Peter Baines OAM has spent much of his career working in environments where pressure is high, information is incomplete and decisions carry real consequences.
During 22 years with the NSW Police, Peter worked across forensic investigations and major crisis environments, including the Waterfall train disaster, Bali Bombings, 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami and floods in Saudi Arabia.
These experiences shaped Peter’s understanding of leadership—not as a title or theory, but as the ability to remain calm, make decisions, build trust and provide direction when others are relying on you.
Following the Boxing Day Tsunami, Peter founded Hands Across the Water to provide long-term support for children and communities in Thailand. What began as a response to tragedy grew into an enduring commitment and a powerful example of purpose-led leadership in action.
Twenty years later, Peter returned to Thailand to undertake one of his greatest personal and physical challenges: running 1,400 kilometres across the country in just 26 days. The Run to Remember reinforced a lesson that sits at the heart of Peter’s work: resilience is not built in isolation. It grows through discipline, connection, shared purpose and the people who continue moving forward alongside us.
Today, Peter brings these lessons to corporate, government and industry audiences across Australia and internationally. His presentations explore the realities leaders and teams face every day— change, uncertainty, responsibility, fatigue, trust and the pressure to perform when the way forward is not always clear.
Peter does not speak from theory alone. His lived experience gives audiences a compelling and practical perspective on what pressure reveals, what trust requires and how leaders can help their people move forward through change.
Talking Points
Leadership When It Matters Most
What it takes to lead calmly and decisively when the stakes are high.Leadership When It Matters Most
Audience Outcomes
- Make better decisions under pressure
- Strengthen trust in volatile environments
- Build alignment when clarity is limited
- Lead with character, not just authority
Together We Can
Resilience, accountability and the power of collective performance. Together We Can
Audience Outcomes
- Strengthen culture during change
- Build collective ownership
- Increase resilience across teams
- Align purpose with performance
The Long Road: Resilience Over Time
Blending mental toughness with strategic leadership, helping leaders build resilience that is not reactive, but repeatable.The Long Road: Resilience Over Time
Audience Outcomes
- Strengthen personal discipline under prolonged pressure
- Build organisational resilience beyond the first wave of energy
- Maintain clarity and direction when fatigue sets in
- Lead consistently when conditions are uncertain
Video
Peter Baines | Show Reel | Saxton Speakers
This showreel unpacks the essence of authentic leadership, emphasising that true leaders are defined not by titles, but by their presence, responses to adversity, and their unwavering commitment to action. Peter reminds us that while we can’t change the past, our energy is best spent shaping what comes next. His approach centres on showing up, even when the path isn’t clear—simply asking, “How can I help?” can be transformative. Through compelling storytelling, he reflects on personal growth, resilient decision‑making, and building strength through hardship. He challenges us to step forward, even without all the answers, because “doing hard things is good for you.” He urges us to nurture our passion—something that feeds the soul, be it trekking through Nepal or rediscovering joy in the small things.Peter Baines | Leading Disaster Management Specialist | Saxton Speakers
Peter Baines OAM, developed his unique leadership style by leading international identification teams into Indonesia and Thailand following acts of terrorism and the 2004 South East Asian Tsunami. He would go on to work in the counter terrorism area of Interpol, spent time with the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime and also worked in Saudi Arabia and Japan after natural disasters hit those countries. But it was his work in Thailand that brought the biggest change. After meeting the children left orphaned by the Tsunami, Peter felt compelled to act and founded an Australian charity called Hands Across the Water which has gone on to create opportunities for hundreds of children across Thailand.Leadership Mattters | Peter Baines
Peter Baines OAM, developed his unique leadership style by leading international identification teams into Indonesia and Thailand following acts of terrorism and the 2004 South East Asian Tsunami. He would go on to work in the counter terrorism area of Interpol, spent time with the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime and also worked in Saudi Arabia and Japan after natural disasters hit those countries. But it was his work in Thailand that brought the biggest change. After meeting the children left orphaned by the Tsunami, Peter felt compelled to act and founded an Australian charity called Hands Across the Water which has gone on to create opportunities for hundreds of children across Thailand.Peter Baines | Together We Can
Peter is an absolute professional - from the moment he is booked, to the moment he exists stage, he delivers. His keynote had our audience enthralled - you could hear a pin drop for the enti ... keep reading Registered Clubs Association of NSW
A powerful reminder of how determination and purpose can turn personal struggle into meaningful impact. A breath-taking story from a truly extraordinary human being.
This is a story of endurance, courage and perseverance that ends in a story of inspiration.
An incredible story of resilience, determination and making an impact. It’s a great reminder that alone we can go far but together we can go further!
Peter was fantastic, delivering a touching keynote address that kept the audience engaged. Structuring it around the key leadership skills required meant delegates received immediate value and had tips to go back and test in their own workplaces.
A memorable day where the important became real and where an ordinary man became extraordinary. Your presentation was without a doubt the most brilliant I have ever had the privilege to experience.
Peter Baines is an inspiration to us all. The experience, skills and knowledge that he has gained from managing high pressure situations in disaster zones allows us to put our own stressful lives in perspective. We can all benefit from his simple yet engaging message, and we can be inspired by his stories of human courage and bravery!
And so much of what you had to say has lessons that can be used in the leadership work I do with our senior executives here at the CBA. I would have liked to say something to you at the end of the session but couldn't really trust myself to speak.
I recently attended the breakfast at the Hyatt in Adelaide. Peter spoke on the work that he has done in the disaster area that was Thailand after the Boxing Day Tsunami. Never in my life have I been so intrigued, so interested so absolutely blown away. But most importantly he spoke of his actions as part of a team and really outlined the importance of team work and leadership, not just in bad times, but in everyday life. Peter is an incredible speaker and has his audiences full attention the whole time he is speaking. I laughed and I cried during Peter's presentation and by the end I was totally overwhelmed.
