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SEGRA Foundation

Speakers

Jeremy Rockliff SEGRA Keynote Speaker
Natalie Egleton SEGRA Keynote Speaker
Bruce Billson SEGRA Presenter
Rear Admiral (Rtd) Steve Gilmore SEGRA Presenter
Amanda Cahill SEGRA Keynote Speaker
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Todd Babiak SEGRA Speaker
Ian Ugarte SEGRA Speaker
Natalie Brownning SEGRA Speaker
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Jim Cavaye SEGRA Presenter
Dean Cracknell SEGRA Presenter
Sean McGoldrick SEGRA Presenter
Kate Charters SEGRA Keynote Speaker
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Rachel Williams SEGRA Speaker
Matthew Atkins SEGRA Speaker
Meaghan Burkett SEGRA Speaker
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Dr Devaki Monani SEGRA Speaker
Jonathan Pavetto SEGRA Speaker
Sara Hales SEGRA Speaker

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SEGRA acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging.

Important Dates

26 March, 2024 Parliament House Canberra

29 – 31 October, 2024 Busselton

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Jeremy Rockliff SEGRA Keynote Speaker

Jeremy Rockliff
Premier, Tasmania

Jeremy is a North-West Tasmanian who grew up on the family farm at Sassafras.

After matriculating in 1987 Jeremy then went to work on a cattle and sheep property near Hagley in Northern Tasmania.

Following a two-year period at Lincoln University in New Zealand, Jeremy received a Diploma in Farm Management and returned to Tasmania to manage his family’s property at Sassafras, which specialises in mixed cropping and prime lamb production.  In 2016 Jeremy received the Lincoln Alumni International Medal.

Apart from his passion for farming and rural life, Jeremy has a strong empathy with public and community services and has worked with a number of organisations including Lifeline North West, Natural Resource Management, Landcare groups and Youth and Family Focus.

In 2006 Jeremy was awarded Life Membership of Lifeline North West.

Jeremy campaigned successfully in July 2002 to become an MP for Braddon in the House of Assembly and up until 2014 held a number of shadow portfolios.

In 2014 under the newly elected Liberal Government Jeremy was appointed as Deputy Premier, Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Primary Industries and Water and Minister for Racing,

Jeremy is currently the 47th Premier of Tasmania, Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Minister for Tourism and Minister for Trade

Jeremy is married to Sandra and they have three young daughters Ruby, Lucy and Holly.

Natalie Egleton SEGRA Keynote Speaker

Natalie Egleton
CEO, Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal

The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal connects the good will of many, with the good purposes of not-for-profit organisations across remote, rural and regional Australia. With the support of Governments, philanthropy and business, FRRR injects funding into community-led projects, activating social, economic and environmental outcomes towards a vision for a vibrant, sustainable and resilient remote, rural and regional Australia.

Natalie Egleton is the Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR). With a 25-year career in the non-profit and philanthropic sector in consulting, fundraising and partnerships, and organisation development roles, she is passionate about facilitating effective and enduring responses to issues facing rural communities.

Since becoming CEO of FRRR in 2015 she has led the organisation through a period of significant growth and impact, facilitating over $80m in funding to remote, rural, and regional communities through hundreds of partnerships and collaborations. Before joining FRRR, Natalie consulted with Matrix on Board, working with numerous not-for-profit organisations in program evaluation, undertaking research analysis and developing business plans. She also worked with clients to develop financial policies and procedures, strategic plans, organisation reviews, service mapping, feasibility studies and governance models.

Natalie has also held in-house roles at Evolve (Typo Station) and at ANZ Banking Group, implementing projects that made a tangible difference to the lives of people living in rural, regional and remote Australia. She has also held voluntary roles on Boards and Committees of a rural RTO and her local Pre-school.

Natalie holds a B. Social Science (Public Policy/Research/Public Relations), Grad Dip Applied Science (Organisation Dynamics), and is a Graduate of the Institute of Company Directors.

She lives in the small rural town of Maldon in central Victoria.

Bruce Billson SEGRA Presenter

The Hon. Bruce Billson
Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman

Bruce Billson commenced his role as Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) in March 2021. Bruce brings experience and knowledge to the role of Ombudsman, and an understanding of the issues facing small business, having started his own advisory business in 2016. Bruce’s political career spans 30 years, including his role as Cabinet Minister for Small Business from 2013-2015. During this role, Bruce was instrumental in the establishment of ASBFEO and the passing of complex legislation to establish the office.

