Testimonials
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“If you're after someone to help you find a genuine and authentic approach to staff wellbeing, I'd recommend you speak to Meg Durham - you will not find anyone better."
Mathew Disher
Director of Learning & Wellbeing ELC-12, Concordia College -
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“Meg's insights and humour resonated deeply with our staff, with lots of positive comments and affirmations. The importance of this work cannot be underestimated.
Kylie Power
Deputy Principal Wellbeing, Iona College Geelong -
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"I love listening to Meg's presentations. Personally, I feel more connected with the staff thanks to discussing our shared experiences collectively.
Blaza Nikolic
Learning Support Officer, Clairvaux Catholic School
Our staff walked away feeling seen, valued, inspired & more equipped.
We were absolutely thrilled to have Meg join us for a deeply impactful session on Educator wellbeing. With warmth, trusted expertise, and a relatable sense of humour, Meg had our entire staff (Teachers & Education Support Staff) both laughing and meaningfully reflecting throughout the entire presentation. A number of staff felt that Meg’s message spoke directly to them and deeply resonated with their own personal experiences and challenges.
What truly set Meg apart was the way she acknowledged our individual responsibilities in caring for ourselves, empowering each of us to take ownership of our wellbeing. Her ability to blend humour with several key practical strategies made the session both engaging and transformative. Our staff walked away feeling seen, valued, inspired and more equipped to balance the demands of teaching with the need for self-care. We were incredibly grateful for Meg’s time, expertise and passion for supporting the wellbeing of the staff in our College.
Jemma Morris
director of teacher development, saint ignatius college, geelong
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Her knowledge and expertise in wellbeing was evident.
"As a part of Billanook College's continuous commitment to Staff wellbeing, we had the privilege of hosting an inspiring guest speaker who left a lasting impression on our Staff. The insightful and practical presentation delivered by Meg was a breath of fresh air. It left our Staff with a renewed motivation to prioritise their own mental health and wellbeing, so that they are better positioned to support and serve our College community.
Meg exuded a genuine understanding of our unique and caring community and spoke with consideration, compassion and a level of humour that captured our attention from the very beginning. Meg's background in education, combined with her knowledge and expertise in wellbeing was evident and allowed her to translate concepts into practical advice.
The positive impact of her presentation is evident in the continued lively discussions and reflections in our workplace since the workshop. We extend a heartful thanks to Meg for her wonderful contribution to our community."
Georgina Mullarvey
head of primary school, billanook college
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A highly impactful and professional presenter, we wouldn’t hesitate to work with her again.
“Meg was an outstanding contributor to our Leadership Seminar. Her session was engaging and relatable, striking a powerful chord with principals navigating the pressures of the role. Meg’s ability to translate wellbeing into practical, sustainable leadership strategies was especially valuable.
Her work supports the kind of strategic, reflective practice that strengthens leadership capacity and builds cultures of care across school communities. A highly impactful and professional presenter, we wouldn’t hesitate to work with her again.”
Amy Rashid
Chief Operating Officer, Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals
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Meg's presentation hit the mark perfectly.
“I had the pleasure and privilege of engaging with Meg for our Branch meeting. I found Meg to be responsive to messages of an organisational nature and extremely generous in contributing ideas about how we might structure the event. Meg's presentation hit the mark perfectly.
Heads of Schools enjoyed the humorous stories, the challenge to reflect on their own habits, set goals and engage collegially with their peers. The pace Meg set allowed time to take on new information, ask questions and challenge ourselves to consider how we could move from surviving to thriving.”
Louise Peyton
Project Officer of IPSHA, Victorian Branch
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Engaging and allowed time for reflecting, thinking & sharing.
“Meg is an excellent speaker and presenter, with a very realistic approach and outlook. Meg's presentation was engaging and allowed time for reflecting, thinking and sharing. She spoke in a way that was inclusive of all and did not focus solely on teaching staff.
Meg gave us a lot of food for thought and the feedback from teaching and non-teaching staff has been extremely positive, with people referencing Meg's words, quotes and anecdotes since her day with us at Santa Maria. Staff were grateful for the opportunity to work with Meg and to be introduced to Meg's podcasts, too. Thank you, Meg!”
Nadia Petrocco
Deputy Principal of Operations and Staff at Santa Maria College, Northcote
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Opportunity to pause; to reassess, reset & re-energise.
“Meg’s session was incredibly valuable and thought-provoking. Her concept of “the battery,” broken down into five key elements, was both relatable and a powerful reminder of how our wellbeing and energy are influenced. The session encouraged genuine reflection, not just on how we’re doing, but on what we can do differently to thrive, both individually and as a team.
