2025 Conference
Program
Conference Program
We are excited to announce that the 2025 Conference brochure is now available to download!
Conference closing speakers
Dr Shayne Beaver
QUT School of Design
Dr Shayne Beaver is a lecturer and Subject Area Coordinator in Industrial Design at QUT, with over 20 years of experience in teaching, research, and curriculum innovation. Originally from Zimbabwe, she studied at QUT as an international student, earning a PhD exploring emotional connections to materials in design. Passionate about fostering inclusive learning, she champions empathy, collaboration, and ethical design. She founded the Industrial Design Society (IDS), a peer mentoring program that enhances student retention and design culture. Her award-winning innovations include redesigning QUT’s Z12 workshop and supporting first-year students. Dr Beaver collaborates with industry and health researchers and engages high school teachers and students through workshops and presentations. Her research focuses on emotional design, product durability, and design education. She is dedicated to preparing future designers to make meaningful contributions to communities and the profession.
Melanie Finger
QUT School of Design
Melanie Finger (FHEA) is a Senior Lecturer in Transdisciplinary Design and the Academic Lead Engagement for the School of Design, at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Melanie develops impactful design curricula which has earned her 3 Vice-Chancellors awards, the 2021 QS Wharton Overall Global Education Program award and the 2022 AAUT Program award for Programs that Enhance Learning. Melanie is passionate about enabling positive student achievements and outcomes. She brokers key industry partnerships and connects academia with industry, creating job opportunities and fostering long-term partnerships. Melanie has over 20 years Fashion Industry experience in Local, National and International clothing design and manufacture. She has extensive experience in product design, sourcing, trend forecasting, production, selling, marketing and entrepreneurship.
Concurrent presenters
In alphabetical order
Ellen Chandler
Clothes Minded – Wear The Future
Ellen Chandler is the founder of Clothes Minded, a consultancy helping fashion businesses embrace sustainability, and the creator of Wear the Future, an initiative empowering teachers and students to explore sustainable fashion with confidence. Her passion for ethical fashion was sparked during a transformative trip to Bangladesh, where she engaged with garment workers and witnessed firsthand the industry’s impacts. This experience ignited her commitment to education and meaningful change. In addition to her consultancy work, Ellen is a sessional academic at QUT and UQ, sharing her expertise to inspire the next generation of changemakers.
Erin Haley
Burnett State College
Erin is a Home Economics and Hospitality teacher in a small rural school in Central Queensland. She found her passion for teaching later in life and loves working in rural schools. Erin has extensive experience in food production, from living on farms to working in abattoirs and running bistros and cafes. She is currently working on her master’s degree while also gathering evidence for her doctorate with her project, EcoHarvestX.
Phoebe Hanau
Moreton Bay College
Phoebe is passionate about all things fashion and believes that creativity is a powerful tool and, when released, the opportunities for greatness are limitless. She graduated from CQU in 2019 and has been teaching at MBC since then; despite only 5 years of teaching under her (fashionable) belt, Phoebe has been presented at previous HEIA(Q) conferences and workshops, has been involved in QCAA roles, has created an annual Fashion Show event to showcase her students’ work and is on the Committee of Management for HEIA(Q).
Michelle Harris
San Sisto College
Michelle Harris is the Learning and Teaching Leader at San Sisto College on Brisbane’s Southside. She is passionate about forging a strong community of practice within the realm of Home Economics – however that presents itself and continues to evolve, and strives to engage and empower staff and students alike to tackle new challenges with a sense of creativity and excitement. She loves robust conversation about the challenges that face our communities (life and learning), and finding ways to connect with those working in more regional and unique circumstances. In her quest to learn more, and to give back to this remarkable community of Home Economists, over the past 20 years Michelle has found herself on multiple HEIA(Q) conference committees, the panel for the King and Amy O’Malley Scholarship, and writing teams for the current Hospitality Practices SAS and Food & Nutrition syllabi, running implementation workshops around Queensland, as well the DRPC for Townsville and a member of the State Review Panel.
