Kerryn Redpath

Kerryn Redpath

Given less than two hours to live with drug related heart & kidney failure, many years ago, survivor and highly regarded School Drug & Alcohol Awareness educator, Kerryn delivers a compelling and inspiring message on the dark side of drug and alcohol use and of the hope of life beyond addiction, with a presentation that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Brief History:

Kerryn Redpath is an Australian woman who lives in the South East of Melbourne, Victoria. She grew up in a loving family and is now a devoted mother of three wonderful, young adults.

At nineteen, innocent and adventurous, Kerryn headed off on the 'hippy trail' to Kathmandu with plans to travel through Asia for six months. While drifting into the marijuana scene, she was struck down with a deadly strain of Typhoid and spent 10 weeks in Fairfield Infectious Diseases Hospital, Melbourne, where she almost died.

Just a few years later this impetuous young woman who simply wanted to enjoy life and 'fit in', found herself tangled in a web of parties and drug and alcohol addiction. Kerryn became what you would call a 'functioning addict'. On the surface she led a seemingly normal life, with a full-time office job in South Melbourne and close family relationships, but behind all of that, the dark side was creeping up.

At the age of twenty five Kerryn was diognosed with drug related heart and kidney failure. She was rushed into Melbourne's Alfred Hospital Coronary Care Unit where she was given less than two hours to live! Quite miraculously, Kerryn survived, but not without spending almost five months in hospital and being left with scars. Kerryn has not used an illicit drug since.

Over the next few years, against all odds, Kerryn gave birth to three beautiful children, but the trials did not end there as her husband continued to battle drug addiciton. The choices that Kerryn made in her teens have not only affected her entire life, but have given her a knowledge and insight into drug addiction from both sides of the spectrum; firstly, as an addict and secondly, from the devastating angle of living with an addict, with an addiction that would eventually tear their marriage apart.

Today, Kerryn is an author and  passionate Drug and Alcohol Awareness Educator, a role that evolved out of her own devastating life and near death trials, many years ago. Her autobiography, ‘Out of the Darkness’, follows her journey from the darkest of depths in her young life, to a world filled with hope. Now she brings this message of hope and a warning of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse to thousands, by speaking in Secondary Colleges, TAFES and also in Forums, Corporate Events and Sporting groups.

Her compelling presentation has been engaging young and old across the country for almost five years as she passionately shares her knowledge, real-life stories, up-to-date drug and alcohol information and warnings on the dangers of drug and alcohol use. Her presentation is unique, personal, passionate, professional and as she believes, vital in light of the current events in the lives of young people across this nation.

Kerryn’s personal story is gripping as she describes some of the terrifying scenes she encountered many years ago and includes the consequences she lives with today. But, the message of hope and the power of the second chance at the conclusion of her presentation leave her audience inspired to embrace and use their gifts and talents and to live a life of purpose.

School Education:

For 10 years Kerryn worked in a very rewarding role as an Integration Aide at an Independent College, with students across all sections of the College – Senior, Middle and Junior, an experience which is evident as she relates and connects naturally with students of all age groups.

Beginning with an invitation from a Senior School teacher, who had read her story, Kerryn has now delivered almost 200 presentations to students in secondary colleges (Private, Independent and Government), TAFES and many other venues, across Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. The amazing response Kerryn’s message receives from students and staff at all colleges, fuels her passion to make a difference in the lives of all she comes in contact with.

With her powerful presentation and crucial message, Kerryn is now on a ‘mission’ to reach as many young people as possible.

Corporate Events: 

Kerryn’s compelling presentation has already been widely acclaimed as a message that needs to be heard by people of all persuasions, ages and backgrounds. Her story not only educates and warns of the devastating impact of drug and alcohol abuse, but is an eye opener to those who may not have been touched personally.

Her message of hope, when all seems hopeless and of the power of having a dream and the will to overcome is inspirational.

Sporting Clubs: 

Although a sporting lifestyle can be a wonderful past-time or career, it is clearly evident that a combination of pressure to succeed, peer pressure and culture, can lead to some players slipping into the trap of drug and or alcohol abuse.

