Speaking Engagements & Bespoke Programs

Meet our Speakers

Jayden Hamilton

Bully Zero Ambassador, Professional Racing Driver 

Jayden Hamilton is a professional racing driver, Junior Racing Coach and proud Bully Zero Ambassador who shares a powerful message about resilience, determination and overcoming adversity. While motorsport represents speed, precision and performance, Jayden’s journey has not been without challenges. As a young person, he experienced bullying that impacted his confidence and self-belief. Rather than allowing those experiences to define him, Jayden channelled them into motivation, using resilience, discipline and hard work to pursue his dream of becoming a professional racing driver. 

Through his presentations, Jayden shares his personal story of overcoming bullying, building resilience and chasing his goals in the competitive world of motorsport. His message encourages young people to believe in themselves, stay focused on their goals and understand that setbacks do not determine their future.

Jayden’s story resonates strongly with students, inspiring them to reflect on their own challenges, develop resilience and support others. 

Presentation: Fast Lane

In this presentation, Jayden shares his personal story of bullying, resilience and determination as he worked toward his dream of becoming a professional racing driver. Students gain insight into the challenges he faced, the importance of perseverance and the power of believing in themselves despite adversity. 

Optional experience: Where possible and permitted by the school, Jayden’s Hyundai Excel racing car can be brought to the school gym or presentation space, giving students a unique opportunity to see the car up close and engage in a memorable interactive experience.

AUDIENCE: YEARS 5 - 12
DELIVERY: Face-to-face, 60-90 Minutes
CAPACITY: Any number of students

Arthur Bolkas

Criminologist, Author 

Arthur Bolkas is a criminologist, Churchill Fellow and highly regarded youth speaker who delivers powerful, thought-provoking presentations to secondary school students across Australia.

Once a high-achieving student and dux of his school, Arthur’s life took a dramatic turn when, as a young law student, he committed several armed robberies and spent five and a half years in prison. What followed was a remarkable transformation.

For more than three decades, Arthur has dedicated his life to supporting offenders to rebuild their lives and successfully reintegrate into society. He has worked extensively across the Adult Criminal Justice and Youth Justice systems, including developing and managing reintegration programs within Victorian prisons.

Drawing on his lived experience, academic study and professional work with prisoners and at-risk youth, Arthur delivers honest, engaging and often confronting presentations that challenge young people to reflect on the choices they make and the paths they choose to follow.

Through powerful storytelling and real-life insight, Arthur inspires students to think critically about responsibility, consequences, resilience and what it means to create a meaningful future.

Presentation: Success = What?

What does success really mean?

In this engaging and thought-provoking session, Arthur challenges students to reflect on the true meaning of success beyond money, status or popularity. Drawing on his unique life journey and extensive work with young people and prisoners, Arthur explores the importance of education, relationships, self-respect and the choices that shape our future.

Students are encouraged to consider who they want to become, the values they want to live by and the pathways they can take to build a meaningful and successful life.

AUDIENCE: YEARS 9 - 12
DELIVERY: Face-to-face, 60-120 Minutes
CAPACITY: Any number of students

Presentation: The Prison System

This talk gives students a powerful insight into the prison system, drawing on Arthur's experience as a criminologist with lived experience of imprisonment. 

Students gain a deeper understanding of:

• The history and purpose of imprisonment
• Key facts and statistics about the Victorian prison system
• Who are prisoners, and the factors that lead people into the criminal justice system
• Life inside prison
• The impact of imprisonment on inmates, families and the community
• The challenges of reintegration and rebuilding life after release

Through guided discussion and reflection, students explore the relationship between choices, consequences and future opportunities.

AUDIENCE: Students generally, and especially VCE Legal Studies students
DELIVERY: Face-to-face, 90-120 Minutes
CAPACITY: Any number of students

Presentation: Turning Point

In this powerful and deeply personal presentation, Arthur shares the story of how his promising future as a law student took an unexpected and life-changing turn.

Through compelling storytelling, Arthur reflects on the decisions that led him to prison and the journey to rebuild his life, helping others to avoid the same mistakes.

Students gain a rare insight into the consequences of poor decisions, and learn about resilience, accountability, and the ability of every person to change the direction of their life. 

AUDIENCE: YEARS 9 - 12
DELIVERY: Face-to-face, 90-120 Minutes
CAPACITY: Any number of students

Meet our Speakers

Des Hudson OAM

City of Ballarat Councillor, Former Victoria Police Officer, Three-Term Mayor, White Ribbon Ambassador, Suicide Awareness Advocate

Des Hudson OAM is a respected community leader and former Victoria Police officer with more than 36 years of service, including almost three decades working directly with young people. As a School and Youth Resource Officer, he partnered with schools across Ballarat and surrounding regions, supporting students, building strong relationships, and contributing to early intervention and youth crime prevention.

Des has delivered key programs including Cyber Safety, Road Safety and Party Safe, and has led initiatives such as Blue Light Discos, the Multi Agency Support Team (MAST), and Youth Live4Life. Following local youth suicides, he became a strong advocate for improved mental health education, helping to secure support and funding for programs in schools.

In recognition of his service, Des was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2019. Known for his calm and practical approach, Des empowers young people to make safe choices, seek support and look out for one another.

Presentation: Safe, Strong and Supported

In this practical and engaging presentation, Des draws on his experience as a former police officer working closely with young people to explore online behaviour, digital risks and safe decision-making. Through real-life examples, students gain a clear understanding of how to respond to cyberbullying, protect their digital reputation and make safer choices online.

Des also addresses key mental health challenges affecting children and young people, helping students recognise when someone may be struggling, understand the importance of seeking support, and learn how to look out for themselves and others.

Des’s passion for reducing road trauma, he also explores a significant road trauma event through the eyes of a survivor and the ripple effect through her family. This story has a clear message for young people to consider risk when getting into a vehicle, even if you are not the driver.

With experience across schools, community programs and mental health advocacy, Des delivers a grounded and empowering message that promotes awareness, connection and early intervention.

AUDIENCE: YEARS 4 - 12, Parents/Carers, Community Groups, Sporting Clubs
DELIVERY: Face-to-face, 60-120 Minutes
CAPACITY: Suitable for small groups through to large audiences

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