2025 CONFERENCE PROGRAM
2025 CONFERENCE PROGRAM
*Please note: This program is subject to change without notice. We reserve the right to modify content, dates, or speakers to ensure the best possible experience.
MEET YOUR MC
Rick Fontyn, Corporate and Sporting Emcee
Rick Fontyn is one of Tasmania’s leading corporate & sporting emcees. A former television news & sports presenter, Launceston local Rick works around the country hosting major awards, business and sporting events, including AFL Finals, major tennis tournaments and corporate functions. A self-confessed sports nut, the life-long Hawks fan lists ground announcing at the MCG and working on-court with tennis great Rafael Nadal as career highlights.
MEET YOUR KEYNOTE
Steve Sammartino, Futurist and Writer
Futurist Steve Sammartino is a tour de force in the field of technology. His energy and humour on stage have made him sought-after speaker around the globe. An expert in AI’s profound implications for business and society, Steve has been immersed in Computational Intelligence systems from the tender age of 10. Steve goes beyond theory and brings lessons from his own tech ventures. His latest Macro3D, a ground-breaking AI and robotics company – which 3D prints houses. Since co-founding the company he has managed to 3D print a house, and is now embarking on building the world’s first home built entirely by AI. An accomplished author, Steve has written three best-selling books on the subject of technology and its future. As a testament to his compelling insights, he has given a TED talk and is the host of the popular national Technology and Business TV show on Channel 9, “The Rebound” – now in it’s 4th Season. Steve’s takes the complex and makes it simple, and human. This sentiment is captured in his viral videos, which boast over 100 million views – his drivable Lego Car being a prime example. As a respected media commentator, his views are widely sought after, making him an authoritative voice in the tech industry. Steve Sammartino doesn’t just predict the future of technology, he’s literally building it, and his speeches are an unmissable opportunity to get a glimpse into that future.
MEET YOUR KEYNOTE
Allana Arnot Corbin, Author, Aviation Pioneer, Inspirational Force
Allana Corbin’s aviation career began in 1988, when she began working for Balloon Aloft in tourism marketing, and as member of the ground crew. Allana also began fixed-wing training and skydiving at this time. On 22nd December 1990, Allana was a crew member on a Search and Rescue mission from Camden Airport, dispatched to locate a missing training aircraft. The plane Allana was in, a Cessna 210, suffered a catastrophic engine failure and crashed. Allana’s comeback has been described as miraculous – not only has she taught herself to walk again but in 1995, she gained her commercial helicopter licence, and in 1997 became the first woman to circumnavigate Australia solo in a helicopter. In October 1998, Allana launched her autobiography The Best I Can Be published by Pan McMillan. Her second book Prisoners of the East was launched in October 2002. Allana is well known for her extensive work with various charity organizations, and her active support of The Tasmanian Air Rescue Helicopter Service. She has held various influential positions, including the Ambassador for the Ability Australia Foundation, as well as a Line Pilot and Public Relations Manager for Rotor-Lift. As Public Relations Manager for Rotor-Lift, Allana was responsible for establishing The Tasmanian Air Rescue Trust, a charity set up to equip Tasmania’s Air Rescue Helicopter with the highest standard of medical and rescue equipment.
MEET YOUR KEYNOTE
Dyan Currie, Urban Planner and Olympic legacy strategist
Dy Currie AM is a global Cities Advisor and Principal of Dyan Currie & Associates, with national and international expertise in urban planning, economic development, and Olympic legacy strategy. She is the former City Planner for Brisbane City Council (Australia’s largest local government), where she led preparations for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Dy is Co-Chair of UN-Habitat’s Stakeholder Advisory Group, a Past President of the Commonwealth Association of Planners (representing more than 40 000 planners), and a former member of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Cities of Tomorrow. She was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2020 for significant service to planning. Dy enjoys working in Councils of all sizes and helping Cities achieve their potential.
MEET YOUR KEYNOTE
Bishop Ngobeli, Parks Champion, Environmental Visionary, Community Builder
Senior Manager: Protected Areas and Environmental Enforcement at Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, Founder of Association of Parks and Recreation Africa and Bishop Ngobeli Foundation. He is currently serve at National Forestry Advisory Committee (South Africa), South Africa Council for Natural Scientific Profession Advisor Council. Former World Urban Parks Board member and Former President of the Institute of Environmental and Recreation Management. Bishop Ngobeli is interested in advocating for Parks for All and Greening of Africa. To see every kid in Africa to have a park in the communities and have a liveable green community. We need to continue developing open spaces for our communities and greening programs will provide benefits far reaching beyond health, and wellbeing. Let’s give future generations access to the best quality, vibrant and equitable open spaces. He has been involved in various Greening initiative such as Presidential 10 Million Tree Planting Program, Garden of Remembrance, Nelson Mandela International Day of Tree Planting, SHEEVOLVES 1000 Stories and 100 000 tree planting and currently the Forest of Freedom at the Freedom Park Heritage Site. Bishop Ngobeli is a certified Parks Profession and had been awarded various accolades such as World Urban Parks Emerging Leader in 2020 and South African National Parks Kudu Award 2024.
MEET YOUR AOE GALA MC
Jane Longhurst, Award Winning Actor
Jane Longhurst is an award-winning actor, former broadcaster with ABC Radio, voice artist and popular presenter of events big and small. She has worked extensively in theatre, television and radio including guest roles on The Survivors, Bay of Fires, Deadloch, Rosehaven, Death or Liberty, Blue Heelers, Janus, A Country Practice and The Flying Doctors. Jane has been the Master of Ceremonies for events including Cricket Tasmania, the Australian Wooden Boat Festival, Real Estate Association of Australia National Awards, CSIRO conference, Skills Tasmania Training Awards, WorkSafe Tasmania Conferences, Palliative Care Symposium and the Tasmanian Sporting Hall of Fame awards ceremony. Jane has also been the MC for various charities and not-for-profit organisations such as the Cystic Fibrosis fundraiser lunch, the Women in Media Tasmanian Launch, Go Red for Women Heart Foundation Launch and Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation fundraising events.
Thanks to our partners and sponsors for their support