It was a welcomed opportunity to pause; to reassess, reset, and re-energise. One of the standout messages was the importance of connection, accountability, and being proactive in our own wellbeing journey. Meg’s delivery was warm, engaging, and grounded in real-life experience, making it easy to see how these strategies could be put into action straight away. We can now take her shared insights and embed into our day to day routines.”
Beth Thomson
Head of Staff Learning and Development, Methodist Ladies College
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Engaging, real, impactful, fun & timely for educators
"Meg’s passion for walking with our educators through the challenges of caring for our wellbeing was outstanding. Her years of experience supporting educators in many different contexts which has given her numerous first hand stories she has lived, gives her an insightful knowledge and understanding of wellbeing in schools, which strengthens her genuine warm connection that inspire educators to want to learn more.
Meg’s presentation on wellbeing for our school leaders was engaging, real, impactful, fun and timely for educators who continue to face growing challenges of self-care, as the need for connection and care for young people in schools grows."
Josh Culverhouse
President, Brisbane Metropolitan Deputy Principal Network
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Meg’s purposeful messages, delivered in a light and humorous manner resonated with staff.
“Meg is an engaging speaker and connected with all staff in an authentic and enthusiastic way, evident by how well she understands schools through her own lived context. Our staff enjoyed both workshops as she reflected upon relatable work scenarios. Meg’s purposeful messages, delivered in a light and humorous manner resonated with staff.
She skilfully highlighted common behavioural patterns (and pitfalls), followed by practical strategies to help prioritise personal wellbeing, self-care and fostering a positive environment within the messiness of a school setting.
Her messages were easy to access, and staff left feeling more energised and with practical tools to implement in their own situations. A very worthwhile professional learning opportunity."
Debbie Dunwoody
Principal - Camberwell Girls Grammar School
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Meg's passion, expertise, and genuine care shine
“Meg Durham has been the guiding force behind our school's transformative year-long journey titled "Thrive by Design". Meg's unwavering commitment to our well-being and her insights have had a profound impact on our lives, both personally and professionally. Throughout this program, Meg led us on a journey of self-discovery, encouraging us to explore our limits, understand the importance of taking time for ourselves, and providing us with the tools to navigate the daily challenges of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Her approach is not just theoretical; it is a practical, hands-on approach that has given us the tools to implement positive changes in our lives. Meg didn't just facilitate sessions; she actively listened to our needs, and then tailored her guidance to meet the unique context of our school. Meg's ability to create a safe and open space has allowed us to share our challenges and triumphs, fostering a sense of community among us. Meg's work is powerful. Her teachings go beyond conventional well-being practices, offering a holistic approach that addresses the mental, emotional, and physical aspects of our lives. Through her guidance, we've not only learned to prioritize ourselves but also gained the language and understanding to support our colleagues on their own well-being journeys.
I, wholeheartedly recommend Meg Durham and the "Thrive by Design" program to anyone seeking a profound and lasting impact on their well-being journey. Meg's passion, expertise, and genuine care shine through in every session, making it easy to invest in and connect to the content being shared. As educators, the demands of our profession are unique and often overwhelming. Meg has provided us with the tools and mindset to prioritize ourselves without guilt, recognizing that by doing so, we are better equipped to bring the best versions of ourselves to our work each day. The ripple effect of Meg's teachings is felt not only in our personal lives but also in the positive atmosphere she has helped create within our school.”
Sarah-Jane Murphy
Principal, North West Support School
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It was more than a workshop it was a catalyst for lasting wellbeing conversations and actions across our school.
“Meg Durham’s session was an exceptional and timely experience for our staff. Meg’s framework, particularly the “battery” model with its five core wellbeing elements, provided us with a relatable, practical lens through which to reflect on and recharge our energy.
Her insights were grounded in lived experience, delivered with warmth, humour and clarity, and prompted meaningful reflection and open conversations among our staff.
What set this session apart was its balance of theory and action. Meg didn’t just raise awareness about wellbeing she equipped us with tools and strategies that are both accessible and sustainable. The focus on connection, accountability, and proactive wellbeing gave us a renewed sense of purpose and agency.
In a time where demands on educators are higher than ever, Meg’s session reminded us of the importance of intentional pause, reflection, and self leadership.
The feedback from staff has been overwhelmingly positive. We are grateful to Meg for her passion, insight, and practical guidance. This was more than a workshop it was a catalyst for lasting wellbeing conversations and actions across our school.”
