Dig a little deeper...
Seventeen years ago, a phone call changed Darren Flanagan's life forever.
Summoned to the Beaconsfield gold mine collapse, he operated over 70 explosives in a continuous 30-hour stretch deep underground, helping rescue two men trapped nearly 1 km below the surface.
The impact of this experience ran deeper than initially realised. Today, Darren speaks extensively to organisations of all sizes, sharing his journey of pain, trauma, hope, and resilience. His story has taught him that conversations about these challenges can transform workplaces and organisations, proving that we have the power to spark dialogues and drive impactful change.
As a motivational speaker who covers topics including Workplace Safety, Risk Management, Mental Health, Leadership and Teamwork, Darren’s mission is to empower teams through transformative lessons built upon the foundation of the Beaconsfield mining disaster.
Talking Points
Courageous Leadership
His presentations reveal how ordinary people can exhibit unwavering determination and peak performance in exceptional circumstances. Darren supports these insights with compelling anecdotes that reinforce risk management best practices.Courageous Leadership
During his talks, he aims to:
• Nurture open dialogues among your staff and team leaders.
• Foster improved communication and heightened productivity.
• Emphasise the value of approachable leadership.
Mental Health Awareness
Darren's personal experiences underscore the paramount importance of mental health awareness. Darren shares the poignant story of nine resilient minders who, despite their physical strength, grappled with mental health challenges following the harrowing rescue.Mental Health Awareness
During his talks, he advocates for:
• The courage to speak up and seek assistance.
• Shattering the stigma around mental health issues.
• Open discussions that can benefit everyone.
As a result of Darren’s incredible experience plus both his Mental Health & Risk Management advocacy that he proudly fulfilled the role of Chair & Ambassador for the NSW Govt SafeWork initiative “Family and Injured Worker Support Group” from 2020-2022.
Keynote Themes
Risk Management:Keynote Themes
Drawing from his role in the mine disaster, he underscores the necessity of “reducing risk as part of your DNA.”
Teamwork
From his direct engagement in the mining disaster, Darren crafts a narrative showcasing the unyielding strength that emerges when individuals unite to conquer extraordinary challenges.
Mental Health
Drawing from his own experience, particularly the mining disaster that altered the course of his life, Darren passionately discusses the real issues surrounding mental well-being.
Workplace Safety
Darren’s talks don’t just emphasise the significance of risk management; he backs it up with vivid anecdotes that underscore the importance of best practices in this field.
Perseverance
By sharing the raw, emotional journey of the mine disaster, he conveys the unyielding human spirit under immense pressure, emphasising the importance of determination in tough times.
Leadership
Centred on leadership, he uses the mining disaster experience to inspire unrelenting spirit and guide effective team communication.
Video
Darren Flanagan - the man behind the Beaconsfield Mine rescue.
On the 25th April 2006 Australia and the rest of the world were stunned to hear about a major mine collapse in Beaconsfield Tasmania. At 5.45pm on 30 April, rescue workers discovered that Todd Russell and Brant Webb were still alive. What followed was an incredible coordination effort by dozens of rescue workers who were now focused on getting the miners out. Sitting at home watching this unfold was explosive expert Darren Flanagan. That Sunday night Darren received a phone call that would change his life for ever. And so began one of the most amazing rescue attempts in history.To say it was an interesting, absorbing and dramatic presentation would not be doing it justice. Darren Flanagan's talk was electrifying, emotional and detailed. His description of the rescu ... keep reading Shoalhaven Council
In a nutshell, Darren Flanagan blew everyone away. Several of our guys who have been with us for 10 years or more said he was the best speaker we have ever had. It was nice to have someone who wasn't overly professional (that's not a criticism) and didn't look like he was 'just going through the motions'. He is an ordinary, genuine man who was caught up in an extraordinary set of circumstances... everyone in the room was moved by his experience. A lot of our delegates are men in the construction industry - they're not known for being easily affected.
Darren Flanagan is a passionate, enthralling and inspiring speaker. The manner in which he is able to communicate the human side of the Beaconsfield rescue - the effect on families, on rescuers, and on the survivors themselves - made us realise why safety in the workplace cannot be taken for granted. Darren was the closing speaker of the conference and even after two days of presentations, Darren managed to hold the attention of everyone in the room - and I mean all 300 delegates - for over an hour.
An insider's version of events of one of the most publicised mining accidents in Australia's history. Darren Flanagan's speech about his involvement with the rescue of the Beaconsfield miners is gripping from start to finish. His raw emotion takes the audience to the scene of the accident, the efforts of the team involved in the rescue and the toll that it took on the mining community. His speech is a real eye opener and a great motivational tool for anyone involved with the industry.
I have never seen a presenter invite an audience in to experience the real emotions of his own real life experience. The way Darren presented made us all feel as we were actually there with him. At times we cried, at times we laughed, he was the best presenter I have seen in 25 years. That night Darren also joined us for dinner and he was swamped by both members and suppliers alike who merely wanted to speak with this guy and thank him for sharing his story.
An intense, passionate, emotional delivery of his story, there were a lot of tears in the room. Darren tied it very nicely with how you work with your advisers, commitment, leadership, thought and quality with family etc. He was a huge hit.
Darren was fantastic - highly relevant for our team and an absolutely professional, personal and emotional account from him - a highlight of our program.
Darren Flanagan had the audience at the NSW Ambulance Safety Summit laughing, crying and holding their breath during his incredible account of his role in the Beaconsfield Mine rescue. He received a standing ovation from the audience, predominantly medical professionals including paramedics, doctors and flight nurses. Within his presentation, framed perfectly to the NSW Ambulance Summit safety messaging as ‘Safety in a Complex Environment’, Darren conveyed the unique challenges and pressures of his experience in a way that completely resonated with the audience. His presentation was voted the highlight of the conference with its multiple messages relating to safety, personal resilience, faith in your own abilities and the need to rise to a uniquely difficult challenge. I highly recommend Darren as an exceptional keynote speaker.
It was an intense, fascinating, heartfelt, honest and emotional story of survival from an unimaginable situation. You could hear a pin drop for the entire 90 minutes - no one moved, no one spoke, every staff member was completely captivated from start to finish (not normally the case!).
