Guest Speaker Zac McClelland grew up on a farm near Walbundrie in NSW. He had to return to high school at the age of 21 to redo year 12 which got him on track to complete a degree in Aerospace Engineering at RMIT University. While completing his degree he created a team to compete in a global competition to develop a whole new form of high-speed transport. This new transport is called Hyperloop which was conceptualised by Elon Musk and Zac led the team of 30 to be the only finalist from the southern hemisphere to make the final 30 out of an original 1700 entries. Zac presented his journey with Hyperloop and what he and the team are up to now.

Guest Speaker, Edwina Hayes is the Regional Landcare Facilitator, Murray and a Social Worker with expertise in community development, project management and group work. A bit of an environmentalist, tragic feminist, mindful mother and all-round farming fan. Edwina wants to bring people together to create something better than before. Edwina is a devotee of social media and collective action. Edwina discussed the world of addressing environmental, sustainable agriculture and rural social issues with opportunities to be involved. Edwina has been the Regional Landcare Facilitator in the Murray Region for 7 years. In that time community based, not-for-profit agricultural and natural resource management groups have enjoyed exponential growth. Key issues have included farming efficiencies; soil, nutrients, water, agribusiness skill development, pest and weed management and environmental practices; water flows, waterways and wetlands, southern pygmy perch, bush stone curlews, phantom wattle and revegetation for habitat and connectivity. Edwina recently worked with Bradley Hayden to run the NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference in Albury attracting a record crowd and having some great fun along the way. You can follow Edwina and connect with Landcare by clicking on your favourite social media buttons.

Guest Speaker Cr David Thurley is originally from Tasmania. He graduated from the University of Tasmania Bachelor of Science with Honours and began his career with Australian Newsprint Mills, now Norske Skog. Cr Thurley moved to Albury Wodonga in 1980 to work as the Technical Manager for the paper mill. He has had wide involvement with communities along the Murray as well as the Murray Valley League, the forerunner of the present Murray Darling Association.  He began his own environmental consultancy in 1994, specialising in water treatment and environmental planning matters. Cr Thurley was first elected to Council in 2012 and was recently re-elected. He has a strong interest in government at all levels and enjoys the opportunity to contribute to the community. He has been a member of all Council committees and has represented Council on a number of external bodies including as National President of the Murray Darling Association. In addition to his Council duties, Cr Thurley is also President of the Astronomical Society of Albury Wodonga. Outside Council you might find him doing volunteer science teaching at some schools in the region, riding his push-bike, reading or devising fun science experiments for his grandchildren. He hopes to continue to ensure good governance and the implementation of environmental sustainability initiatives and to provide feedback from residents and ratepayers of the City. He says Albury has everything one needs to have a great life whether it be sporting or cultural attractions, our great medical facilities or the wonderful environment that surrounds us here.

Guest Speaker, Alyce Fisher is the Executive Director of Murray Arts. No stranger to the role, Alyce has previously worked as the Regional Arts Development Officer for South West Arts, based in Deniliquin from 2009 – 2013. There she worked to raise the profile of the organisation instigating numerous arts projects which left an impressive mark on the regions art scene. Having joined Murray Arts in January 2017, Alyce’s mission is to deliver outstanding programs and projects for the local arts community.

With a background in the dramatic arts, Alyce has extensive experience in touring, production and development, having run her own theatre company, she is acutely aware of the challenges facing artists in regional areas and is passionate about guiding the Murray Arts catchment in new and exciting directions.