David Parkin Oration

David Parkin has over 30 years’ experience in teaching and coaching education. Originally trained as a primary teacher, he obtained a Diploma of Physical Education from the University of Melbourne in 1971 and a Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Western Australia in 1975.

Although no longer coaching actively, David maintains his involvement in sport through providing special comments on ABC radio football broadcasts, acting as an AFL Coach Ambassador mentoring young coaches throughout Australia, providing ongoing mentoring to many past students, and motivational speaking in the sporting and corporate sectors. David is a member of the AFL Research Board.

David has been a lecturer at Deakin University since 1992, having earlier experience at Burwood Teachers College, State College of Victoria and Victoria College. In 2013, David was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University in recognition of his outstanding contribution to knowledge and practice across a wide range of sporting communities, higher education, school education, coaching and sports management.

David’s significant contribution to Deakin University was recognised in the establishment of an annual Oration in his name. 'The David Parkin Oration for Sport and Social Change' now sits beside the Seaby and Brooks Orations as the third Oration on the Deakin calendar.

Each presentation speaks directly to the central theme of the David Parkin Oration – to highlight ways that sport-based initiatives can contribute to policy, practice and debate on issues of social justice and awareness in ways that facilitate social change.

Four-time Olympian and Australia’s only winner of the Tour de France and the UCI Road World Championships, Cadel Evans AM, delivered the 2019 Oration. In conversation with renowned sports broadcaster and writer Gerard Whateley, Cadel shared his experiences and discussed some of the major sporting challenges and opportunities of today.

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Addressing the importance of women’s representation and reflecting on her contribution to women’s sport, Susan Alberti AC received a standing ovation for her speech – the first during the oration’s history.

Susan is a prominent philanthropist, businesswoman and driving force behind women’s sport. Susan was also the Western Bulldogs Vice President for three years until 2016, before she focused her energy on setting up the women's football league. She is now an Inaugural Ambassador for the AFLW competition after significantly contributing her time, support and financial support towards its establishment.

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Ric Charlesworth reflected on his career in sport and his role as coach of the Australian women’s and men’s hockey teams. As an athlete and coach, and writer of several books, Ric has long been committed to the pursuit of excellence. Addressing the audience Ric spoke about his coaching experiences and the contribution of sport within society.

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Caroline Wilson, recipient of two Walkley Awards, an Australian Sports Commission lifetime achievement award and the 2014 Graham Perkin Australian Journalist of the Year, speaks about how she embarked upon her chosen career in sport and in doing so entered an all-male arena. Much of the progress that has been made to hero the voices and perspectives of women in sports like AFL, cricket and NRL can be traced to the legacy of Caroline Wilson.

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The Hon. Jeff Kennett reflects on his work with beyondblue to address the impact that sport and sporting figures can play in raising awareness of depression and anxiety. As president of the Hawthorn Football Club (2005–2011), he led the team to their first premiership in 16 years and, as founding chairman of beyondblue – a national organisation that promotes good mental health and seeks to dismantle the stigma surrounding depression and anxiety – he continues to kick goals in raising public awareness to change the attitudes of the wider community towards mental health.

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Kevin Sheedy AM, one of the Australian Football League's most prominent and respected figures, reflects on his involvement in Australian Rules Football and his role in promoting a culture of inclusion both on and off the field.

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Andrew Demetriou, former Australian Football League CEO, speaks about the challenges and opportunities the League has encountered in driving social change around the codes of civic responsibility and the plight of First Nations Australians.

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