Theme: Outside the Square

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Whitsunday Anglican School
2-12 Celeber Drive
North Mackay, Queensland, 4740
Australia

Catherine Ball

CEO & Founder; Communicator; Innovator of Influence; Innovation and Ethics Advisor; Humanitarian; Speaking Professional

Dr Ball started her academic life by taking a GAP year to Zambia, working with orphans and vulnerable children through a grassroots charity that empowered the whole community. This experience was not only challenging and life affirming, but also underlined for her the importance of her decision to study Environmental Protection, and finish her academic training at PhD Level. Dr Ball strongly advocates that environmental and human health are inextricably linked, and she is a strong proponent of science education across all genders and ages. Dr Ball has a BSc(honours) in Environmental Protection, and a PhD in statistics and ecology (both from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne in the UK). An advocate for diversity, in particular around socio-economic background, and gender (both of which mirror her own life experiences), Dr Ball is a champion of those who wish to try and make a change, to shake things up, and to innovate – no matter who you are. A career infused with formal academic t

Darren Robertson

Owner and Chef - Three Blue Ducks

Darren Robertson and Mark LaBrooy are the faces of a grassroots approach to cooking – delicious food based on an ethos of community, sustainability and growing-it-local. Professional chefs, mad surfers, keen gardeners and foragers, Darren and Mark live by this philosophy in everything they do – when cooking in their café, Three Blue Ducks, and in their garden, which is home to a rambling vegetable patch and four very happy chickens.

Jade McAuley

Owner Rebel Marketing, Creator - Instincts Magazine

Over a decade of marketing experience. With a crazy amount of formal and ongoing education. Plus an absolute lack of tact that will get your marketing moving with a good, hard smack. My ambition is to be a positive force of change for local businesses and our region. I strongly believe that everyone has something special to share and there’s nothing wrong with being the odd one out, or occasionally breaking the rules. Marketing should be a major priority, without being a major expense. When you dare to be different, you can achieve what you never expected.

Kay Nyenuh

Personal Trainer

Kay Nyenuh is the Founder/Owner and Personal Trainer of Muscle Garden Health & Fitness Centre. Born in Liberia - West Africa, Kay migrated to Mackay in 2009 and later became an Australian Citizen. Arriving in Australia with little to call his own, in almost seven short years Kay has revolutionized the health and fitness industry in our region and opened the well established and highly reputable Muscle Garden Health & Fitness Centre. He is a loving husband to a beautiful wife and a very proud father to a young son. A highly regarded health & fitness professional in Mackay, Kay's key to success is simple - lead by example.

Meghan Dansie

Year 12 Student

Meghan is a Year 12 student at Whitsunday Anglican School, Mackay

Nicolette Horak

Chartered Accountant, Crew Member in the Clipper Round the World yacht race

Nicolette Horak is a mother of two and is a Chartered Accountant. She worked for Pricewaterhouse Coopers for 8 years before moving to Mackay and has recently completed her Masters in Tax Law at UNSW. In October 2015, she left her family in Mackay for three months to complete her circumnavigation of the world, which began with her parents and sister when she was 10 years old. Nicolette joined the Clipper round the World Race and sailed from South Africa across the Southern Ocean to Sydney. She then participated in the Sydney to Hobart before sailing to Airlie Beach in January of this year.

Saad Ashraf

Year 11 Student

'Saad Ashraf is a Year 11 student who has attended Whitsunday Anglican School for his whole life. He was born in East London, South Africa, and has a Pakistani background. He lived in South Africa for two years before moving to Australia and has lived in Mackay ever since. His favourite subjects are biology and chemistry and he hopefully wants to do medicine once he leave school. His hobbies are playing basketball, reading and public speaking.

Sarah Bartholomeusz

Founder and Senior Lawyer of YouLegal

Sarah Bartholomeusz is the founder of You Legal: a new category of law firm providing top tier corporate and commercial legal services to growing companies. Sarah is the CEO and senior lawyer of You Legal, and is an entrepreneur and author. After creating You Legal, Sarah went on to write her first book “How to Avoid a Fall from Grace: Legal Lessons for Directors” which was ranked as the #1 best seller on Amazon after its release in 2015. In 2015 Sarah also won the Telstra Business Women’s Award in the start-up category for South Australia. Sarah is the Chair of the Seniors Information Service, a Director of Carrington Cottages Management Inc and she serves on the Education and Early Childhood Services Registration and Standards Board in South Australia.

Sarah Fettell

Year 10 Student

Sarah is a Year 10 students at Whitsunday Anglican School, Mackay.