Melissa Lange
Head of Middle School, Methodist Ladies' College
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One loses all sense of time while listening to the engaging narrative of her true passion
“Meg Durham is an experienced speaker who has been able to preserve her authenticity and natural connection to herself to create an atmosphere of closeness and intimacy with her listeners.
One loses all sense of time whilst listening to the engaging narrative of her true passion - the importance of teacher wellbeing.”
Olli-Pekka Heinonen
Director General, International Baccalaureate Organization
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The importance of this work cannot be underestimated.
“On behalf of the Iona teaching and LSO staff, I want to express our gratitude for the enlightening session Meg led this morning on the importance of staff wellbeing. Meg's insights and humour resonated deeply with our staff, with lots of positive comments and affirmations.
The importance of this work cannot be underestimated. Meg's passion and expertise shone through as she shared practical strategies for maintaining balance, managing stress and fostering a positive work environment. Highly recommend.”
Kylie Power
Deputy Principal Wellbeing, Iona College Geelong
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Meg made every person feel seen & understood.
“Meg is an outstanding speaker, with a talent for engaging her audience within the first minute. Right from the start, Meg formed an instant connection with our audience, making every person feel seen and understood.
She has an impressive ability to grasp our emotions, nuances and experiences and deliver them as a reality-check wrapped in humour and warmth. Meg created a safe environment for our audience to recognise unhelpful habits and thinking patterns, that might have previously gone unnoticed, and walk away with practical and easy interventions for breaking them.”
Lisa Davias
Chief Executive Officer, Positive Education Schools Association
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She speaks with honesty; she knows the world of teaching and school so well!
“If laughter is the best medicine, then our staff session with Meg was the most wonderful medicine we have taken as a staff team. Over time, we have explored many places / spaces / options to promote staff wellbeing with varying but often limited success. Taking a principal colleague’s timely advice to book Meg has paid dividends for our team! Meg’s passion for the wellbeing of all ‘big-hearted educators’ is centre front in her presentation.
She speaks with honesty; she knows the world of teaching and school so well! Our staff noted how easily they could hear and see themselves in the many examples Meg provided about the life of a teacher and the complex work we do in education. We all laughed our way through the personal recognition of our own truths, as to who we can sometimes be both personally, and in our staff community. Meg imparted practical wisdom and advice to us for not only managing our own wellbeing, but prioritising our wellbeing. I highly recommend to school leadership teams to get in touch with Meg and see how she can help you to create a safe space to talk about and put in place strategies for improvement in wellbeing for all staff.”
Jo Scott-Pegum
Principal, St Patrick’s Primary School
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Staff are already asking when the next session will be!
“Our staff were incredibly fortunate to be guided by the insightful and compassionate Meg who helped us explore how our wellbeing impacts not only our personal lives, but also the way we show up professionally for our students, our colleagues, and ourselves.
Meg skillfully brought together wellbeing science and coaching psychology to help us navigate the real challenges of caring for ourselves while caring for others and it was exactly what we needed to hear. She is funny, knowledgeable and most importantly, relatable. Staff are already asking when the next session will be!”
Natalie Holt
Trinity College Colac, Director of Wellbeing
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I loved the way she connects to all those working in schools, not just teachers.
“For 18 months I have been listening to Meg's podcast and thinking my colleagues need to hear this! It was an honour to have Meg present to our staff on the first day back to Term 3.
At a time when we are feeling weary from winter and having completed a semester of teaching, Meg provided us with the seedlings to let our wellbeing grow. Her Thrive by Design is easy to relate to, easy to use and no matter where someone may be at with their own wellbeing, there was something to take away.
I loved the way she connects to all those working in schools, not just teachers. In the days following her workshop, I had so many staff tell me that was the best PL they had ever done and wished they had something like this 3 years ago.
Thank you Meg for reminding us to be kind to ourselves and to take deliberate action.”
Georgie Erpisimidis
Deputy Principal, Professional Culture and Growth
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She has a strong understanding of the complexities schools face.
“Meg’s warmth, humour, and talent for sharing stories and anecdotes deeply resonated with our staff. She has a strong understanding of the complexities schools face, along with the challenges and pressures we encounter today.
Her sessions not only created a space for staff to connect and develop a shared language around wellbeing, but they also fostered a sense of collective responsibility to promote positive wellbeing actions. The gratitude expressed by staff afterwards reflected their appreciation for feeling valued, both through the dedicated time and focus on their wellbeing.
Thank you, Meg, for your humility and for making wellbeing concepts and strategies more accessible and relatable to our community.”