Kerryn’s powerful Drug and Alcohol Awareness presentation brings a confronting, yet honest warning of the dangers and possible consequences of following this destructive path. Combined with a message of individual value, potential and hope for the future, Kerryn’s presentation serves as a vital inclusion in any sporting field.

Further Experience:    

Kerryn has been involved in a number of media interviews and forums, including:

.  2012 - ABC Radio - The Conversation Hour with Jon Faine,  -  A panellist with : Lucinda Nolan (Vic. Deputy Police Commissioner); John Thwaites (Former Vic. Deputy Premier & Minister for Health) & Greg Denham (Former Police Officer) - Topic - "The War on Drugs".

.  2012 - Victoria/Tasmania Regional winner of the NEIS Employer Awards in the category - 'New Small Business of the Year' with her business DAESY (Drug & Alcohol Education Supporting Youth). Nominated in two categories - 'New Small Business of the Year' and 'Change'.

.  2013 - Pre-planned Audience participant on Network 10 'Can of Worms' for the dabate on 'Legalising Party Drugs'.

.  2014 - Featured in the SBS TV Documentary 'Living with the Enemy', Topic - 'Marijuana'. Kerryn's opponent in this episode, which debated the legalisation of marijuana, was Australia's number One advocate for legalising marijuana, Michael Balderstone. (Documentary also includes short clip of Kerryn's school presentation at Emerald Secondary College)

.  2014 - Guest Speaker and panel participant - Forum on Methamphetamines - Box Hill Town Hall with facilitator Dr Sally Cockburn.

.  2015 - The Exchange C31 - Panel participant - Topic 'Overcoming Substance Abuse'.

** If you are looking for an engaging speaker with a message on a topic that affects us all, look no further.

Testimonials/Reviews:

Schools...

.  “Wow, Kerryn is so inspirational. Thanks for sharing!” Year 12 Student – Independent Co-educational College

.  “Kerryn was fantastic. She spoke with genuine honesty, and explained a difficult topic to us in a way that made it relevant.” – Year 12 Student – Independent Co-educational College.

.   “I thought it was incredibly insightful to hear from someone who has had first hand experience. The different consequences from real life stories were very confronting, but necessary to hear. – VCE Student - Independent Ladies College.

.  “I loved the extra message of hope and having dreams, etc. – that was really nice to hear! :) Thank you! xx - VCE Student - Independent Ladies College.

.   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.

Phoebe Tallent  -  Coordinator Of Student Personal Development Program, Haileybury College, Keysborough

Corporate...

.  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.  

David Wood – Transitions To Work Co-ordinator, Mission Australia .

.  The Rotary Club of Beaumaris recently invited Kerryn Redpath to speak at our meeting. This was a powerful wake-up call to us and Kerryn’s message needs to be told to as many people as possible. I have no hesitation in recommending Kerryn as a speaker for any group, Corporate or otherwise and, in fact have proposed that she be included as a speaker at our District Conference in 2015.

 Robert McArthur -  President, Rotary Club of Beaumaris 2014-14

To Whom It May Concern

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, from 5/6/2017 – 9/6/2017, that struck a chord with many of the individuals present. Kerryn is a remarkable speaker and very well educated on the subject of 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.   

Kirsten Shepherd  HR Superintendent  Resources/manufacturing industry.  QLD

Feedback - Resources/Manufacturing Industry

The HR Superintendent had tried other methods to remedy the issues they had been experiencing, prior to my visit in 2017. Each of my 12 presentations was followed by the company’s offer of assistance and this was the feedback a few months after that visit. 

1 st email - 15/1/18
I am pleased to report that things here seem to have improved since your visits.  We implemented our new Alcohol and other Drugs policy and have seen a significant reduction in the positive screening. A number of individuals have also sought out counselling for their addictions and we currently have 15 individuals anonymously participating in rehabilitation for their
addictions.

2 nd email - 20/2/18
Am happy for you to use my feedback on the improvements since your visits.  In fact just in the last two weeks two more of our employees with addictions have come forward and
asked for help (we have provided them with flights and supported time off to attend rehab).  I am so pleased that employees are utilising the support that we have offered.

Kirsten Shepherd  HR Superintendent  Resources/manufacturing industry.  QLD

To Whom It May Concern

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.
 
Kind regards, Frances  Frances Henderson Head | Human Resources   Australian War Memorial