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).

Riverside Theatres, Parramatta
Cnr Church & Market Sts, Parramatta
Sydney, New South Wales, 2150
Australia

Antonella Khodr Chah

Antonella is a Year 12 student pursuing voice as instrument in her upcoming major work. Her passion lies in singing, having travelled last year as part of the Australian team to compete at the World Championships of Performing Arts where she achieved great success; the most significant being awarded the title as Senior Singer of the World. Antonella continues to participate and place in eisteddfods some of which involve performing with James Morrison, the Duke of Edinburgh Gold ceremony, local festivals and more. Since then, she has focused on her final year of studies, honing in on four performances that contribute to her HSC. Her aspirations range far and wide where she hopes to sustain her love for music alongside academic endeavours at university next year.

Beck Feiner

Beck's illustrations, stories and 'memes' shine a spotlight on social issues, tap into the mood of the time and promote harmony and diversity. Beck's creative style has evolved from her years working as a graphic designer and art director in the advertising industry in Sydney and overseas. She left the world of advertising to produce her two most rewarding creations: Levi and Esme. Beck's first book, 'Aussie Legends Alphabet,' was conceived when teaching her kids the alphabet but discovering a lack of engaging materials. In this bold and vibrant illustrated alphabet, each letter is creatively morphed into a prominent, iconic Aussie. The intention is to help young Australians understand the very diverse/multicultural mix of people who make our nation an incredible country. 'Aussie Legends Alphabet' has gone on to receive nationwide recognition and earned her an ongoing publishing deal. Beck has since published 8 more books which include: 'If I was Prime Minister,' which focuses on what kids might do if they were given the keys to the Lodge and her latest book - Big Love, has been long listed for the Children's Book Council of Australia. Beck hopes to have a long career creating art that everyone loves.

Fred Kearney

2023 Lions Australia Youth of the Year, Exemplary Leader and Athlete Fred grew up west of Coonabarabran, a small town two hours north of Dubbo in central New South Wales. He has been attending boarding school at The Armidale School (TAS) since year nine. From a young age, Fred has had a passion for leading and inspiring others through school, sport and community activities. Apart from being in a leadership role as Senior Prefect at TAS, he is also an accomplished athlete, debater and public speaker. Fred believes in the power of change and activating this in young people across New South Wales and Australia. Big or small, the ability to change yourself or the environment around you and have a positive influence on others allow for the development of strong and collective communities. Fred says that his passion for driving change has also been developed through the Lions Youth of The Year program which he was fortunate to be a part of and win earlier in 2023. He gained a great sense of the power of working together for a common aspiration, one of the greatest ways that we can make positive differences.

Jayden Delbridge

Founder of UrVoice Australia, Mental Health Advocate Jayden is an 18-year-old mental health advocate working within the educational wellbeing sector. He is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Social Science degree at the University of Newcastle. Jayden is the founder of UrVoice Australia, a non-for-profit organisation that aims to help students with early intervention and education in mental health awareness and suicide prevention. In 2019, Jayden worked with Council to introduce a suicide prevention report for the Central Coast, the first for the region. Jayden has been a member of the NSW Youth Advisory Council, Central Coast Y4Y and Central Coast headspace Youth Reference Group. In 2022, Jayden was the recipient of the Central Coast Youth Leadership of the Year Award for making significant contributions to the community. Jayden is passionate about ensuring that all young people have the effective resources to speak up about mental health issues. Losing a close family member to suicide, he understands all too well how important early intervention is in mitigating and identifying mental health issues.

Kirstie Clements

Kirstie is regarded as one of Australia’s most successful and respected media executives. She is the former editor in chief of Vogue Australia, ex features director of Harper’s Bazaar Australia, current weekly columnist for the New Daily news website, a contributing editor to House and Garden and Belle magazines. She is a respected authority in the Australian fashion, beauty and lifestyle industry and a regular commentator on both radio and television, including ABC Radio nationally, the Today Show, Sunrise, The Drum, Australian Story, Mornings and Studio Ten. She is also a prolific author. Her published books include, In Vogue, 50 Years of Australian Style and Impressive, How to Have a Stylish Career, a manual for young people in the fashion industry. Her book, The Vogue Factor (MUP 2013) achieved global press attention and became an international best-seller and she appeared as a guest on The View in the US. In September 2022 she released Why Did I Buy That? Fashion Mistakes, Life Lessons in the Australia, UK and US markets. Kirstie is a strong advocate for diversity, with a robust track record of supporting and mentoring young people. She is a senior lecturer in fashion journalism at FBI Fashion College, Sydney and is a popular keynote speaker and panelist, regularly hosting charity and not for profit events. She also sits as a board director at FARE.

Noah Smith

Noah is a descendant of the Gomeroi people of north west New South Wales. He is a Year 11 student at Barrenjoey High School and has been named the Northern Beaches Young Citizen of the Year in 2023. Noah is a member of the Northern Beaches Council Youth Advisory Group and the Federal First Nations Youth Advisory Group. Passionate about advocacy, bush foods and education, Noah is also the Vice President of the Garuwa Junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group and is a recipient of the Goodes O’Loughlin Foundation scholarship. He was named the 2022 Youth Parliamentarian of the Year and elected Y NSW Youth Premier for 2023. Noah believes in the importance of maintaining strong ties to culture in order to develop who we want to become as people.

Olivia Stavrakis

Olivia is a Year 12 student at PLC Sydney. Elected as school captain, she aims to inspire her peers with her dedication and compassion. Olivia has represented Australia at the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships in both 2022 and 2023. In 2023, she came fourth overall and the highest ranked Australian and female across all countries at the competition. Equally, Olivia’s passion for communication extends into literature. She, alongside five other students, published David Williamson - The Early Writings, a collection of the prolific playwright’s childhood work in partnership with UNSW’s Juvenilia press. In the future, Olivia aspires to continue using words, both spoken and written, to advocate for a better world and create positive changes for society.

Sarah Grattan

Sarah is an elected, independent Councilor on the Northern Beaches Council and a C-Suite executive, most recently Chief Operating Officer of UNICEF Australia. Her philosophy is that a combination of high expectations, trust and kindness leads teams to achieve great things. After leaving PLC Sydney, she earned degrees in Economics and Laws at UNSW and won the University Medal for Economics. Sarah began her career in the world of strategy & management consulting, helping organisations to solve wicked problems. Sarah is now an expert in governance, risk, strategy, cyber-security and digital transformation with a passion for children & young people, education, economics and the environment. Sarah is a mother of three teenage girls, a dance mum and maker of costumes for school musicals.

Stella Lin

Stella is a Year 12 student actively involved in music both in and out of school. She received her Associate Diploma of Music in violin and fifth grade in Theory of Music issued by the Australian Music Examinations Board in 2021. Stella won a Silver Prize at the World Classical Music Awards and was selected to the Australian Romantic Classical Orchestra’s Young Mannheim Symphonists National Winter Academy in 2022, an intensive orchestral program that culminated in a public concert. Stella is a current student at the Sydney Conservatorium's Rising Stars Program and leads the PLC Symphony and Senior Chamber Orchestras. Stella aims to communicate the benefits of music and explore different ways to do so such as busking and teaching opportunities.