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).

The Cairns Institute
14-88 McGregor Road
Smithfield, Queensland, 4878
Australia

Alex Trollope

Dr Alex Trollope has a PhD in Molecular Biology and is a senior lecturer and researcher at James Cook University. Watching a family member experience a stroke has given Alex the passion and drive to become an Epigeneticist and conduct research into how gene regulation can be used to diagnose and treat severe diseases like Stroke.

Anna Fredericks

Born in Alice Springs, Central Australia, and a proud mum of four, Anna is the Director of Domestic Recruitment and Engagement. Anna has over ten years’ experience in public governance, project management and policy development, including leading policy development and systemic support for the implementation of education programs in regional and remote Australia and in Timor-Leste.

Gavin Singleton

Many First Nations People have a deep connection to nature and country. Gavin Singleton believes that this connection is important for everyone’s wellbeing and that the loss of this connection is responsible for many of the issues that the world is facing.

Gillian Mailman

Gillian Mailman is a proud Bidjara woman from the Charleville region and grew up in Mount Isa. She is a trailblazer who sets, rather than follows, trends. This started at a young age when Gillian, became the first Australia Aboriginal female qualified electrician. She represented companies in the telecommunications sector, and established a telecommunications business. An Aboriginal entrepreneur driven by passion for improving the lives of people through empowerment and economic development, Gillian’s innovative approach and 25 years’ experience has made her the leading business woman she is today.

Jessica McKechnie-Hart

Jessica McKechnie-Hart was the inaugural recipient of the Nakata Brophy Short Fiction and Poetry Prize for Young Indigenous Writers, by Trinity College, University of Melbourne. She has poetry published in Overland Literary Journal and Rabbit Journal for Nonfiction Poetry. Jessica is also an avid spoken-word poet who has competed at the QLD State Finals of the Australian Poetry Slam. She has collaborated with artists and videographers on projects shown in large-scale public art installations and galleries. A James Cook University Arts graduate, Jessica is passionate about teaching and encouraging people of all ages to find purpose in the written and spoken word.

Mike Berwick

Mike has a broad science background and history as a green activist, newspaper owner, journalist, farmer and five term Mayor of the Douglas Shire. He has been a key national leader in the regional natural resource management community. Under his leadership the Douglas Shire won awards in innovative planning and environment. But he says his role in the Daintree Blockade as protester and spokesperson was the most useful thing he has done. In 2008 Mike was awarded the Order of Australia for service to conservation and the environment through initiatives supporting the preservation of the Daintree rainforest and far north Queensland.

Peter James

Peter James is a comedian based in Cairns. He is a regular at comedy events around Far North Queensland (mostly with Guilt Free Comedy), as well as being the founder and host of ‘Laughing Heart Comedy’ at the Cairns Dinner Theatre.In James’ relatively short career; he has performed both split and solo shows to audiences across FNQ as well performances as part of both the Adelaide Fringe Festival and Melbourne Comedy Festival (2015 Class Clowns National Final).

Raquel Peel

Raquel Peel is currently doing a PhD and is a lecturer at James Cook University. She holds a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours and a Bachelor of Arts with double major in Art History and Music. She has conducted research in suicide, bullying, stigma, religiosity, rural health, and romantic relationships.

Rochelle Pitt

Rochelle Pitt is a descendent from the Wirri people from the Birrigubba nation, the Badtjala people from Fraser Island (K’Gari) and the Kalkadoon, in Western QLD. Rochelle has always balanced her love of singing with being a nurse and mother. At the age of 23 she released her first EP, “Black to Reality” (under the name Rochelle Watson). In 2014 Pitt found a national audience after auditioning and reaching the finals for X Factor Australia. In 2015, Rochelle released her first commercial single “Good Thing Coming” and signed on to be ambassador for Kidney Health Australia. Rochelle is an Ambassador for APRA AMCOS, a not for profit music rights organisation representing the rights and advocating for songwriters, composers and music publishers. Her music is influenced by Soul, Gospel, Blues, Rock & Funk to name a few.

Sandip Kamath

Dr. Sandip Kamath is an NHMRC Research Fellow at the Molecular Allergy Research Laboratory in the Division of Tropical Health and Medicine at James Cook University (JCU). He is part of the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine based at JCU and the Centre for Food and Allergy Research (CFAR) based at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Melbourne.

Suzanne Baylis

Suzanne is a former social worker and spent much of her career working with refugees. Her passion now is raising awareness of dystonia, a little known and greatly misunderstood neurological disease. Suzanne has five adult children, nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; some also have dystonia.

Wei Xiang

Prof Xiang is the Founding Professor and Head of Discipline of Internet of Things (IoT) Engineering at James Cook University and an elected Fellow of the IET and Engineers Australia. Wei is a well-recognised international leader in IoT and has been awarded several prestigious awards and fellowship titles.