“THE PATH TO Personal evolution is realised when we move out of our own way, more refLEctive, more authentic, becoming more fearless by nature.”

Michael Croaker

A collage of four photos: top left shows five people in costume with two dressed as characters from The Wizard of Oz; top right features a man standing in front of a theme park sculpture of a golden rabbit and roller coaster in the background; bottom left depicts a man speaking at a conference with a projected image of a bridge behind him; bottom right shows a man in a blue shirt and cap interacting with a sea lion in an aquarium.

michael croaker

SPEAKER | COMMUNICATION COACH | CONFERENCE HOST

Michael Croaker has spent more than 30 years in the Australian entertainment industry both as a television host, keynote speaker and award-winning executive leader within the Tourism & Hospitality sector.

As a writer and producer, while Head of Entertainment with Village Roadshow Theme Parks, he has been behind numerous live productions and major events across both Warner Bros. Movie World and Sea World for decades, these including; SPY CHASE STUNT SHOW | IMAGINE – Dolphin Presentation | QUEST FOR THE GOLDEN SEAL | FRIGHT NIGHTS | HOLLYWOOD STUNT DRIVER | DC SUPER HEROES & SUPER-VILLAINS | HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD and WHITE CHRISTMAS.

A passionate leader and coach, Michael made his debut as an author in 2025 with his book, ‘R.I.S.E: Discovering Resilience, Intention, Self-Love and Personal Evolution’.

ENGAGE | INSPIRE | TRANSFORM

Michael Croaker standing with three large costume characters, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and then images with others such as Batman, Spiderman, Scooby Doo across both Warner Bros. Movie World and Wonderland Sydney.

services for positive IMPACT

Michael Croaker guest speaking into a microphone on stage at Arundel State Primary School, Gold Coast, Queensland.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Michael was employed as Sea World’s youngest ever Show Announcer at the age of 18 in the late 1980’s. This role would go on to also light the fuse for decades of experience as a much sought after professional speaker.

Across themes around effective leadership, guest experience, presence and gratitude, resilience and personal evolution, Michael’s manner is both grounded and engaging. His content informed through lived experience.

COACH

Michael’s STAND & DELIVER Communication Coaching program has been successfully impacting brands and their teams for years. His method is built on assisting others to be less in their own way, more present, more self-trusting.

The power for people to truly know and own their voice is transformative across both personal and professional life. Michael leaves participants with practical tools with the capacity to deliver lasting change.

CONFERENCE HOST

Whether planning a leadership conference, corporate event, team development getaway or simply looking for a host who can bring it all together, Michael’s experience can make all the difference.

“The best emcee in the country!”

Eddie Idik JP, AVM

Manager | Stadiums Security

“Michael exceeded expectations on all fronts.”

Michael Schrieber

Executive Chairman | Funlab Group

SPEAKER

“My intention as a professional speaker is never to ‘present’ to an audience but to connect with them each as individuals. My method, irregardless of the subject matter, is to get to the core essence of the message, rooted in authenticity and relatability.”

While Michael can collaborate with his client on specific elements required for a team address, his current available subject themes (drawing on more than 30 years as leader within the entertainment industry and coach) include:

THE MOMENT MATTERS

Effective leadership and excellence in guest service is found in the degree to which we capitalise on the potential for positive impact in each moment.

THE POWER OF PRESENCE & GRATITUDE

Life becomes far richer and more rewarding when we are more consciously aware of our place in it.

A ROLLER COASTER RIDE: REAL LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP FROM WORLDS OF FUN

A personal (three decade plus) journey of leadership transformation and the most significant learnings made along the way.

“Without question, one of the finest transformational speakers in the business.”

Mark Herrera - Global Top 25 Most Influential Security Speaker & Trainer

“Funlab engaged Michael Croaker to both compere and keynote address our Annual Convention. Michael has a deep understanding of the impact of fun and experiences on guest’s but equally a general empathy and insight on human behaviour.

As a presenter, he had a good sense of ‘what’ and ‘how’ to communicate with his audience, and as a keynote speaker, he spoke with the passion and conviction of a great storyteller.”

Michael Schrieber - Executive Chairman | Funlab Group

Michael Croaker in a dark suit and floral shirt holding a microphone and speaking on stage against a blue background.

