Mick Colliss
Author, Poet, Sports Commentator, Member of the Australian Sudoku Team, MC & Speaker
A hilarious and inspiring keynote speaker whose story combines humour, resilience and uniquely Australian spirit. From failing at every sport to representing Australia in the World Sudoku Championships, Mick shares practical and entertaining lessons on persistence, embracing failure, creativity and making the most of every opportunity. He leaves audiences motivated, laughing, and ready to take on any challenge.
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Mick Colliss is a gifted storyteller whose uniquely Australian tale of persistence, mateship and humour has captivated audiences around the world. Growing up, he dreamed of playing for Australia and competed in everything from rugby union to surf lifesaving and even lawn bowls—but he wasn’t good enough at any of them. At 42, he discovered sudoku, the 9×9 grid puzzle appearing in newspapers worldwide—and promptly failed at that too. Undeterred, Mick picked himself and three mates from his rugby club to form Australia’s first Sudoku team, travelling to India to compete at the World Sudoku Championships, where he served as vice-captain.
Also known as “The Poem Guy,” Mick’s poetry has been published in The Sydney Morning Herald, The West Australian, The Sunday Times, Rugby League Week and Rugby News, and recited on 2UE, 6PR, ABC, Channel 10 and Channel 7. He was awarded ‘Best Sports Poem’ in 2002 by SMH columnist and bestselling author Peter FitzSimons.
Mick has performed at a wide range of high-profile events, including the Carlton-Mid Derby Lunch, the West Coast Eagles ten-year premiership anniversary, rugby test match functions, the Sandover Medal awards and the dinner to decide WA’s Greatest Ever Sports Star. A lifelong sports fan, he represented Western Australia in rugby union, competed in surf lifesaving ironman events, and is a rugby commentator on Perth radio 6PR. By day, Mick is a Director of Cooch Creative, a regional advertising and marketing consultancy in Wembley, and he is married with two young boys.
Mick’s story is both hilarious and inspiring, delivering powerful messages about embracing failure, finding alternative paths to success, living your dream and never giving up—no matter the odds.
