2026 Conference
Program
Conference Program
We are excited to announce the 2026 conference program brochure is now available for download!
Keynote speakers
In alphabetical order
Ben Rennie
Rennie Lab
Ben Rennie is a Strategic Company Director, author, speaker, and Creativity Activist. He co-founded and led Reny Studio, a B Corp-certified creative agency with studios in Sydney and Los Angeles, working with Nike, Patagonia, Chanel, and the NBA. His book Lessons in Creativity (Wiley, 2025) won the Australian Business Book of the Year Runner-Up. He chairs Design Declares Australia and has spoken at SXSW Sydney, TEDx, the Obama Foundation, and Australian Parliament House. He now leads Rennie Lab, a creative advisory studio focused on systemic design and creative transformation.
Dr Emma Beckett
Australian Catholic University
Dr Emma Beckett is a nutrition scientist, educator, and science communicator with a passion for making complex ideas accessible, meaningful, and relevant. With a PhD in food and nutrition science and extensive experience across research, teaching, and public engagement, she works at the intersection of science, communication, and culture. Emma is known for her evidence-informed, inclusive approach to food and nutrition, challenging misinformation while fostering trust and critical thinking. She is an experienced speaker and writer, contributing to media, industry, and academic audiences, and is dedicated to empowering others to navigate nutrition with confidence, curiosity, and compassion in an increasingly complex information landscape.
Concurrent presenters
In alphabetical order
Andy McVittie
Chancellor State College
Andy is currently a teacher at Chancellor State College, up on the Sunshine Coast, where he has been a Food Tech and Hospitality teacher for the past 8 years having previously been in an independent school for 15 years. Andy has been an HEIA member for the past 25 years. Andy is a multiple King and Amy O’Malley Scholar who was last year awarded the HEIA Queensland Teach of the Year Award 2025. Andy has represented Queensland and Australia at an international level for a number of years as the IFHE Pacific region Executive member and a member of the IFHE’s YPN network.His passion lies in working to make the real life skills within the Home Economics umbrella of subjects available and enjoyable to all students, especially boys – by allowing them to become passionate and knowledgeable cooks both now and into their futures.
Catherine Strickland
Ellen Chandler
Clothes Minded – Wear The Future
Ellen Chandler is the founder of Clothes Minded, a consultancy and change agency supporting fashion businesses and communities to embrace sustainability, and the creator of Wear the Future, an initiative empowering teachers and students to explore sustainable fashion. Her commitment to ethical practice was shaped by a formative experience in Bangladesh, where she met garment workers and witnessed the industry’s impacts firsthand. Alongside her consultancy work, Ellen is a sessional academic at QUT and UQ, supporting and inspiring the next generation of fashion changemakers.
Dr Jay Deagon
CQUniversity
Dr Jay Deagon is a Senior Lecturer and Discipline Lead for Home Economics education at CQUniversity. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), an accredited International Professional Home Economist (IPHE), and a recognised leader in Home Economics education nationally and internationally. Jay’s research and teaching focus on Home Economics ideology, curriculum renewal, human-centred design pedagogy, teacher identity, out-of-field teaching, and the use of GenAI in education. She is actively involved with the International Federation for Home Economics and the Home Economics Institute of Australia, advocating for contemporary, community-connected and future-focused Home Economics education.
Justine Hawkins
Mount Alvernia College, Kedron Brisbane
Justine is currently a Senior Design and Junior Design Technology Teacher based in Brisbane. She holds a Bachelor of Design in Fashion and Textiles Design, along with a postgraduate Master of Teaching in TAS. Originally from NSW, she has taught across a range of subject areas throughout her career, including Fashion and Textile Design, Visual Arts, and Design Technologies.
Kiara Too
Centre for Community Health and Wellbeing, University of Queensland
Kiara is a dietitian, interested in nutrition and public health research. She holds a Bachelor of Exercise and Nutrition Science and a Master of Dietetics Studies, and is currently completing her PhD at The University of Queensland. Her research focuses on identifying effective intervention points within complex public health systems, specifically children’s dietary behaviours. Kiara brings a practical perspective to her research, shaped by her experience working in childcare and as a primary school tennis coach. She is passionate about exploring complexity in health and translating research into meaningful, real-world impact that supports community health and wellbeing across the lifespan.
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.
Michelle Fitton
Blueprint Career Development
Michelle Fitton is the General Manager of Blueprint Career Development and has extensive experience in vocational education and training, particularly in VET in Schools programs. She specialises in designing compliant and engaging learning environments that support diverse learners, including those with lower literacy and digital capability. Michelle works closely with schools, trainers, and industry partners to develop practical training solutions that align with regulatory requirements while remaining relevant and engaging for students. She is passionate about using immersive and simulated environments to strengthen learning outcomes and help educators deliver industry-aligned training with confidence.
Ngaire Mayo
Woodcrest State College
Ngaire Mayo is a passionate Home Economics and Design teacher, currently Head of Department of Applied Technology at Woodcrest State College. She is a member of the HEIA (Q) committee and is HEIA (Q) conference co-convenor. She also represents HEIA(Q) as the Secretary of the HEIA National Council. In her down time, she enjoys food, travel and all things creative, leading family and friends to occasionally question her sanity when she decides to learn yet another new cuisine or craft. Ngaire’s love of teaching and learning motivates her to seek innovative ways to improve student outcomes through curriculum and by coaching educators to further develop their own expertise – inspiring students to succeed
Prue Rainey
IllyStrate
Prue Rainey is a fashion designer with over 20 years’ experience, including a long tenure as Head of Design at CUE, where she led the brand through significant growth, expanding from 80 to over 200 stores and becoming Myer’s top-selling brand. Most recently, she served as Head Designer for Manning Cartell. She is the creator of Illy Strate, an innovative, poseable fashion figure designed to help creatives translate ideas into illustration. Now, she focuses on fostering the next generation through online and in-class fashion illustration and design workshops for secondary Design and Technology students.
Rashan Senanayake
Inspired Education Australia
Rashan Senanayake is a multi-award-winning educator, author and international speaker specialising in design thinking, innovation and emerging technologies in education. As Founder and CEO of Inspired Education Australia, he has worked with schools, universities and industry to build future-focused capability in learners and educators. Rashan is also an academic at Queensland University of Technology, where he teaches design and design thinking. A published author and host of a globally ranked education podcast, his work focuses on empowering individuals to navigate the future of work through creativity, technology and purposeful learning. Learn More: www.rashansenanayake.com
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.
Tennille Bainbridge
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.
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.