Theme: Changing Perspectives

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).

TEDxYouth@LGS
38 Huntingtower Road
Armadale, Victoria, 3143
Australia

Alexandra Hagan

Dual Olympian

Alexandra Hagan made her Olympic debut at the London 2012 Games at 21 years of age. The West Australian helped qualify the women's eight (rowing) for the London Games with victory at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne. Hagan and the Australian women’s eight crew made the A Final finishing in sixth place. She first competed internationally at the 2008 Junior World Championships, finishing fifth in the single sculls. The following year she won a silver medal in the women’s quad sculls at the Junior World Championships in France. In 2013, she sat six seat in the senior women's eight which won gold at the World Rowing Cup I in Sydney. Later that year Hagan and three others from that eight, competed in the women's coxless four at the U23 World Championships claiming the gold, following a silver in the same event earlier in the year.

Beau Arnfield & Josh Firmin

Co-Founders @ Spair Pair

Beau and Josh are not only best mates of 10 years but are the co-founders of Australian-based social enterprise Spair Pair. With a passion for creating real, tangible impact Beau and Josh created Spair Pair out of the need of so many to have access to basic necessities; like socks. Beginning as a bedroom startup the pair’s work has seen them deliver talks to the United Nations in Geneva, partner with large international organisations and be the subject of national news coverage. Champions of change in their own right, the pair have collectively won and been nominated for: Victorian Law Student of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Local Hero of the Year and Community Organisation of the Year. If there is one thing the pair want to demonstrate it’s that “the little things done consistency make the biggest difference”.

Earl Livings

Poet, Scientist, Teacher and Student of Imagination

Earl Livings is an award-winning poet and fiction writer who has been widely published in Australia and also Britain, Canada, the USA, and Germany, and has read his work around Melbourne and overseas. He has a PhD in Creative Writing and he taught professional writing and editing for almost 20 years. Earl has also worked as a freelance editor, a manuscript assessor, and a Writers Victoria mentor. His writing focuses on science, history, nature, mythology and the sacred. Ginninderra Press published his latest poetry collection, Libation, in late 2018, and he is currently working on a historical fantasy novel set in 6th century Britain.

Elizabeth O'Shea

Lawyer

Elizabeth O'Shea is a Senior Associate in Maurice Blackburn's class actions practice in Melbourne. Lizzie is currently working on the Aveo potential class action. "I l love working with people who might otherwise not have access to the courts. Law should be about justice. It should be about holding people and corporations accountable for wrongdoing, and ensuring that those harmed are properly compensated,” says Lizzie. Lizzie’s international legal experience includes working at the International Labour Organisation in Geneva monitoring gender and racial equality in labour standards, as well working with indigent prisoners on death row in the USA. More recently, Lizzie completed her Masters in Law at Columbia University in New York, receiving a scholarship to focus on human rights and corporate accountability. She subsequently worked on projects that use digital technology to advance human rights. Lizzie is the author of a book on this topic, due out in 2018.

Georgia Bonora

Olympian

The youngest of five siblings, Georgia started gymnastics at the age of 3 following her sisters into the sport, and at age seven entered the high performance program. At the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Georgia placed the highest amongst the Australian girls, finishing 13th in the all-around final, and assisting the team to achieve its best ever Olympics result, finishing sixth in the team competition. Georgia Bonora is notably one of Australia’s most decorated gymnasts being a dual Olympian (2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics) and World Championships team member (2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010). She also competed at the 2010 Dehli Commonwealth Games where she was part of the Gold medal winning Australian Team, and achieved a Bronze medal in the All Around final, and Silver medal in the Bars final. After retiring from the sport, Georgia began her coaching journey in 2014 and has competed in seasons 1, 2 and 3 of Australian Ninja Warrior, making the semi-finals in two of those seasons.

Ruth Clare

Author

Ruth Clare is the award-winning author of the acclaimed memoir, Enemy (Penguin 2016), a book about her experience growing up in a home with domestic violence and an exploration of the psychological impact of war on veterans and their families. As well as working as a copywriter for over a decade, she teaches creative and non-fiction writing, and is a passionate advocate for the rights of children. Her work has appeared in publications such as Meanjin, Elle, The Good Weekend and Better Reading.

Stella Wiedemeyer

Student, Climate Activist

Stella Wiedemeyer is a current year 11 student who has channelled her mounting frustration surrounding the lack of action from the powers that be in relation to the climate crisis into organising School Strike 4 Climate actions in Melbourne. Through her grassroots engagement, she was selected to join federal political candidates at panel discussions including by Oxfam and is delighted to bring a youthful perspective to an at times demoralising issue. She is working currently to inspire environmental awareness through her personal actions, school community and new found platform within the youth climate justice movement. “I’m looking forward to challenging people to consider their position in our climate and recognise what obligations and privileges we have to create long-lasting, systemic change.”

Vivian Wang

Owner of Linger Patisserie

Vivian Wang is a celebrity chef in every aspect of the word. Each year, thousands of foodies from all over the world, visit her cafe, Linger Patisserie, which is situated in a romantically manicured church of one hundred plus years in Camberwell, Melbourne. They say every chapter is a new beginning and life was once very different for Vivian. Growing up in China, she was a gifted student who gained entry into one of the top universities; where she majored in finance before taking up a role as Head of Marketing at Enjoyed English School. But the sweet life was still waiting somewhere for Vivian. As the saying goes: "It is not the destination, it is the journey." With a suitcase and a dream on the end of sugary whisk, Vivian relocated to Australia in 2006. After working the kitchens and learning the hospitality nuances, Vivian knew if she was going to be at the top of her game, she would have to study under the masters, the Michelin star chefs of Europe, the cream of the crop.