SouthBank
x = independently organized TED event

Theme: Challenge Accepted

This event occurred on
February 27, 2016
Brisbane, Queensland
Australia

Life is full of challenges. On a personal level, on a professional level, at a societal level.

The future is shaped by the individuals crazy enough to step up, accept the challenge to do something differently, to challenge the status quo and to leap into something unknown, uncertain, unexplored.

TEDxSouthBank 2016 #ChallengeAccepted is an all day event featuring speakers whose work, innovation, personal experiences, and lessons learned will inspire action through the stories of their own journeys that commenced with the decision to accept a challenge. The talks will be complemented by exciting and engaging activation spaces.

State Library of Queensland
Stanley Place
South Brisbane
Brisbane, Queensland
Australia
Event type:
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Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check event website for more information.

Amanda Bradley

Women’s Rights Activist
Amanda Bradley has worked in leadership roles in the not-for-profit and public health sectors for over ten years. She is continually motivated to find solutions that create success for all stakeholders and is always up for complex situations and addressing wicked problems. We live in complicated times. Not-for-profits are being squeezed to deliver more for less. Amanda believes we have to be able to respond with innovative approaches that enable us to do this – it is essential to be able to describe the successes we have in ways that are meaningful. She says we need to collaborate and find methods of meeting the needs of consumers (clients) that is responsive, timely and accessible in a constantly changing environment. Amanda prefers to spend time making sure all her ducks are in a row before she leaps off the cliff – with the parachute that she’s triple checked.

Corey Allen

Policing innovator
After a career in tactical units and high-volume arrest-oriented policing roles, Corey Allen redefined himself and his role by focusing on empathy, vulnerable persons and building his team’s personal values. His own journey from homelessness to Officer in Charge of one of Australia’s largest police stations has been marked by innovation and creativity in policing and crime prevention. Showing sustained commitment to social justice and improving the situation of vulnerable people in his division, Corey saw results in the form of unheralded crime reductions. A finalist in the “local hero” category of the Australian of the Year awards, recipient of four National Crime and Violence Prevention Awards, and Griffith University’s Alumnus of the Year, Corey has led a weighty shift in police culture that has been welcomed by the community.

Drisana Levitzke-Gray

Deaf Advocate, Human Rights Advocate, Activist
Drisana Levitzke-Gray is the recipient of the 2015 Young Australian of the Year Award in recognition of her passion and dedication in advocating for the human rights of deaf people, raising awareness about Auslan (Australian Sign Language), and the rights of deaf children in Australia to access Auslan from birth. A motivational speaker and consultant, she works for Woolworths as a Workplace Advocate as well as a columnist for PrimoLIFE Magazine and a voluntary committee member for a number of organisations. Drisana is the embodiment of the concept of ‘deaf gain’ – not ‘hearing loss’ – by inspiring the deaf community and encouraging the wider community to accept diversity. Drisana was the first deaf Auslan user to fulfil her civic duty as a juror, and consistently promotes a positive image of deafness, which states loudly and proudly: “It’s OK to be deaf”.

J.M. Donellan

Writer / Teacher
J.M. Donellan is an author, musician, poet, radio DJ and teacher. He nearly died of a lung collapse in the Nepalese Himalayas, fended off a pack of rabid dogs with a guitar in the mountains of India, and was sexually harassed by a half-naked man whilst standing next to Oscar Wilde’s grave in Paris. He scripted and voiced the internationally popular Pocket Hipster iPhone app – despite not having an iPhone. Josh was a National Finalist in the 2015 Australian Poetry Slam and has performed at festivals all over Australia both solo and with his band Poetry is Dead. His most recent novel is ‘Killing Adonis’ and his new poetry collection, ‘Stendhal Syndrome’, will be released later this year.

Jackie Campbell

Palliative care veterinarian
Dr Jackie Campbell is a veterinarian who will warm your heart. Passionate in equal measures about her patients and about the families who care for them, Jackie often becomes a lifeline for her clients during their most difficult of days. As the director of one of Queensland’s first palliative care services for pets, she manages a team of veterinarians who are working to help families better navigate the challenges of end of life decision making. Alongside this important work, Jackie is the Brisbane clinic co-ordinator for a charity that brings together volunteer vets and nurses, in order to provide free veterinary care for pets of people experiencing homelessness in our community. The Pets in the Park initiative recognises and supports the bond that homeless people have with their pets and works to improve the health and wellbeing of these vital companions.