Bruce has shown his dedication to small business through being a founding Director of Judo Bank and various board appointments, including the Franchise Council of Australia, Deakin University Business School and Australian Property Institute.

Rear Admiral (Rtd) Steve Gilmore SEGRA Presenter

Rear Admiral (Rtd) Steve Gilmore AM, CSC

Rear Admiral (Rtd) Steve Gilmore, AM, CSC joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1977 from Adelaide, South Australia.

Studying at the RAN College Jervis Bay, he completed secondary, tertiary and initial professional education and training prior to graduating in 1981.

As a specialist Seaman Officer his early experience in the Fleet centred on Bridge watchkeeping duties before qualifying as a Principal Warfare Officer and completing three consecutive postings at sea as the Gunnery and Operations Officer in both Australian and British warships.

From 1992-1994 he served in Maritime Headquarters as Fleet Gunnery Officer and warfare specialist in the Sea Training Group. He was subsequently posted as the Executive Officer (second in command) of the guided missile frigate HMAS Melbourne.

Promoted to Commander in 1996 he was appointed as the RAN Liaison Officer to the United States Navy Doctrine Command in Norfolk, Virginia where he served in the International Cell alongside officers representing several navies.

On return to Australia, Commander Gilmore was posted to Maritime Headquarters as Commander of Plans during 1998-1999 where he led the planning activity for all Australian Defence Force and Navy operations and exercises involving major fleet units. This included strategic/operational maritime planning for Australia’s role in the 1999 East Timor intervention.

In 2000, he was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) for his conduct in this position and assumed command of the ANZAC class frigate HMAS Arunta.

Promoted to Captain in 2001, he graduated from the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies at the Australian Defence College with a Master of Arts (Strategic Studies) degree from Deakin University in 2002.

Captain Gilmore was appointed as the Director of Maritime Combat Development in December 2002 working closely with Defence Material Organisation, Defence Science and Technology Organisation and Australian defence industry overseeing detailed capability and strategy across major maritime projects including the Air Warfare Destroyer, Amphibious Ships and Armidale class patrol boats.

Captain Gilmore was promoted to Commodore in January 2005 and appointed to the position of Director General Navy Strategic Policy and Futures in Navy Headquarters. He was responsible for developing Navy and Maritime policy and strategy that shaped RAN future capability, operating concepts and strategic level international engagement.

Selected to command international coalition Task Force 58 in the northern Persian Gulf, Commodore Gilmore was deployed as part of Operation CATALYST between April and August 2005 overseeing all maritime security operations across the northern Arabian Gulf.

Commodore Gilmore was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2006 in recognition of his operational service and leadership as Commander Task Force 58.

Commodore Gilmore became the Commander of Navy Systems Command in September 2007 and was promoted to Rear Admiral in June 2008 commanding all Navy shore bases and facilities.

As Commander of Navy Systems Command, he was responsible for Navy human resource management and all individual training for the Navy’s more than 14,000 personnel, as well as workplace health and safety, engineering policy and Navy communications/electronic warfare.

Rear Admiral Gilmore was appointed Commander of the Australian Fleet in October 2009 with responsibility for Navy capability generation and war fighting policy, strategy, doctrine, tactics and standards across all RAN submarines, surface ships and aircraft.

Rear Admiral Gilmore served as the Deputy Chief of Joint Operations from December 2011 to November 2013 taking a senior leadership role in all major operations and exercise activity conducted globally and in Australia.

RADM Gilmore held the position as the Head Australian Defence Staff (Washington) and Australian Defence Attaché at the Embassy of Australia, Washington DC, from January 2014 to 2017. Gilmore was awarded the United States Legion of Merit (Officer Grade) in recognition of his service in this Washington-based role.

After leaving full time Navy service in 2017, Rear Admiral (Rtd) Steve Gilmore, AM, CSC was appointed as the Tasmanian Defence Advocate from August that year. He now resides in Hobart and works within the ‘Defence Tasmania’ unit of the state government.

A member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors since 2007, Steve has over the years been appointed to a number of Director/Councillor roles and is currently on the Board of L3H Technologies Australia.

