Ignite 2018 Panel 2 – “What are the opportunities for transformation in our region?”
Host of Panel 2 is Fiona Nash who spent twelve years in the federal parliament as a Senator for NSW and also held ministerial positions including Rural Health, and in Cabinet the positions of Regional Development, Regional Communications and Local Government and Territories. Fiona is now Strategic Adviser – Regional Development for Charles Sturt University.
Glenn Morris is a passionate farmer and climate change advocate. Motivated by leaving the planet and farms to future generations in a healthy state.
In 2016 and 2018 Glenn rode his horse ‘Hombre’ across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to focus the nation’s attention on the need for serious action on dealing with climate change and restoring the nation’s natural resource base.
With a passion for innovation and sustainable development, Ian Fitzgibbon works for the Coffs Harbour City Council as the Group Leader of Sustainable Places.
Coming from a background in construction and diverse roles in Local Government, Ian has worked on world first innovative projects, including one which led to the inspiration of the $15 million Australian Movie Oddball and more recently the first Regional Autonomous Vehicle trial in NSW planned for Coffs Harbour.
Ian brings practical experience of collaborating with private enterprise, governments, community, not for profits and educational institutions with knowledge on using innovative models to facilitate the generation of ideas to create change.
After a substantial amount of her professional life in public education Fiona has embarked into the community sector and is seeking a change into a profession that is rewarding and can utilise the many skills she has gained through her many and varied professional experiences. Fiona is very passionate about social justice issues across a broad community spectrum. A critical and strategic thinker she has a history of finding solutions which foster a positive work culture encouraging collaboration, equity and quality for any stakeholder.
Fiona is a creative thinker with the ability to develop and produce programs that embed positive change and assist in combatting the current social issues within an area.
Monica completed her Bachelor of Science with 1st Class Honours through the University of Newcastle, and a Masters of Geostatistics through the University of Adelaide. She has 12 years of experience as a geologist, specialising in geological modelling, and data analysis. She completed her Cert IV in Training and Assessment through Hunter Tafe and has run training courses in Indonesia, Mongolia and locally. Monica has continued a relationship with the academic community, publishing several journal and conference papers, co-ordinating research projects through the Coalfield Geology Council, tutoring at the University of Newcastle, and facilitating relationships between students and industry that encouraged employment. She has completed theses on mineral carbonation; and quantitative risk analysis of resource estimation; and research projects on training of graduates and employment trends.
Monica is based in Cooma, where she is the 6th generation on the family property Yalcowinna.
