KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Trusted by Australia's Leading Organisations
For more than twenty years, Paul Spinks has worked as a rural and remote paramedic and trauma counsellor.
He’s been inside thousands of homes, mine sites, schools, and communities at the exact moment life collapsed.
Those moments taught him one thing: crisis isn’t random: it’s predictable.
Alongside his active frontline work, as The Outback Ambo™, Paul gives audiences the chance to learn those lessons without the sirens.
His sessions are raw, grounded, and unforgettable.
They don’t end with applause, they end with action.
He’s not another wellness speaker.
He’s the man who shows you what happens when wellness fails.
KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS
TESTIMONIALS
Have you ever felt like you are on a treadmill in this modern world; trapped in an endless rat race. More digitally connected than ever before, but struggling to be truly present with those closest to you? Are we micro-managing ourselves sick, or are we micro-managing ourselves well?
My ODG team were fortunate to be truly challenged by Paul Spinks on this issue at our recent forum. Paul is an Advanced care paramedic and trauma counsellor who works part-time with the Queensland Ambulance Service and part-time a professional speaker. Paul is one of the most inspiring people I have listened to in a long time, and I guarantee he will get your attention and truly challenge you to consider your mental health.
– Director-General, Queensland Health
Paul, thank you for your presentation at the police academy today. It was great. Gave me a lot to think about regarding my own physical and mental wellbeing. I’d like to See if we can get you presenting to a lot more police.
People Capability Command — Queensland Police Service
Thank you for a great presentation yesterday evening at CQU.
Prof. Brian J. Maguire
School of Medical and Applied Sciences — CQUniversity
A huge thank you for the presentation from Paul on Monday at WMO. The head honchos loved the topic and delivery so much Paul that they’ve asked me to ask for a quote for you to do a presentation at our health expo coming up in early February – this is for crews from all New Hope sites and their families.
Thanks so much, and Paul thank you personally for a few big light bulb moments for myself during your presentation.
LiveWell Australia
Firstly, THANKYOU for your absolutely invigorating presentation tonight for Meandu/Stanwell families of which I attended. I thoroughly enjoyed it and feel inspired on so many fronts.
My mind is a live wire at the moment lots of messages and thoughts all very positive running around upstairs!
Kristy
Stanwell
Thanks for your inspiration presentation at the Schools Officers Conference, I was able to take away a lot of helpful handy information from it.
I really think you can offer great inspiration and advice to the youth in our school and especially our area as it has one of the highest rates of suicide in QLD.
Facilities Officer — Schools Officers Conference
Thanks for your presentation last week at the Quarrying Safety & Health Conference. You hit the nail on the head with what you had to say and something that I have been saying for years. I mentioned your presentation content to our management team on site as well as head office. I suggested to our executive team that we get you to present at our next CEO forum.
Manager Mining — CS Energy
A huge hit, to put it bluntly. Those I have spoken with as well as second hand reports indicate all present got a lot from his message.
Thanks for your, and Paul’s, assistance in contributing to what turned out to be a very successful safety day.
Safety Advisor
Hi Paul thanks for your talk this morning I really took a lot from that, my wife suffered from depression a few years ago due to extra work load and a terrible boss which was very hard for her to get through as was for our 2 girls and myself. due to this I find it hard to get extited for her starting full time again next year. We have a great/strong relationship and do talk openly I would just hate for it to rebound. i might hit you up for a few tips if required.
BMD Constructions
Firstly, thank you very much for such a powerful and well delivered seminar you presented here on site at Clermont. I have been lucky enough to attend two seminars over the past year that I have found to be extremely rewarding and insightful, one being your seminar and the other from Nam Baldwin, I am sure you have heard of him but if not I recommend you have a look.
I have just returned from a family trip to the USA and noticed that our site was generous enough to have you present this seminar in town for families. I would have loved to have my wife attend the seminar and I would have went to the extent of flying her up here from the our residence at the Gold Coast to see it, I took that much away from it and thought she would too.
Clermont Open Cut Mine
Mr Paul Spinks participated as a panel member during the 2016 YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament panel debate, which is held annually at Queensland Parliament House.
This year’s panel discussion was titled “Will ‘The Gap’ ever close; discussions on Indigenous health and education”. Our organisation was extremely blessed to have Paul on the panel, he made an invaluable contribution to the highly politicized conversation around the major gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Paul’s real life experiences in remote and Indigenous communities added a unique perspective to discussion.
Paul was articulate and was well received by 93 Young people from across Queensland. The Queensland Youth Parliament holds Paul in high regard and would thoroughly recommend his services.
YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament
I don’t think I can recall a more engaging presentation in my working career.
Paul had everybody engaged early with his courage to share very personal experiences.
The Networks folk at 271 Collins in Melbourne were moved to a standing ovation at the end of the session.
There was plenty of discussion after the session and I expect there will plenty more at homes tonight.
I chalked up 25 years at Optus a few months ago and fair to say I was impressed.
Keep up the great work!
Optus
The safety presentation had been organised due to concerns raised over the BMD safety performance in June – complacency.
Paul did a great job with the presentation. Main focus on Mental Health as it all starts from there. Linking this message with real live examples of experiences seen from working as a paramedic and Paul’s own life / family. An awesome mixture of science the body functions, the foods and activities associated with putting yourself in the best possible space to live and work a long and healthy life.
Paul’s delivery was captivating and held the audience for well over an hour. For me, it was the best presentation to date and coming from a paramedic’s background added all the intense and heart-felt moments that can be seen from Paul’s own way of expressing awareness in this space.
