Comedic storyteller and emcee who picked himself for Australia’s first World Sudoku Championships team
Mick Colliss is a comedic storyteller, after-dinner speaker and conference emcee whose true story has taken him from a local rugby club to the World Sudoku Championships — and on to stages across Australia, Asia, New Zealand, London and Vancouver, including sold-out shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2024. His story is the subject of a book, Full-Contact Sudoku (HarperCollins/ABC Books), and a documentary, and a feature film is in development.
As a kid, Mick tried sport after sport in pursuit of the green and gold, before accepting that desire was no substitute for ability. Then, at 42, he discovered Australia had no team at the World Sudoku Championships. He applied to the World Puzzle Federation, became the national team selector, picked himself and three mates from his local rugby club — none of whom knew how to play — and took them, in full national uniform, to compete in India. Told with self-deprecating, larrikin humour, it is a story about having a go, failing forward and finding a way to succeed without winning.
Mick's keynote is clever, relatable and clean, with messages on chasing dreams, teamwork, perseverance and goal setting that stay with audiences long after the laughter. He is also an accomplished emcee, broadcaster, sports commentator and modern-day poet, commissioned to write and recite for Rugby Australia, Tennis Australia, the Fremantle Dockers, the West Coast Eagles, McDonald's and Telethon. He suits conferences, award nights, gala dinners and sales events — anywhere an organisation wants the room laughing and leaving with something to think about.
Mick Colliss is a keynote speaker, MC and entertainer based in Australia who speaks on motivation and sport. Book through Executive Speakers Australia.
Mick’s laugh-out-loud true story of chasing an unlikely dream, overcoming failure and representing Australia at the World Sudoku Championships is clever, relatable and clean — with strong messages that stay with the audience.
Keynote themes:
• Chasing dreams
• Teamwork
• Have a go
• New challenges
• Failing forward
• Goal setting
• Overcoming obstacles
• Finding a way
• The Power of positivity
• Perseverance
• Creative thinking
• Adaptation
• Succeeding without winning
Mick Colliss had the room in stitches, people were actually crying with laughter which is an awesome thing to behold and no mean feat in a room of sales people. Our delegates were just mesmerised by his story and the way he delivered it, with everyone demanding to know where we found him.News Corp
Mick Colliss was a wonderful MC and keynote speaker who went above and beyond expectations to meet the event’s brief and ensure our client’s event was a success. His strong stage presence and intuitive thinking ensured the event’s formalities were highlights of the evening.Known Associates
Mick Colliss’ presentation had the right mix of humour and optimism that hit the spot with our audience. Our organisation has experienced a number of challenges in recent months and Mick’s story provided a unique and thoughtful perspective on overcoming failure and persevering to achieve one’s goals.Coffs Harbour City Council
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