Jordan Duffy

Tech entrepreneur
Jordan Duffy is a serial entrepreneur, technology innovation expert and, at the age of 21, co-owns Buckham & Duffy, an innovation and rapid development firm with 18 employees. Jordan’s passion for technology and business started at home assembling computers, and his entrepreneurial journey started at age 14 with business partner Alex Buckham. Alex and Jordan have been growing businesses for eight years. Business aside, Jordan is an avid self-educator and driven change maker. He has seen 15 countries, battled cancer and chronic pain, and played drums on the Great Wall of China in the 2008 Olympic Orchestra.

Juliet Bourke

Workplace reshaper
Juliet Bourke leads the Australian Diversity and Inclusion practice – and co-leads the Australian Leadership practice – as a Human Capital partner at Deloitte. Her latest book is entitled ‘Which two heads are better than one?: How diverse teams create breakthrough ideas and make smarter decisions’. Juliet specialises in cultural change and developing leaders, with particular expertise in diversity and inclusion. She regularly works with global executive teams to design and deliver leadership programs, including Deloitte’s own signature Inclusive leadership program. Juliet brings over 20 years’ experience in human capital, psychology, management and law to her work. She is a member of the Australian firm’s Diversity Council, and sits on a number of boards and award panels, such as the Telstra Business Awards. Juliet’s own awards include 2007 Women Lawyers Association of NSW (Achievement Award), 2007 University of NSW (Alumni Award) and 2008 Centre for Leadership for Women ...

Karyn Walsh

Community Services Advocate
Karyn Walsh began working with young people experiencing homelessness since she came to Brisbane in the 1980s. Now, as the CEO of Micah Projects, a local not-for-profit, she is committed to finding new ways to end and prevent homelessness. Her leadership is focused on implementing a housing first approach, which requires integrating healthcare with community services as a critical resource to enable people to improve their quality of life, sustain housing and reduce reliance on hospital care. Karyn is a Director of the Australian Alliance to End Homelessness. She was a Founding Member of the Australian Common Ground Alliance, President of the Queensland Council of Social Services and a Board Member of Australian Council of Social Services. Karyn’s expertise has seen her speaking on homelessness at international conferences over the past decade.

Lara Nobel

Architectural graduate, apprentice carpenter, tiny house designer & builder
Lara Nobel has always had a natural tendency to problem solve, so when she found herself at the bottom rung of one of the world’s least affordable housing markets, she immediately started brainstorming alternatives. With an optimism that’s grounded in tangible solutions, Lara has travelled the world studying urban design solutions in Berlin, micro-housing in Tokyo, and alternative housing in Portland. She’s now developing a new type of compact housing in Australia – one that’s driven by our needs rather than market expectations. Leading by example, she has co-founded a company to produce these affordable ‘tiny houses’. After completing a Masters in Architecture, Lara transitioned to an apprenticeship in carpentry to gain some hands-on experience that would aid her new venture. She is now near the end of this apprenticeship and last year won Apprentice of the Year.

Lee Crockford

Mental Health Innovator
Lee Crockford is passionate about mental health, social change, the arts, education and innovation. He is both the CEO of Spur Projects – a NFP working in the area of men’s mental health and suicide prevention – and Assemblus – a NFP working to amplify sustainable social impact within organisations. Lee is an alumnus of IYF’s Global Laureate Fellowship, FYA’s Young Social Pioneer and The Do School’s Global Changemaker programs. He is the recipient of the Australasian Men’s Health Forum’s Youth Contribution Award and was recently named as one of The Cusp’s young people on the cusp of greatness. Lee is also the founder and co-founder of a number of side projects including Future Postbox, Best Day / Worst Day, The Plot and Get the Antidote.