STAND & DELIVER Public Speaking Workshop attendees seen as a group of six people standing in front of a black and white poster promoting public speaking, posing for a photo indoors with beige walls and gray carpeting.

“Developing the personal power for more effective communication has immeasurable benefits across both our personal and professional lives. My STAND & DELIVER Program works and is the realisation of more than three decades as a professional speaker, live announcer, television presenter and voice artist.”

Find your voice, grow your self-trust, and elevate not only your public speaking skills more formally but your general communication confidence more broadly.

You will feel and hear the difference.

Enquiries on content and pricing can be made via the website.

“I highly recommend Michael’s program. He held a ‘Stand and Deliver’ course for my Solution Consultants and Customer Success Managers that had a lasting impact on the team.

The course significantly improved their confidence, presentation skills, fluency of speech and ability to communicate with clarity and influence… skills they continue to apply every day with customers and colleagues. The feedback was exceptional, with several team members, despite decades of experience across a range of roles, describing it as the most valuable professional development course they had attended in their careers.

Michael has a unique ability to create lasting behavioural change and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to any organisation looking to elevate the communication and presentation skills of their people.”

Steve Volz - Managing Director APAC | Axsium

Michael Croaker smiling at a podium with a microphone, wearing a black suit, light blue patterned tie, hosting the annual VSX Conference in Sydney, Australia.

“Most anxiety and self-doubt we carry about public speaking (of any kind) is self-generated and therefore can be successfully self-regulated also. Let me show you how.”

Michael’s 2 hour one-on-one session will get you out of your own way, present, more self-trusting and discovering how to tap into an inherent confidence that already resides within you.

If Gold Coast or Brisbane based, Michael can even come to you.

Alternatively, you can schedule an online ZOOM session at your convenience.

“Your audience, be it that at a family event or a boardroom setting, is already hardwired for you to win when taking the moment to either present more formally or casually. It is us, remaining doubtful with that little voice inside, that can hijack such moments, if we allow it. That cycle can absolutely be broken with practical real-world communication and mindful tools we’ll cover together.”

ONE-ON-ONE COMMUNICATION COACHING

Bold black 3D text saying 'STAND & DELIVER' inside a rounded square border on a black background.

People sitting and talking at a table in a conference or event space, with a black curtain backdrop and a sign that says 'STAND' in the background.

Two men sitting on the floor with their heads bowed in a dark conference room. There is a large potted plant and a vertical black banner with white text and an image of a person wearing a jacket in the background.

Two men are speaking or laughing on stage in front of a large audience during a public event. The audience is seated at tables, and there's a screen in the background with partial text and a banner that says, 'STAND & DELIVER.'

Turn your next team gathering into the opportunity for lasting personal and professional transformation.

The Fearless Communication Package includes:

Keynote Address - Tailored to your needs | Duration: 60mins w/ Q&A
STAND & DELIVER Communication Workshop | Duration: 3hrs

The workshop format is highly engaging, interactive and with a focus across the following elements required for more effective daily communication and improved public speaking skill:

Intention
Word Economy
Avoiding Vocal Interference (losing the ‘ums’ and ‘ahs’)
Presence
Authenticity

All participants will receive a video summary of their work supported by a personal and detailed guide for sustained growth.

Enquiries and a PDF Toolkit download found at the LET’S CONNECT page.

A man smiling in front of a projection screen and two standing banners that say "Stand & Deliver" for a public speaking bootcamp.

TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you for such a great presentation. You made TED TALKS look like Play School with what you were able to achieve in one hour. I was truly inspired.”

Emilio Andronico (Audience Member) – Keynote Address, ‘The Power of Presence & Gratitude’

“Michael is an inspirational leader. Having had the privilege of working with him throughout our Master of Business Administration, on numerous occasions, Michael had the class captivated sharing his personal and professional insights into business, people and leadership.”

Stephen Urquhart – Senior Leader | Operational Planning & Execution

“Michael is a professional, a gentleman, and has a wealth of learned wisdom and knowledge. He pulled my authentic self right out of me after many life challenges, and he is one of the reasons I felt strong enough to continue writing my best selling memoir.”

Felicia Djamirze - #1 Bestselling Author of ‘ACCESSORY’ (Simon & Schuster)

Four logos: AISA International with pink and black text, Fun Lab with playful black font, DRA with gray and orange, and James Cook University Australia with a blue and yellow sun and waves.

