OUR TEAM

Glen Gerreyn a QLD representative sprinter was set for a promising career in athletics with a dream of going to the 2000 Olympics, when his life took a dramatic turn for the worst and at 18 he was diagnosed with the incurable disease Ulcerative Colitis. Glen had two choices: to perpetuate an existence, or choose to fight back & have a life. Glen chose the latter.

With the $2 he had left from his disability pension, Glen pursued one of his dreams of starting a Youth Centre in his hometown. This city at the time had very little to keep young people entertained and out of trouble. Through sponsorship and fundraising Glen developed a fully functional venue, known as the X-treme Youth and Community Centre.

The X-treme Youth and Community Centre had 800 members and its facilities included: a fully equipped gymnasium; a motivational training room where body building and personal development programs were conducted; a training centre for boxing, Tae Kwon Do and wrestling; a full size basketball court; billiard tables; an internet café; games arcade and much more. Glen ran community youth events and dance parties at this centre, and attracted up to 3500 young people at any one event.

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As this venture developed Glen decided to commit himself to excellence in community development and empowering young people to reach their full potential. Surplus funds from the Community Centre enabled Glen to initiate an Emergency Food Relief Program that to date has distributed 20,000 food parcels to needy families in the Redcliffe area. Glen has been well recognised for his efforts:

• 1998 Young Australian of the Year Queensland Community Service
• 1999 Young Australian of the Year National Finalist
• 1999 Queens Trust Young Achiever Award
• 1999 Redcliffe Young Citizen of the Year
• 1999 Quest Business Achiever

With his continued success with the X-treme Youth and Community Centre and an increased community profile, he commenced a full-time career as a motivational speaker and peak performance coach in high schools. Having learnt to lift himself out of difficult situations, Glen began to inspire a generation that often experiences a sense of hopelessness to hope against all odds. The momentum that developed in the high school seminars prompted his move to Sydney in order to expand and reshape his organisation.

In 2004 Glen founded Oxygen Factory, a company that exists to inspire and breathe hope into the souls of our nation’s young people. Oxygen Factory changes lives by bringing a message of hope via seminars and resources for high school students, parents, and teachers. Oxygen Factory is fast becoming Australia’s finest provider of personal development, motivation, leadership and values training.

As a highly sought after youth communicator Glen speaks to more than 100,000 people each year throughout Australasia including his birthplace – Sri Lanka. Glen is invited to speak to schools, community groups, youth conferences and businesses to offer education, excellence and empowerment.

Glen Gerreyn speaks with passion and power and has the gift of encoding today’s data into tomorrow’s dialect. The delivery of his messages leaves one inspired, motivated and transformed. He has his crosshairs focused on provoking thought, knowledge and action as he delivers a compelling message that liberates souls.

Glen lives in Sydney and rolls three deep with his wife Belinda and daughters Grace and Eden.

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belinda Belinda Gerreyn (B.Ed Hon) grew up on the North Shore of Sydney and attended Pymble Ladies College. In her Senior Years at school, in addition to being a Year 12 prefect, she was the lead dancer and Assistant Director for her schools' Rock Eisteddfod Entries, which took out two second place titles and one first place title in the Premiere Division Grand Final as well as two First Places in the Rock Eisteddfod State Television Competition and were the National Champions in 1996.

While completing her degree at Sydney University (Bachelor of Education in Human Movement Honours) she had the privilege of returning to PLC to direct and choreograph the schools' Rock Eisteddfod entry in 1998 and 2000. The 1998 entry gained first place in the Premiere Division Grand Final and as a result the team, some parents and Belinda were invited to participate in an "All the Best from Australia" Festival in Manilla, Philippines.

Belinda has also coached numerous sporting teams including the Rhythmic Gymnastics team from Abbotsleigh and some netballs teams at Pymble Ladies College. Working with the Australian Girls Choir directing choreography and stage managing for their annual performances at the Opera House, has also been a highlight for her.

Her growing interest in Event Management lead her to complete a Graduate Certificate in Event Management from University of Technology and has had the privilege of working in the Event Industry working on a myriad of events, from Road Shows, Car Launches and Awards Nights to Youth Conferences for up to 2,000 young people in Sydney, Perth, Wollongong, Canberra and Newcastle.

Belinda's latest education pursuit led her to gain a Certificate VI in Ministry Training.

Her teaching and event background now combine perfectly as she embarks on her work with the Oxygen Factory with her husband Glen. Having been married in January 2004 they are now working together to impact the lives of young people in Australia in encouraging, motivating and inspiring them to achieve their dreams and live an extraordinary life.

Doing what I am doing now with Oxygen Factory is like a dream come true. What has felt like years of studies and employment that seemed at the time all unrelated, have now all come together and meshed perfectly to prepare me for this new adventure. I see now that absolutely everything I have done to this point has prepared me for the work I am now doing with Oxygen Factory. Without knowing I was being prepared perfectly for what was around the corner.

Jane Hennessy is a musician with Honours in singing from the AMEB and was awarded two vocal scholarships, the June Bronhill Vocal Scholarship and the Dame Joan Sutherland Vocal Scholarship for Excellence. Over her career in the industry Jane has toured both nationally and internationally to England, France, Italy and Japan and has performed in some of the most prestigious venues in the world such as Westminster Abbey, the Duomo in Florence and many times in our own Sydney Opera House.

Jane was educated at Pymble Ladies’ College where she was involved in all things musical and creative. She received many awards and leadership positions in music and performance and finished her schooling as Prefect and House Captain. With great results in the HSC Jane was accepted into both The Conservatorium of Music BMus and Sydney University BA Arts/Social Work but when illness forced her to leave university she chose to start her own successful caring business looking after families in need from babies to the elderly.

In 1998 her outstanding achievements as a chorister of the Australian Girls Choir lead to an invitation from the Founder and National Artistic Director, Judith Curphy to tutor in their NSW chapter. Her role expanded to include administration, recruitment and promotions and she has been involved in several Qantas ‘I Still Call Australia Home’ campaigns, Bledisloe Cups and many other high profile engagements. In addition to her work with the Oxygen Factory Jane continues with the AGC as a Senior Tutor, Conductor and guest artist.

Having worked with professional vocal groups, school choirs and taught at Ku-ring-gai Community College Jane is sought after as a consultant in Vocal Development and Adjudication.

After developing her skills in production during her time in the award winning Rock Eisteddfods at Pymble and through her performances and international tours with the choir Jane has a keen appreciation of stage management, direction, lighting, sound, costumes and musical arranging which culminated with her sell out debut Cabaret performance of ‘So Far’.

Her experience in teaching and motivating high school students and in production and promotion has prepared Jane to take up the exciting role of Sales and Marketing with the Oxygen Factory.

Jacelle Quigley grew up with her family in Australia’s capital city, Canberra. After completing her Year 12 certificate, working for a year in a Performance Management consulting firm and completing one year of her Bachelor of Secondary Education (Health and Physical Education) at the University of Canberra she moved to the Northern Beaches of Sydney.

In 2005 Jacelle was awarded a scholarship to School of Ministry Training College and in 2007 completed a Diploma in Christian Ministry, majoring in Youth Ministry.

She is now completing her Physical Education degree at University of Technology Sydney, which will enable her to do what she loves…teaching young people to be physically fit, enjoy sport and lead healthy lifestyles.

Jacelle enjoys keeping fit and has been involved in both participating and facilitating small group fitness training sessions. When at the Factory, Jacelle manages the scheduling, organising and planning of projects. Jacelle resides on Sydney's Northern Beaches with her husband.