Theme: TropoVation

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

Amy Eden

A committed community volunteer at the Manoora Community Advisory Committee and Coordinator of the Manoora community Garden, Amy Eden strives to heal, support and grow a stronger community. Also as a government officer leading a positive change initiative (3MPride) Amy works with local Elders to shift the stigma associated with the area.

Andreas Kupz

Andreas is an NHMRC CJ Martin Research Fellow within the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine at James Cook University, Cairns. Andreas completed his master’s degree in biology at Humboldt-University in Berlin. He undertook his PhD research at the University of Melbourne and his postdoctoral training at the Max-Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Germany as an NHMRC Fellow. His interests include microbiology, immunology and infectious disease epidemiology.

Brenton Clutterbuck

Brenton Clutterbuck is a writer and teacher. Brenton has a passion for languages and is a language teacher at Cairns State High School. He has been performing slam poetry for four years, and is releasing a non-fiction book about Discordianism soon.

Dan Kaggelis

Dan has been involved in education as a Teacher, Head of Department, Growth Coach, Project Officer and Deputy Principal for the past 15 years. Dan has a passion for reforming education to meet the needs and challenges of the 21st Century.

Deline Briscoe

Deline Briscoe is an internationally acclaimed singer songwriter hailing from the Gugu Yalanji of North Australia. Her soulful intimate sound has defined her as one of Australia’s finest voices. A principal artist in Australia’s leading performing arts company Black Arm Band, Deline has performed to over one million people worldwide, alongside artists such as Archie Roach, Geoffrey Gurrumul and Emma Donovan

Julie-Ann Lambourne

As an Advanced Queensland Community Digital Champion 2016, Julie-ann is committed to delivering improved and creative programs within the framework of individual capacity building, motivated to working with marginalised people to overcome adversities, and passionate about developing Indigenous businesses and Leaders.

Karen Joyce

Karen has a PhD in Geographical Sciences, her focus was on mapping live coral cover using remote sensing. Her primary area of interest is in creating, applying and automating remote sensing tools for environmental monitoring and management problems.

Krista Watkins

Just like Lewis Carroll’s protagonist Alice in Wonderland, Krista took a tumble down a rabbit hole of her own in 2010 when she and husband Rob made their first batch of green banana flour using fruit that would have otherwise gone to waste. Juggling a cutting-edge health food company with raising two young girls is no easy task. The discovery put the Tablelands suburb of Walkamin on the map and propelled the couple to the forefront of scientific research and innovation, all of which have garnered international attention and earned the Watkins a swag of awards.

Michael Smout

Dr Michael Smout is a Research Fellow with the Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine at James Cook University. He obtained his BSc from the University of Queensland (UQ) in Brisbane, Australia and his PhD from UQ/Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR). His research interests have included melanoma, childhood viral infections and most recently parasitic helminths of humans.

Molly Steer

Molly Steer is 9 years old and is in grade 4 at school in Cairns. When she isn't trying to remove plastics from the ocean she enjoys dancing, swimming and spending time with her family.

Yarrabah Brass Band

Yarrabah was established as a mission community in 1892. Over the years, subsequent government administrations forcibly relocated Aboriginal and some South Sea Islander peoples from far and wide, to Yarrabah. As a consequence, most local residents can claim both traditional and historical ties to the area. Current Yarrabah Brass band members consist of descendants from the original band formed in 1901 and honorary members such as legendary musician James Morrison.

Zoe Pertiwi

Zoe Pertiwi is a 15 year old student at Cairns State High School. She enjoys writing poetry and songs and is passionate about drama and people. Zoe has been using her voice since the age of 9, busking since the age of 12 and performing on stage in both school productions as well as with a local theatre company. Zoe has a voice that people are drawn to and something to say about her world.