Upcoming Events

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• Tropical Innovation Festival

  • Start
    05 June 2023
  • End
    09 June 2023

  
  

  Celebrating innovation, investment and entrepreneurship while being inspired, learning, and connecting in Tropical North Queensland.

  There are simply not many places in the world better to visit in June, than Cairns and Tropical Far North Queensland.

  Coming into its third year, The Tropical Innovation Festival is a week-long innovation festival with a difference… and one to put on your calendar if you’re an entrepreneur, investor, embracing innovation or trying to change the world.

  The festival is held at the Novotel Oasis Resort with experiences throughout the unique tropical environment including the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. The program boasts contributions from Global entrepreneurs, CEOs, Government leaders, Investors, innovation visionaries and razor-sharp subject matter experts in a super-relaxed environment.

  The event includes inspiring keynotes, panels, demonstrations, pitches, learning events and mentoring sessions with ample time, and the right environment for effective networking.

  Come connect with us, learn with us, and dive the Great Barrier Reef on June 5-9 2023 in Cairns!

  For further information and ticketing visit the website.

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• Building Workforce Resilience

  • When
    08 June 2023
  •  
    10:00 AM
  • Location
    Online

  
  

  As an Industry we know resilient employees are better equipped to cope with stress and adversity in times of disaster or business disruption.

  A resilient workforce can play a role in identifying opportunities for growth and innovation even when faced with difficult circumstances. They are more likely to take initiative, collaborate and solve problems.

  Hear from the experts at this online event as we explore innovative practices and share real-world stories of workforce resilience in action.

  Walk away with insights and practices you can implement today to build a culture of workforce resilience in your organisation.

  Speakers include:

  • Cheryl Schmidt, CEO, CSIA
  • Dr Vicki Webster, Organisational Psychologist and Leadership Specialist, Incisive Leaders
  • Tanya Stevenson, CEO, Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre
  • Rebecca Woods, Executive Officer, Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre

  Further event information and registration link available here

  
  

  
  

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• 2023 Queensland Philanthropy Week Awards

  • When
    09 June 2023
  •  
    12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Location
    Brisbane City Hall 64 Adelaide St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia

  
  

  In October 2014, two best mates had a crazy idea to put two washing machines and two dryers in the back of a van, to wash and dry clothes for free. Orange Sky  – a world-first, free mobile laundry and shower service for people experiencing homelessness, was the result of this big idea.  Founders Nic Marchesi and Lucas Patchett , 2016 Young Australians of the Year and recipients of the Order of Australia Medal, are long time friends of QCF and will MC the awards.
  
  Over lunch another long term friend of QCF, ABC broadcaster Rebecca Levingston, will chat with our very special guests Terri Irwin AM; Don Meij and Johnathan Thurston AM to discover where their 'big idea' for change came from and what drives them to keep dreaming and building towards their ultimate goal.
  

  Click here for further ticketing information

  Terri Irwin AM - Wildlife Warriors and Steve Irwin (posthumously), the inaugural winners of the 2022 Queensland Environmental Philanthropist of the Year

  Terri was born in Eugene, Oregon, and had a love for wildlife instilled in her from a very young age. Whilst vacationing in Australia, Terri visited the 'Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park', and was captivated by Steve, an enthusiastic man in his khakis, talking so passionately about crocodiles. Steve and Terri's wildlife documentaries brought the message of wildlife conservation across the world, inspiring people to learn about wildlife and how we can protect them. Today, through her important work at Australia Zoo and the internationally renowned charity Wildlife Warriors, Terri continues to be a passionate wildlife spokesperson and conservation icon. She has dedicated her life to fulfilling Steve's legacy with the heart-warming support of her children, Bindi and Robert.

  Don Meij - CEO & MD Domino's Group, 2022 Queensland Corporate Philanthropist of the Year

  Don’s inspiring journey from pizza delivery driver to global pizza mogul is one of relentless focus and determination, a desire to crush convention, to build great teams and culture, and, above all, to continually strive to make the customer experience better. 

  Don has helped mobilise management teams, franchisees, and team members from across the world to become Domino’s for Good. From expanding the Company’s charitable projects and programs, to working to reduce Domino’s environmental footprint, Don is committed to empowering all levels of the business to "do the right thing because it is the right thing to do".

  In 2020, Domino's donated more than 200,000 safe, hot meals to those on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic and established ‘Feed the Knead’ – a locally run program where stores identify the ‘knead’ in their communities and provide support through free pizza. Don is passionate about this chapter in the Domino’s story and looks forward to continuing to realise the Company’s potential as not only one of the most successful pizza franchises in the world, but also the valuable contribution it can make as a responsible and innovative corporate citizen.
  

