Adventurer and ex-Marine Monty Halls recently visited Dauntsey’s and delivered an inspiring talk, the first of the school’s 2018/19 Mercers’ Lecture series.
Monty based his talk on the theme of ‘values’, and the importance of learning that we should be shaped by what we value as human beings, and not the tangible things in life.
Having recently released a television series about his travels, My Family and The Galapagos’, Monty spoke at length about his journey with his wife and two daughters. Through these expeditions, he prides himself on educating his daughters about the wider world and the animals and plants that inhabit it.
Monty also spoke about a recent project WW2’s Great Escapes: The Freedom Trail where he retraces the steps of prisoners of war and concentration camp escapees. Each tells the story of a treacherous journey, made all the more challenging by a lack of food and the danger of recapture. He highlighted one particularly heart-warming story where two young people, separated by war, were reunited some 75 years later, with the help of Monty and his crew.
Hermione, a sixth former at Dauntsey’s who attended the lecture, and joined a pre-event supper with Monty, said: “Monty’s passion shone through and was inspirational for many of us in the audience. During supper, we were able to gain an insight into his career path and how his life has evolved and shaped who he is today. He spoke passionately about his life in the Marines and his explorations around the world.
“We talked about our own aspirations and goals and what we wanted to study in the future. Hearing Monty talk was truly inspirational and moved everyone to question not only themselves but the world around us.”