Krisztian Herczig
Pullman Brisbane King George Square
With a career spanning multiple continents over two decades, Chef Krisztian’s career includes positions at Budapest’s Grand Hotel Royal, as Executive Chef at the Radisson Edwardian in London, Sous Chef Saucier on the luxury Crystal Cruise Liner, Executive Chef at the Hilton, London, Inflight Chef exclusively for first-class guests onboard For Emirates Airlines, as well as Head Chef for Events at the iconic Sydney Opera House to mention a few of his career highlights. His food philosophy centres around respect for ingredients, simplicity, and the power of flavour. He is passionate about fresh, homemade cuisine, utilizing native Australian herbs and produce, with a particular affinity for braising and sous vide techniques that preserve the natural essence of ingredients. A member of the international gastronomic society Chaine des Rôtisseurs, Chef Krisztian remains deeply engaged with global culinary trends and shares knowledge with chefs around the world
Gabrielle Lee
Moreton Bay College
Gabbie is an experienced educator with over 30 years of teaching experience across New South Wales and Queensland. She has held roles with CSSA, NESA and QCAA, as well as pastoral and HOD positions. Passionate about innovative curriculum design and student-centred learning, she brings expertise in engaging and inspiring students through creative and practical approaches. Gabbie is optimistic about the future of Home Economics in Queensland and embraces opportunities to diversify and delve into STEM.
Sophie Mawson
Australian Wool Innovation/The Woolmark Company
Sophie Mawson is an experienced educator with a diverse background spanning primary, secondary, and tertiary education. Having started her career as a primary school teacher, Sophie now works for Australian Wool Innovation/The Woolmark Company to educate primary, secondary and tertiary students on the benefits and opportunities of Australian Merino wool. Sophie’s work bridges the gap between education and innovation, helping to inspire the next generation of thinkers, creators, and problem-solvers.
Luciano Mesiti
Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia
Luciano Mesiti is the CEO of Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia (PIEFA). PIEFA’s aim is to develop, promote and advocate for food and fibre education in schools nationally. Prior to his appointment he was a university agriculture academic and researcher, high school teacher, teaching agriculture and technology subjects, and president of the NSW Agriculture Teachers Association. Luciano has extensive experience in curriculum development in food and fibre and technology, an in depth understanding of the state based food and fibre education environment. Luciano is very passionate about helping schools and teachers to integrate food and fibre into their programs.
Stacey Rogers
The Cathedral College Rockhampton
Stacey has 15 years of experience as a VET trainer and 10 years as a teacher. She is passionate about her subject, inspiring both colleagues and students. She holds a Graduate Diploma of Education (2020) and a Bachelor of Learning Management (2016). Currently, she is the Academic Dean for Food Technologies and Textiles at Cathedral College Rockhampton. Stacey has also collaborated with Central Queensland University on the Textile Technology Residential School. She also serves as a confirmer for QCAA.
Rosie Sciacca
HEIA(Q) / Moreton Bay College
Rosie Sciacca is an experienced Design and Technologies teacher and Fellow of the Home Economics Institute of Australia who has contributed to the professional learning community in many roles across her career. Currently, Rosie is Head of Department – Technologies at Moreton Bay College, a sessional lecturer and tutor at Griffith University, Treasurer of HEIA(Q), a quality assurer for QCAA, and a guardian to Charlotte. Rosie is motivated by finding ways to weave together student interests and innovative technologies to curate agentic and strategic learning opportunities and assessments that provoke students to explore their world and develop solutions that push the boundaries.
Carlie Sherwood
Cardijn College, SA
Carlie is a certified Lead teacher who teaches Food & Hospitality, Food technologies, Design and Child Studies at Cardijn College, South Australia. She is a passionate educator who has taught in Australia for 12 years and before that, 5 in the UK. Carlie has also been on the SACE board as a marker, moderator, and supervisor for 12 years. Carlie graduated with Honours from the Birmingham City University with a BA in Design Technology and a Post Graduate Certificate in Design and Technology, Food and Textiles.
Evie Skinner
QCAA
As the Principal Project Officer for Technologies at QCAA Evie is committed to advancing Design and Technologies education in Queensland. She collaborates with teachers to implement the Australian Curriculum v9.0, focusing on fostering students’ ability to create innovative, ethical, and sustainable solutions to real-world challenges. Evie promotes critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, and the integration of the three thinking methodologies, empowering students to develop practical skills and innovative solutions. Through professional learning, resource development, and school partnerships, she helps educators connect knowledge, processes, and production skills in ways that build student capability and engagement for the future.
