Marcus Robertson has motivated thousands of school children - both primary and secondary - over the last five years delivering speeches that are entertaining, informative and interactive.

Marcus is an elite swimmer with the Victorian Institute of Sport. His major achievements in swimming to date include selection in the 2006 World Surf Lifesaving Championship Team, 4 Gold and 1 Silver medals at the 2003 Australian University Games, a world ranking of fourth for the 800m Freestyle short-course in 2000, gold and silver medals at the Australian Short-course Championships and membership in the Australian team at the 1998 Asian-Pacific Games.

Marcus is now the second fastest Victorian swimmer of all time in both the 400m Individual Medley and the 800m Freestyle. He is also one of Victoria's premier open-water swimmers and surf lifesavers, having won in excess of 50 open-water events and six state titles during the last 4 years, becoming the 2005 Victorian Surf Lifesaving Champion. Marcus won the second largest open-water swim in the world - the Portsea Swim Classic - in January of 2004.

Marcus is a gifted student and musician. He achieved a 99.6 TER score in his VCE year and has since studied intensive Japanese, completed a science degree in Biotechnology at Monash University and has been published in an international scientific journal. Despite training 10 sessions per week in the swimming pool, he attended university full-time to study medicine.

In his final year of Medicine at Monash University, he won the award for Dux of medicine in his final exams in 2005 and the 2006 prize for the top Victorian General Practice and Community Medicine student.

Since graduating, Marcus has been working full time in various hospitals in Victoria, and continues to be a consistently high achiever. In 2008, he was awarded the Organon Award for Excellence in Clinical Research, which is a nation wide award for the top registar in the country for Ontological & Gynaecological Excellence.

Marcus delivers entertaining and interactive speeches on a range of topics, including:

• Motivating students to lead healthy and fulfilling lifestyles and to pursue excellence through the teaching of goal-setting, time-management, perseverance and much more.
  
  
• Encouraging students to pursue their dreams and helping them to realise that they are capable of achieving in more than one area (for example, combining sport and school).
  
  
• Encouraging children to read and promoting the "reading is fun" message from the point of view of a sportsperson and a young person: someone that primary and secondary school children can relate to and look up to.
  
  
• Dealing with bullying and encouraging children to pursue sport or music rather than alcohol, drugs or smoking.
  
  
• The risks and dangers associated with alcohol use and abuse – how to stay safe and be aware of the risks confronting youth today.

Marcus has a talk aimed specifically at the concept of 'Safe Partying' – a topic with ever growing importance. Below are some of the concepts covered within this talks:

• What to think about when attending a party (e.g. plan ahead how you are going to get home, go out with trusted friends)
  
• The symptoms of drink spiking and safety ideas to avoid this happening to you.
  
• Short and long term effects of alcohol.
  
• The physiological and psychological impact of smoking. “If the effects were seen on the outside of the body, no-one would smoke”.
  
• The impact of alcohol / drugs on one’s ability to make measured and rational decisions.
• How one “stupid” decision (e.g. to get into car with someone who is driving under the influence of alcohol) could have life changing consequences.

"I thought he was fantastic. I would definitely ask him back to talk 'Safe Partying' for Years 10-12. It was great to have someone young, with significant credibility, talk to the students. His approach was scientific (blended with an understanding of adolescence). He did not preach or engage in scare tactics. As such the students were engaged and more open to his messages. The students walked way with increased knowledge that will assist them as they move into upper secondary year."
- Elise Conabere, Kingswood College, November 2008 (On Marcus' 'Safe Partying' talk)

"Year 9 students were very tuned into Marcus' stories. His messages were clear, he was articulate and humour was used. Students could relate to him. Staff feedback on Marcus was positive. Some said they were inspired and impressed by him."
-Angela Anderson, St Monica's College.

"To have over 800 students and 80 staff fully engaged and on the edge of their seats is truly a credit to his ability to speak publicly and to entertain whilst conveying a great message. Many students and staff felt that it was one of our best assemblies ever and that is completely credited to Marcus."
- Kim Dixon, Marian College.

"Marcus really emphasised the importance of goal setting and persistence to achieve those goals. He was able to share his experiences as a student, elite swimmer and his career, emphasising leadership... Teachers felt that he had a real message to pass on."
- Linda Bowkett, Bentleigh Schools Cluster.

"Every student, every staff member thought Marcus was fantastic. He is a real person who has worked hard and has lived as he 'preaches'... His messages were clear and largely students could see that if they set goals and persevered, then they too could reach their goals. He was very personable and able to relate to all ages. Thank you very much for organising Marcus to come to our camp."
- Allyson Ferguson, Gippsland Grammar School

"Once again Marcus delivered an inspirational and entertaining session. We have used Marcus on a number of occassions - all have been successful. Last years' students still refer to the inspiration he provided... Many [of this year's] students have quoted Marcus in class and are feeling enthusiastic about their study."
- Debra Fischer, Mornington Secondary College

"Marcus was terrific. Fantastic message delivered in a very engaging manner, building his presentation around stories and role playing. Students and their parents spoke to me after the event in a very positive manner."
- Peter Mouritz, Haileybury College

"Thankyou most sincerely for your wonderful presentation - who better to launch our 'Real Men Read' program than yourself! Your references to so many lasting images from books you have read left us all, especially the boys, in stitches. Good to hear the boys laughing, isn't it!"
- Nick Toovey, Principal, Mentone Grammar Junior School

"Marcus's presentation was not only professional and informative, but most inspiring for our young students. He is an excellent role model for young people, and I'm sure he left lasting impressions on the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and good eating habits."
- Jane Curtis & Euan Wells (Principal), Bentleigh West P.S.