Program

PLENARY MC

Oli Le Lievre is the Founder of Humans of Agriculture (HOA), a storytelling platform that's on a mission to Connect, Inform and Inspire our one-of-a-kind community.

The purpose of Humans of Agriculture is to make the world a Happier, Healthier and mores Prosperous place for our Children’s children.

Oli's career has spanned AgTech start-ups, Fresh Producer Logistics and Export, Corporate Management Consulting, Global AgriFood Events, on-farm roles in Australia and Canada, Brand and Marketing roles, and volunteer roles on the board of several Not-For-Profits.

Oli is a graduate of Course 28 of the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP), and a 2021 Finalist in the Zanda McDonald Award.

MINISTER FOR PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

Tony Perrett is a father, former councillor and Deputy Mayor, grazier, and is an active community member with a strong connection to the Gympie Region.

Tony and his wife Michele were married in 1992 and have two daughters, Steph and Josie. He grew up in the Kingaroy area and moved to the Gympie Region in 1997 when he and his family purchased the property ‘Tye,’ at the headwaters of Boonara Creek.

Tony Perrett has been the Liberal National Party member for Gympie in the Queensland Legislative Assembly, since 2015.

Tony was re-elected in 2024 and is currently the Minister for Primary Industries.

KEYNOTE

Digital Crusader, Educator, Director. Regional, Rural and Remote advocate. Sometimes Tim feels like Willy Wonka exploring and creating amazing tech based solutions for storytelling and collaborating, as well as beautiful 360° content to engage & inspire. Discover Think Digital!

KEYNOTE

Dan Allen and Ed Ross are Co-founders and Director’s of both TradeMutt and TIACS.

TradeMutt is a social impact workwear company. They’re known around Australia for their loud, vibrant work shirts which were designed to start conversations about mental health, making an invisible issue impossible to ignore.

Taking a more light-hearted and approachable angle to the conversation, they exist to drive the much needed social and cultural shift in attitude towards mental health among tradies, truckies, farmers, rural and blue-collar workers.

INNOVATION BROKER, UniSQ

Bruce has a deep background in innovation, and industry transformation. After a career in finance, Bruce led Food Leaders Australia, as their General Manager, creating export, innovation and industry led-learning partnerships and assisting heavily in Southern Queensland’s covid food security response.

Bruce then led a philanthropic business for the Forrest family, assisting in growing the long-term sustainability of animal-based protein. Bruce has toured global innovation ecosystems and led the Regional Entrepreneur Acceleration Program (REAP) for Southern Queensland.

He is now based a UniSQ as their Innovation Broker, tasked with driving innovation as a solution to drought resilience.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, CQUNIVERSITY AUSTRALIA

Amy Cosby is a Senior Research Fellow – Agri-tech Education and Extension at CQUniversity Australia.

Amy is a leading practitioner and researcher in the field of student and teacher engagement within the agricultural industry and has extensive experience in leading large projects with a wide range of partners. She lives and works from South Gippsland, Victoria and with her husband owns and operates a 200-cow dairy farm. Amy currently works with educators, researchers and industry professionals to develop innovative programs to increase the skills and knowledge of teachers and students in agricultural concepts, tools and systems.

THE ROBOTIC DOG

Spot is part of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Innovation Pilots Initiative. Spot has been trialled in several activities that involved inspecting and monitoring used machinery, vehicles and containers for pests and other biosecurity risk material such as soil, leaves and insects.

Further work is underway to test Spot’s additional capabilities, including testing the new manoeuvrable arm, automated functions during border inspections and integration with aerial drones.

HOME HILL SHS AGRICULTURE TEACHER & QATA VICE PRESIDENT

As an experienced Senior Secondary Agricultural Science Teacher deeply passionate about fostering agricultural education, Louise Nicholas has dedicated her career to shaping the minds of the next generation and actively engaging in initiatives promoting local agriculture.

Recognising challenges in attracting youth into agriculture, Louise is developing and championing the "Grow Your Own" Engagement and Networking Initiative. This effort aims to encourage local youth to explore agriculture careers, demystify perceptions and showcase diverse opportunities.

Through collaboration with educational institutions, industry stakeholders and community leaders, she facilitates smoother transitions for students into the workforce.

FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR, INFARM

Jerome Leray is committed to delivering solutions to farmers that increase productivity, resilience and sustainability. With a BCommerce and postgrad qualifications in Mineral Exploration and GeoScience, Jerome founded InFarm in early 2017 off the back of a highly successful aerial surveying and remote sensing business.  

