We have invited guest speakers to our conference, who will be presenting their valuable insights on a range of topics that are relevant to our members. So far, the following guest speakers have been confirmed:
Conference guest speaker Rebecca Sparrow is an acclaimed Australian writer, speaker, podcaster, and a passionate advocate for prioritising connection and belonging in an increasingly lonely world. Often described as the nation’s “Friendship Whisperer” her work focuses on helping tweens and teens build positive, feel-good friendships and side-step school drama.
In her session Bec will speak on loneliness, connection and belonging, and will share practical, usable strategies for finding friends, nurturing friendships, navigating conflict, and strengthening a sense of belonging in an increasingly lonely world. As an added benefit for families, attendees will receive 12 months’ free access to one of Bec’s pre-recorded webinars - ideal for kids aged 8+ with topics including How To Find Friends, How to Navigate Mean Moments and Teasing, and How to Avoid Drama Cyclones.
Supporting children online: safety, wellbeing and access
For families raising children in regional and remote communities, the online world plays a big role in how kids learn, connect and find support. Come along to this Telstra Foundation panel to hear from young people and the experts working closely with them about what actually helps children stay safe, well and confident online.
This panel conversation between young people, mental health and education experts will share real experiences, practical advice and trusted, free resources that parents and communities can use at home and through schools.
You’ll gain a clearer understanding of the challenges, opportunities and supports available, and greater confidence in helping children and young people to navigate their digital world.
Telstra Foundation Young Advisory Council Alumni
Dakota is a dedicated young leader and former member of the Telstra Foundation’s 2025 Youth Advisory Council (YAC), where she shaped youth-focused digital initiatives. On the YAC, she championed; digital wellbeing, mental health and digital literacy and creativity, helping bridge gaps between young people, industry, and the community. Dakota is recognised for her collaborative style and practical insights that contributed to more inclusive and impactful Telstra Foundation programs. Currently, she is studying a Bachelor of Laws and in addition will add a Bachelor of Music in commercial music creation next year, while she continues to advocate for positive change for young people.
Youth Participation Project Coordinator - PROJECT ROCKIT
Ruby Bourke began her career as a presenter at PROJECT ROCKIT, Australia's youth-driven movement against bullying, hate, and prejudice, before moving into her current role as Youth Participation Project Coordinator. She facilitates the Youth Collective, a group of over 50 young people aged 12 to 22 from across Australia, and the Telstra Foundation Youth Advisory Council. Her practice is grounded in co-design, centring young people's lived experience and empowering them to act on the issues they care about most.
Director of Digital Service Transformation and Research, Orygen Digital
Associate Professor Shane Cross is a clinical psychologist and internationally recognised leader in youth mental health service reform, digital mental health innovation, and scalable models of care. He is Director of Digital Service Transformation and Research at Orygen Digital and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne, where he leads research and service integration strategy for the MOST platform, Australia’s national youth digital mental health service. His work spans clinical staging, stepped care, AI-enabled mental health care, and large-scale digital service implementation.
Community Partnerships and Impact Senior Manager, Telstra Foundation
Margaret O’Brien is Community Partnerships & Impact Senior Manager at the Telstra Foundation, where she leads work across the Foundation’s youth and technology partnership network to deepen relationships, strengthen impact, and drive systems-level change for young people across Australia. Prior to joining the Foundation, Margaret was CEO and Co‑Founder of Young Change Agents, one of Australia’s leading social enterprises in youth entrepreneurial education, supporting young people to develop the skills, confidence and agency to shape their futures.
Gavin was appointed Chief Development Officer, Regional and Remote in October 2019, bringing more than 10 years’ experience at NBN Co and 30 years in the telecommunications industry across Australia. In this role, Gavin works closely with regional stakeholders, community leaders and customers to ensure the company’s activities and investments support them to achieve their potential. He is also NBN Co’s Executive Sponsor for its First Nations engagement strategy and Reconciliation Action Plan.
Prior to joining NBN Co, Gavin held positions in Telstra and Optus that have spanned engineering, product management, marketing and strategy disciplines across consumer, business and wholesale markets. He was principal of an independent consultancy and a Board Director of Southern Cross Cable. He is currently a Director of Regional Arts Australia.
Gavin holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Business Administration from Macquarie University. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
