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Festival Grand Opening

  • Innovation Hall - Newcastle City Hall 290 King Street Newcastle, NSW, 2300 Australia (map)

Festival Grand Opening

Regional Innovation & a Vision for Future 🚀

Join us to officially kick off the Hunter Innovation Festival with an inspiring opening ceremony setting the stage for a day of groundbreaking ideas, connection, and discovery.

Who better to host than the man who spent nearly a decade with Australia’s brightest minds on ABC TV's The New Inventors? We're thrilled to announce legendary comedian, author, and innovation expert James O'Loghlin as our MC! James will kick off the day and share a rousing keynote on innovation.

The ceremony will feature a powerful lineup of speakers:

  • Welcome to Country: We begin by paying our respects with local indigenous leaders Sarah Kelly and Matt Syron.

  • Festival Welcome: Our MC James O’Loghlin, Hunter iF Chair Alex Brennan, and Festival Director Zara Crichton will give you an idea of what’s expect from this year’s festival.

  • Official Festival Opening: City of Newcastle Lord Mayor, Dr Ross Kerridge, will welcome delegates and share the City's commitment to fostering a vibrant and supportive ecosystem for innovators, startups, and technology-driven industries.

  • Ministerial Address: The Hon. Yasmin Catley, Minister for the Hunter, will outline the strategic importance of the NSW Innovation Blueprint and discuss the critical role regions like the Hunter play in driving the state's economic and technological advancement.

  • Parliamentary Secretary Address: The Hon. Emily Suvaal, MLC, will provide a vote of thanks to the entrepreneurs who are driving innovation in the Hunter.

Featured
The Hon. Yasmin Maree Catley
The Hon. Yasmin Maree Catley

Yasmin Catley is the Minister for Police and Counter-Terrorism, Minister for the Hunter and Member for Swansea.

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The Hon. Emily SUVAAL MLC
The Hon. Emily SUVAAL MLC

Emily Suvaal is a Member of the Legislative Council and Parliamentary Secretary for Trade and Small Business.

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Lord Mayor Dr Ross Kerridge
Lord Mayor Dr Ross Kerridge

Dr Ross Kerridge became the 15th Lord Mayor of Newcastle in October 2024.

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Sarah Kelly
Sarah Kelly

We are delighted to have Sarah Kelly join us with Matt Syron from the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council, who will conduct the Festivals Welcome to Country.

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Matt Syron
Matt Syron

Matt Syron from the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council, who will conduct the Festivals Welcome to Country, his message emphasises the importance of building trust and understanding to advance reconciliation. Matt is also a former rifleman with the Australian Army.

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Alex Brennan
Alex Brennan

Alex is passionate leader whose experience includes recruitment, start-ups, for-purpose organisations, and stonemasonry.

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Zara Crichton
Zara Crichton

Zara Crichton is a global innovation leader who transforms ideas into valuable assets. She architects ventures and builds ecosystems for commercial success.

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James O’Loghlin
James O’Loghlin

MC James O'Loghlin—comedian & New Inventors host—is making innovation fun. He'll wrangle the geniuses and serve up big ideas with a healthy dose of laughter. It's innovation, but funnier.

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Startup Alley
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Em. Prof. Roy Green AM: Future made in the Hunter