PCA2023

Heidi Wiggenhauser Speaker

Heidi Wiggenhauser is a Horticulturist in the Protected Cropping Team at the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF). With 12 years of experience in research, development, and extension she is a key team member in DAF’s protected cropping program. Heidi focuses on training and extension by means of a hands-on and learning-by-doing methods. She has experience with numerous

vegetable crops and growing systems. Heidi works closely with growers and supports them through their adoption journey. She conducts on-farm evaluations and operates the DAF’s research and demonstration greenhouse in Ayr, Qld. Her versatile skills and technical experience have contributed to numerous research projects that assisted the horticulture industry. Heidi has a bachelor’s

degree at Häme University of Applied Sciences in Finland, and against the odds, she has become a greenhouse specialist for tropical and subtropical climates. Outside work Heidi is a passionate gardener, gym enthusiast, and loves spending time at home with her two dogs.

ConfirmedSpeakers Mathew Arnold Karen Bezerra da Silva Santos Dominque Doyle Jason Durham Mike Evans Cherie Gambley Katja Hora Chris Lehnert Wei Liang Sukhvinder Pal Singh Tracey Perez Tyson Peterswald Anne Sawyer Graeme Smith

Tracey Perez Lennard Garcia-de Heer Bede Miller Fiona Turner

Marcus Van Heijst Ben Nikaj Henry Bosman Odin Franseen Tony Bundock Cheyne Clarke Zak Iqbal

Henrietta Child Robin Sherlock Andrew Macnish Jake Gaudion Rohan Davies Renga Ramasamay Steve Kim Daniel Tzvetkoff Matt Keltie

Jasper Verhoven Gabrielle Wallace Chris Wilkins Rachel Thompson Jurnjan van den Bremer Ivan Casteels Melanie Power

Josh Pirrone Bart Stengs Adrian Hunt Jake Byrne Dan Papacek Greg Murdoch

Clinton McGrath Alistair McTaggert Grant Owen

Helen Kapalos MC

18 worked for all three Australian commercial networks and both public broadcasters. Helen has published several national editorials on issues surrounding the challenges faced by minority communities, is a regular radio commentator and authored a book titled ‘Proud to Belong’ on everyday multiculturalism. Helen is a captivating speaker, engaging audiences with her expertise in public policy development in diversity and inclusion, ethical leadership and self-empowerment. Presentation topics include: Proud to Belong’ - everyday multiculturalism Public policy development in diversity and inclusion Ethical leadership Self-empowerment

An accomplished journalist, presenter and executive producer with over 20 years’ experience, Helen is an award-winning documentary filmmaker who directed, produced and appeared in a ground breaking film on medical cannabis. In fact the film was one of a handful of Australian documentaries chosen to be acquired by Netflix. It also appeared on SBS Television and was screened nationally to Australian audiences. In 2015 Helen was appointed by the Victorian State Government to lead the Victorian Multicultural Commission, completing a four year term as Chairperson. As the voice of Victoria’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities, Helen led the Commission through its most dynamic era, receiving several awards during her time as commissioner. More recently she was awarded the prestigious Vice Chancellor’s

Fellow for Multicultural Engagement at Swinburne University - a role created to provide expertise on contemporary multicultural issues and challenges. She is also an fearless innovator and during her time as commissioner she established an Australian-first internship program with ABC Australia, and a successful Victorian Film competition in partnership with leading Universities. She has also been called on present at international forums on the role of community and media in counter terrorism policy. She was the first Victorian commissioner to create a strategy with the private sector, to reduce unconscious bias and tackle systemic employment issues. A respected national news broadcaster, she has extensive experience across several media organisations, and in her time as a broadcaster