Our approach is not that of ‘me guru – you dumb disciple’,  rather one of a mutual learning environment.  It is not a case of here’s our seminar – hope it fits your situation.

We are committed to working with you to identify the most effective program for your students.

Peer Power seminars are a lively combination of information and interaction, so that the students take part in an enjoyable learning experience. Through these seminars, a framework is created allowing the students to think through the issues and apply the lessons individually.

These seminars are user-friendly for the students and school administration as they are modular in format and can be tailored to suit your school’s timetable / schedule and students’ needs.

Our Director

MICHAEL KNIGHT

A good education leaves a lot to be desired…

Over the last three decades, Michael Knight has engaged with hundreds of thousands of young people. He has lost about the same number of hairs from his head. The founder of the Australian arm of Peer Power has an established record for generating classroom dynamics that get results for schools, teachers and students. During his youth work journey, Michael has focused on classroom and large scale seminar presentations, crisis counselling, adventure therapy (camping), administration organisational management and development. Michael Knight is still learning, but has walked down the road of experience enough to be able to make a genuine difference for schools.

Our Presenters

JUSTINE HYU

Digest the lessons of the past, savour the taste of the present, and be hungry for what the future will hold… 

Justine is one colourful individual (or quite possibly a bit strange), whose passion for the arts and pursuit of knowledge, was fostered throughout her time as a St Margaret’s girl. People never cease to intrigue her, and she loves interacting with a diverse spectrum of personalities. From recently navigating the roller-coaster of adolescence and what it means to grow up in an ambivalent society – Justine has learnt the importance of allowing experiences to inform you, but never to control you. This, along with her zeal for life and peculiar food combinations (such as avocado smoothies) is what she hopes to impart to the students in a fresh and relevant way.

TOM GILLILAND

The question is… why WOULDN’T the chicken cross the road?

Imagine a giraffe in a turtle neck, riding a Harley on a dirt bike track – well, that’s NOT him. Tom’s passion is encouraging, empowering, valuing and giving guidance to those younger than him (and even learning from them!) – whether that looks like: leading Beatles or Queen sing-alongs, doing impressions of famous people, running counselling sessions on his school bus or inciting Mexican Waves and singing Whitney Houston songs in a Peer Power seminar. Tom’s last six years in youth work saw him enjoying plenty of laughs and tears with young people all the while never giving up on them. Tom holds the core conviction that no matter the circumstance teenagers find themselves in, they do not have to become bound and hindered from it, rather they can learn from it, through it and become a better human being because of it.

ALEXA FIELD

Loving people and loving conversation…

Alexa loves talking with people and believes we call all learn something from each other. She equally loves being outside. When she’s not at work you’ll find her either horse riding, drinking coffee or at the beach… after 2 years in the UK, the entire year = beach season. Above all though, she loves discovering places to which she’s never been. Whether that’s the countryside of Sweden… or a north side coffee shop she’s yet to go to, she thrives off the unknown loves expanding her horizons through new experiences. She is passionate about helping young people discover the vast potential within them – a potential that’s too often over shadowed by what the world asks and expects of them.

SEAN HALL

Would a fly with out wings be called… a Walk?

Questions like these push Sean to learn all that can be learnt about life and to pass his knowledge on to others. He is a sport enthusiast loving everything from lawn bowels to speed boat races. He is a musician that loves singing Whitney Houston with Tom. With a Scottish background he has received a fitting nickname “shamus” due to him talking with a Scottish accent at any given time with out warning. Sean is passionate about seeing teenagers live life to its fullest potential and to be an active participating member of their community. Sean has 7 years experience working with teenagers. This passion that Sean has fuels his drive to seeing young people grow.

CHYNA HOWLETT

Don’t mess with a tea-drinking power-lifter…

Chyna’s a real dynamo both in the gym and when presenting Peer Power life skills seminars. The energy in the room really picks up momentum when she engages with others.

AMELIA PHILLIPS

It’s our choices that show what we truly are…  far more than our abilities.

Originally a native Townsvillian, Amelia migrated south to Brisbane to undertake the study of drama. While passionately holding on to her creative flare (and often found wearing a fun item or three from her ‘costume cupboard’), Amelia found her niche for working with people when she in a role with children who have disabilities. Amelia’s ‘happy place’ is interacting with people, learning from them and sharing her passion and enthusiasm for life with them. Thriving off adventure and new experiences, a lot of her ‘holidays’ are spent on youth camps, engaging with adolescents and sharing in their journey of life. Having graduated with a Bachelor of Behavioural Science, Amelia is currently exploring the world of honours in Psychology, majoring in areas of Educational and Developmental Psychology (not to be confused with the study of riding bicycles). She is so excited to be part of the Peer Power team, who adore her ‘informed opinions’!

Our Engine Room

IDA KNIGHT

Meet the real boss…

Hidden deep within the engine room is the powerhouse of Peer Power – Ida. Quietly tapping away at a hot keyboard, she keeps this well-oiled machine ticking over.  Ida doesn’t ask for much from the team – just straight answers, promptly submitted paperwork, correctly filled-in forms and, of course, good coffee.

KRYS BUNYAN

Have you ever feared success?  Or… do you embrace it ?

Its been a fearless journey of four diverse careers to where Krys is now and in hindsight he wished he had of been here years earlier. Going to work, for Krys is going into the zone – a zone of authenticity, strength and energy as he works out of his capacity, talents and drive in the areas of Marketing and HR at Peer Power. As for those four diverse career paths of chef, Doctor of Theology, sales in products for building and construction, and business consultant/restructuring. In his spare time (at 4.00am being the morning early bird type) Krys satisfies his insatiable appetite, with an occasional coffee, for foreign affairs, social legislation and advocacy for the underdog. (At 5.00am, and possibly a second coffee) he likes to mix his earlier reading with the intentional application of ‘living it out’ within authentic community. The weekly highlight are lazy Sunday afternoon conversations with his two closest friends, Tracey his wife of a mere two decades plus Nathaniel their son … all drenched with the aroma of great coffee.

GEOFF  REES-THOMAS

Why get all stewed up and anxious today with only half the information, when tomorrow, fully informed… you can have a proper and decent panic!

From an architectural design and management background, our incredible volunteer Geoff brings a different creative perspective to Peer Power. His well-developed eye for visual and written detail and a keenness for clear and accurate communication is matched only by his keen sense of the invaluableness of systems. As a certified ‘baby –boomer’ (he doesn’t recall much of the 60’s, so was clearly there), therefore Geoff needs to accept some responsibility for the confusion in our society today. He really values the dynamics, energy and enthusiasm of Peer Power in schools, but doesn’t venture into the seminar room, as the Peer Power office often carries the same levels of craziness. He’s more at ease providing essential back-up to the team in the office. Out of the office, Geoff loves time with family & grandkids and camping and bushwalking with a camera, reminiscing the days of old with his much beloved ’74 square bumper Kombi van.