Coffee Chats with Matt Collins

Beau Vernon suffered a spinal cord injury whilst playing Australian Rules Football in 2012, leaving him a quadriplegic.

Beau is currently the Senior Head Coach of the Leongatha FC. He does motivational speeches at schools, personal development days with businesses, awards nights, and for disability awareness.

He is the National champion for his category in hand cycling and looks to develop this further.

In their chat, Beau shares with Matt his gratitude for the great things in his life and his goals for the future.

At 63, most people are thinking of slowing down, for Lynn Stanton she was just getting started.

Matt shares a wonderful chat with mother, artist, graphic designer and 64 year old cat walk model, Lynn Stanton.

Lynn gives an insight into the world of 'mature age' modelling and why the modelling world is embracing the 50+ market.

They share some wonderful stories including Lynn's first modelling gig and the wonderful relationship Lynn has with her four children, two of which are gay, and Lynn shares the joy her family enjoyed with the recent SSM yes vote.

Matt shares an insightful chat with two Year12 graduates about to embark on 'the real world'. Connor Newett and Chantelle Law give their thoughts on what life looks like now that school has finished and what the plan is for this little thing called 'life'. It's a comforting feeling knowing young adults like these two are going to be our future leaders.

Like a lot of police officers, Stuart has seen lots of tragic events and spent his days dealing with criminals, pedophiles and drug dealers.

For three years, he worked exclusively on the Daniel Morcombe case, receiving an Assistant Commissioner's award for his involvement on the case.

Stuart chats with Matt about this time in his life and how it affected him mentally.

Stuart talks about his own mental health and why he was compelled to set up his organisation, 'Healthy Mind, Healthy Future', and how he now helps others who are facing their own mental health challenges.

If you'd spent the past forty years selling multiple millions of books, you'd be forgiven if you were thinking about retirement, but Allan Pease doesn't understand the meaning of the word. Allan and his wife Barbara have written many best sellers including Body Language, Why Men Don't Listen and Women Can't Read Maps, and the most recent book, The Answer. In their chat, Allan shares with Matt why he always knew he would be successful, his failed attempt to become a tap dancer and he even gives Matt some advice on his radio career.

With a history of alcoholics in her family, it was no surprise when Kerrie turned to drinking as a young teen.

And with only negative influences surrounding her and more trauma and challenges than any one person should have to endure, Kerrie was popping pills daily at 11, an alcoholic at 15 and was prepared to end it all at 18.

In their coffee chat, Kerrie shares with Matt her story where she shares what got her out of that dark place in her life and why, 36 years later, she has chosen to remain sober and became a Drug and Alcohol Counsellor to assist so many more people that were in her position.

Father Bob Maguire is a well known voice and face across the country. His foundation helps the unloved and the unlovely. In Matt's coffee chat with Father Bob, they discuss his younger days growing up with a sick mother and an alcoholic father, why major cities lack the sense of community that country areas enjoy and what he thinks about how the children of today get their education.

Hudson Dale is an Australian father, husband and a no voter. Everyone has their opinion about the Australian Same Sex Marriage Survey, but very few are comfortable (or brave) enough to spend an hour with Matt and discuss their beliefs and views. Hudson was not one of those people. Hudson shares with Matt a respectful, intelligent and thought-provokng chat about the reasons behind his vote to decline Same Sex Marriage.

Andino is one of those eight year old boys who wanted to be a magician when they grow up, only difference is Andino never stopped wanting his goal. Andino opens up to Matt about his life and discusses the unusual reason he became a professional magician, the struggles he has had to overcome and what he thinks about the 'clever' people who yell out how they think the trick is done (they are rarely correct).

You'd think after nearly 45 years in the one company, you'd be ready to slow down, but not John Box. Matt shares a coffee chat with John and he shares the ups and downs of his impressive working career, as well as if he has any plans to stand down from the many organisations he chairs and why he thinks he was chosen as the 2014 Citizen of the Year. John also shares the touching story of his grandaughter Violet and her battle with childhood cancer.