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Rodney Cocks

Rodney Cocks has survived terrorist bombings in Bali and Baghdad and is now serving in a senior post with the United Nations working to restore democracy to Afghanistan.

Twice, Rodney has narrowly escaped being a fatal victim of terrorism but it has not deterred him his path, which is motivated by a desire to help, a sense of adventure and a what he sees as his duty to make a difference.

On 12 October, 2002, on his last day of leave his UN role in East Timor, Rodney walked out of Paddy's Pub in Kuta seconds before the bombs were detonated. Rodney's trauma first aid, evacuation of casualties and the provision of information for the military evacuations back to Australia, whilst injured, saw him awarded an Australian Conspicuous Service Medal and a UN Peacekeeping Commendation.

Six months later, just after the fall of Saddam, Rodney was in Basrah and later Baghdad, as the Deputy Team Leader of the UN's Demining Team in Iraq. At the UN headquarters that was formerly the Canal Hotel, Rodney walked out of his office to retrieve a phone number only moments before an explosive-laden truck was driven into the building and detonated. Where Rodney had been sitting was destroyed, saving his life, but 25 others,
including Sergio Veira de Mello, were killed.

Since March 2004, Rodney has been in the former Taliban and al Qaeda stronghold of Kandahar in Southern Afghanistan as the UN's Senior Security Advisor.

Rodney speaks when on his regular leave breaks Afghanistan, drawing on his remarkable experiences to motivate, inspire and entertain his audiences in an engaging down-to-earth style.