Meet the Team
Peak Presenting (formerly Media Training Matters) is a communication skills training and coaching service founded and run by experienced media and communication consultants Melinda Smith and Craig Eardley.
Melinda Smith
Director
Melinda Smith spent 25 years working as a television journalist, news presenter, and radio broadcaster. After undertaking business studies, she applied her expertise and media experience to corporate communications and public relations, before establishing her own successful consultancy where she delivers strategic communication guidance, training and coaching services.
Melinda's broad experience means she understands the importance of presenting yourself in the best and most authentic way, whether that is during a meeting with colleagues or clients, delivering a presentation, or being interviewed by the media.
Advocating effective communication means that “…both sender and receiver understand with clarity and purpose”, Melinda shares her knowledge and expertise to help people develop their individual presentation style. Having the right skills, technique and approach are essential to being an effective communicator.
Craig Eardley
Director
Craig has decades of real-world experience through the public relations and communication consultancy he founded and still runs, 20 years on. Prior to his own business, Craig worked in media, community consultation, public relations and corporate communication roles in the public and NGO sectors.
His detailed understanding of communication strategy and planning means he brings a focus on effectiveness and achieving personal or organisational objectives when doing media interviews or presentations. He is an expert in issues management and crisis management.
In his consultancy business, Craig regularly helps clients prepare and deliver presentations, as well as profile raising and other communication plans and tactics. He successfully generates large amounts of media coverage for a diverse range of clients - large and small.
Martin Coates
Associate
Martin is an experienced senior business leader who now works as an accredited Enneagram Coach (iEQ9).
He has facilitated Enneagram workshops and coaching for hundreds of private sector and public sector employees to help people gain self-awareness and better personal and professional performance.
Martin’s career has included national leadership roles with Telstra, then Director roles on the executive team at the City of Newcastle. His most recent role was National Service Delivery Operations Manager at Defence Housing Australia.
He is a Life Member of Atwea College after serving on its Board for 14 years, including four years as Chairman.
Martin has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) as well as qualifications in project management, management and public participation.