Qualifications, honours and appointments:

  • Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
  • United States Legion of Merit (Officer Grade)
  • Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC)
  • US Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal
  • Master of Arts in Strategic Studies (MA)
  • Graduate Diploma of Applied Science (GradDipAppSci)
  • Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD)
  • Board/non-executive Director L3Harris Technologies Australia (since 2018)
  • Member of the Company of Master Mariners Australia
  • Member of the Master Mariners Association of Tasmania
  • Associate Member of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA)
  • Honorary Life Member of the Australian National Maritime Museum
  • Member of the Australian Naval Institute
  • Member of the United States Naval Institute
Amanda Cahill SEGRA Keynote Speaker

Dr Amanda Cahill
CEO, The Next Economy

Amanda is the CEO of The Next Economy. She has spent over two decades working with inspiring people across Australia, Asia and the Pacific to create positive change on issues as diverse as economic development, public health, gender equality and climate adaptation.

The focus of her work at The Next Economy is to support communities, government, industry and others to develop a more resilient, just and regenerative economy. Most of this work involves supporting regional communities in Australia to strengthen their economies by embracing the transition to zero emissions. She is also widely sought after as a presenter and media commentator and has appeared in a number of books and films including the film 2040.

Amanda completed her PhD at the Australian National University on participatory action research approaches to economic development in the Philippines. She is an Adjunct Lecturer at The University of Queensland, an Industry Fellow at the Sydney Policy Lab at the University of Sydney, and a 2020 Churchill Fellow.

SEGRA Keynote Speaker

Millie Rooney
National Coordinator, Australia reMADE

Millie is a carer for her family and community. She’s passionate about acknowledging this work as a valid, valuable and legitimate use of her time.

Millie has a research background with a PhD in local community and social norms around neighbourhood sharing and community building. As the Research Coordinator for Australia reMADE Millie had the privilege of listening to people reflection on their hopes and dreams for this country.

Until stepping into the National Coordinator role full time, Millie ran a sustainability internship program at the University of Tasmania where she empowered students to create transformational change. Together with the students she explored the potential for hope and vision in the pursuit of institutional and social change.

Millie has been involved in Australia reMADE for several years and is in awe of the passion and power that emerges when we start collectively dreaming for the world we want.

Todd Babiak SEGRA Speaker

Todd Babiak
Brand Tasmania – Chief Executive Officer

Todd Babiak was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Brand Tasmania in May 2019.

Todd is from Canada and is an internationally renowned and award winning place-brand expert who has worked all over the world – in Australia, the United States, Canada, Central America, Europe and Africa – to develop contemporary, best practice place branding and economic development strategies.

Todd was the founder and CEO of Story Engine and People are Places. The work he led in his home town of Edmonton, Canada was awarded the best expression of place brand identity at an international award event in 2016.

Todd’s appointment is significant for our State, as he is highly sought after internationally. His work background and experience means he is well-placed to lead Australia’s first place-branding organisation, Brand Tasmania.  Todd is keen to work with Tasmanians in all sectors, across the State, to help build something extraordinary and ensure Tasmania’s reputation is further strengthened locally, nationally and internationally.

Todd has a real passion for Tasmania, and he has previously worked here with the Hobart City Council on the Hobart City Vision in 2017, with Tourism Tasmania on the soon to be launched revitalised Tourism brand, and led the work on the Tasmanian Story project for the Department of Premier and Cabinet last year.

Todd has also worked in newspapers, in television, and in advertising. In his spare time, Todd is a best-selling and award-winning novelist and a fellow of both the Royal Society of Arts, based in London, and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.

Ian Ugarte SEGRA Speaker

Ian Ugarte
Founder, Australian Housing Initiative

Ian Ugarte, is a full time property investor, public speaker and coach. He is Australia’s leading co-living, rooming house and boarding house specialist.

Ian is committed to turning the paradigms of home ownership and residential investment on its head, by improving Australia’s policies on multigenerational and co-living accommodation.

His expertise has seen him engaged in the role of designer and key advisor for large scale boarding house developments across the east coast in both regional and capital areas.

Ian’s focus is on overcoming unaffordable housing and the loss of community in Australia and established the Australian Housing Initiative to advocate for the provision of affordable housing.

In his role as founder, he works nationally with Government (Federal, State and Local); Industry and Community Groups along with the private sector to implement practical solutions in partnership with local communities.

