In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Progress Hall
6 Francis Street
Maldon, Victoria, 3463
Australia

Bronwyn Grieve

Health professional

Bron has been the Community Health Nurse for the Mount Alexander Shire since 2017. Before this she was a school nurse in Alice Springs and has over twenty years’ experience working with younger people - including her own. Bron absolutely loves her role and sees it as a privilege rather than a job. She runs a wide variety of programs, but her favourite is interacting and learning with young people to understand puberty and sexuality and its implications in our complex world. It takes only one adult who can hold up the light in a young person’s life to make a significant difference to that young person's life outcomes.

Dr Bahareh Nakisa

Senior Lecturer in Applied AI

Bahareh Nakisa, PhD, is an AI scientist, entrepreneur, author, and engineer. She is the course director of AI, co-leader of the Human-centred Technology research group, and a senior lecturer in Applied AI at Deakin University. She earned her PhD in AI from Queensland University of Technology (QUT), where she received the Executive Dean’s Commendation for Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award. Her research spans a wide range of topics in Artificial Intelligence, Human-AI collaboration, and the development of AI-based algorithms to understand human behaviour and performance in complex, open-ended environments. In 2023, Dr. Nakisa was a finalist for the prestigious Asian-Australian Leadership Award, part of the 40 Under 40 Awards. She is also the co-founder and director of AIHUB, a startup launched in late 2023 that offers personalized AI solutions by leveraging Generative AI.

Dr Devorah Heymann

Urogynaecology Fellow

Dr Devorah Heymann is a Urogynaecology Fellow in Melbourne and the Founder/CEO of The Alon Project, a non for profit dedicated to supporting rural Ugandan women suffering from traumatic birth injuries, particularly obstetric fistula. She leads surgical missions aimed at treating these resilient women and facilitating their reintegration into society, alongside training local doctors and nurses. The Alon Project’s upcoming mission in November includes a neonatal CPR course to reduce preventable newborn deaths. Beyond her humanitarian efforts, Dr Heymann actively contributes to education, research, and the advancement of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She is a passionate advocate for every woman's right to a safe birth and dignified life, striving to empower women in need and develop sustainable solutions to global challenges.

Dr Steven Cooke

CEO Melbourne Holocaust Museum

Dr Steven Cooke has over 30 years’ experience in the cultural heritage sector across both museums and academia. His exceptional work has led the Australian Government to appoint him to the Australian delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, where he represents Australia on the Memorials and Museums Working Group. From 2002 until 2011 Steven held leadership positions at some of Australia’s most significant cultural heritage sites, including the Shrine of Remembrance. From there, he transitioned into academia where he worked at Deakin University as an Associate Professor and Course Director for the Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies postgraduate programs, helping inspire the next generation of museum professionals. In 2020 he was the lead investigator on the landmark Gandel Holocaust Knowledge and Awareness in Australia Survey.

Gerry Lyons

Media specialist

Gerry (Gman) Lyons is from an Indigenous background (Maori) and has worked in First Nations Media for over 30 years, devoting his skills to enhance community broadcasting. Gerry's career commenced at community radio 8CCC in Alice Springs and later joined the CAAMA Network where he worked as an Announcer, Journalist, Outside Broadcast Coordinator and later its Station Manager. He is a recipient in the Australian of the Year awards, "Centralian Citizen of the Year 2016" for outstanding work in the community. CBAA Station Leadership Award 2019 and a Paul Harris Fellow 2021 by Rotary International. Gerry up till recently was the General Manager at First Australians Media Enterprises 3KND Radio, having served in that position for 7 years.

Jez Watts

Comedian

Jez Watts is a touring standup comedian, writer, producer & podcaster based in Melbourne. A former neuroscientist (BSc. Molecular Biology, BSc. Biotechnology, BSc. Hons. Biomedical Science, MSc. Neuroscience) & Australian soldier, he’s featured at 45+ festivals worldwide. A sought-after host and headliner, Jez works constantly. Tour support for Sam Tallent (USA) Duncan Trussell (USA) Brian Posehn (USA) He Huang (China) and many more, he’s performed with some of the biggest names in comedy. Currently preparing to record his debut special, he co-hosts and producer the “weekly” Tiny Vet Podcast with his fiancée Nicole and lives with 2 rabbits, a snail, and occasionally visits Nicole’s horse.

Katie Larsen

Executive Director

Katie is a queer person living on Wurundjeri Country who works from a lived experience expertise and social justice perspective, drawing from their lived experiences of mental health challenges. Katie is committed to developing radical change processes in mental health support and systems, drawing from the deep wisdom and knowledge of lived experiences of crisis and distress. They are committed to the development of lived experience led models and solutions that centre community, connection and healing. They are a PhD Candidate at Deakin University researching how deeper understanding of intersectionality, power and privilege can drive transformative change in leadership and decision-making in mainstream mental health services. Katie also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) and Master of Social Work. They currently work as the Executive Director Lived Experience at Mind Australia.