Jerome is a recognised industry leader, having been awarded the Agricultural Ministers Emerging Leader Award in 2020, as well as representing Australia at the Entrepreneurship World Cup. For his contributions to technology and agriculture Jerome received a QLD Community Achievement Award and led InFarm to be awarded the Australian Food and Agribusiness of the Year in 2019. 

TEACHER & EDUCATION CONSULTANT

Sue Webb is a high school teacher, and author of Teachers Cry Too, a book which launched her work in Sustainable Work Practices in Education.

With over 30 years of teaching experience, including leadership positions, Sue understands first-hand the complexities of modern teaching- something she still loves. Inspired by her own journey of burnout and the period of mental illness that followed, Sue's work centres on the wellbeing of educators, and on the importance of leaving a strong professional legacy to the next generation of teachers. Her aim is to ensure that teachers are just as inspired by their work at the end of their careers, as they are at the beginning.

HEAD OF SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND

Sagadevan is currently the Head of the School for Agriculture and Food Sustainability at the University of Queensland. He leads a research Team that is focused on making crops more resilient to environmental stresses such as drought and salinity and more nutritious.

Sagadevan holds a PhD in Molecular and Cell Biology, which he completed at Auburn University (USA) on a Fulbright Scholarship, an MBA from the University of Cape Town and is a Senior Executive Fellow of the Harvard Kennedy School. Sagadevan is a member of the South African Academy of Science and served on the National Biotechnology Advisory Council.

CEO, PIEFA

Luciano Mesiti has over 30 years experience as an agriculture educator in various University and high school settings.

His work in NSW with agriculture high school teachers as past president of the NSW Agriculture Teachers Association and within his high school roles highlights the high level of passion and knowledge he has about the agricultural education curriculum in Australia.

He grew up on a farm and has worked in research locally and internationally in agriculture and rural sociology. He has a strong focus to contribute primary industries resources that meet the needs of teachers across Australia.

INDUSTRY LIAISON OFFICER, BOONAH STATE HIGH SCHOOL

Kelly Skewes is the Industry Liaison Officer at Boonah SHS, where she works closely with leading businesses to create valuable opportunities for students to engage with industry and foster future employment pathways.

A key contributor to the development of Boonah SHS’s Paddock to Plate concept, that has integrated Agriculture, Hospitality, Business, IT, Industrial Technology & Design, and Art curriculum areas with local industry leaders. Through these partnerships, students gain hands-on learning experiences, develop critical skills, and connect with potential employers in the region.

FOUNDERS, AFFE

Australian Future Farmers Exchange sprung from a shared dream at the National Association of Agricultural Educators Conference.

Recognising a disconnect between youth and agriculture, Amanda and Russell initiated programs to bridge this gap, offering hands-on, real-life farming experiences to young Australians.

Through their innovative exchange and immersion programs, AFFE aims to inspire and educate, fostering a deeper connection between young people and the farming community. Their commitment to reshaping perceptions of agriculture as a viable and rewarding career path underlines every initiative, aiming to secure a thriving future for Australian agriculture.

QLEA EXECUTIVE & SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER, AAM INVESTMENT GROUP

Kari Moffat is the Sustainability Manager at AAM Investment Group, based in Darwin. With over a decade of experience in the northern beef and live export sectors, she has focused on animal welfare, compliance, and sustainability. Kari holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business (Agriculture) from Marcus Oldham College and is currently pursuing a Nuffield Scholarship.

Kari is deeply engaged in the industry, serving on the Queensland Livestock Exporters Association and the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework Steering Group. Kari is also a founder and former Chair of the Young Livestock Exporters Network (YLEN), and a member of the Cattle Australia Regional Consultative Committee.

LEARNING DESIGNER. FARM MANAGER, CALVARY CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

Angela Haupt and Lisa Bullas have been colleagues in the agriculture program at Calvary Christian College for past nine years.

As the Farm Manager, Angela co-ordinates the co-curricular offerings of Show Team (Years 7-12) and JAG (Junior Ag Prep – Year 6). She also facilitates our Junior School farm experiences and weekly childcare engagement from both Calvary and external Centres.

Lisa is the College’s Agricultural Science and Paddock to Plate Learning Designer who loves to bring learning to life within the classroom and down on the farm. She also assists with the delivery of the co-curricular offerings available to the students.

SENIOR CONSULTANT, RMCG

Cotton in Australia

Tackling Traineeship Challenges & Embracing Virtual Reality

A new gap-year program for Australian Agriculture