MC - Gorgi Coghlan
TV presenter and media commentator
Gorgi Coglan was a regular on Network Tens The Project for many years. With her diverse experience in news, current affairs, media, journalism, travel, musical theatre and science, Gorgi is one of the most well-rounded television presenters in the industry.
Gorgi’s vast experience in television has seen her co-host the Logie Award winning morning show The Circle and Gorgi was the Melbourne reporter and travel presenter on The Today Show and Early Edition News. Gorgi has also been a regular reporter on the 6pm Nine News Bulletin and has also hosted Holidays for Sale and the Victorian travel show Postcards.
Most recently, Gorgi was revealed as the Monster on the show that captivated the nation, The Masked Singer Australia. A fan favourite, Gorgi performed soul stirring ballads from strong female artists and achieved third place in Australia’s first season of the worldwide sensation.
A secondary school science teacher Gorgi is also an accomplished and classically trained singer and professional stage performer having performed on many stages throughout her career. Gorgi is a proud ambassador for The Langham (Melbourne) hosting a range of events for them throughout the year including; celebratory high teas & breakfasts and Spring Racing luncheons.
An active philanthropist, Gorgi is an Ambassador for Ronald McDonald House (Parkville, Melbourne) and is an enthusiastic supporter of The Leukaemia Foundation, the Ballarat Children’s Hospital ward and Alzheimer’s Australia. In 2016, Gorgi, along with Meshel Laurie and Tim Minchin raised awareness for the survivors of child sex abuse by the Catholic Church, raising over $100,000 for the campaign.
Gorgi grew up in Warrnambool, Victoria, on a sheep farm. She is a former state level equestrian competitor and currently enjoys dressage on her warmblood mare.
Along with her husband and business partner, Gorgi is the proud owner of the Provincial Hotel, a landmark establishment in Ballart. The Provincial Hotel won the ‘boutique style accommodation of the year’ category in the 2019 Tourism Accommodation Awards (TAA) for Victoria.
Gorgi has found a perfect balance currently commuting from her family farm where she lives with her husband and daughter, Molly-Rose, whilst enjoying her various media roles.
Keynote speaker - Macinley Butson
Innovator, pioneer, scientist, communicator & role model
Macinley Butson is one of Australia’s foremost young inventors who devotes herself to improving the world through STEM and, being an inspirational voice to youth and industry urging them to work towards solutions for global challenges by asking big questions.
Internationally recognised for her scientific and engineering endeavours, Macinley has developed many devices which have aided humanity across a number of sectors including, cancer treatment, water sanitation and, renewable energy. Believing there is no better investment than in people, she equally fosters this curiosity in other students and industry motivating them as a role model and constantly encouraging exploration.
Recognised as one of Australia’s top young scientists, Macinley is a passionate ambassador for STEM education amongst girls and representative for inclusion of young generations. Alongside studying at university, she brings a personal understanding when speaking to students encouraging the pursuit of STEM and their own curiosity.
Macinley is an international award-winning inventor, being the first Australian to place 1st at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Translational Medicine and, the Stockholm Junior Water Prize presented by Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden. She still avidly invents, continuing to give back through her practical approach to research and product development.
Additionally, Macinley is the co-founder of Passionately Curious, a not-for-profit which exists to provide students with equal access to STEM in order to improve the diversity of tomorrow’s STEM community, today.
Recognised as the 2018 NSW Young Australian of the Year, she is a sought after speaker for students and corporate audiences alike, providing a unique and fresh perspective by asking thought proving questions and challenging current perceptions by forging new paths.
Awards and Accolades
The past couple of years have been especially significant for Macinley, being recognised as the 2018 NSW Young Australian of the Year, InStyle 2019 Woman of Style and Next-Gen Award, 2019 Marie Claire Glass Ceiling Awards Future Shaper, 2019 Women’s Weekly Women of the Future Innovation and Technology Recipient and placed in the 2018 Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence.
Presenter - Simone Seiler
GM, FCM Meetings & Events
Sydney-based General Manager of FCM Meetings and Events, Simone Seiler, knows a thing or two about the travel industry. Leading successful teams. Improving the customer experience. And how to host a red-hot event that keeps people talking for days.
Having spent more than 20 years in the travel industry across the retail, corporate and events’ sectors – Simone brings to her role an impressive leadership legacy of business transformation and growth. She’s recognised for being an influencer of change who champions innovation and customer centric solutions. In 2020, Simone designed FCM Meetings and Events’ first Carbon Offset Program with CSR partner South Pole - effectively spearheading Australia’s first climate action initiative for the meetings and events industry.
With a leadership style that values positive, collaborative workplace cultures, having fun and making a difference, Simone is a people person. She makes it her business to understand all facets of the organisation – from marketing and sales, account management to operations. She leads from the front with passion and conviction. Simone says she’s thrilled to be leading her rock-star team of industry professionals, who have been successfully revolutionising the corporate meetings and event experience – for the better.
Talent - William Barton
Didgeridoo Player
William Barton is Australia’s leading didgeridoo player as well as composer, instrumentalist and vocalist.
William started learning the instrument from his first learnt the uncle, Arthur Peterson, an elder of the Wannyi, Lardil and Kalkadunga people and was working from an early age with traditional dance groups and fusion/rock jazz bands, orchestras, string quartets, and mixed ensembles.
Throughout his diverse career he has forged a path in the classical musical world, from the London and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras to historic events at Westminster Abbey for Commonwealth Day 2019, at Anzac Cove in Gallipoli and for the Beijing Olympics.
His awards include Winner of Best Original Score for a Mainstage Production at the 2018 Sydney Theatre Awards and Winner of Best Classical Album with an ARIA for Birdsong At Dusk in 2012. In 2021 he was the recipient of the prestigious Don Banks Music Award from the Australia Council.
With his prodigious musicality and building on his Kalkadunga heritage, William has vastly expanded the horizons of the didgeridoo.