“I can recommend Michael as ‘The People Whisperer’. If you want excellence in communication and management then Michael is your man.”

Gary Hopes – Director 888inc

“I was lucky enough to attend one of Michael’s sessions and it was truly a fantastic experience.”

Stacey Milne - Events Specialist

“Michael’s energy, wisdom, and generosity in sharing his craft for speaking and presenting is inspirational.”

Melanie Marshall – CEO Partner in Adaptive Excellence

“The best speaker we have had.”

Glencore - Women In Mining

“Michael was dynamic and engaging. There was never a dull moment.”

Melissa Summergreene - Attwood Marshall Lawyers

“I genuinely took away new life skills and new understandings. Michael Croaker is the real deal!”

Nathan Fletcher - Digital Media Professional

“Training with you was honestly game-changing for me.”

Rebecca Moraitis - Industry Liaison Manager - Odyssey Lifestyle Care Communities

“Your knowledge and ability to engage our audience made it a standout session for all and the perfect way to kick off the conference!”

Peta Tibbetts - Ingenia | Operations Administrator

A collection of logos of various entertainment and media companies, including Al Jazeera, IAPA, Warner Bros., Glo, and Wake Park.

Book cover titled "R.I.S.E." by Michael Croaker, featuring a silhouette of a person with arms raised, a sun with a heart in the center, and mountain silhouettes in the background.

PURCHASE HERE

“My greatest learnings have come through my greatest personal and professional hardships. From a failed marriage to struggling to make ends meet, the path to these vital four elements for a more transformative, more fulfilling life, are shared here, each available to all of us.”

Part memoir, part life guide, R.I.S.E explores insights made against the backdrop of 30+ years within the Australian Theme Park Industry. Lessons here for living life with more resilience, intentionality, self-love, and a conscious seeking for personal evolution.

“Wonderful reading. A truly inspirational book.”

Karen Dearing

“From beginning to end, it felt like a personal conversation, uplifting, honest, and full of wisdom. What I loved most was how real it felt. Michael doesn’t just talk at you, he shares stories, experiences, and insights that feel genuinely lived-in and relatable. It’s the kind of book that makes you pause, reflect, and re-evaluate how you approach challenges in your own life.”

Kate Armon

“Your book has revealed to me new parts to myself, my ‘ego identity’, that I didn’t even know existed. Thank you for the amazing work you have produced.”

Lauchie Meyer

“One of my all-time favourites. It contains information that can be immediately applied by anyone and the results are amazing.”

Ross Davidson

MEDIA

In conversation with Eric Bailey.

National TVC.

JCU Testimonial.

Three men sitting on stage during a discussion or panel, with an audience in front of them. The background features curtains.

Michael hosting a panel with Bernard Salt AM, columnist with The Australian.

Co-hosting LIVING PROOF on the NINE Network.

Sitting and speaking with Jason Momoa.

With Garie Dooley for Gold Coast Speakers: In Conversation.

A life in theme parks with Dane McGuirk.

A newspaper article with photos of Michael Croaker at theme parks, including a group photo with costumed characters and mascot appearances, a person at a podium, and a man with two large mascot characters.

Australasian Leisure Management interview.

JCU Graduation Address with Professor Simon Biggs with words by Michael Croaker.

PODCASTS

Cover of the R.I.S.E. podcast featuring a silhouette of a person with arms raised, a bright sun with radiating rays, and a red heart at the center of the sun. The background shows mountains and a colorful sky. The text reads "R.I.S.E. THE PODCAST" and "Stories of Resilience, Intentionality, Self-Love & Personal Evolution WITH MICHAEL CROAKER."

TUNE IN

Promotional graphic for a podcast named 'Park Life' with Michael Croaker, featuring a smiling man in a suit, a large vintage microphone, and a theme park in the background. Text states 'Theme park lives & stories.'

TUNE IN

what's been happening

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what's been happening 〰️

Event backdrop with the text 'The Moment Matters' presented by Michael Croaker, flanked by two light gray upholstered chairs and a woven ottoman in front. The setting appears to be a minimalist, modern indoor space.

Sept 1, 2026, Michael delivered a keynote address (THE MOMENT MATTERS) opening the annual Ingenia team conference in Brisbane.

By invitation, Michael will guest speak at Griffith University, Sept 9, 2026, on the personal power that is found through living with more resilience and authenticity.