Jacinta Janssens & Jahanna Parry
Head of campus & head of student wellbeing, wesley college elsternwick
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I’d recommend Meg Durham… you will not find anyone better.
“If you're after someone to help you find a genuine and authentic approach to staff wellbeing, I'd recommend you speak to Meg Durham - you will not find anyone better. Meg helped us launch our College Wellbeing Model with staff.
Her Thrive By Design framework aligned strongly with the agentic approach of our model, and she was able to adapt her presentation to make explicit references to our model. Meg resonated strongly with staff, delivering an engaging, funny but most importantly practical presentation that reminded staff of the importance of owning their wellbeing and not 'leaving it to default'.
I would highly recommend schools speak to Meg as they look to develop initiatives that support wellbeing.”
Mathew Disher
Director of learning & wellbeing elc-12, concordia college
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Actionable, authentic & respectful.
“Meg’s presentation is more than inspirational. It is actionable, authentic, and respectful of the complex role educators play in our human ecosystem.
She leaves you feeling empowered to take small steps toward building resilience in both your personal and professional life. Her voice in the teacher wellbeing space is long overdue, but worth the wait!”
Georgia Hefferman
Pedagogy coach, parade college
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Enormously grateful for the support.
"I love listening to Meg's presentations. Personally, I feel more connected with the staff thanks to discussing our shared experiences collectively. Acknowledging the complications and difficulties of balancing everything in life and the demands on educators in the modern day is so meaningful and vital to our well being. Enormously grateful for the support. Thanks Meg."
Blaza Nikolic
learning support officer, clairvaux catholic school
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A highly valuable session.
“Meg is an exceptional presenter who left a lasting impression on our Junior School team. Her engaging style and expert knowledge was well received by all in attendance. A highly valuable session.”
Matt Baron
deputy principal, kardinia international college
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Excellent, practical & relatable information.
“Meg spoke to our staff at the beginning of the week; it was great to invest in our staff. Meg did not disappoint with excellent, practical, and relatable information. I would highly recommend Meg to speak and inspire your people.”
Vicky Fraanje
deputy principal, belgrave heights christian school
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I highly recommend Meg to work in your school!
“We have been fortunate to have Meg work with us throughout the year, in person and in the Thrive by Design work. The impact of our learning with Meg has been profound in our school. In my 21 years of teaching and leadership, I have seen huge shifts this year in the way I show up as a leader, as a teacher and more importantly as a human!
Thank you Meg for seeing the complexity of the work we do in our schools and naming up and recognising the big-hearted educators who need to be well themselves, to thrive in this occupation and show up for our young people every day. You are doing such important work and I highly recommend Meg to work in your school!”
Bridget Field
Advanced Skills Teacher(AST) / Planning Coach, Lansdowne Crescent Primary School
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In today’s climate, her work is more important than ever.
“Meg spent a day working with our provisionally registered teachers, equipping them with practical, protective and realistic strategies to support their wellbeing at this critical stage of their teaching career. She brings a warm, personable presence paired with deep expertise in teacher wellbeing and psychology. Meg remains closely connected to the lived experience of today's classroom teachers, with our PRTs exclaiming, "she just GETS IT!"
As an expert facilitator, Meg quickly built rapport with the group, easing any initial reservations and creating a safe space for honest, vulnerable reflection. In today's climate, her work is more important than ever. We're grateful for the chance to work with Meg and look forward to future opportunities for collaboration.”
Tanya Vandervelde
Director (Learning Culture), Whitefriars College
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I hope that our professional collaboration continues
“Meg has the rare capacity to make meaningful connections to participants in her programs by providing insightful content that really hits the mark. I have had countless responses from attendees of Meg's programs indicating the significant positive impact her sessions have had on their wellbeing, a critical focus area for leaders managing complex school roles.
Meg is the consummate professional - knowledgeable, personable, passionate and considerate of the worlds that her participants occupy. I am so pleased school leaders across our statewide network have the opportunity to engage with her in this timely and important work, and hope that our professional collaboration continues to grow.”
Donna Evans
Principal Wellbeing Leader, Tasmanian Department for education, Children & Young People
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Meg cut through the nonsense & gave us practical strategies
“Meg presented to our staff at Catholic Ladies’ College on our Staff Wellbeing Professional Learning Day. Having listened to Meg’s podcast and connecting with her, I was excited for our staff to hear Meg’s wisdom and strategies on how we can all look after ourselves, and she did not disappoint. From the get go, Meg connected magnetically with our staff and her sense of humour, wit and ability to understand exactly what we are feeling and experiencing was not only a wake up call but refreshing. Meg cut through the nonsense and gave us practical strategies on how we can better our wellbeing in small steps. In just 1 hour, Meg was able to challenge our thinking and help us to reflect on the why’s and how’s of personal wellbeing and many of our staff walked away already setting personal and collective goals.”
