October’s Guest Speaker

Maroochy Zontians were honoured to have author and former Deputy Director of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, Ian Mansfield AM, as  guest speaker at their October dinner meeting. Ian’s book, “Stepping Into A Minefield”, is an account of a life dedicated to the landmine clearance around the world … his life!

He, along with his wife Margaret (one of the Maroochy Zonta team) and their two children have lived in many countries around the world, whilst working with the UN’s humanitarian agencies …… countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bosnia, USA and Switzerland. Margaret worked tirelessly helping the families of UN workers, settle and live in unfamiliar surroundings.

Ian spoke of the teams of locals – men & women – he recruited and trained to find and eliminate the deadly landmines ….. dangerous work indeed! He showed the group some samples of landmines commonly used in many countries – some types still being used today!

Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Laureate 1997 and co-ordinator of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, wrote the foreword featured in Ian’s book.

One section of the book contains anecdotes regarding the family’s experiences in the countries in which they lived.  Ian and Margaret witnessed, first hand, the events of 911 and worked through New York’s anthrax scare.

Ian is now semi-retired, often being involved with UN business in a consultancy capacity.

“Through his personal bravery and commitment to the worthy cause of ridding the world of the scourge of mines, Ian Mansfield has helped save the lives of thousands of men, women and children. His book is a great read. It tells the story of a man on a mission to do something good in the world.” Lieutenant General (Retired) Peter Leahy AC. Chief of the Australian Army (2002-2008)

Read more about Ian at: www.ianmansfield.com

Ian and Margaret Mansfield

Ian Mansfield with Maroochy’s President, Petra Ladwig