He is passionate about bringing change and educating Government on the possibilities and ease of providing sufficient affordable housing through minor amendments to existing policy.

The biggest mismatch in the housing market place is that 60-80% of the people looking for accommodation are singles and couples, and the majority of our market place consists of three and four-bedroom homes”

This lack of appropriate housing means that a growing variety of demographic groups are unable to access affordable housing, either at all, or in their preferred location, they often must leave their community of families, friends and support networks, to find somewhere they can afford to live

Ian sees the ability to decrease building footprints and increase building density as creating sustainable and practical solutions to affordable housing.

These solutions are a win-win for all stakeholders – governments, consumers and investors.

Ian Ugarte
PO Box 1584
Buderim. QLD. 4556
(07) 5450 8334

Natalie Brownning SEGRA Speaker

Natalie Browning
Deputy Chair, Cooperative Bulk Handling

Natalie Browning was elected as a Director of the CBH Board in February 2018 and appointed as Deputy Chair in April 2020. She is currently Chair of the Network and Engineering Committee and a member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee. She is also a member of the Growers’ Advisory Council (GAC) Selection Committee.

Natalie runs a continuous cropping operation on her property in Kondinin. She is currently a Director of Hockey WA, Chair of the Narembeen District High School Board and a member of the Asia Pacific Regional Board of the International Cooperative Alliance. Natalie has completed the Executive Leadership Program Co-operatives and Mutuals facilitated by University of Western Australia Business School and the Australian Institute of Management and is also a former member of the CBH Growers’ Advisory Council.

Natalie is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Business Law) at Curtin University.

SEGRA Keynote Speaker

Dr Hazel McTavish
CEO and Co-Founder Seedlab Tasmania

Hazel has gathered 25 years’ experience in commercial food science innovation, utilising her science background for development of commercial food and non-food products. Hazel works with Australian producers, entrepreneurs and agri-businesses to develop award-winning food and drink products for national and export markets. In 2017 she was a Churchill Fellow, and investigated opportunities to incorporate more vegetables and fruit into value-added, convenient, healthy foods.

Peter Ghin SEGRA Presenter

Dr Peter Ghin
Research Fellow (Future Of Work Lab) University of Melbourne

Management and Marketing

Peter is an experienced researcher whose interests span topics including future of work, leadership, and organisational behaviour. In his role as a Research Fellow for the Future of Work Lab, he is exploring patterns of inward migration to regional Victoria, particularly the movement of human capital and its potential impact on regional innovation and entrepreneurship.

Peter’s PhD was focussed on the masculine, embodied norms of leadership with an emphasis on understanding the symbolic meaning given to the fit, fat, and sick bodies of leaders.

Peter has previously been engaged as a lecturer in the Master of Public Policy and Management program at the School for Social and Political Sciences, teaching into the Executive Leadership & Management and Innovation in Public Service delivery courses. He has also been a Subject Coordinator/Head Tutor for the Faculty of Business and Economics, Future of Work undergraduate subject.

Jim Cavaye SEGRA Presenter

Jim Cavaye
Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Tasmania
University of Tasmania
Burnie, Tasmania, Australia

As Pro Vice-Chancellor, Jim leads the university’s research, teaching and engagement across the Cradle Coast region.  He works closely with the university’s colleges and a wide range of stakeholders to ensure that the university is place-based and its activities are regionally distinctive and aligned with the key issues and opportunities in the region. Jim is an accomplished practitioner, educator and researcher in community development with 38 years’ experience working with rural and regional communities.  He has assisted over 140 local communities across Australia and internationally with community development, engagement processes, and economic development strategies.  He was formerly a Professor and Program Manager at the Institute for Resilient Regions at the University of Southern Queensland.  He has also established and managed a national rural development consultancy business and was a Principal Rural Development Officer with the Queensland Government.  Jim began his career as an agricultural Extension Officer in the Queensland Department of Primary Industries.

He chaired Regional Development Australia (Darling Downs and South West) and was a long-term board member of the International Community Development Society chairing the International Committee of the Society.  He has also been a board member of a range of regional and community organisations including Rural Immersion (a rural education initiative), Condamine Alliance and Southern Queensland Landscapes (a natural resource management organisation).  He is an International Fellow at the Rural Futures Institute in the United States, and an international speaker and author.  In 2019, Jim was awarded the Community Development Achievement Award by the International Community Development Society.

