TEDxMalopSt

About the Event

TEDx MalopSt marks the exciting debut of the TEDx experience in Geelong. Organised by a dedicated team of volunteers, this event will be the city's fourth independently organised TED initiative. TEDx MalopSt aims to unite the community with powerful ideas and to reach a wider audience with unique stories and insights that will spark meaningful conversations.

Under the theme “The Matter of Being”, TEDxMalopSt brings together some of Victoria’s leading thinkers and doers to exchange innovative, groundbreaking ideas that spark meaningful conversations and inspire the community to take bold actions toward positive change. As Geelong’s fourth independently organised TED initiative, the event will welcome attendees including professionals, students, academics, community leaders, and lifelong learners.

Our pleasure in having Phillipa Challis OAM (CEO of Live Life Laughing) as the MC for the night. Beloved by many Geelong locals, she brings great energy, fun and loving conversations to guide the audience through a night full of ideas and food for thought. 

The events will bring to you wonderful talks, performance from Wild Moves International, light dinner, drink (non-alcohol) and conversations to spark connections. 

Limited tickets available in 2 groups: General and Students. For students, please use your student email to register for the event and bring your student ID to the events date for validation purpose. 

Our themes

In literature, the Matter of Being explore identity, existence and consciousness. In Psychology, it involve self awareness and personal development. In Contemporary issues, the themes intersect with various discussion such as mental health and environmental crisis. Let's pause and delve into the essence of our existence, our identity and our place in the world with the offer from our wonderful speakers. They will bring thought provoking discussion and insight, challenging us to reconsider our perspective on a wide spectrum of the theme, tackling common topic in a new perspectives that only "Ideas Worth Spreading" will bring about. 

Our Speakers:

     Roxie Bennett is a seasoned expert in strategic relationships and community engagement, with a distinguished career in media, communications, and marketing. For over a decade, she successfully ran her own PR and marketing agency, Plan.It Roxie, reaping many accomplishments throughout the years. While being a skilled communicator and relationship builder, Roxie is also an author, having written 'The Butterfly Plan', a well-being guide designated to women in their 40s to 60s who struggle with life changes that affect their mental and physical health being. She has served on several community boards, including the Barwon Health Foundation and the Geelong Gallery, demonstrating her passion for contributing to her community. 

Roxie’s talk on ‘The Matter of Being’ will explore the essence of human connections and their impact on personal and professional growth. She will offer insights into the power of relationships in shaping identity, purpose, and community.

     Associate Professor Sophie Goldingay is a respected academic in social work, known for her groundbreaking work in alternative social development programs for neurodivergent youth. Her innovative Pretend Play-based programs have made significant strides in enhancing social engagement for young people. She has also been involved in digital storytelling projects with First Nations communities, using technology to promote social good and cultural understanding. 

Sophie's talk on ‘The Matter of Being’ promises to explore how creative approaches to social work can foster a deeper sense of belonging and identity, particularly for marginalised individuals and communities.

     Dr. Evan Center, Senior Manager Environment and Climate Change at the UN Global Compact Network Australia! With a PhD in Communication from the University of Kansas, Dr. Evan is an expert in environmental research, strategy, and partnerships, leading impactful programs in alignment with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. His career has been driven by a longing passion for environment, climate change, and sustainability initiatives, having partnered with diverse universities, corporations, government, and not-for-profit organisations to develop cutting-edge programs, reflecting his commitment to sustainability and climate change advocacy.

On the topic ‘The matter of being’, Dr. Evan’s insights on environmental communication with regards to advocacy, enterprise and economics will help us understand our connection with nature and the deeper relationship between humans, society, and the Earth.

     Lina Chau Le is a distinguished lawyer with over 16 years of international experience in providing legal solutions across three continents. With a law degree from the UK and qualifications to practise in both Australia and Vietnam, Lina specialises in cross-border matters, business strategies, and litigation, making her a sought-after legal expert. Since 2020, Lina has focused on administrative, civil, criminal, and quasi-criminal litigation in Australia. She is also the founder of the Justitia Centre, supporting law students and young professionals in pursuing international careers. In her talk on ‘The Matter of Being’, Lina will discuss the intersection of law, identity, and justice, highlighting how legal systems shape and reflect the human experience in a global context.

     Rhiannon Tracey is a motivational leader and the founder of The Next Step, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to offering rehabilitation services for individuals with spinal cord injuries. Following her own life-changing accident, Rhiannon has been a beacon of hope and determination, inspiring others through her advocacy for disability rights. In 2012, Rhiannon won the Young Australian of the Year award, and was named Cosmopolitan’s ‘Game Changer’ Woman of the Year in 2016 and was the first-ever female in a wheelchair on the Melbourne Fashion Week Runway in 2019. With a host of other awards and achievements, Rhiannon’s work challenges the usual perceptions of disability and pushes the boundaries of what is possible.

On the topic ‘The Matter of Being’, Rhiannon will share her journey of resilience, focusing on the power of the human spirit in overcoming adversity and redefining one’s sense of self.