Speakers
Welcome to Country
Refiti Tovi
Turrbal Community Member
Day 1 - Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Brett Wiskar
Innovation & Adaptability Speaker
Day 2 - Thursday, 27 August 2026
Brad O’Reilly
Head of Department - Year 12 at Arcadia College
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Refiti Tovi is a proud Turrbal woman and the niece of the late Turrbal Elder, Songwoman Maroochy Barambah. Raised in culture and guided by her Elders, she has learned traditional Lore and Protocol.
With over a decade of experience in Early Childhood Education, Refiti is deeply passionate about empowering the next generation and strengthening her community through truth-telling, advocacy and cultural connection. Refiti is here with us today to deliver the Welcome to Country on behalf of the Turrbal People of Brisbane.
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Brett Wiskar is one of Australia’s leading futurist keynote speakers, working with organisations across government, education, and industry to help organisations navigate disruption and prepare for the future of their industries.
With more than 25 years’ experience in innovation, strategic transformation, and workforce evolution, Brett specialises in helping institutions respond to rapid technological change - particularly the impact of AI, automation, and shifting expectations of professional value. His work focuses on how roles are redesigned, how work is reframed, and how organisations remain relevant in environments of continuous and accelerating change.
Brett works with executive teams and leaders to move beyond theory, translating complex trends into practical frameworks for action. He brings a grounded, operational perspective on how institutions can redesign services, rethink capability, and position their people for higher-value contribution.
His keynotes are known for cutting through hype to focus on what matters most: how professionals shift from task execution to judgement, decision-making, and system-level thinking - and how organisations build the capacity to continuously adapt.
For more information please see the links below:
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Brad O'Reilly is a Year 12 Coordinator, Educator and Qualified Counsellor based on the Gold Coast, Queensland. With a Bachelor of Counselling and a Master of Teaching, Brad has dedicated his career to supporting young people to overcome barriers, build resilience and create meaningful pathways into adulthood.
Currently working at Arcadia College, a Special Assistance School for disengaged and at risk young people, Brad leads student wellbeing, engagement and transition programs for senior students. His work focuses on helping young people navigate complex personal challenges while developing the skills, confidence and mindset needed to succeed beyond school.
Before entering teaching, Brad worked extensively in youth mentoring and coaching, supporting adolescents through periods of significant personal growth and change. This unique combination of counselling, education and leadership experience has shaped his practical and highly relatable approach to working with young people.
Passionate about preparing students for an uncertain and rapidly changing future, Brad believes that success is built not only through academic achievement, but through resilience, adaptability, relationships and a willingness to embrace challenges. His message encourages educators and leaders to focus on developing capable, confident young people who are ready to navigate whatever comes next.
Brad will share his insights from his experiences working with some of Australia's most vulnerable young people and explores what it truly means to be future ready in an ever changing world.