argle in the Western Australian far north. If you'd like to see more spectacular photos of the flight visit his web page.

Kununurra trip creates many firsts

2010-07-19T03:59:00.000-07:00

Sam and Jenny Bailey visited Kununurra in the Western Australia far north for the first time in early July. Sam opened the local show on the afternoon of July 9, then they both spoke that night at the annual show cattle awards presentation dinner. They are pictured above with some of the show organisers (back l-r) Bruce Carey, Bronwyn Cooke, Sarah Strutt, Fiona Kuiper (show president) and Laura Kuiper, (front) Ella Thompson (who at 11-years-of-age has read Sam and Jenny's book "Head Over Heels" three times! Find out more about their trip to Kununurra.

Bourke is green, green, green...

2010-04-26T17:01:00.001-07:00

We've just been out to open the 2010 Bourke Show on April 24. Congratulations to the showgirl winner Emma Buckley (left) and runner-up Krystal Ebsworth (second from left), plus entrants Megan Albert and Brooke Armstrong. We'd also like to congratulate the show organisers on a great show. It was also fantastic to see the season looking so amazing at Bourke. There's green grass everywhere. Some people were saying it's the best season they've seen for years and years which is wonderful after almost a decade of severe drought in that area.

First trip for 2010 to Singleton

2010-03-02T16:17:00.000-08:00

In mid-February Sam Bailey headed south to Singleton in the NSW Hunter Valley for his first speaking trip since breaking his leg in January. He spent two days speaking to various school groups, soldiers at Singleton School of Infantry and at the 90 Years of Rotary celebrations for Singleton's two Rotary clubs. Sam is pictured right with Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Lowe, Warrant Officer Class One David Welsh, Major Derrek Lush and Lieutenant James Horrigan after speaking on February 15 to about 120 soldiers at the base. Next morning he spoke to Year 11 and 12 students from Singleton High School and St Catherine's School. That night he was guest speaker at the town's two Rotary Club's celebrations of 90 years...the Rotary Club of Singleton has been operating for 70 years, the Singleton on Hunter Rotary Club for 20 years. The trip was organised by Gerard McMillan, Rotarian and general manager of Singleton RSC (Returned Servicemen's Club), and sponsored by the club, which brings an inspirational speaker to the town annually to speak to the town's Year 11 and 12 students.

ClubsNSW conference a show stopper

2009-10-13T21:03:00.000-07:00

ClubsNSW certainly knows how to WOW their members, as Sam and Jenny Bailey discovered when invited to speak at its annual conference on the Gold Coast from October 10 to 13. Held at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, the annual conference attracted well over 1000 delegates from clubs throughout NSW, and was a real show stopper....thanks to an amazing array of spectacular events. Sam said, "Jenny and I spoke on Sunday morning and then attended the Sunday evening dinner event, which was a real show stopper. It had an arabesque theme and was absolutely spectacular, including a jeanie, belly dancers, fire eaters, acrobats, fantastic singing and even live camels!" Sam and Jenny are pictured above with host of the Arabesque dinner, comedian Mark Mitchell (second from left), and fellow keynote speaker, Captain Gerald Coffee (right) and his wife, Susan. Captain Coffee is a retired navy captain who was shot down while flying combat missions over North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He was taken prisoner and spent virtually all of his 7 years and 9 days as a POW in solitary confinement. He now travels the world as a motivational speaker, delivering a powerful message on turning adversity into something with purpose.

Principals gather from across Oz

2009-10-13T20:56:00.000-07:00

Primary School leaders from all sectors of primary education, including government, catholic and independent schools, joined key stakeholders and international education leaders at the 2009 Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) national conference in mid-September on the Gold Coast. Sam and Jenny spoke on the closing day of the event, September 18. Sam is pictured at right with one of the organisers, Hilary Backus, who is also principal of Indooroopilly State School, in a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland.

Queensland town focuses on health issues

2009-09-06T16:44:00.000-07:00

The warning was loud and clear - "have regular checkups and see your doctor if anything seems abnormal, particularly once you're over 40 years of age."

That was the message to farmers and local residents from the Tara area at a Rural Men's Health Night on September 2 at the Tara Memorial Hall.

More than 50 men attend the evening, which included a talk from Sam and Jenny Bailey; a local doctor who talked about prostate problems and a local farmer, whose heart problems resulted in a heart transplant.

Sam Bailey also spoke at the local public school, Tara Shire State College during his visit to Tara. He's pictured above with students (l-r) Rhiannon Finucane, James Travers and Renay Warman, who accepted a free copy of his book "Head Over Heels" on behalf of their school library.