I think Paul’s presentation delivered across BAC would add some real value to the BAC BWell Program.
Brisbane Airport
It was a pleasure having you present to our people across our many sites.
We do honestly believe that we need to give our people the best information possible so that they can manage themselves well. We need to be strong and resilient both physically and mentally for the many challenges we have in our lives and your work with us made a huge impact on many of our people.
I look forward to Thrive 2.0 and to keeping in contact with you.
Chief Executive Officer — Stanwell Corporation Limited
Thanks again for your speech today and a reminder and your inspiration and great passion.
Account Manager - Trade — Bunnings
Your seminar should be given globally mate, I guarantee it would save so many peoples lives.
Mining Industry Participant
I am aware that a number of the participants went home and spoke to their partners and/or children about your session, which is really rewarding in that the message is continually being shared – now we just need to keep remembering it and making lasting change.
Regional Director, South West Gold Coast & Agriculture Strategy Portfolio — Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
There were a few tears on the trip home as we discussed some family issues that was close to us that you touched on!
Paula
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
Your presentations are truly inspirational. I love what you stand for and what you are trying to achieve in the Torres Straits. I asked [My Boss] when are we going to start rolling out this initiative across all our services.
IBIS
Your presentation was one of the best we’ve had and was very impactful. You said so many things that resonated with me as well, which has helped push the re-set button on a few matters I’ve been dealing with.
Groundwork Plus
He is an impressive presenter. I could see the majority of the audience and they were riveted. A number of people came up to me to say they were going home to download his key messages with their kids.
Head of Conferences and Events — Deutsche Bank
Thank-you for sharing what you have journeyed and using that to impact the destinies of individuals and families. You may never realise all the impact you have had, but I think if you could, you would be amazed.
Pam
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Paul Spinks different from other wellbeing or motivational keynote speakers in Australia?
Paul isn’t a motivational speaker, he’s Australia’s leading frontline crisis & prevention expert. With over 20 years as a rural and remote paramedic and trauma counsellor, Paul brings lived experience from thousands of emergency callouts across Australia.
Where most wellness speakers talk about thriving, Paul talks about the reality of what happens when people ignore the cracks. His presentations are grounded, raw and story-driven, blending crisis psychology, human behaviour, leadership responsibility, and real-life consequences.
Event planners consistently describe his sessions as:
“Gritty, unforgettable and genuinely life-changing.”Which industries and organisations benefit most from Paul’s keynotes and leadership workshops?
Paul works extensively across mining, resources, construction, manufacturing, education, government, community services, and corporate Australia.
His message resonates most in workplaces where:
- High pressure, long hours or fatigue are common
- Teams carry emotional or psychological load
- Leaders want better early-intervention skills
- Safety, culture and mental health directly impact performance
Whether it’s a frontline crew in the Pilbara or a corporate leadership team in Sydney or Brisbane, Paul gives people the frontline clarity to prevent crisis before it becomes a consequence.
Is Paul Spinks suitable for large conferences, high-risk industries and geographically remote Australian workplaces?
Absolutely.
Paul is one of the few speakers who is equally effective in:
- Large auditoriums (1,000+ attendees)
- Boardrooms and leadership retreats
- Mine sites, FIFO camps and industrial environments
- Regional and remote communities across Australia
His communication style, direct, compassionate, practical, connects with diverse audiences, from executives to frontline crews.
Because of his paramedic background, Paul understands fatigue, shift work, psychosocial hazards, and real-world pressure better than most speakers.
Can Paul customise his keynote or workshop for our organisation’s wellbeing, WHS or leadership goals?
Yes.
Before every event, Paul reviews:
- Organisational pressures
- Team culture
- Recent incidents or challenges
- Desired behavioural outcomes
- Leadership expectations
Sessions can include customised emphasis on:
- Psychosocial risk (WHS obligations in Australia)
- Team communication & early warning signs
- Mental health literacy
- Culture, accountability & trust
- Safety leadership
His content never loses the Outback Ambo edge, but it always aligns with your organisation’s objectives.
What outcomes can we expect for our leadership team after the Frontline Leadership: Change the Game™ session?
Leaders walk away with:
- A frontline-tested lens for spotting risk
- Confidence to initiate courageous, human-first conversations
- A deeper understanding of crisis patterns and how to interrupt them
- Tools to strengthen team trust and psychological safety
- Clear behavioural practices they can implement immediately
Organisations consistently report:
- Higher team engagement
- Reduced interpersonal conflict
- Fewer preventable incidents
- Stronger leadership confidence
- A shared language around wellbeing and responsibility
This session is often described as “the missing link between wellbeing programs and real leadership behaviour.”
Does Paul travel for events internationally and what locations does he service?
Yes, Paul regularly delivers keynotes and workshops across:
NSW, QLD, WA, SA, VIC, NT, TAS, and regional/remote communities nationwide and is available for international engagements.He frequently presents in:
- Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin, Townsville, Mackay
- Pilbara, Bowen Basin, Hunter Valley, Goldfields, regional NSW & QLD
- Remote mining operations, FIFO sites, and rural schools
Whether it’s a metro corporate event or a remote WA mine site, Paul brings the same frontline honesty, impact and practical tools to every audience.
Within our staff many people were impacted by what you said. They then went home and spoke to people they know about what was shared and so as a result, there are whole ripple effects of change being actioned.
The wake-up call that changes everything.
Every organisation talks about wellbeing.
Few do something that actually keeps people alive, connected and accountable.
This is that something.
Bring The Outback Ambo™ to your next event.
Book Paul Spinks for a keynote, workshop or leadership briefing today.











