Have you ever heard of ‘Innovation Conversations‘? They are a series of monthly networking events, run by the Sydney Trains Innovation team. Each event features a guest speaker, who always has unique experiences and lessons to share on the night. We’ve had talks from Australia's favourite Mentalist, Anthony Laye, and an actual rock-star, Mark Schulman. Visit the Innovations Conversations website for some videos of highlights from these past events!
The April event hosted a double Guinness World Record setter, Justin Jones. With the title of professional adventurer, he and his friend James Castrission (Cas and Jonesy) have undertaken multiple epic expeditions together. The importance of teamwork was highlighted throughout the night and Jonesy discussed how his friendship with Cas was one of the main factors to being successful with two of their expeditions.
In 2008, they became the first pair to travel unsupported from Australia to New Zealand in a kayak. It took them 62 days to travel the 3318 kilometres in their kayak, dubbed “Lot 41”. Jonesy brought up the moment when they hit a current pushing them back towards Australia. In a single day, they would paddle forward ten kilometres but get pushed back 30 kilometres by the next day. This was where the pair and their land-based team worked together and came up with a strategy – to paddle back towards Australia and use the Eastern Australian Current to slingshot themselves pass the current they were fighting, much like a spacecraft using a planet’s gravity. This worked and they eventually made it to New Zealand on 13 January 2008.
GPS tracking of their journey in their kayak, Lot 41
Several years later, they embarked on another challenge, striving to be the first people to travel from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole and back completely unsupported. Jonesy detailed how they were fighting the freezing cold, skin infections and food deprivation while each pulling a sled weighing close to two hundred kilograms. Working together as a team and supporting each other was the only way they made it through the journey.
Cas and Jonesy – the first to walk unsupported to the South Pole and back
Both expeditions showed the importance of teamwork and collaboration, and how they factor into innovation. These stories made it a truly inspiring night, filled with anecdotes of obstacles you couldn’t even dream of encountering. If you’re interested in attending the next event, contact the ST Innovation Program team to be added to the mailing list!
Justin Jones at April’s Innovation Conversation
Have you ever heard of ‘Innovation Conversations‘? They are a series of monthly networking events, run by the Sydney Trains Innovation team. Each event features a guest speaker, who always has unique experiences and lessons to share on the night. We’ve had talks from Australia's favourite Mentalist, Anthony Laye, and an actual rock-star, Mark Schulman. Visit the Innovations Conversations website for some videos of highlights from these past events!
The April event hosted a double Guinness World Record setter, Justin Jones. With the title of professional adventurer, he and his friend James Castrission (Cas and Jonesy) have undertaken multiple epic expeditions together. The importance of teamwork was highlighted throughout the night and Jonesy discussed how his friendship with Cas was one of the main factors to being successful with two of their expeditions.
In 2008, they became the first pair to travel unsupported from Australia to New Zealand in a kayak. It took them 62 days to travel the 3318 kilometres in their kayak, dubbed “Lot 41”. Jonesy brought up the moment when they hit a current pushing them back towards Australia. In a single day, they would paddle forward ten kilometres but get pushed back 30 kilometres by the next day. This was where the pair and their land-based team worked together and came up with a strategy – to paddle back towards Australia and use the Eastern Australian Current to slingshot themselves pass the current they were fighting, much like a spacecraft using a planet’s gravity. This worked and they eventually made it to New Zealand on 13 January 2008.
GPS tracking of their journey in their kayak, Lot 41
Several years later, they embarked on another challenge, striving to be the first people to travel from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole and back completely unsupported. Jonesy detailed how they were fighting the freezing cold, skin infections and food deprivation while each pulling a sled weighing close to two hundred kilograms. Working together as a team and supporting each other was the only way they made it through the journey.
Cas and Jonesy – the first to walk unsupported to the South Pole and back
Both expeditions showed the importance of teamwork and collaboration, and how they factor into innovation. These stories made it a truly inspiring night, filled with anecdotes of obstacles you couldn’t even dream of encountering. If you’re interested in attending the next event, contact the ST Innovation Program team to be added to the mailing list!
