Mark Dorrity was born is Sydney in 1960. He attended local government schools, going on to complete a B.Sc. (Hons) at UNSW in 1981. As well as his academic activities, Mark was a dedicated athlete, representing NSW in Athletics from 1976 to 1982 and playing rugby for his university.

While competing in a race at Wagga in 1988, Mark experienced something quite rare and definitely unexpected. His body ‘melted’.

Mark always knew he would share his ‘Meltdown Man’ story – eventually. His story has been in the public eye since 1988 and aspects of it still form part of the Higher and Tertiary Education curriculum more than 25 years later.

Mark lacked one key ability that would enable him to bring his story to life - confidence and competence in speaking to an audience. That’s why he joined Toastmasters in February 2014. Although it was a rocky start with his ‘ice breaker’ that April, he successfully completed the Competent Communicator in just one year and then the Competent Leader soon after. He is now the Vice President Education at Toorak Toastmasters and a member at South Yarra Toastmasters. More recently, Mark has been involved with running Speech Craft courses, helping non-Toastmaster’s learn to be better public speakers. He has come a long way.

Mark has experienced some significant highs and lows in his life - some would say some unbelievably extreme lows when he was literally handed a death sentence in 1988.

In this inspirational speech, he reflects on HOW he was able to create and now leads a life which parallels many of our lives yet in many ways, is so different. He has found that regardless of your circumstances, whether physically disabled or able bodied, there are ‘constant’ factors you need to achieve in order to succeed on your chosen path.

Mark will reveal this extraordinary story, bringing to life some of his experiences and offering a framework to support you in achieving your goals, at Toastmasters and in your everyday life.

Mark Dorrity - Meltdown Man, 1988