Fertilizer industry gathers in Coffs

2009-09-06T16:41:00.000-07:00

Australian Fertiliser Services Association members gathered from across Australia for their annual conference during the first week of August at the Pacific Bay Resort at Coffs Habour on the Mid North Coast of NSW. Sam and Jenny spoke to participants on Tuesday August 4 and are pictured above with (back, l-r) John Harrison, AFSA National Project Officer; Kerry Walker; Steve Howson; his wife Sally McConachy, AFSA secretary; Jan Harrison; and (front left) Richard Walker, NSW President AFSA. Jenny lived next door to Richard and Kerry Walker for five years when living at Tamworth, where she was the ABC Radio Rural Reporter from 1992 until 1999. "It was so great catching up with them again after all these years," she said.

Ekka helps shape 'future directions'

2009-09-06T16:35:00.000-07:00

The RNA Future Directions Commitee with support from the Australian Government's Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Foresty organised the inaugural "Learning to Lead" seminar series during this year's 2009 Royal Queensland Show (Ekka). Sam was one of a number of speakers during the event from August 7 to 10. He's pictured above with (l-r) participants Ian Pursehouse, and organisers Warwick Frazer, Susanne Schick, Karen Williams and Alicia Kirkman.

Speaking to Novartis group 'lots of fun'

2009-07-30T19:01:00.000-07:00

Staff from the Novartis' animal health division took their fun to a new level on July 28 when they wore fancy dress for their conference dinner. The theme was 'ancestors' and staff came up with some intriguing ancestral connnections which added an atmosphere of fun and frivolity to their dinner, at which Sam and Jenny also spoke. Sam is pictured above with some of the participants including (back l-r) Colin McKay - who won the prize for the best costume, Andrea Tamke, George Bebonis, Sarah Waugh, Neil Seaman, Georgia Connell (front l-r) Joe Scammell, Brooke Hardy and Duncan Thomson. A great night was had by all.

Visit to West Wyalong a great hit

2009-07-10T19:21:00.000-07:00

Sam and Jenny had a fantastic trip to West Wyalong in the NSW Central West on June 25 and 26, with more than 230 people attending a community event at the West Wyalong Services and Citizen's Club. It was a night for the whole family and it was great to see so many kids and young people amongst the audience. The event was organised by a wonderful band of local service providers including (pictured above with Sam and Jenny, l-r) Lisa Minogue, Rural Financial Counsellor; Sarah Heinjus, Community Support Worker and Jan Bruce, Drought Support Worker. Sam said, "We came away thinking that that rural community is lucky to have such a great support team of dedicated people...not just in Lisa, Sarah and Jan...but also their colleagues who are helping support rural communities, many who are still in drought after many years. There has been some rain in the area but the drought is far from over...it will take years for farmers and their communities to recover financially."
Sam and Jenny also spoke to students from local schools during their time in West Wyalong, including St Marys War Memorial School; West Wyalong High School and Ungarie Central School.

Coping with hard times...

2009-07-06T23:13:00.000-07:00

We have finally arrived into the world of blogging. We hope you'll find our blog interesting and it will keep you inspired and uplifted, no matter how bad your day has been.

You know we all have bad days. In fact, I sometimes wonder why in the hell I ever got out of bed. I don't have so many these days but when I first arrived home from the spinal unit I had some pretty ordinary days. I found two ways to overcome those bad days. One thing I use is laughter. If you can stand back and laugh at yourself, it helps. And the other thing I do is jumping the fence. I jump out of my paddock into someone elses and just for a few seconds - that's all it has to be - I think about all the people around the world without clean drinking water, in famine or living in war zones. A young boy said to me one day, 'Yeh, Sam that's all really bad but I can't really relate to it.' Okay, come back to our own country. Think about all the people who have lost loved ones in accidents, or are lying in spinal units or oncology wards, or the people rebuilding their lives after the horrendous fires in Victoria earlier this year. They'd all swap you just like that. Then you jump back over the fence and suddenly your problems...the lost wallet or the flat tyre or the fact the finances are a bit tight....don't seem so bad afterall. The sun goes down and comes up again tomorrow, tomorrow is another day and away you go again. That's how I got over my bad days. Oh, and I give the dog a pat...that also helps!!!

Sam resumes public speaking in Perth

2009-07-06T00:10:00.000-07:00

Sam and Jenny Bailey were back on the public speaking circuit in mid-June when they headed to Perth in Western Australia to speak. It was their first public speaking appearance since Sam broke the femur in his right leg in March.

Sam and Jenny spoke at The Mortgage Gallery national conference at Burswood Entertainment Centre on Friday, June 19....speaking to more than 130 members and staff. Sam and Jenny are pictured above with the man who began the company, John Bignell and conference organiser, Jenny Dyer, who helped organise the event.

Sam and Jenny also found time to speak to Perth Business Swap for the second time...speaking at the meeting on Wednesday morning, June 17. They spoke to the group at a similar time last year. Sam is pictured below with Perth Business Swap members (l-r) Tony Longbottom, president Trina Panormo, Heidi Cornelissen and Heike Silke.

Sam also spoke at Marmion Primary School on Thursday, June 18

See more on our schools page on our website.