Bass Coast South Gippsland Business Alliance (ABN 75 820 660987) is holding a networking lunch on Thursday, 30 March with keynote speaker Simon Illingworth.

$40 includes two course meal. Pre-event registration is essential by 24 March. Please contact Kirstyn on 0413 187 576 or kirstyn@gippslandem.com.au for registration.

Simon Illingworth is a former Detective Sergeant who worked with police internal affairs in Victoria to prosecute corrupt officers. His story is one of courage and determination that nearly cost him his life. Simon is an influential speaker, inspiring audiences as he delivers messages on business ethics, leadership and culture.

Young Detective Sergeant Simon Illingworth had joined the force to serve the public and make a difference. His world was forever shattered when he confronted police corruption head-on. Watching Melbourne’s toughest killers working alongside his own colleagues made him sick to the guts. Simon soon discovered the price for standing up against them was death threats and isolation.

A spate of events finally sent him to the point of no return. He was brutally bashed – not by crooks but other policemen from an entrenched corrupt brotherhood.

In 2004 after 17 years in the police force, Simon brought about culture change in Victoria Police after appearing on ABC TV’s Australian Story. Fearing for his life, this brave cop went public about the crisis facing the police force, in an episode of Australian Story that stopped the nation. He spoke honestly about Melbourne’s gangland killings and the corrupt police brotherhood that assisted and harboured them. He now runs his own company, Ethical Strength, and is the recipient of leadership and bravery awards from the Victoria Police and Governor of Victoria, among others.

Link to facebook event