Previous Speakers

May 2010 :: Rob Brooker, NAB

Head of Australian Economics & Commodities

Rob delivered his presentation on the economic outlook for small business.
February 2010 :: Steve Tighe

Strategic Foresight specialist & Director of Chasing Sunrises.

Steve's presentation explored how the growing importance & influence of environment issues are re-shaping consumer perceptions, attitudes & behaviours.
October 2009 :: Phil King

Former coach of Olympic gold medallist Debbie Flintoff-King and World Champion Jana Pittman. Phil is also an experienced Level 3 Athletics and Swimming coach in addition to being the owner of eight swim schools and two childcare centres.
July 2009 :: Professor Ed Byrne, AO

In his first external speech as the eighth Vice-Chancellor of Monash University, Prof Byrne shared his views on what the best universities contribute to society in the 21st century.
May 2009 :: Rob Gell

Director of World Wind Pty Ltd, published author and photographer and an environmental & communications consultant, Rob presented us with the dilemna of "Business as Usual or Sustainable Business."
February 2009 :: Carolyn Cresswell

Founding & Managing Director of Carman's Fine Foods. Carolyn is a role model for any Australian who has ever wanted to take the plunge with a great business idea or opportunity. She has single handedly grown her business from hand making muesli part time for a few Melbourne cafes and deli's, to a multinational company spanning 15 countries and turning over more than $10 million annually.
October 2008 :: Craig James

Craig James, Chief Equities Economist with Commonwealth Securities; interpreting 'big picture' economic and financial trends.
August 2008 :: Kevin Nestadt & Simon Hollingworth

In conjunction with Energise Enterprise 08 we heard from both Kevin and Simon as part of a Panel Series.

Kevin Nestadt is the MD and owner of Mackay Multilink, a manufacturer of boat trailers for over 30 years.

Simon Hollingworth is the Head of Worldwide Marketing at Blackmagic Design, one of the world's leading innovators and manufacturers of creative video technology.
June 2008 :: Kristina Karlsson

Kristina is the founder of kikki.K Swedish Home/Office Style, one of Australia's fastest growing small businesses.
May 2008 :: Margot Spalding

Margot is the co-owner and co-Director of Jimmy Possum Furniture. She is also the 2006 Telstra Business Woman of the Year.
April 2008 :: Stephen Gough

Stephen was born in Cooma, NSW in 1953 and moved to Victoria, living in metropolitan Melbourne in the early 60's and moving to Tallangatta in Victoria's north-east in 1967 where he completed secondary schooling. Stephen then graduated from Bendigo Teachers' College and from University of NSW (Post Graduate Management Course).
Stephen travelled and worked overseas for 12 months before settling back in Melbourne joining Carlton Football Club in 1982 as the first full-time Development Officer. Later that year he was appointed to the position of Football Manager, a position held for another 10 years. In 1993, Stephen was appointed CEO of both the Carlton Football Club and the Carlton Cricket and Football Social Club. In 1995 he was appointed as a Director of the Carlton Football Club.
Stephen Gough, was appointed CEO of the Melbourne Cricket Club in February, 2000.
March 2008 :: Rex Hunt

Accomplished footballer, commentator and fishing expert.
October 2007 :: Diana Williams

Diana is Fernwood's Founder and Chairperson. She is also the 2005 Telstra Business Woman of the Year
August 2007 :: Dr Sally Cockburn aka Dr Feelgood

A local GP who practices part time but is probably better known as 'Dr Feelgood' and as a regular health commentator for Melbourne radio 3AW.
June 2007 :: John Brumby

Senior Economic Minister in the Bracks Government holding the offices of Treasurer, Minister for Regional and Rural Development and Minister for Innovation; at the time of his presentation he was the longest serving State Treasurer in Australia.
April 2007 :: Simon Illingworth

Simon is a Detective Sergeant who's spent the last four years working with police internal affairs in Victoria, rooting out crooked officers. He has been commended for his work and been responsible for bringing successful prosecutions against corrupt officers.
March 2007 :: Keith Stackpole

One of the most exciting and best-ever opening batsman for Australia. Keith Stackpole was an entertainer on the field, renowned for his attacking play and tremendous confidence.
December 2006 :: Janet Holmes a Court AO

Janet Holmes à Court AO, is Chairman of Heytesbury Pty Ltd, a family-owned company with extensive business interests in Australia. Mrs Holmes à Court is also Chairman of the John Holland Group, one of Australia’s leading construction and engineering companies; whose contracts include the new EastLink Project. The main enterprises in the Heytesbury Group are: Heytesbury Beef, a large cattle breeding company which exports live feeder and breeding cattle from properties in Australia to South East Asia; Vasse Felix, one of the major wineries in the Margaret River Region of Western Australia; Heytesbury Thoroughbreds, a thoroughbred breeding operation, and the Holmes à Court Collection, one of Australia’s leading indigenous and 20th Century Australian art collections.
August 2006 :: Fran Bailey

The Hon. Fran Bailey, MP has represented McEwen as its Federal Member since March 1996, and previously from 1990 – 1993. She was the first woman from any political party to represent a rural electorate and the first Victorian woman to be elected to the House of Representatives. Fran also has the distinction of being only the second woman in the Liberal Party to sit on the front bench after being appointed Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs in 1992. After successfully contesting the 2001 Federal Election, Fran was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Robert Hill, by the Prime Minister. In July 2004, Fran’s hard work and commitment to McEwen was again recognised and she was made Minister for Employment Services and Minister assisting the Minister for Defence. After the 2004 Federal Election, Fran was made Minister for Small Business and Tourism.
June 2006 :: Alan Oster

Alan Oster is National Australia Banks’ Chief Economist. Alan joined the Bank in 1992 from the Federal Treasury where he worked for 15 years -his special field being economic forecasting and monetary policy. He grew up in Newcastle and graduated (with first class honours) in economics from Newcastle University. He also holds a Masters degree in economics from the Australian National University. Immediately before joining the National, Alan was a Senior Adviser in Treasury responsible for economic forecasting and modelling. In 1987 he was seconded for nearly four years as Counsellor-Economic Financial with Australia’s delegation to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris.