Australia Day Ambassador and Media Expert, Luke Taylor is a Detective turned High School teacher who has worked some interesting cases and taught some interesting lessons. Using a Masters of Writing he has blended a unique form of Experiential Learning to take literacy lessons to another level. This same approach to communication and transferable skills has him targeting the commercial world as he brings new understanding to transferable skills. His powerful and poignant life lessons are blended with humour and passion as he shares and motivates audiences.
Luke is available as both motivational speaker for overcoming adversity, career change, transferable skills, and communication.
In the realm of literacy and writing he conducts Crime Story, a series of recreated crime scenes that participants investigate whilst learning vital writing and academic evaluation skills.
Luke Taylor finished a 14-year distinguished career as a Detective with the NSW Police Force. Having toughed it out on the streets of Blacktown and Coroners Liaison officer at Cabramatta, he investigated murders, kidnappings, home invasions, serious sexual assaults, and armed robbery. Some notable undercover operations for the NSW Crime Commission put his work on the front page of the Sunday papers before finding greater satisfaction in the Child Protection Sex Crimes Squad. He found a voice for those without one.
At 35 years of age, he went to University to study Literature, which led to becoming a High School English teacher. His passion drew him deeper and after a Master of Arts (Writing) he discovered better ways of teaching – experiential and inquiry-based learning using gigantic backdrops, authentically recreated crime scenes and genuine forensic equipment. His students and participants try to solve the (near) unsolvable crimes in the pursuit of lateral thinking, analysis, and well-honed writing skill.
Luke’s ‘Crime Story workshops’ live by the adage of “Engage, Inspire…Create” a simple 3 step process where he leaves “you as the star of your own story”.
As a Key Note Speaker Luke has recently delivered the Australia Day Ambassadors' Key Note Speech and appears regularly on national television, radio and writtten media as a Crime and Education expert.
Testimonials
New South Wales
Speaker type
- Author
- Storyteller / Performer
- Non-fiction
- Educational consultant
- Motivational
Audience
- Year 7-9
- Year 10-12
- Adult
Links
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| Speaker | Location | Tour dates | Book now |
|---|---|---|---|
Brisbane | 27 Apr - 27 Apr 2026 | ||
Sydney | 11 May - 12 May 2026 | ||
Sri Lanka | 01 Jun - 14 Jun 2026 | ||
Sydney | 12 Jun - 12 Jun 2026 | ||
Bundaberg | Sunshine Coast | 12 Jun - 12 Jun 2026 |
What people are saying
The children thoroughly enjoyed your presentation and are madly writing stories. We fully intend to use your storyboard method of planning. Thanks again, the children (and adults) had a great time and learned a lot.
Katrina changed her presentations in a few places to match the different year levels. She was lovely and engaged the children exceptionally well. Katrina's props (dolls, puppets etc) were fabulous to accompany her books and storytelling.
Brian Falkner was fantastic. The students thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I have had quite a few parents tell me how much their children appreciated the day. A common statement was that the kids wouldn’t stop talking about it! Brian was very accommodating for his flying visit and I appreciate that. It is hard for us, when we live away from a city.
It was a wonderful visit last week and an experience that did support many of the messages we deliver to students regarding writing, creativity and engaging in literacy. I was particularly thrilled with the messages Kirsty gave regarding the process and long journey attached to being a writer.
Allison did an author presentation to our Year 8 students during Book Week. It was a great success and Allison managed to keep the attention of 210 14-year old boys for 50 minutes - not always an easy task. Her presentation style is engaging, interesting and fun to keep everyone listening. Allison spoke about her own authorship, encouraged the students to read, and gave them tips for their creative writing. The students gave great feedback and their engagement was also evident by the number of t [...]
The students and teachers were very impressed with Peter and should funds allow, we would like to have him back again next year.
Angela was really easy and enjoyable to work with. Her content was highly relevant for our students. We have had excellent feedback form students and staff.
My class attended the session you did with the other authors at St Francis for the Readers and Writers Festival. They were so inspired and enthusiastic for writing afterwards, it was fantastic!
Peter's workshop was, without a doubt, the highlight of our library year! We already have plans to invite Peter back for a follow-up workshop in the near future. I also wanted to thank you for making Peter available to schools through Speakers Ink.
David catered for our audience well. He was engaging and entertaining. The students have provided feedback expressing their enjoyment of the visit.
I was impressed with your attention to detail, efficiency and preparedness to help us out at short notice.