Monthly Meetings 2024
Monthly Meeting February 7th
Guest Speaker: Dmitry Levin in person at Moorabbin.
Topic Kisa Phone
Speaker : Dmitry Levin in person at Moorabbin
Dmitry’s background is in the finance, wealth and insurance industries. Dmitry has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia and a Certificate in Management from the HSBC Academy, London.
Back in 2013, three friends decided to start a company, the purpose of which was to create a simple to use device, and services around it, that would allow anyone to reach-out in case of emergency regardless of their technical competency or ability. This company became known as KISA (Keep It Simple Always). Since its inception, KISA has helped thousands of happy customers gain independence and confidence through our simple, reliable and affordable devices.
Monthly Meeting March 6th
Guest Speaker: Rachel Slattery
Topic The Future is Silver – are we ready?
Speaker : Rachel Slattery
It is time to rethink ageing. We are ageing very differently from our parents and grandparents. People are working longer, staying healthier and are more educated, tech-savvy and affluent than ever before. Our futures are built on the advances we have made in medicine and technology to personalise our healthcare and extend our health span. How do we best unlock the potential of our older selves to live longer, healthier contributing lives? In this presentation, Rachel will question the status quo, rouse us to think differently and help us imagine a better silver future for us all.
Rachel Slattery is a creative leader who has been instrumental in guiding and nourishing communities of curious minds in Australia around frontier tech and better ways of working. Starting her career in book publishing she was enticed by the Internet into the technology arena and established her own business, Slatterys, 20-odd years ago and over that time has collaborated with leading ICT industry associations, government agencies and leading tech companies to help them better gather and connect to their communities. Slatterys is the mastermind behind leading conferences, including the Agile Australia (AgileAus) Conference established in 2009 and Tech23 – celebrating Australian deeptech startups, that Slatterys managed for 14 years before successfully handing over to new custodians, Cicada Innovations.
Rachel is passionate about reinventing ageing and encouraging new thinking and innovations to unlock the potential of our later lives through her latest venture, Silver Futures. Silver Futures is poised to help people rethink how we approach the second half of their lives to ensure a longer, healthier, contributing life.
Monthly Meeting April 3rd
Topic: Stem Professionals In Schools
STEM Professionals in Schools is a volunteer program that facilitates flexible, ongoing partnerships between STEM professionals and teachers in schools across Australia. The program is supported by the Australian Government Department of Education and delivered by CSIRO.
Presenter: Raj Burli in person at Moorabbin
Raj is a passionate science communicator with experience in digital technologies, AI, cybersecurity and aerospace systems. He currently works as an Industry Engagement Manager with the CSIRO and is actively working to ensure that more young students are exposed to real world science as part of their education. Raj also has years of experience working with young people and has sat on the Boards of multiple international non-profits working to increase youth representation in various domains. When not working, you can find Raj traveling, playing video games or trying to figure out if pineapple does belong on pizza.
Monthly Meeting May 1st
Guest Speaker: Damien Melotte
Topic Fab Labs, Community and Circular Cities
Topic: Fab Labs, Community and Circular Cities
Speaker : Damien Melotte will be online
Damien is Strategic Design Director at Goodhuman and Vice-chair of the o2 Global Network for Sustainable and Regenerative Design. Growing up in Hepburn Springs, Damien ascribes his systems thinking and appreciation of nature to learning about ecosystems from a young age. An award winning Eco Industrial Designer, he completed a Masters of Design based on Cradle to Cradle, Team Manufacture and DfA principles. At this time Damien researched Australian Indigenous Knowledge systems, a lifelong passion, with projects delivered for VACL, FVTOC and now the Indigenous Doughnut initiative.
And then …
Glenys Reid from Chatty Cafe Australia will speak to us about connecting with other people in chatty places – like our club-rooms.
Monthly Meeting June 5th
Guest Speaker: Michelle Nicol
Topic What to know about social media platforms today – a brief overview
Speaker : Michelle Nicol
Michelle has 15 years’ experience in online media and communications, following a career in advertising, event management and PR. For the last 10 years she has worked as a digital strategist, working across integrated digital assets, including social media, websites, apps and emerging technologies, and integrated campaigns including experiential activations and events.
She led the communications team for Zoe Daniel MP’s successful election campaign in 2022, and continues to work with Zoe. She is also a committed volunteer for a range of community based groups organisations, including music and culture.
Fleur Stephens from our Website Design SIG will provide a quick overview of sites (google websites), explaining the essentials of accessing your site’s space, finding its URL, and exploring some cool features (it’s somewhat like Weebly). She also highlights some of the exciting features of our MelbPC Gmail/Google accounts. These accounts offer email templates, mail merge, Calendar, Meet, Drive space, and more.
Monthly Meeting July 3rd
Guest Speaker: Matt Walton
Topic Making Technology work for organisations that improve the world
Speaker : Matt Walton
Matt Walton is the CEO of technology consulting company, Dog and Bone, who provide independent advice to not-for-profit organisations on how to leverage technology. He has been involved in the community sector for 30 years, starting as a volunteer youth worker at the YMCA, working his way up the organisation, which saw him managing IT for YMCA nationally.
