Beattie and Peters say teary-o to staff
THERE’S no doubt self-confessed ‘media tart’ and GOLDOC chairman Peter Beattie set a new world record at the Games — for number of media ops a Games chief has attended.
But there’s never been one like the one that saw him cry – and cry again – yesterday.
The GOLDOC chairman and his CEO Mark Peters were reduced to tears during a thank you to their staff at GOLDOC’s Ashmore base.
A day after he took responsibility and apologised for the decision to leave the traditional athletes’ march out of the closing ceremony, Mr Beattie admitted this was the first time he had ever cried while speaking. “You’ve been an extraordinary team and really good people to work with. Your loyalty has been extraordinary,” he said.
The Bulletin asked Mr Beattie what he had learned about himself helming the Games. What lesson would he take with him to his next job? For the first time in a long time, Mr Beattie was lost for words.
“I don’t know. I’ll have to think about that. I’ll have to get back to you,” he said, looking genuinely puzzled.
A few minutes later, he returned. “Humility,” he whispered. “I’ve learnt humility.”
Mr Peters used his speech to thank staff and hail Mr Beattie as a great leader.
“This man here has been just a great leader. And when we get to the last few months – I’m gone,” Mr Peters said, breaking down in tears.
Cue roaring laughter.
“I told all of you from about December on, all the egos come to the town, and everybody’s claiming every part of what happens, and that’s what we’ve always said – take internal satisfaction,” Mr Peters told his staff.
“Because you have been unbelievable. We had 958 of our unbelievable people leave on Sunday night. And that was a real realisation of what a big team we’ve been. Come the end of June, there’s about 15 of us and then August it’s all over.”
Mr Beattie and Mr Peters, who finish up with GOLDOC on August 31, said they would provide personal references for any GOLDOC staff looking for work. “If there is any employer, anywhere in Australia who wants the best staff who are world-best practice in everything ... they’re here,” Mr Beattie said.
Your reporter offered Mr Beattie a kind word of advice for his next role: “Every second time you get the urge to call a media op, don’t.”
The Chairman and CEO bowed their heads and nodded in humble agreement.