Dean Cracknell SEGRA Presenter

Dean Cracknell
Co-Founder and Executive Director of Place

Dean Cracknell is a co-founder of our non-profit company and was TTM’s first employee. He is based in Launceston, Tasmania.

He previously worked in local government for 12 years as a strategic urban planner/placemaker and was Deputy Chair of the first town team – the Beaufort Street Network – for 4 years.

Sean McGoldrick SEGRA Presenter

Seán McGoldrick
Chief Executive Officer, TasNetworks
BA (Mathematics), BAI (Engineering), PhD (Molecular Physics)

Seán commenced as CEO with TasNetworks in August 2021. Prior to his appointment, Seán was a senior executive in the utility industry, having served at managerial and board level for energy organisations worldwide. He joined the executive team at TransGrid in 2019 and was responsible for overseeing the delivery of several major transmission projects across NSW and the ACT.

Seán was Executive Manager of Asset Management at Western Power, where he was responsible for a $10.2 billion transmission and distribution asset and managed to reduce capital expenditure sustainably by $170m per annum. Seán also worked as Director of Parsons Brinkerhoff’s Networks Business covering Europe, Middle East and Africa, and is a former General Manager of the Single Electricity Market Operator (SEMO).

With more than 30 years’ experience working on Electrical Power Systems globally, Seán has acquired expertise in the research and development, construction, operation, consultancy, planning and asset management of large-scale power systems. He has acted as consultant on many EU, World Bank and EBRD funded projects and his experience includes working and consulting for power utilities, transmission system operators and regulators in Australia, Europe, North America and Africa.

Kate Charters SEGRA Keynote Speaker

Kate Charters
Chair, SEGRA National Steering Committee

Kate Charters is a Director of Management Solutions (Qld) a professional development and training company with particular focus on regional public policy issues and their implementation. She is a founding member of Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia, (SEGRA) recognised as the most credible independent voice on issues affecting regional Australia. Kate is the principal author of the annual SEGRA communiqué “Speaking up for Regional Australia “ and a co-editor of “Regional Advantage and Innovation: achieving Australia’s national outcomes.” Springer, Germany; Kinnear, S. Charters, K. Vitartas, P (Eds.) 2013, as well as numerous other publications.

With extensive experience at senior levels of government in both service delivery and policy development roles, Kate has a strong interest and understanding of the interaction of government, business, the non-government sector and the community in shaping and responding to public policy agendas.

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Sheree Vertigan
CEO, Cradle Coast Authority

Sheree Is a passionate advocate for education, mental health and regional communities and regional development. Much of her career has been in educational leadership in system roles, national and international roles – this experience has informed much of her thinking about the challenges and opportunities of living in regional communities. Sheree knows the value of working collectively and collaboratively and is focused on building strong regional partnerships as a key ingredient to ensuring sustainable economic growth while caring for community and its assets – people, places and things!

 

Rachel Williams SEGRA Speaker

Rachel Williams
Communications Specialist, Millwood Media

With more than 20 years’ experience in the Tasmanian media landscape as a journalist and television presenter, Rachel Williams is a respected emcee and facilitator. 

A proud Tasmanian, Rachel operates her boutique communications consultancy, Millwood Media, with clients based across the state.

She is a mum to three busy boys and is also a Director of Football Tasmania, President of South Launceston Little Athletics Centre and an ambassador for charity Just Like Jack.

Matthew Atkins SEGRA Speaker

Matthew Atkins
General Manager of Devonport City Council

Matthew Atkins is the General Manager of Devonport City Council, a position he has held for nearly three years. Having been with Devonport for 14 years Matthew previously held Executive roles within the Economic Development and Infrastructure areas of Council and has been heavily involved in the Council’s ambitious LIVING CITY strategy since it’s inception over a decade ago. Prior to joining local government Matthew worked in the construction industry for 14 years as a project manager/estimator after having completed his apprenticeship as a carpenter. Matthew has lived on the north-west coast of Tasmania all his life and is married with 2 school aged children.

Meaghan Burkett SEGRA Speaker

Meaghan Burkett

Meaghan and the Ethical Fields team build community wealth and regenerative economies in partnership with local councils, development agencies, business and the community. Community wealth building is a regional development model that places the control and benefits of local economic and community development into the hands of local people, communities, businesses, councils and organisations. It’s a 21st-century solution that offers a balance between optimising local ownership, control and outcomes, while continuing to embrace an open and global economy and society. 

