Speakers
The TEDxGriffith theme of 'home is where the heart is' celebrates the importance of home, in the literal sense, but also as a place where we feel safe, secure, and connected. Our speakers are community voices with unique lived experiences, that share a passion and optimism for the places and spaces we call home.
Their talks cover a wide range of subjects but are grounded in connection and community, and a deep desire to inspire a better world. They are a testament to the spirit of regional communities.
ELIJAH INGRAM
A dynamic film practitioner and digital artist, Elijah merges technology and creativity to produce transformative art experiences.
With a strong background in community engagement from his tenure at Western Riverina Arts, he has established a successful production company that highlights diverse narratives.
His work spans national and international collaborations, reflecting a commitment to social justice. In 2023, Elijah was invited to attend the Initiatives of Change, Caux Forum in Switzerland, as part of Global Indigenous Dialogue.
As a digital artist with a commission at Griffith Base Hospital, Elijah's art enhances healing environments, showcasing the impact of integrating technology and creativity.
GARY DAL BROI
Gary is an expert in soil and plant nutrition. He currently heads Sales and Product Development at Wormtech, who focus on converting organics into biological fertilisers, fostering circular economies to improve soil and plant health for a more sustainable future.
Born and raised in Griffith, Gary grew up on a broadacre irrigation farm, and later a citrus orchard, where these early farming experiences underpinned his career in agriculture and plant health. With a Bachelor of Horticulture, Soil Science and Agronomy and a Landscaping Diploma, Gary is interested in exploring ways to leverage soil science to unlock nutrients for plant, animal, and human health.
Passionate about sustainability and tackling waste, Gary is working on finding innovative solutions to the problems we see in Australia, especially in rebuilding carbon and nutrient uptake in our soils. His focus is on how thermophilic composting and vermiculture processes can be used to convert valuable organic resources, otherwise destined for landfill, into biological fertilisers and soil solutions.
Gary is also a licensed pilot and keen aviator.
JAYNE CHRISTIAN
A Baramadagal woman of the Dharug-speaking peoples (Aboriginal land now known as Parramatta / Western Sydney area), Jayne grew up on the unceded lands of the Wiradjuri people.
A lawyer and mediator, Jayne possesses a strong sense of social justice, which saw her dedicate a decade of her career practicing in the family, care and civil law jurisdictions in both metropolitan and regional and remote communities.
Jayne also enjoys the practices of weaving and bush-dying in the communities she belongs and has hosted weaving circles aimed at facilitating dialogue in Australia and overseas.
Jayne was selected as an inaugural recipient of the Galang Residency, an initiative of Powerhouse Museum Parramatta and the Cite Internationale Des Arts, through which she spent three months working on Djiriyay & Révolution, an exhibition that tells stories of Sovereignty, Resistance and Solidarity grounded in her community experience and connection with stories abroad.
KRISTY WALLACE
A high school teacher of Society and Culture and French, Kristy has a background in International Relations and worked for several years as a Refugee Resettlement Case Worker in Wagga Wagga.
Kristy is a passionate educator with a commitment to social inclusion and wellbeing. With the support of Murrumbidgee Health grants she coordinated the first ‘Braille Bombing’ event in regional Australia to promote awareness and inclusion for people with vision impairment in her community. She has also created and facilitated resilience and wellbeing workshops for adolescents and their parents in the Riverina.
Kristy enjoys raising her three children in the peace and quiet of the family farm and spending time up the paddock soaking in the beauty of nature and making memories.
MICHELLE HUNTINGTON
As a young girl in Wagga Wagga, Michelle was introduced to the aviation world when her father joined the RAAF. She commenced her schooling there, then later returned to study Art, and then Archaeology at Charles Sturt University. Michelle also undertook high-stakes leadership training which fostered her skills in ingenuity and inventive problem-solving.
Michelle's aviation career took flight when she began flying doctors to remote towns and delivering freight. Through her first airline job at Regional Express, based in Wagga Wagga, Michelle's passion for aviation grew. She went on to fly for Virgin Australia, retiring as an airline captain in 2021.
An award-winning speaker, Michelle shares her captivating stories and humour from the air, celebrating leadership and adventure.
RODNEY DUNN
The National Sales Manager for Serafin Machinery, Rodney has a passion for agriculture and extensive industry experience. He has been at the forefront of driving sales and expanding the company’s impact across Australia.
Rodney’s expertise is often highlighted in industry interviews and events, where he shares insights on agricultural machinery advancements and best practices. His contributions shape the future of farming nationwide.
Beyond his professional role, Rodney is a husband, father of six, and active community member in Griffith. He has found that simple strategies, ones that centre a custom approach, have allowed him to excel both professionally and personally.
Whether it be for a farmer needing a piece of machinery or a child needing guidance, Rodney firmly believes that in business or parenting, no one-size fits all.
SHIRINE NEHME
Born and raised in Griffith, Shirine has always loved the diverse and rich culture in the region.
Wanting to give back to her community, Shirine joined the Griffith Youth Advisory Group, aiding in organising and volunteering at events and workshops targeted to local youth.
Shirine is also passionate about spreading awareness on issues prevalent within the region. In 2022, she won the NSW Legacy Junior Public Speaking Award and represented the state in the national final. Her speech was about the inadequate treatment of mothers in regional hospitals.
In 2024, Shirine was a semi-finalist in the Plain English Speaking Awards with her speech on Indigenous Men and Farmer’s Mental Health. She continues to talk about inequalities within rural Australia, advocating for her community on a range of issues, attending a NSW Youth Advisory Council event in Sydney this year.
After completing her secondary school education, she plans on going to medical school and returning to serve in her regional community.
SYAM MOHAN
Leveraging his experience in healthcare leadership and a serial entrepreneur's mindset, Syam explores ways to improve quality of life for all ages and make a difference in the world he lives in.
Syam has an MBA from CQUniversity and multiple post-graduate qualifications in Nursing, Acute Care, and Leadership. A passionate father of two, Syam balances his work with his love for reading and connecting with others.
His experience working with thousands of elderly individuals has led him to look at how we can redefine the "golden years". By fostering meaningful connections, he's passionate about finding ways to enrich the lives of our most cherished generation.
What is a TEDx Talk?
A TEDx Talk is a showcase for speakers presenting great, well-formed ideas in under 18 minutes. Well-formed ideas can be:
Something that’s new and surprising; an idea or invention that your audience has never heard about.
A great basic idea (that your audience has maybe already heard) with a compelling new argument behind it that challenges beliefs and perspectives.
We acknowledge the Wiradjuri people, the Traditional
Custodians of the lands on which we gather.
We pay respect to Elders past and present.
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