  Johnathan Thurston AM, NRL Player and Indigenous mentor, 2018 Australian of the Year

  He is known as the best player in Rugby League, but Johnathan Thurston is also one of the most giving. Former captain of the North Queensland Cowboys, Johnathan played as an Australian international, Queensland State of Origin and Indigenous All Stars representative halfback, five-eighth and goal-kicker. is today renowned for his philanthropy as well as his sporting prowess. In 2015, he became the first four-time Dally M Medallist for the NRL season's best player, and later the first ever three-time winner of the Golden Boot Award for the world's best player. Johnathan’s willingness to give is just as legendary. An ambassador for the Queensland Reconciliation Awards, Johnathan has lent his voice to the Recognise campaign to acknowledge Indigenous people in the Constitution. In 2017, he helped launch the $9.5 million NRL Cowboys House, a home away from home for over 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from remote North Queensland. Johnathan’s qualities of humility, sportsmanship, leadership and loyalty are admired both on the football field and off, making him an inspiring role model for Indigenous people and a great Australian.
  
  At the event we will be presenting the following awards:

  1. QCF Corporate Philanthropist of the Year – Sponsored by QIC
  2. QCF SME Philanthropist of the Year – Sponsored by Deloitte
  3. QCF Community Philanthropist of the Year – Sponsored by Anglo American
  4. QCF Emerging Philanthropist of the Year – Sponsored by Perpetual
  5. QCF Philanthropy Innovation Award – Sponsored by QUT
  6. QCF Environmental Philanthropist of the Year – Sponsored by Goodman Private Wealth 
  7. QCF Philanthropic Foundation of the Year – Sponsored by The Public Trustee

  
  

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• Elevate+ Social Enterprise Celebration, Networking & Pitch Night

  • When
    15 June 2023
  •  
    5:00 PM
  • Location
    The Triffid, Brisbane

  Join Impact Boom in celebrating Queensland’s social enterprise & innovation community for a lively evening of networking and pitches from South East Queensland’s top, emerging impact entrepreneurs.
  

  An amazing batch of passionate and driven founders and teams, representing 13 different social enterprises will wrap up their Elevate+ Accelerator Program experience by sharing a range of inspiring projects which are creating positive social and environmental change. 

  Come along to build connections and network with key movers and shakers from Australia's social enterprise and purpose-led startup community. 

  Who will be pitching? Find out more about the social enterprises involved in Elevate+ here. 

  Book tickets and find out more information here.

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• StartSomeGood FIRESIDE CHAT: Tom Cronin, Founder of The Stillness Project

  • When
    04 July 2023
  •  
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Online

  
  

  StartSomeGood Fireside Chats share the inspiring and insightful stories of social entrepreneurs who have paved their paths and hustled for good. Their stories often highlight the ebbs and flows of their own social entrepreneurship journey, and through authentic, honest and genuine storytelling, provide a window into how others can travel their own entrepreneurship path.
  
  We invite you to join us for a Fireside Chat with our special guest, Tom Cronin, Founder of The Stillness Project.

  This session will cover topics such as taking the leap to start a social enterprise, building sustainability, scaling impact, and overcoming the challenges of stress and burnout.    

  Tom Cronin is a renowned meditation teacher, speaker, and author who has had an incredible journey from stress and burnout working as a bond and swap broker, to becoming the founder of The Stillness Project, a global movement designed to inspire one billion people to sit in stillness daily.  

  Tom's work in wellness and meditation training has seen him working with some of the top companies in the world, such as Amazon, Qantas, UBS, and Coca-Cola. He is also the author of six books, and a meditation app, and produced the hit film ‘The Portal’.  

  In this fireside chat, we will dive into Tom’s story of connecting to his purpose and taking the leap from his corporate job to starting his own meditation training practice. To then connect to his bigger mission and how he took the steps to scale his social impact business and produce a movie to make a difference globally.   

  Given the risks of burnout on the social entrepreneur journey, we get Tom’s tips and insights on how to build a meditation practice and maintain balance in our everyday lives to manage stress and support our mental health. 

  Interviewed by Jasper Vallance, who himself went through burnout running his sober events through the challenges of a pandemic.
  
  Keen to dial in? 

  Tickets are free and included for StartSomeGood Network members

  $10 for non-members. 

  Not a member but want to join? By joining the StartSomeGood Network you will not only access our live events for free but also receive complimentary invitations to 2-3 events/month + other benefits; all for the small investment of $15 USD/month. To sign up for the StartSomeGood Network, visit our website here.

  
  

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• StartSomeGood FIRESIDE CHAT: Ronni Kahn AO, CEO and Founder of OzHarvest

  • When
    26 July 2023
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM