MASTER OF CEREMONIES

Our conference MC is Leigh Hatcher, one of Australia’s most experienced broadcast journalists in radio and television, with a career spanning more than 40 years.

He has authored three books, including the best seller ‘I’m Not Crazy, I’m Just A Little Unwell’. For the past five years he’s consulted for many organisations and leaders as a video producer, presenter, director, interviewer, podcaster and coach in media training and presentation skills.

Leigh was the popular MC of our 2019 conference and awards presentation night later that year.

 

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Tim and Judy Sharp are break-through speakers who share their inspirational story of how a boy diagnosed with severe autism went on to become one of Australia's best-known international artists.

At 11 years of age Tim created a superhero called Laser Beak Man and became the first person with Autism to have his work developed into an animated TV series and theatre production. Tim shares his sense of humour and unique way of looking at the world through his colourful art. His originals are in high demand from collectors and have been exhibited Australia and globally.

Tim & Judy Sharp will be presenting on Thursday 26 May at 9:30am. Find out more by visiting the Conference Program.

Simon, the CEO and founding director of FBG Group, is a senior executive manager and Organisational Psychologist with extensive experience in complex, sensitive and high-risk environments.

Simon has more than 35 years’ experience working with clients in complex environments including education, law enforcement, a range of judicial systems, regulatory bodies, superannuation, banking and manufacturing and he has worked with a broad range of Federal and State Government bodies.

Over 12 years’ ago, Simon founded FBG Group, a boutique consulting firm with a unique approach to organisational wellbeing, leadership and organisational consulting. FBG brings extensive experience together with evidence based programs and tools to support the wellbeing of many organisations. FBG are the delivery partners for the Department of Education’s Proactive Wellbeing Supervision Program.

Simon will be presenting on Thursday 26 May at 2:00pm. Find out more by visiting the Conference Program.

Chris Varney (LLB, BA) is Founder and Chief Enabling Officer of I CAN Network Ltd, Australia's largest Autistic-led service provider. I CAN delivers group mentoring programs with neurodivergent learners across 107 Victorian and Queensland schools and across 900 online mentoring sessions per year. To date I CAN Network has partnered with 12 specialist schools. Chris has employed over 80 Autistic people, including Autistics with greater support requirements. Chris' motivation for creating I CAN Network came from his pride in being Autistic. Chris is also National Patron of the Australian Association for Special Education and is a previous school councillor for the Northern School for Autism. 

Chris will be presenting on Thursday 26 May at 3:00pm. Find out more by visiting the Conference Program.

Adam Voigt’s presentations are filled with stories, messages, tools and hope developed from years of successful School Leadership as a Principal in some of Australia’s most challenging locations. 

The author of the acclaimed ‘Restoring Teaching’, Adam has taken to print his ambitions for exemplary practice in our classrooms as a vehicle for restoring teachers to a mantle of authentic community respect. 

Further, Adam takes critical messages about schools, learning, culture and leadership and elevates action in the education system through is groundbreaking education business, Real Schools.

Adam’s speaking and programs have taken him across Australia and internationally. Just some of his achievements include: 
• presenting a TED Talk at the inaugural TEDx Darwin event 
• winning his first Principal position at only 35 years of age. 
• opening a brand-new Northern Territory school as its inaugural Principal.
• representing educators prolifically in the Australian print, radio and television media. 

Adam has a passion for empowering as many dedicated leaders and educators as possible with the tools, skills and attitudes necessary to build meaningful, productive relationships in Australia’s schools … and for these relationships to be leveraged for a new level of learner performance and leadership potential.

Adam will be presenting on Friday 27 May at 9:00am. Find out more by visiting the Conference Program.

Jacqui Cooper has represented Australia in the sport of aerial skiing for over 20 years. Recruited at the age of 16, she was by 1999 a World Champion, and in the decade that followed, came to dominate and revolutionise the sport.

In a long and decorated career, she has competed in 139 World Cup Events, nine World Championships and has been selected to five Winter Olympic teams, the first Australian Woman in history to have enjoyed this honour. And with a record five world titles, 39 World Cup medals, 24 World Cup wins, three major World Championship medals and won a record 5 world titles; she is indisputably the greatest aerial skier of all time. Since her retirement, she has put to use the entrepreneurial qualities and attributes that made her incredibly successful in sport, in business.

She has also written two book focusing on her journey with IVF, Frozen Hope and It Took 3 to Make Me. Her resilient and entrepreneurial spirit in sport is still the foundation for her success beyond the ski suit.  There are parallels between business and sport; Jacqui makes this connection perfectly. 

Jacqui will be presenting on Friday 27 May at 12:00pm. Find out more by visiting the Conference Program.