Former ABC sports broadcaster and author of Broken Open — on mental health, recovery and speaking up at work.
Craig Hamilton spent nearly three decades in Australian sports broadcasting, starting with ABC Radio in 1994 and calling rugby league, rugby union and cricket at international level, before leaving the ABC in 2023. In 2000, on the eve of the Sydney Olympic Games where he had been assigned to work as a broadcaster, he experienced a public psychotic episode; he did not complete the assignment. He wrote about that episode and the long work of recovery that followed in Broken Open, published by Random House in 2004, and has spoken since about mental health in male-dominated workplaces.
His speaking is warm, well-paced and refreshingly free of the heroic-comeback framing the story might suggest. He talks carefully about the warning signs he missed, the systems that helped him, and the practical things organisations can do to make it safer for people to ask for help.
For event organisers, Craig is a strong fit for wellbeing programs, leadership events in male-heavy industries, mental health initiatives and in-house audiences where the brief is an authentic, credible voice on mental health and recovery.
Craig Hamilton is a keynote speaker based in New South Wales who speaks on inspiration, media & journalism and mental health & wellbeing. Book through Executive Speakers Australia.
Explore the positive health and wellbeing options we have to improve our own mental health.
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Craig Hamilton’s presence at our RUOK? Day event was truly profound. His candid reflections on mental health, resilience, and the power of human connection resonated deeply with our team. Craig’s story—marked by courage, authenticity, and hope—reminded us all of the importance of checking in with one another, not just on RUOK? Day, but every day. His talk sparked meaningful conversations, and it was heartening to see so many of our people stay behind to connect, ask questions, and share their own experiences in a safe and supportive space. We are incredibly grateful for Craig’s contribution.Head of HR, APAC, Sandvik
Craig was very personable, his story was quite overwhelming as it hit home that poor mental health can really hit at any time. I wish we had had enough time to have had Q&A as I think Craig would have been able to answer some really hard hitting questions.BAI Communications
The session was a success with more than 900 people dialing in. Craig Hamilton was very inspiring, and did a great job in keeping the audience engaged. He was able to share his lived experience and there was a great flow to the session.Optus
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