Dominic Thurbon is an internationally engaged author, researcher, speaker and thought leader in the fields of innovation, behaviour change and organisational transformation.

For over a decade Dominic has been helping global organisations such as Apple, Commonwealth Bank, IBM and Microsoft to build critical strategies in order to address change and then drive it.

Boasting a wealth of first-hand experience in business and the challenges that come with it, Dominic has also developed a range of multi-award-winning behaviour change programs to help organisations drive innovation and change where required.

He has also researched and authored best-selling books and white papers on a wide range of subjects, including purpose-driven leadership, strategy, innovation, competitive advantage, and behaviour change.

Dominic’s keynote address will focus on how leaders within an organisation can make sense of and respond to the profound forces of change that are reshaping organisations and society today. It is the changes we make today that will help to drive better outcomes for the future.

Keynote Presentation
Date: Monday 18 September 2023

Michelle Payne became a national icon when she captured the hearts of a nation after winning the 2015 Melbourne Cup on the 100 to 1 priced Prince of Penzance.

The first and only female to win the event, Michelle’s triumph catapulted her into stardom where she is now a highly successful trainer, jockey and author.

Growing up on a farm at Miners Rest, near Ballarat in Central Victoria, Michelle is the youngest daughter of the ten children of Paddy and Mary Payne. Tragically, Michelle’s mother Mary died in a motor vehicle accident when Michelle was only six months old.

Being born into a racing family, a career in the saddle always beckoned Michelle, and she followed seven of her brothers and sisters when she rode in her first competitive race at just 15.

Michelle’s career hasn’t been without challenges.  In 2004 she suffered a fractured skull and bruising to her brain after a race fall.  Michelle suffered another two serious falls in 2012 and in May 2016, the latter required pancreatic surgery and a long recovery, before yet another inspiring comeback to racing.

In 2016, Michelle was awarded the highly coveted Don Prize for Most Inspirational Australian Athlete at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Awards, along with the Sportswoman of the Year for the Cosmopolitan Magazine Awards and the Women of Style: Sport Award for InStyle Magazine. Michelle and her brother Stephen were also given the honour of being named Queen and King of Moomba.

In 2017, Michelle received The International Longines Ladies Awards in Washington celebrating women who have consistently achieved at the highest level within the equestrian world, and in 2022 this year was awarded the Order of Australia medal (OAM) for services to horse racing.

Michelle released her first book, Life As I Know It in 2016, and in 2019, her inspiring story made its way to the big screen as the major motion picture Ride Like A Girl,  the highest-grossing Australian film that year.

In 2021 her Melbourne Cup victory was voted by the public as the most significant Sport Australia Hall of Fame moment from a shortlist of 20 outstanding sporting moments over the past 60 years.

Michelle now runs a very successful training facility in Ballarat and has recently expanded to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.

Convention Breakfast

Date: Tuesday 19 September 2023

Gill Hicks is considered to be one of the most thought provoking and powerful speakers in Australia and the UK. She will share her story and experience as a survivor of the London terrorist bombings in July 2005, which left her severely and permanently injured.

Dr Hicks is much more than a survivor. She is a global advocate for sustainable peace and has devoted her life to deterring anyone from following a path of violent extremism, notably through founding her not-for-profit organisation M.A.D for Peace and working with various other charities and educational organisations in this space.

Gill’s presentation at the WALGA Local Government Convention 2023 will be a story of hope, achievement and aspiration – highlighting the power of our collective humanity and what we are all capable of as individuals, as well as part of organisations. Gill’s story and messages will provide Local Government leaders with a thought-provoking close to the WALGA 2023 Convention.

Closing Keynote Speakers

Date: Tuesday 19 September 2023

Gihan Perera is a futurist, conference speaker, online presenter, and author who shows you how to be fit for the future in a fast-changing world.

For 25 years, Gihan has worked with organisations and leaders globally – helping them to thrive in a fast-changing world. Since the pandemic, he has helped people lead in uncertain times, and act with clarity and confidence through crisis, recovery, and growth.

Gihan will be speaking at the Mayors & Presidents Forum at the 2023 WA Local Government Convention, sharing his insights into the future of the Local Government sector and how organisations can be prepared to adapt, change and grow.

Mayors and Presidents Forum
Date: Sunday 17 September 2023

Ruth uses two decades of experience as a media strategist, communications adviser and journalist to develop, deliver and distribute messages that cut through. She specialises in providing strategic digital and content services for clients, using the principles of newsworthy and engaging content to tell compelling stories. Ruth’s work in this field has included developing digital and inbound marketing strategies for clients, including use of lead generation software, content marketing and social media.

In the six months since ChatGPT stormed onto the stage, Ruth has worked with businesses, ASX listed companies, professional services groups and government authorities on the use cases, opportunities, risks and challenges of adopting generative AI. She delivers workshops that provide immediate insights and actionable steps, to help groups begin to embed generative AI in their operations, with appropriate guardrails, protocols and training.

The Role of AI in Local Government
Date: Monday 18 September 2023