Diverse speakers headline TEDx JCU Cairns

TEDx JCU Cairns curator Jennifer McHugh said the third TEDx JCU Cairns would build on the success of previous years to build conversations and share ideas grown in Cairns.

"We want to build regional tropical identities and voices by stimulating conversation about local ideas that are worthy of the global stage," she said.

"These could be ideas of scientific note such as Tall Poppy winner Paul Giacomin's research into the benefits of parasitic worms for people with coeliac disease or ideas about expressing your identity as fashion entrepreneur Grace Lillian Lee has done through art, fashion and performance.

"Some of the greatest conversations have emerged from our least experienced speakers, for example nine-year-old Charlie Cooper who wanted to put a buddy bench for lonely kids in schools around Australia.

"Many of these talks have been seen around the world with the last two TEDx JCU Cairns generating more than 200,000 YouTube views which include many screenings for larger groups of people."

2016 speakers include:

• Lawyer Terri Janke, an international authority on Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) who has written the leading protocols and ICIP models in the film, arts and museum and archival sector.
• Tracey Hannah, ranked No3 in the world for downhill mountain bike racing and studying at JCU towards a career in sport for when she leaves the professional circuit.
• Kate Fern, a finalist in the Cairns Business Women’s Awards who has raised more than $53,000 for local charities through her organisation The Power of Pallets Inc.
• Australian contemporary singer songwriter Jeremiah Johnson who has performed for Prince William and supported international acts including Gomez, Donavan Frankenreiter, and Angus and Julia Stone.
• Tobin Northfield, an ecologist evaluating species interactions and how they can be used to improve things like pest control and pollination.