LHM Communications

Lisa Holland-McNair is the owner of LHM Communications, which she established in 2002. She has worked as a journalist and public relations professional for the past 20 years, during which time she has had extensive experience in a wide range of government, corporate and not-for-profit roles. Over the past nine years, she has worked as a consultant for a variety of organisations assessing their communication needs with a fresh eye and working with existing teams to implement strategic communication solutions.

Lisa’s passion lies with spreading the word about topical social issues with the aim of encouraging robust debate in Australia. Some of the topics she has focussed on include environmental protection, Aboriginal people, challenges faced by men and women, and mental illness. Any jobs which touch on these areas and may help educate the masses interest her.

Although her focus over the past couple of years has been on writing and interviewing people, she also enjoys brainstorming and troubleshooting in a whole range of areas which may need an independent opinion/assessment or some fresh ideas. Lisa has written five published non-fiction books and one published short story.

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BLACK by Heath Black with Lisa Holland-McNair

BLACK is not a book just about the AFL. It’s a book about being an elite sportsman in Australia while dealing with a mixture of misdiagnosed depression, anxiety and Bipolar II disorder.

Heath Black tells the story of his journey in the world of Australian Rules football from 1997 to 2008 in a very honest, brave and simple way. He gives readers an insight into what happened during his time playing football, but also how it impacted on his wellbeing, personal relationships and external relationships. It’s not about excuses, but rather a raw retelling of the rollercoaster journey Heath traversed, from the age of 10 when he started getting serious about football.

Heath played 192 AFL games from 1997 until 2008. Originally from Victoria, he started as an 18-year old in 1997 with the Fremantle Dockers (the club was formed in 1996), stayed with the club for five years, moved to St Kilda for three years and then back to the Dockers for a further four years.

Not one of the high profile players with massive media exposure, Heath was still well known in football circles and is perceived by the public as a bit of a bruiser and larrikin. Towards the end of his football career he had a series of misdemeanours which marred his solid football career. He realised the full extent of his mental issues in 2010 following the failure of his marriage, lost job opportunities, several arrests and a growing dependence on alcohol.

At an all-time low, Heath and his girlfriend Asha moved down south last year where Heath took up a position as Head Coach for the South West Football League's Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault club. Away from the chaos and with a lot of personal and professional help, plus a determination to “right” his life, Heath is back on track. The Club celebrated a Grand Final win in 2010 and Heath and Asha have announced plans to marry. Heath now wants to share his journey with others to raise awareness about men’s health issues.

BLACK is written from Heath Black’s perspective in the first person. Author Lisa Holland-McNair interviewed Heath over many months in 2009 just after his football career had ended and at a time when he was at his lowest. The book was put on hold after a series of arrests for drink driving and assault and while Heath dealt with his problems and started to get his life back on track. It is scheduled for release in March 2012.

Recent PR work

Lisa is currently working with Rio Tinto on a number of communications strategies, publications and submissions. She is also reviewing and reinvigorating some of the Company's community partnerships. In late 2010, she completed a book Make Your Mark for The Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation, which saw her work closely with the organisation to devise its first substantial foray into the public arena. This project involved working with Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the Northern Territory, South Australia, the Kimberley and the Pilbara. Lisa has continued to provide strategic communications advice to the Foundation, including a review of their Alice Springs' program. She provides startegic communication advice to a variety of other companies and not-for-profit organisations.

More information on Lisa's work history is available.