Kerry X

Life model

Kerryx is an Australian alternative model, dancer and performer based in Melbourne specializing in all things unique, esoteric and dark. She is an experienced and well regarded life drawing model and muse, having been modeling all around Australia for 22 years. She has been an accredited member of the Victorian Life Model Society. With many years experience under her belt, she is a favorite amongst life drawing classes Australia wide, having worked in a range of situations, settings and with different themes and topics. Known for her unique looks, striking body art and strong graceful poses she is comfortable and confident both nude or in costume. X marks the spot.

Lauren Muratore

Sex Therapist

Lauren is a clinical accredited psychosexual therapist, founding Director of Integrated Sex + Relationship Therapy. She sits comfortably in the uncomfortable. Lauren completed two post graduated degrees pregnant and with a newborn whilst working in private practice. It was soon after that she then started Integrated Sex + Relationship Therapy, which has been operating for six years. Lauren’s vast lived experiences and knowledge of sexuality complement her qualifications and clinical work.

Mackenzi Moyes

School student

Mackenzi Moyes is a school student from Bendigo, Victoria. Since birth she has had to live without her twin by her side. It's inexplicable, the grief she has felt, even though she never knew her. Currently in highschool, Mackenzi has always strived to speak up, speak her truth, and speak loudly. Dedicating most of her youth to volunteering, she seeks comfort in giving back. She aims to pursue law, to speak up about what is right.

Nancy Whittaker

IMT Radio Host

Nancy Whittaker has been an art teacher in both government and independent schools, in the city and country, at every level from prep to tertiary in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Great Britain, and Canada. She worked as a commercial artist in PNG Department of Information and Extension Services, and then lectured in Art Education at Madang Teachers’ College. She has also been a lecturer in Art Education at Melbourne University prior to becoming an Arts Policy Officer with the Ministry of Education and has been a presenter for eight years as part of the In Maldon Today (IMT) team on MAINfm 94.9, her current gig, now in its 11th year of broadcasting.

Patti Fawcett

Comedian

Patti Fawcett is a comedian from Castlemaine, Victoria. Starting comedy at 14, Patti was the 2019 Class Clowns winner. Recently performing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for Breast of the Fest, Pilot, and her own split show 'In Cooperation' with Dane Knowles. As well as the upcoming, and two previous years of, Women of Wit tours. Starting comedy so young was partly a fallout of the above mentioned anxiety antidote that is humour, and partly thanks to a helpful push from a highschool teacher. Patti's aim within her work is to create fun, front and foremost.

Ren Alessandra

Spoken word poet

Ren Alessandra is an Italo-Australian, award-winning poet, celebrant and educator. With a Masters of Teaching and twelve years industry experience, Ren facilitates storytelling spaces through Wordcraft, a collective for all ages to celebrate their stories in safe and inclusive environments. She was recently commissioned by the State Library of Victoria as a part of the (In)Visible Libraries initiative bringing poetry to braille readers for the first time. She also judged the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Poetry in 2022 and has been commissioned by organisations worldwide. Performing at festivals, schools and in community, Ren advocates for the medicine of storytelling at every turn. Her debut collection, Blueprint Body, will be launched this year.

Sally Goldner

Trans activist

Sally Goldner AM’s massive involvement in Victoria’s queer communities spans nearly 30 years. Her diverse contributions include being a founding member of Transgender Victoria, LGBTIQA+ communities, community media and arts/entertainment. She was inducted into the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll in 2016 (the first trans and first known bi woman to receive the honour), awarded LGBTI Victorian of the Year in 2015 and noted in The Age’s Top 100 most creative and influential people in Melbourne in 2011. She was awarded the Order of Australia in 2019. Sally is a bi/pan neurodivergent trans woman (among other attributes) living on Kulin lands, a professional wrestling ring announcer and commentator (as well as referee and wrestler in training), MC, speaker, educator, life coach and occasional performer - all in contrast to her original accountancy training.

Tim Budge

Social change activist

Tim Budge has worked in humanitarian contexts around the world for over thirty years, including years in Timor-Leste, Zambia, Palestine and Tanzania. He has also worked on refugee programs in Mozambique, Cambodia, Lebanon and Jordan. Tim has held director level postings in Zambia and Timor-Leste, senior roles in Australian NGOs and leadership roles in local advocacy and community development agencies. He is recently retired and lives on Taungurung land in central Victoria. Tim has been active in development and emergency response work in Palestine for twenty years. He was last in Gaza in 2018, for two visits, working with the Al-Ahli Hospital, now the only hospital still operating in the North of the Strip. He also visited Al-Shifa and other hospitals while there. He tries to stay in contact with friends and colleagues still surviving in what-seems-to-be endless devastation in Gaza.

Zoe Dattner

Business leader

Zoe is an experienced business leader, culture strategy consultant and coach with a passion for collaboration and a talent for engaging others. With a focus on self-awareness and courage, she believes in addressing challenging conversations head on, ensuring everyone understands and contributes to purposeful problem solving. Her work is grounded in clearly articulated values, driving collective action to build a better future. Formerly a publisher from the book and media industries for some twenty years, Zoe is now a Director with the renowned leadership and culture consultancy, Dattner Group.