The Speakers 2026 ~ Setting the Scene

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Born & raised in the Wheatbelt, Leigh Ballard understands the frustrations of poor connectivity.

Being in business for over 30 years Leigh has lived the limitations of dialup and ADSL connections. His lived experience inspired him to find a solution for all regional businesses.

From this drive to find a solution, CRISP Wireless was born.

Since 2016 CRISP has redefined what’s possible for connectivity in WA. Servicing over 80,000 km2 CRISP has proven that connectivity is possible in the Wheatbelt.  

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Steven Rowley, Bsc (Hons), PhD, is a John Curtin Distinguished Professor in the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance at Curtin University and Director of the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute’s Curtin Research Centre.

He has spent the last 25 years researching and writing on housing affordability, housing supply and the development industry. He has received significant funding from organisations such as the Australian Research Council, UK government, European Union, WA state government and many others.

Robyn Sermon is an experienced Executive Leader and Board Director with nearly three decades of experience across the mining, agriculture, community and research sectors. She specialises in strategy development, organisational transformation and stakeholder engagement, with a strong record of building cross-sector partnerships and leading high-performing teams. Robyn is committed to regional engagement and collaboration, with a particular interest in using digital technologies to drive positive social and economic outcomes.

Peter is the CEO at the Shire of Williams and is a former CEO at the Shires of Moora, and Wyndham East Kimberley. Peter has a lead role in the establishment and delivery of the Ord East Kimberley Development Package ($517m State/Australian Government Infrastructure investment 2010-2018), while living and working at Kununurra.

Peter worked for 15 years in the Agriculture Protection Board (Biosecurity)/Department of Agriculture, and recently for 5 years in Seafarms Group Limited, a listed company producing Australian prawns.

In his role as Deputy Director General, Tim leads PoweringWA to drive the State’s renewable energy transition and coordinate the delivery of critical infrastructure across the State. Tim has extensive experience in the energy sector across both the public and private sectors, with expertise in economic regulation, market design, network service delivery, and the rapidly evolving distributed energy space.

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Rewi Lyall was appointed CEO at Yued Aboriginal Corporation a year ago amid a continuing flurry of activity in the renewable energy sector in the Yued Agreement Area. Having worked across the community, private and public - State and Commonwealth - sectors over the past 25 years, he has sought to bring what knowledge and experience he has of working with and for Aboriginal Western Australians to engaging with the sector to build meaningful relationships.

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Caroline is an enthusiastic advocate for rural communities and the leaders and organisations within them. With her 150Square team of Darren and Bek, the business supports not-for-profits and local government through governance and strategy, with a focus on people-centred solutions.

Caroline is currently the Chair of the Ravensthorpe Hopetoun Future Fund, resides on the WA Country Health Service Board, is the Company Secretary of the SEGRA Foundation and President of the Narembeen Hockey Club.

Owen is married with three adult children. He completed a Bachelor of Business in Agriculture and farmed in partnership with his father for 18 years in Morawa while also operating a farm consultancy business. After selling the family farm in 2005 Owen and his family travelled across Australia for a year whilst home schooling the children.

Owen’s interest is in empowering men to move forward and embrace changes in their family relationships, wellbeing and health. Since 2007 Owen has worked specifically in men’s holistic wellbeing and health, presenting a range of educational programs and strategies for men, their families and communities.

Owen is married with three adult children. He completed a Bachelor of Business in Agriculture and farmed in partnership with his father for 18 years in Morawa while also operating a farm consultancy business. After selling the family farm in 2005 Owen and his family travelled across Australia for a year whilst home schooling the children.

Owen’s interest is in empowering men to move forward and embrace changes in their family relationships, wellbeing and health. Since 2007 Owen has worked specifically in men’s holistic wellbeing and health, presenting a range of educational programs and strategies for men, their families and communities.

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