Liana Colaluca
Head of Students, Catholic Ladies College
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She is a true advocate for all educators!
"I first heard Meg speak at ACU's Teachers Health and Well-being Symposium. She spoke authentically of teachers' difficulties in this current climate, including identifying the enablers and barriers impacting teacher's mental health and wellbeing. The meaningful way Meg detailed these factors helps to validate anxieties and reassures teachers they are not alone in their struggles. Meg provides teachers with strategies to mitigate these factors and steps to sustain better mental health. She is a true advocate for all educators!"
Dr Kim Rowston
Course Coordinator Postgraduate Early Childhood and Primary Education, Australian Catholic University
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Meg leaves you feeling seen, supported & inspired to take action
“Meg brings a blend of authenticity, insight, and humour into her presentation, enabling her to connect with her audience making her message both powerful and practical.
What makes Meg stand out is her genuine care for people. Meg helps others see that wellbeing isn’t an add-on, it’s the foundation for how we live, lead, and learn.
Every interaction with Meg leaves you feeling seen, supported, and inspired to take meaningful action.”
Daniel Thomas
Principal, Melbourne Montessori College
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Timely and relevant, it provided us with valuable insights.
"I wanted to express our gratitude for the fantastic whole staff wellbeing workshop you presented recently. Your presentation was both timely and relevant, it provided us with valuable insights into how we can prioritise our own wellbeing to avoid exhaustion and burnout and has left a profound impact on all of us.
We were especially impressed by the way you connected with us on a personal level, and shared your own experiences and insights. This made the session feel very relatable, thoughtful and practical. Overall, we feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work and learn with you"
Kathryn Quinn
Deputy Principal and Wellbeing Leader, Clairvaux Catholic School
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Left us feeling motivated & inspired to make positive changes.
“Meg demonstrated a deep understanding of the challenges facing school staff in today's world, and provided practical tools and strategies to promote positive mental health and wellbeing for all. What stood out to me most was the passion and enthusiasm that Meg brought to the table and her knowledge backed by personal experience allowing her to connect to the audience.
The presentation was engaging, interactive and thought-provoking, and left many of us feeling motivated and inspired to make positive changes. I highly recommend Meg to anyone looking to promote wellbeing in a school setting. Thank you for this enlightening experience.”
Steven McKnoulty
Principal, Red Hill Special School
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I couldn’t have asked for the presentation to go better.
"Meg presented to 70 of our primary school staff, initiating a staff wellbeing strategy. Her ability to provide critical information and facts regarding the topic of wellbeing, through engaging narrative and in a relatable way, is outstanding.
Her presentation was dynamic; moving staff through light hearted ownership of our strengths and challenges, into the critical importance of the impact healthy wellbeing practices can have on our personal, professional and relational selves.
As a school principal seeking to initiate a whole of staff strategy, I couldn't have asked for the initial presentation to go better."
Glen Bucklar
Principal, Siena Catholic Primary School
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Focus on real connection and application.
“Meg delivered a half day whole staff professional learning on wellbeing. It was excellent. The real-life stories and applications were relevant to educators and school staff. While clearly evidence based the focus was on real connection and application.
The following morning at the whole staff check-in, all were buzzing to share their wellbeing practice they had already implemented in the last 24 hours since hearing Meg's presentation.
Highly recommended way to start the year or easily broach the vital topic of wellbeing with school staff.”
Megan Altenburg
Principal, Narrabundah College
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Highly Relevant, authentic, and deeply impactful.
“Meg's presentation was highly relevant, authentic, and deeply impactful.
Staff left feeling empowered, equipped with practical strategies to support their wellbeing and take purposeful, proactive steps in their daily lives.”
Claire Wrigley
Assistant Principal, Emmanuel College
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Practical and useful tools that school staff can relate to.
“After listening to Meg speak, my life has changed, and I feel like there are things I can do to make myself happier and healthier. Meg is professional, compassionate and hilarious.
I highly recommend this program if you are looking for practical and useful tools that school staff can deeply relate to.”
Annette Barker
Learning Diversity & Wellbeing Leader, St. Mary’s Primary School
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"Meg's presentation hit the mark perfectly. Heads of Schools enjoyed the humorous stories, the challenge to reflect on their own habits, set goals and engage collegially with their peers."
Louise peyton
project officer of ipsha, victorian branch
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