Acknowledgement:
The Kerrie Nairn Scholarship is
supported by the Australian Government through the Quality Outcomes Programme,
administered by the Department of Education, Science and Training.
Disclaimer:
The views expressed do not necessarily
represent the views of the Australian Government Department of Education,
Science and Training.
About Kerrie
Kerrie died on May 26 2005 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Her
involvement with, and passion, for the professional speaking world began in the
mid-90’s in Darwin. Kerrie, who had already developed an award winning business
software consultancy in Darwin, joined NSAA in 1995 and became a professional
speaker. She quickly earned the designation Accredited Speaking Member.
With her extensive business experience, entrepreneurial flair, and enviable
abilities as a wordsmith, Kerrie built her speaking career and spoke to
audiences everywhere on her specialist topic: Business Creativity. Her book “Up
for Grabs: Capture your Winning Market Edge through Creativity” has sold over
2,000 copies.
Later in her speaking career Kerrie specialised as an MC. Her incredible
‘calm and in control’ persona was backed with in-depth preparation and research
for every event and project she was involved with. She had a wonderful resonant
voice, a clever sense of humour, an ability to craft spontaneous situational
poetry and a quick-wittedness that defined her style.
Kerrie developed a brilliant hypothetical program called’ Business Story’.
She moderated these hypotheticals as business theatre with rhyming verse. They
were provocative, funny, and poignant at times, delivering powerful business
insights and messages.
In addition to her speaking and MC work, Kerrie participated at the highest
level in the NSAA. She was a member of the National Board, twice the ACT chapter
president and was the lynchpin between NSAA activities in the ACT and
NSW.
One of Kerrie’s most outstanding contributions was as Convenor of the
10th NSAA National Convention in Canberra in 2000, a wonderful Convention that
culminated in a magical evening at Parliament House for the National Convention
Dinner and Awards ceremony.
In Kerrie’s words, the Annual Convention is a robust gathering where the
expectations of delegates and demands of presenters are about as high as they
can get.” Kerrie and her small team pulled off what many have said was ‘the best
Convention ever’ due largely to Kerrie’s leadership, high standards and creative
attention to detail. Kerrie received unparalleled accolades for her role in
making the Convention the success it was.
As one member said: “She was inspirational and who among us could possibly
forget the Canberra convention, which for me remains an indelible memory. She
epitomised what I’ve always believed NSAA was about. Helping one another to
learn, grow and develop as better people.”
Perhaps the pinnacle of recognition came in December 2004 when Kerrie was
awarded the NSW Walter Dickman Award. The Walter Dickman Award is considered the
highest NSAA service award given to a member by their peers for service above
and beyond that expected in assisting, promoting or developing other speakers,
their industry, their community and their clients.
Kerrie Nairn, professional speaker, friend and colleague, was a powerhouse of
creative ideas, determined, thoughtful, and generous of spirit and honest
advice, eloquent, entrepreneurial, perceptive and funny.
Kerrie was a
passionate supporter of NSAA. She always encouraged people to join even if
speaking was a small part of their lives. She saw NSAA as a way for people to
develop personally and professionally.
She was a selfless giver to the
community and to her family. NSAA and its members are richer, more successful
and more evolved due to having Kerrie Nairn in our midst. The generous funding
from the Department of Education Science and Training for The Kerrie Nairn
Scholarship for Public Speaking will ensure that her memory lives on in NSAA’s
heart.
A taste of Kerrie’s wit:
What follows is Kerrie’s a response to Max Hitchins after Max tipped Makybe
Diva to Kerrie for the 2003 Melbourne Cup.
Should have listened to you Max
For 'tis true a Doc does know
Which of
those beaut young horses
Is going to steal the show
I pick them by their colours
You know, the ones the riders wear
Oh! I
wish I'd read your email mate
Next year I will.. I swear!
For today I backed a loser
Hardly saw him down the back
I think he came
in second last
Could still be on the bloody track!
But next time I will take close note
Of your dead cert hot tips
'cause
for sure the winner of next year's Cup
Will be right there on the end of your
lips
Acknowledgement: