Get Inspired: After A 3 Year Hiatus, TEDx Returns To Perth This April

After a hugely successful 2019 edition, Australia’s second biggest TEDx event finally returns to Perth this April to celebrate 10 years of TEDxPerth, taking place in a new venue with an exciting lineup of speakers just announced.

After filling up Perth Concert Hall three years ago, this year’s TEDx event moves to an even beginner arena, with 2500 attendees expected to converge at the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre for a day of ideas and inspiration on Saturday 1 April.

“Our speaker curation team has been working hard behind the scenes to identify 10 alluring speakers covering topics and subjects that have application to a broad audience,” said TEDxPerth General Manager Nicole Riksman.

“Given this is our first major WA event since 2019, we’re upping the ante to offer the people of Perth and Western Australia the chance to hear direct from some our State’s most interesting people and personalities, as well as some visiting speakers.”

Among an array of highlight guests for the day is respected Noongar elder and researcher Professor Leonard Collard, who has spent a lifetime studying the meaning and importance of place names; WA Museum marine biologist Dr Nerida Wilson who uses facial recognition technology to research sea dragons; and globally-renowned photographers Jarrad Seng and Lauren Crooke.

They’ll join the likes of Greg Quicke AKA ‘Space Gandalf’ sharing stories from outer space; anaesthetist and former AMA WA president Dr Andrew Miller about how caring for his mother shaped his passion for improving aged care; and Kirk Docker, director of ABC’s You Can’t Ask That.

The Chasers’ War on Everything comedian and broadcaster Chris Taylor will be MCing the event.

Check out the lineup announced so far below, and head to the TEDxPerth Website for more info and tickets.

Shani Graham – Sustainability consultant and community organiser
Ten years after her remarkable TEDxPerth talk about Hulbert Street, Shani will share how her mission to develop a more resilient community grew and moved from a street in Fremantle to an entire suburb.

Dr Andrew Miller – Anaesthetist and former AMA (WA) President
Andrew will share how he began to support his elderly mother and became more aware of her needs and wants – and how this changed his views on aged care in Australia. Andrew is an anaesthetist, columnist, and former President of AMA (WA).

Dr Nerida Wilson – WA Museum marine and molecular biologist
Sea dragons have unique faces, and this allows each sea dragon to be identified. Using facial recognition
technology, scientists such as Nerida can now study many more sea dragons, getting a much more complete understanding of their behaviours, and in a much less intrusive way.

Professor Leonard (Len) Collard – Nyungar elder and ARC Chief Investigator at UWA
Len is a Nyungar elder, passionate language preserver and business owner. He will give an insight into the shared history of Indigenous and colonialist Western Australia – and how that is reflected in our place names.

Jarrad Seng – Professional photographer
Jarrad shares how a personal philosophy, one of “just one more shot”, can help achieve the most amazing results. He is a photographer, has featured on reality TV show Survivor and is an ambassador for Qantas and Canon.

Greg Quicke – Astronomer and astronomy business owner
AKA “Space Gandalf”, Greg will lead the audience on a journey that will give a cosmic perspective that makes all other issues seem small.

Kirk Docker – Director and Interviewer
The brain behind ABC’s You Can’t Ask That, Kirk will help us rediscover the lost art of conversation in an age of isolation and social media bubbles. He will show how, through empathy and curiosity, we can all have better conversations.

Susie Delaporte – Driving with disability advocate
Susie will share how her mission to improve driving accessibility for people with disabilities led to fewer young people jailed for driving offences and fewer deaths on the roads. Susie is the Senior Community Engagement Officer at Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup.

Jahna Cedar – Nyiyaparli/Yindijbarndi woman and IPS Management Consultants Executive Director
As an Indigenous businesswoman, Jahna navigates two worlds with differing practices and responsibilities. She believes to progress reconciliation, a more widespread understanding of this code switching is needed, and her talk will help listeners develop their understanding.

Lauren Crooke – Professional photographer and nudescapist
Lauren shares how she uses photography as a tool to empower women, heal the wounds of personal and
challenge patriarchy.