 Gerry began searching for the ultimate meaning in life by training to be a priest. This came unstuck when he plastered a pie of shaving cream and raw eggs on a fellow “inmate” in front of the bishop’s representative. With more egg on his face than his victims, Gerry packed his bags and went from deacon to dustman. Twelve years chasing the Invercargill City Council rubbish truck made him fitter than an All Black. His daily round done by 10am he had plenty of time to spend on his favourite things – bringing up his four girls, promoting greyhound racing, writing plays, and after dinner speaking.
His radio talks on greyhound racing were legendary, earning him celebrity status in the south and a Mobil Radio award. Greyhound racing became a metaphor for his philosophy, a potent mix of humour, story and search for meaning. At one point he declared his confidence in a greyhound in a given race and announced that he would pay everyone in the crowd a dollar if the dog was beaten. The promotion was a media sensation – but you’ve got to hear Gerry tell that one! Antics like these soon had Gerry doing the speaking rounds in Southland. A natural comedian, among his early escapades he appeared in his work gear to win best speaker in a Stewart Island debate that included Gary McCormack, Jim Hopkins and Kerre Woodham. Later he would win a Southland impromptu speaking contest then defeat the Toastmasters champion in a “speak” off. Gerry’s first play, Silly Season, featuring a dope smoking ex-con who specialised in stealing underwear “on the hoof” was an extended sell-out hit that has never since been matched in the south. Anticipation is building for his latest, Great Whyte Hunter, the mid-life crisis of a huntin’ shootin’ southern bloke. Gerry also thrashes out his search for meaning and love of everyday life as a long running Southland Times columnist under the title, The Southlander. In the late 1990’s Gerry got a haircut and real job fronting the new local TV station, Mercury TV. After interviewing the likes of Prime Ministers and local politicians, he whipped into his old dustman’s shorts and t-shirt and lit up the show with comedy and interaction in the field. When Invercargill became the fastest depopulating city in Australasia he took his passion further becoming brand manager for the province. Brandishing the new Southland Spirit of a Nation flag he blazed through the province, revving up schools and community groups with his passion, humour and interaction. What Tim Shadbolt achieved for Southland’s national image, Gerry did for the local community, helping lift the southern province out of doom and gloom and into the lively confidence of recent times.  Then Gerry discovered psychologist Carl Jung. He writes: “We make perfect plans to be happy, wealthy, fit, good parents but there is always something beyond rational thought, beyond what we can see that is holding us back – Jung shines a light on these hidden factors so we can release them.” Adding a dose of Jungian psychology to his comic and storytelling mix, Gerry created something spectacular to offer to a wider audience. After 21 years entertaining, inspiring and challenging the south, Gerry's unique interactive speaking style is being unleashed to rave reviews. “Play, joy and laughter put us in a place where we can achieve anything,” he says. Have Gerry come play with your group and the laughter will draw your team together and his radical insights into communication and motivation will give everyone tools for work and life. Gerry Forde is an After Dinner Speaker, MC and Keynote Speaker. He is also a brand manager and founding trustee of Family South Trust – “encouraging men to stand tall as dads.” Gerry flies from Invercargill, New Zealand. |