When historical knowledge meets future careers?

When historical knowledge meets future careers. Will you knowledge share with us?

The first doctors, astronomers, engineers, environmentalists, architects, geographers, storytellers, artists, and more. We acknowledge the rich history and benefits the traditional owners of this land bring to this world and pay our deepest respect to Elders past, present, and emerging.

We ask you to join us in sharing stories and building collective knowledge to ensure we create a better future for the generations to come.

Why Attend?

• Share stories
• Hear about the careers of the future
• Understand the opportunities available to your children and students
• Ask your questions and share your concerns

All are welcome!

Details:

• Date: Wednesday the 4th of September
• Time: 5pm
• Place: Port Hedland Senior High School

Speaker Line Up:

Sharon Wood-KennEy - Keynote: Connecting History with Future

Sharon is a respected Executive Cultural Navigator, Educator, and Trainer based in Boorloo (Perth) who’s just as passionate about helping WA students excel in STEM as we are!

Sharon is currently working on the ‘Phage On Country Project’ with Telethon Kids Institute, focusing on phage therapy, a CF ‘game changer’. She has also been part of mapping Noongar water knowledge in the Djarlgarro Beeliar catchment with UWA, emphasising biodiversity in Perth. The Clean Air and Urban Landscapes Hub is integral to this work.

She also collaborates across industries like sports and aged care, including UWA’s Centre for Social Impact, focusing on best practices in co-design and systems change across key projects in WA.

Sharon is a strong advocate for Two-Way Science and Innovation, and enjoys working entwined across education in WA, bringing a unique lens for equity and collaboration with our First Nations scientist insights.

Sharon has pioneered the “Perception Is OUR Truth” Cultural Immersion Training, a philosophy making a real difference across sectors like justice, health, education, research, WA Police, Sportwest, Aged Care, and the WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

Sharon’s work with Noongar Radio’s Koorlingas Takeover demonstrates how the oldest continuous culture on the planet can be of real value and woven into science and technology today. Her innovative work on the ‘Our Connected Futures Program’ aims to help students connect with their culture and environment. Currently, she is furthering her studies at Edith Cowan University in Social Sciences to achieve the best outcomes in environmental science, health, and wellbeing.

Creating spaces to belong, heal, and innovate with “Good Humans” for a future we can all feel proud of for generations to come. Caring for Country, caring for all people respectfully.

Kay Hargreaves & Teagen McEwan - Myth Busting and Job Skills of the Future

Kay and Teagen will take you through example careers of the future and how we unpack myths relating to careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

Panel

Tina Ambrose - Panel Moderator

Tina Ambrose is the Founder and CEO of a Technology Recruitment company, Co-Chair of Women in Technology WA and mum of two active boys. She is recognised in the business world for her success, including winning a Business News 40under40 Award.
Tina advocates for women in the technology industry and volunteers her "spare" time unpacking bias, removing barriers and inspiring the next generation to enter the field of technology. A West Australian Newspaper article covering a little of Tina's journey - Found here.

 Aaliyah Nestoridis - Nyoongar Startup

Aaliyah Nestoridis is a Proud Whadjuk Nyoongar Yorga from Boorloo, deeply passionate about her First Nations culture and heritage 👣🤎

Her journey STEM-med from the Indigenous Australian Engineering Summer School (IAESS) at Curtin University in 2020, sparking her interest in pursuing Mechanical Engineering Studies there📚🚀

Although currently on pause, her focus is now dedicated to advocating for her Aboriginal community.

Aaliyah comes from a lineage of strong and BLAK female role models, the Culbong’s of Narrogin, which inspired her commitment to effecting positive change for The First Nations Peoples✊🏽

She has been involved in the Polly Farmer 'Follow the Dream' program throughout her schooling years, working closely with Jennet Hansen and speaking at notable events such as the International Women's Day Breakfast in 2021🧡

Recently, she delivered the 'Acknowledgment of Country' at the Pitching Perth - Perth Landing Pad Showcase in 2024, alongside Basil Zempilas, reflecting on the grand legacy of Dr. Margaret Culbong and her impact on The First Nations Peoples of Boorloo (Perth)✨🌇

 Jess Etheridge - Kinetic IT

From interviewing Survivor host Jeff Probst to reporting live from crime scenes, to reviewing Demi Lovato and Nicki Minaj concerts, to writing about insurance and climate change, Jess Etheridge has communicated (almost) anything and everything. Jess has worked as a journalist, communicator and marketer for more than 15 years. Originally from Aotearoa-New Zealand, Jess has helped some of the biggest organisations in the southern hemisphere tell their stories. She has been a featured speaker at national events and in the news for her insight on how journalists can use social media for good (but she doesn't have TikTok). Now living on Noongar Country, Jess is the Growth Campaign Manager for Kinetic IT, writing about how technology can make our lives better.

Jess studied Communication Studies - TAFE and universities offer Creative Industries which is the same. Jess is an award-winning LGBTQIA+ professional - she was part of the team that won Best Community Newspaper at the 2013 Canon Media Awards, and in 2022 Jess won the Rising Star Award for Sales, Marketing & Business Support at the Women in Technology WA Tech [+] Awards.

Lucy Cooke - Spacedraft

Lucy Cooke is a Behavioral Scientist and the Founder/CEO of a technology company called SpaceDraft. SpaceDraft is a simple online planning tool designed to help teachers and students map out any imagination in a fun and secure way. Lucy worked on film sets in Hollywood for ten years before deciding that the world needed more creative ways to communicate virtually.

SpaceDraft won startup of the year in 2020 and helps anyone (without any technical skill) map and design ideas for any sound and action in any virtual or physical space. With SpaceDraft, building video games for your own reality has never been so engaging.

 Michelle Wong - Creative Tech Innovation Hub

I am the Manager of Innovation and Operations at the WA Creative Tech Innovation Hub (Creative Tech Village, AKA CTV). There are 4 tech hubs in the state including Data Science, Cyber, and Life Sciences with each hub sitting under a different university. CTV sits with ECU in the South West. Of course creative tech is the coolest hub because we are the story tellers, digital designers, game developers, immersive artists and VR landscapers, just to name a few. In my role I connect, support and grow the creative tech ecosystem across the state of WA to highlight the incredible innovation and opportunities for creatives, industry and investors.

I am also a post-grad researcher focusing on strength-based inclusion and motivation in PE and sport for autistic youth. As a volunteer, I run an coding club for autistic adolescents, and last year I founded the GoSHackathon event that grew to be the biggest STEM innovation event for young people in WA. This year the event is scaling up, and one day you will see GoSH in your region.

I have had multiple careers including teaching, finance, gym owner, consultancy, project management, and Jedi (just testing who is still reading).

I have had many highlights in my career so far, but my favourites are always when I get to see the amazing folk that I work with or support, shine! I am a passionate advocate for the underdog as my pet hate is seeing people disregarded or judged in an instant, when they have so much to offer the world. When I'm in your corner, I will convince you that you're amazing and then badger those around you to see your magic, too. I will also fight for your right, to party (again - testing who is still reading). I will advocate for equity, parity, and kindness and am looking forward to sharing all of these and more with the Techtrails team.

Shape the conversation about the future. Let’s learn together and help our kids dream big!