CACC Welcomes the Canadian Mining Delegation to Australia

The Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome the Canadian Mining Delegation to Sydney for a cocktail reception ahead of IMARC 2026.

Critical minerals sit at the centre of both nations' economic strategy. Canada and Australia are not only among the world's most significant resource producers - they are also the source of the sophisticated mining services, technology and expertise exported globally to make extraction safer, cleaner and more efficient. The importance of the sector was underscored in Prime Minister Mark Carney's Forward Guidance: A Stronger Canada, released on 9 September 2026.

Each year, IMARC brings that relationship into the same room. A delegation of Canadian provinces and businesses works alongside Australian counterparts to advance a shared agenda: strengthening two already-formidable resource economies. Amid the geopolitical realignment now reshaping global supply chains, that work has never mattered more.

The reception brings together members of the Canadian delegation and their Australian counterparts; industry leaders, institutional investors and representatives of both governments at the start of IMARC week. It is an opportunity for direct discussion before the conference program begins.

Ghislain Robichaud

Consul General of Canada to Australia

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

Ghislain Robichaud (BSocSC [Political Science], University of Ottawa,1996; BSocSC [Economics], University of Ottawa, 1996) joined Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada in 2007 after serving in international relations roles at Natural Resources Canada and as a parliamentary page in the Canadian House of Commons. At Headquarters, he has worked in the European Union Division, Technical Barriers and Regulation Division and China Division, as well in the Invest in Canada Branch as deputy director. Overseas, he has served as counsellor and senior trade commissioner in Egypt and as science and technology counsellor in Germany. Most recently, he was regional director of the Trade Commissioner Service’s Quebec and Nunavut Regional Office.

Andy Creech, CPA, CA

President, TSX Venture Exchange

TMX GROUP

As President, TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV), Andy is responsible for directing regional and international stakeholder outreach, driving national policy innovation, transforming business practices, and balancing customer-centric commercial objectives with appropriate regulatory oversight.

Throughout his two-decade tenure at TSXV, Andy has held various roles and gained unparalleled knowledge of its business and operations, having been directly involved in its evolution and growth through various market cycles. His deep-rooted leadership in Vancouver has been vital, ensuring the Exchange operates in accordance with its public interest mandate and upholding the integrity of our decision-making processes. Beyond his technical expertise, Andy is a trusted advisor to the Exchange's stakeholders.

Andy is a Chartered Professional Accountant and earned his CA designation in 2001. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia.

Melissa Wharton

Chief Executive Officer

Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce

Melissa Wharton is the Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce (CACC), the peak bilateral business body advancing trade, capital flows and strategic partnerships between Canada and Australia.

She is widely recognised as a leading advocate for deeper economic integration between the two countries, working at the intersection of government, institutional investors and industry. Under her leadership, the CACC convenes senior ministers, pension funds, superannuation leaders and global corporates across priority sectors including institutional investment, critical minerals, infrastructure, energy transition, defence and advanced manufacturing. The Chamber is the only bilateral organisation with active operations and governance presence in both countries.

Melissa is a dual citizen and a recognised advocate for strengthening economic ties between Canada and Australia.

Joshua Khoddami

Director & Co-Chair

CACC NSW COMMITTEE

As a part of Neu.Capital, Joshua helps established companies raise $5m -$100m of debt and equity outside the big 4 banks by placing them in front a vast universe of professional investors. He spends time with clients educating them on the non-bank funding world. Previous to this, Joshua spent 7 years managing a digital marketing agency in Sydney that specialises in generating leads for mid-market companies.

Originally from Vancouver Joshua has spent the last 8 years living and working in Sydney.

Elli Hanson

Co-Chair

CACC NSW COMMITTEE

Elli Hanson is a Partner at Side Stage Ventures, where she backs early-stage founders building globally ambitious companies from Australia. Her path into venture spans industrial design, global brand strategy, and startup building — including roles as Global Director of Design Strategy at Ogilvy Worldwide and Co-Founder of Flaus, a consumer hardware company behind the world’s first patented electric flosser. At Side Stage, she works closely with early-stage founders across sectors, with a particular interest in human-centred design, taste, and the role creativity will play in shaping the next generation of breakout companies.