Malcolm Burt

Rollercoaster academic
Malcolm Burt is a video producer and rollercoaster academic (yes, really). His Research Masters with the Queensland University of Technology resulted in the international documentary ‘Signature Attraction’, which asks “Why do rollercoasters exist?” Malcolm has run his own advertising agency, during which time he produced two television series for ABC and SBS, multiple television commercials, corporate films and documentaries. He also lectures in video and audio production. Malcolm has recently been awarded an APA scholarship to undertake his PhD full-time. He’ll be producing a documentary series about the future of theme parks. He believes that even the loopiest career path is possible if you just can’t not do it.

Maya Newell

Filmmaker
Maya Newell is an Australian filmmaker with a focus on documentary storytelling. Her award-winning short ‘TWO’ won Best New Documentary Talent of Australia at AIDC 2011. Her subsequent films ‘Growing Up Gayby’ and ‘Gayby Baby’ – made in collaboration with Charlotte Mars – tell the story of same-sex families from the perspective of the kids. ‘Gayby Baby’ was selected for Good Pitch Australia 2014, premiered at Hot Docs, screened at Sydney and Melbourne Film Festivals, was nominated for an ACCTA, AWGIE, and was the winner of Best Documentary at the 2015 ATOM awards. In the years of making ‘Gayby Baby’ and in the controversy following the banning of the PG film in NSW schools, Maya has regularly felt the need to speak out in defence of diverse families like hers.

Natahlia Joy Buitendyk

Yoga Practitioner
From an early age, Natahlia Joy Buitendyk was exposed to diverse lifestyles while exploring her cultural roots through Indonesia. Today she is a public health and exercise science graduate, an MBBS candidate and yoga teacher. Her love for the outdoors and yoga has seen her hijacking the best of Brisbane’s green-spaces to run donation-based yoga classes. She believes yoga is for everybody, and sees her classes as a way for people to pay it forward and contribute whatever they can. This power of generosity has meant people from all backgrounds are able to attend and learn the restorative practice of yoga.

Sahara Beck

Singer/Songwriter
With no big name producers or over the top stylists, Sahara Beck is an independent artist in the truest sense of the word. Raised in the laid back surrounds of the Sunshine Coast, she has always had a decidedly single- minded focus. At 14 she wrote and recorded her debut album before moving to Brisbane on her own to finish school and immerse herself in the city’s collaborative music community. It is that energy that she has poured into the production of her new album, ‘Panacea’ – out May 2016. Built around a week long session at the legendary 301 Byron Bay studios, the record may be full of experimentation, but it never strays from the simple formula of wonderful songs performed with genuine passion.

Scott Bolland

Cognitive Scientist
Dr Scott Bolland is the founder of New Dawn Technologies, a high-tech software company aiming to revolutionise education through the use of artificial intelligence. He has spent the last 20 years actively researching and teaching in the field of cognitive science – the scientific study of how the mind works – which spans disciplines such as psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, artificial intelligence and computer science. He holds a PhD in this field, as well as a university medal for outstanding academic scholarship.

Timothy McCallum

Singer
After twenty-five years of diverse performance experience, Timothy McCallum is one of Australia’s most exciting and loved performers. But it almost wasn’t to be… At the age of 18, well on his way to commencing a successful career in the music and theatre industry, a diving accident changed Tim’s life forever, potentially shattering his dreams of treading the boards ever again. After breaking his neck, leaving him a quadriplegic, doctors and specialists told him that he would never sing again professionally. Tim’s resilient character and extraordinary spirit have touched the hearts of Australians, as they have watched him defy the odds, rehabilitate and return to the stage to continue his performing career. Altering his singing technique to compensate for his new physical challenges, Tim now sings better than ever, soaring to the heights of the great tenor arias and musical theatre anthems he has become so well known for.

Organizing team

Juanita
Wheeler

Brisbane / Australia, Australia
Organizer
  • Emma Gibbs
    Curation
  • Jade Demnar
    Curation
  • Joseph Wheeler
    Marketing/Communications
  • Nicole Jensen
    Team member
  • Phoebe Tully
    Production
  • Rob Wheeler
    Production