VDC would like to officially introduce our fantastic Keynote Speakers for the VET National Teaching & Learning Conference 2024. Last year’s line-up was spectacular, and this year is set to be just as groundbreaking.
The 2024 VET National Teaching & Learning Conference will be held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre on the 15 & 16 of August with the theme ‘From Competence to Excellence – Strive to Inspire’. Over 2-days there will be an array of professional learning opportunities with a focus on VET practitioners, as well as a stream of sessions featuring VET applied research for other VET Sector professionals. Early Bird Registrations are closing soon – click here
So, let’s see who our Keynotes Speakers are!
First up, there’s Dr Ben Hamer. (He/Him)
Keynote: ‘Everything, everywhere, all at once’
Dr Ben Hamer is an accredited futurist, who was recently awarded the number one thought leader for the Future of Work in the Asia-Pacific by Onalytica.
Ben has undertaken work and research around the world, including time spent leading critical projects at the World Economic Forum as well as being a Visiting Scholar at Yale University. He is an Adjunct Professor at Edith Cowan University’s School of Business and Law and a Board Member for the Australian HR Institute, where he was appointed as the youngest Non-Executive Director in the organisation’s history.
A sought-after media commentator and keynote speaker on future trends, Ben will be launching his next book, A Postcard from the Future, with Ultimo Press in April 2024.
Next, we have Shelley Ware. (She/Her)
Keynote: ‘Culture is Life’
Shelley Ware is a proud Yankunytjatjara and Wirangu woman from Adelaide, South Australia, who currently lives in Melbourne.
Shelley is a member of the Carlton FC RAP committee and the AFLW All Australian and Rising Star Selection committee. Shelley has become one of the most respected and recognised female presenters of AFLM and AFLW football in the country. Recently announced as the Essendon Women’s Network Football Woman of the Year.
Shelley has co-written the national curriculum through Culture is Life and ABC Education for the Australian Dream and Archie Roach – Stolen Generation. For the second year in a row, she has written the national primary curriculum for NAIDOC week with SBS Learn and this year writing both primary and Secondary.
Shelley is currently an education consultant. She is passionate about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history being embedded into our national curriculum.
Third in the line-up, is Dr Lauren Burns. (She/Her)
Keynote: ‘Elevating Potential’
Dr Lauren Burns OAM delivers powerful, engaging, and life-changing presentations. Lauren’s genuine passion for inspiring and empowering participants shines through her unique blend of humour, down-to-earth storytelling, and evidence-based tips for achieving optimal well-being and high-performance living. Her ability to captivate audiences with relatable anecdotes and practical strategies is what sets her apart.
She created sporting history by winning the first Olympic gold medal for Taekwondo when the sport debuted at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. She was one of only three Australian women to win an individual Olympic Gold Medal, along with Cathy Freeman and Susie O’Neill. Her amazing triumph at the Sydney Games was achieved against the odds – requiring enormous discipline, commitment, perseverance, and teamwork.
Since the Sydney Olympics, Lauren has emerged as one of Australia’s most sought-after speakers. She has been on the speaking circuit for over 25 years and continues to travel the country conducting keynote presentations, workshops, and masterclasses, all centred around ‘Elevating Potential’ in individuals.
And last, but certainly not least, we welcome Nevo Zisin. (They/Them)
Keynote: ‘The Lowdown on Pronouns’
Nevo Zisin (they/them) is a storyteller, artist, esteemed educator on transgender topics, TEDx speaker, workshop facilitator in schools and workplaces, and award-winning author of Finding Nevo (2017), a memoir on gender transition and The Pronoun Lowdown (2021), a useful guidebook on all things related to pronouns. They have been in-conversation with Queer Eye’s brilliant Jonathan Van Ness, Transparent producer Zackary Drucker & world-famous spoken-word poet & activist Alok Vaid-Menon. They were a 2022 Varuna Scribe Fellow and are an ambassador for Wear It Purple.
Their work explores queerness, collective healing and liberation, mutual aid as a mycelial network of connection, reclamation of transgender divinity, finding deeply joyful ways to engage in activism and solidarity, making mistakes and creating a practice of failure. Their identity exists in the breaths between the words they use and their greatest accomplishments in life beyond anything, is their friendships.
But wait, there’s plenty more… visit VDC’s website to read about the incredible line-up of Presenters and the concurrent professional learning workshops, inspiring presentations and panel discussions, all curated to empower teachers and trainers from public, private and community providers to strive to inspire and enhance the education and employment outcomes for VET students.
Don’t miss out on the Early Bird Fee $565 (incl. GST) for registrations before 11 MAY 2024!
Tickets are limited – REGISTER NOW
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