For the past 10 years, Matt has been working as a technology consultant to the not-for-profit sector to help them with various technology initiatives, all with the underlying goal of making technology work for organisations that improve the world. Some of these activities include the development of IT strategies, selection of new systems, cyber security reviews, leading digital transformation projects and acting as a CIOaaS. Matt has worked with a broad range of clients including Anglicare Victoria, Brotherhood of St Laurence, Monash Health, Nexus Primary Health, Royal Flying Doctors Service, Australian Community Support Organisation, Kingston Council, Gowrie Victoria, Sparkways and Workways.
Tonight Matt will share some his experience working with technology in the community sector and explain some of the ways Dog and Bone has a positive impact and helps organisations improve their use of technology.
Monthly Meeting August 7th
M.C. Barry Horn
Guest Speaker: Bob Richards will be presenting in person.
Topic The Impact of Technological Change on his profession as Loss Adjuster/Loss Assessor.
Speaker : Bob Richards will be presenting in person.
After leaving secondary school, Bob studied part-time completing a Bachelor of Commerce at Melbourne University earning a Shell Oil Company Award as DUX of the final year in Organisational Behavior.
He has spent almost 59 years as a practicing Loss Assessor/Loss Adjuster; in recent years managing high value commercial, and industrial material damage and consequential losses across most industry sectors.
He is a Past President of the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters UK (Australasian Division), and inaugural President of the Australasian Institute of Chartered Adjusters (1997/1998).
In 2009 he was appointed by the Supreme Court of Victoria to assist mediation in the Class Action following the Black Saturday Bushfires. Bob has worked throughout Australia, the Pacific and South East Asia.
In January 2015, Bob was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his service over 50 years to a range of community groups, Junior Football, Apex and Rotary International.
Monthly Meeting Sept 4th
Guest Speaker: Dr Dolly Daou
Topic Leading the way with Technology.
Speaker : Dr Dolly Daou will be presenting in person
Academic, educator and entrepreneur Dr Dolly Daou is Kingston’s 2024 Citizen of the Year. Lauded worldwide for her capacity and experience in establishing higher education programs, and leading non-profit organisations in Australia and worldwide Dr Daou implemented mission-driven strategies, connecting higher education, industry, and government.
Dr Daou has 24 years of leadership experience in the development of award winning design and sustainable initiatives, implementing a methodology that combines design, science, and business for maximum community impact.
Through her consultancy Dr Daou offers design strategy workshops to entrepreneurs and to organisations and institutes to improve their growth strategy and their innovation portfolio, to achieve ecological and economical benefits, specifically in the management of food systems and resources.
Having built an international network, Dr Daou developed an extensive experience in international alliances and in multi-cultural knowledge particularly working between Australia, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Monthly Meeting 2nd October
Guest Presentation:
Presenter Topic: Beyond Survival – Thriving Through a Strong, Evolving Value Proposition
Presenter: Davinia Upshall will be presenting in person
Davinia Upshall is an experienced business coach with a dynamic 20+ year career spanning corporate finance, strategy and innovation roles at leading global firms like Dyson, Virgin, and Lloyds Banking Group. In addition to her corporate career Davinia served 15 years as a military reservist, achieving the rank of Captain. Her leadership skills were further honed through her role as an international sporting coach for rifle shooting, where she guided athletes on the global stage.
Now focused on empowering small and medium-sized business owners, Davinia draws from her diverse background in corporate, military, and sporting environments to deliver strategic insights on finance management, business process optimisation, customer value proposition, social impact and leadership. She is committed to helping local businesses not just survive but thrive, by fusing corporate expertise with a community-driven approach.
Her passion extends beyond business, with ongoing involvement in local AFL and Basketball clubs, making her a well-rounded leader dedicated to making a positive impact on both businesses and communities.
AGM and Monthly Meeting 6th November
Guest Presentation:
Presenter Topic: 3D Printed Figurines – MINIREAL
Presenters: Sunny Sun and Kaylee will be presenting in person
Company Overview:
“As Australia’s first professional 3D custom figurine service provider, we leverage the latest 3D matrix scanning booths, an advanced AI modelling system, a team of expert modelers, and cutting-edge full-colour 3D printers to deliver exceptional quality in your personalized 3D figurines.”
8:30 pm A presentation on Zoom from Kaye North titled “Code Club Australia”
Kaye is the Community and Engagement Manager for Code Club Australia. Prior to this, she was a teacher in both primary and high schools across Queensland for 22 years. Kaye’s passionate about the use of technology in providing digital solutions to problems, and it being a key driver for young people to develop problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills as well as developing their computational thinking.
Monthly Meeting 4th December
Guest Presentation:
Presenter Topic: Community Engagement: Thinking Differently and Being Bold
Presenter: Shirlene Standish
Shirlene Standish, Manager of Volunteering & Community Engagement at South East Volunteers Inc., has a rich background in marketing and a passion for community service, making Melbourne her home and dedicating 16 years to supporting and coordinating volunteer programs and non-profit organizations.
2nd Presenter Topic: Kingston Kickstarters Community Leadership Program
Presenter: Gillian Turnbull
Gillian Turnbull, Coordinator of Community Capacity and Inclusive Communities at City of Kingston will present on Kingston Kickstarters. This is a free training initiative aimed at empowering current and emerging community leaders in Kingston.