Daniel Keighran was born in Nambour, Queensland and grew up in Lowmead; a small town approximately 80km from Bundaberg in regional Queensland where his parents bred Paint and Quarter Horses. Dan enlisted into the Australian Army immediately after completing High school on the 5th of December 2000 and completed recruit and infantry training to be posted as a rifleman to 6RAR based at Enoggera in Brisbane all before his 18th Birthday.
Having deployed on operations to Afghanistan, Iraq and East Timor and training deployments to Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, Dan has uniquely diverse experiences of challenging environments, co-ordinating multiple agencies to achieve a common goal, and working as part of small and large teams in varying situations.
In February 2010, Dan deployed for the second time to Operation Slipper in Afghanistan. His team was based in an isolated patrol base for several months. On 24th Aug 2010, his patrol became under fire by a numerically superior insurgent force. After receiving a friendly casualty and exhausting many options, Dan Keighran acted on his own initiative to take decisive action to turn the tide of battle. This decision would see him risk his life and purposefully draw enemy fire to himself and away from the rest of the members of his patrol who were treating the casualty. This firefight and Dan’s actions would continue for over three hours. The citation for the Victoria Cross reads ‘For the most conspicuous acts of gallantry and extreme devotion to duty in action in circumstances of great peril’.
In 2011, Dan discharged from full-time Army service and commenced work in the mining industry. Initially working in exploration drilling throughout Western Australia and then as an underground shotfirer (blaster) in a gold mine outside of Kalgoorlie. In 2015, Dan returned to his home state of Queensland and is exploring new options with study and employment and has commenced his Masters of Business Administration. Dan continues to serve his country as an Active Reservist with the Australian Army and donates his time as an Ambassador to Veterans charity Mates4Mates.
Daniel Keighran is an outstanding and inspirational speaker. His recent keynote address to CEO’s and Executive’s from across the Sydney Business Community delivered a compelling and insightful journey covering his early childhood growing up in rural Queensland to the battle in Afghanistan where he was awarded the VC. His story is one of inspiration and bravery displaying gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. You could have heard a pin drop in the room during his entire keynote address. Every guest left the room acknowledging how privileged they felt being a part of this special keynote address.
More Speaker options for your event
Blue Planet Entertainment have a fantastic range of speakers from sporting and business worlds who can set the tone for your event and deliver a talk that’s both entertaining and memorable. If you are looking for a keynote speaker, sports speaker, motivational speaker, celebrity speaker, lifestyle speaker, business speaker conference facilitator, MC or for something completely different, you are in the right place.
Blue Planet Entertainments professional approach to each inquiry means that you get that best service possible. We work with you to make sure you engage the perfect speaker to suit your experience and budget
Through the excellent service we provide, Blue Planet Entertainment are working with some ‘Great Australian’ companies on an ongoing basis.
Call us on 0418 364 728 to discuss your next event speaker!!
Check out more great entertainment options at Blue Planet Entertainment TV!!
Telephone No.0418364728