Meaghan has worked across public, private and non-government sectors in policy, strategy, regional and local development, corporate social responsibility, new economies, sustainability, climate change and is now focused on community wealth building.

Meaghan and the team are working with regions across Australia applying community wealth building to improve local prosperity, wellbeing, self-reliance and resilience.

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Ashley Bland
Managing Director
CONSTRUCTIVE ENERGY PTY LTD

With a farming background and formal training in Engineering, Ecology and Rural Leadership, Ashley has worked in the mining, agriculture, conservation, water, waste and energy sectors. His holistic approach and capacity for creative thinking has led to development and delivery of many high impact innovative projects for both government and private industry.

Ashley is a Fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, an Adjunct to Charles Sturt University, Associate Partner to the Green Homes International Group and Director of his own consultancy, Constructive Energy. He is passionate about the alignment of environmental, social and economic goals in Regional Australia and the need to maximise the local impact of emerging technologies and business models.

Dr Devaki Monani SEGRA Speaker

Dr Devaki Monani
Lecture
Charles Darwin University, Australia

Dr Devaki Monani is a Lecturer in ‘Leadership in Social Policy’ at Charles Darwin University, Australia. Her research focuses on Migrant Settlement in Australia and Multicultural Policy making.

She has experience in conducting field interviews with Afghani, Bhutanese, Hmong Burmese, Karen Burmese, Indian, Samoan, Papua New Guineans, Kiribati (Gilbertese people), Somali, South Sudanese, and Ethiopian communities residing in rural and regional Australia.

Dr Devaki Monani was recently invited to join a Ministerial delegation with Hon. Kate Worden Minister of Multicultural Affairs Northern Territory (NT) on Migrant settlement in Alice Springs, Australia. Her article in collaboration with Ms Jaya Srinivas, Multicultural Advisor to Minister is now published in the Australian Mosaic focusing on ‘South Sudanese Settlement in Alice Springs’.

Devaki’s has published in Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, Farm Policy and The Guardian.

Jonathan Pavetto SEGRA Speaker

Jonathan Pavetto
Senior Economist & Team Leader – Agriculture

Jonathan is a senior economist and leads AEC’s Agriculture portfolio. Jonathan brings his practical and policy experience in the agricultural sector to complex problems to provide practical solutions. Jonathan has used his expertise in agriculture to provide valuable insight into identifying practical solutions to complex regulatory barriers and to de-risking greenfield development opportunities.

During his career, Jonathan has also worked in major regulatory reform initiatives benefiting the agricultural sector and developed cost of production/gross margin models that can be used to examine the impact of policy change on farm or industry productivity and profitability.

Jonathan has direct experience in the policy formation and delivery of the Developing Northern Australia White Paper and has worked with government agencies understand development opportunities and investment barriers. He also works successfully with private and public sector project proponents to identify and quantify the direct and indirect public benefits of the development on the local economy.

Jonathan also has experience in corporate communications, stakeholder engagement public affairs. He is experienced in producing professional reports for public release, communicating complex research and findings as well as directly engaging with a range of internal and external stakeholders on behalf of clients.

In addition to his professional work, Jonathan has served as President of the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism and has an extensive professional network across Northern Australia. Jonathan is also a Specialist Service Officer in the Army Reserves (rank: Captain) and a volunteer firefighter in the local Rural Fire Brigade.

Sara Hales SEGRA Speaker

Sara Hales
Keynote Speaker – AVISTRA

Sara is a leading Australian strategist, working to deliver value for communities and economies through aviation, airports, infrastructure, air freight and advanced air mobility.

Sara’s unique experience in the operationalisation of new aviation businesses, and the provision of diverse and pragmatic approaches to business development underpins her role as Managing Director of aviation strategy and commercial advisory business, AVISTRA.

Having played a leading role in the early days of Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, and project managing the establishment of the airport’s international cargo business, today Sara helps communities identify and bring to fruition, impactful aviation opportunities.

Recognised for her thought leadership, Sara is able to simply explain complex aviation issues. Her authentic and engaging style, coupled with her deep expertise, makes her a suitable speaker for even the most senior of audiences.