Guest Speakers for 2025
7th March – Milton Dick, Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives
Milton Dick has proudly served his local community as the Federal Member for Oxley since 2016. Before that, he served as the Brisbane City Councillor for the Richlands Ward from 2008. In 2022, he was elected as the 32nd Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Living locally in the electorate, he is a patron of many sporting, community and service clubs, and is passionate about celebrating the rich cultural diversity of our community.
Milton feels extremely privileged to have been elected as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. His Speaker’s Presentation provides a “behind the scenes” view into his role as Speaker, and an insight into the history of the role along with fun antidotes. The presentation finishes off with attendees having the opportunity to have their own Question Time.
7th April – Ms Loan Chow
She is Director of Wills and Estates at YHC Lawyers, and presents sessions about Wills and Estates at retirement villages, for community groups and in partnership with education organisations. Loan will share her insights about: Wills gone wrong - or no Will at all – what happens next? Tips and Traps about Enduring Powers of Attorney, the Importance of Advance Health Directives, How to protect yourself and the people you're meant to be looking after and What Happens When Someone Passes Away.
7th July – Rupert McCall
Rupert McCall is an Australian poet of international renown who has presented on stages from Anzac Cove in Gallipoli to Ground Zero in New York.
From Roger Federer & Steve Irwin to Shane Warne & Winx, his tributes to our heroes and special occasions, have become highly sought-after for the indelible mark they have left on audiences everywhere. He is the author of seven anthologies of verse that have collectively sold over 120 000 copies. In 2013 as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, Rupert received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to the community, particularly as a port.
4th August – Professor Kerrie Mengersen
Professor Kerrie Mengersen’s expertise is in statistical and AI methods, computational algorithms, the modelling of complex systems, big data analytics, Bayesian statistics, responsible data science and translation with impact in health, environment, sport, business and industry. She has recently been appointed Founding Director of the QUT Centre for Data Science, is also the Chair in Statistics and Distinguished Professor, QUT, Department of Statistics as well as an Oxford University Associate Member. Professor Mengersen’s many scientific achievements have been recognised world-wide. The topic for her presentation will be “Looking at our World Through a data lens".
®