Rhiannon Thorn
Redbank Plains SHS
Rhiannon Thorn is a skilled Design and Technology teacher with over a decade of experience in secondary education across Queensland and New South Wales. Currently based in Southeast Queensland, she inspires students through creative, hands-on learning. Rhiannon has coordinated subjects, mentored pre-service teachers, and championed project-based learning. Her students have achieved Band 6 results in NSW Textiles, with work selected for Texstyle. Her achievements include recognition in the Singer Young Designer Challenge, costume designing for school and community productions, and a successful handmade children’s clothing business inspired by her two daughters.
Rosie Sciacca
Moreton Bay College
Rosie Sciacca is an experienced Design and Technologies teacher with a Home Economics education background. She is a Fellow of the Home Economics Institute of Australia and has been an active member of the Queensland division’s Committee of Management since 2006. Currently, Rosie is the Head of Department – Technologies at Moreton Bay College, and is a sessional lecturer and tutor for Design and Technologies food contexts at Griffith University. She appreciates the opportunity to share and build her own and her team’s practice through her presentations at regional workshops and state and national conferences. Rosie is motivated by finding ways to weave together student interests and innovative technologies to curate agentic and strategic learning opportunities that provoke students to explore their world and develop solutions that push the boundaries.
Nick Steiner
The Mini Farm Project
Nick Steiner, the Founder and CEO of The Mini Farm Project, is a relentless advocate against food insecurity in Australia. His journey began by transforming his own backyard into a thriving farm. Recognised for his exceptional community contributions, Nick received the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship and became an AMP Tomorrow Maker alumni. His dedication was further acknowledged when he was named Moreton Bay Citizen of the Year. Through The Mini Farm Project, particularly the Loganlea State High School charity farm, Nick bridges communities, businesses, and youth to combat food scarcity, offering fresh sustenance to thousands in need, while fostering community collaboration and dismantling barriers for students and the community.
Catherine Strickland
Grace Lutheran College
Catherine is a Textiles & Fashion Teacher (among other things) at an independent school on the northside of Brisbane. Encouraging and inspiring students to be creative with textiles and fashion is one of the things that gets her out of bed each day. Catherine works on the theory, “If I’m bored teaching it, then students are probably bored learning it!”, so she is constantly on the lookout for how to tweak things to keep things fresh and keep students engaged. With experience in curriculum and syllabus writing over more years than she cares to count, and a HEIA(Q) Teacher Excellence Award recipient, it is the connection between the community of colleagues that she attests to staying involved with the profession. Catherine is looking forward to both sharing and learning from those who attend the session.
Sue Webb
Sue Webb PD
Sue Webb is a teacher and school leader who’s written about her experience with burnout and recovery in her book titled Teachers Cry Too, in which she addresses the emotional and practical complexities of the education profession. Despite her declining mental health and attempts to hide her illness, Sue realised that the career she blamed for making her sick, also offered her a pathway to recovery. Overwhelmed by the response of teachers, Sue now advocates for healthy and sustainable work practices. She’s launched a suite of teacher-inspired professional development programs spanning Early- Career, Mid- Career and Leadership phases. When she’s not teaching, Sue runs workshops to future-proof education through teacher wellbeing and sustainability. Sue holds a Master of Educational Leadership and is an editor for the Australian Journal of Middle Schooling. Her favourite workshop so far was one in which the hospitality students made coconut ice-cream!
Jo Wickham
Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority
Jo Wickham is a Principal Education Officer in the Senior Curriculum and Assessment Branch of the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority. Jo currently supports the implementation of the Food and Nutrition syllabus through the endorsement, confirmation and external examination processes.
Deanne Wooden
Queensland Association of School Tuckshops
Deanne Wooden is CEO of the Queensland Association of School Tuckshops and a qualified dietitian with two decades of working across government, non-government, education and health sectors. With high-level advocacy and policy experience, Deanne works with national stakeholders progressing an agenda towards healthy school food environments. Supporting Queensland school tuckshops every day, Deanne has a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and challenges of policy implementation in this setting. Deanne maintains extensive networks and knowledge in the public health nutrition and school food sectors and is passionate about the role of schools in a broader preventive health movement in Australia.