Dr Penny Ludicke, the principal of Marian Catholic College, is pictured in the theater selected to host the upcoming Griffith TEDx event. The venue for this event, the black box theater at Marian Catholic College, has been finalized, and applications for potential speakers are now being accepted as of 2 April.
TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Conferences are renowned for their international talks shared online at no cost, promoting “ideas worth spreading.” A local iteration of this concept, TEDx, empowers communities to independently organize and host forums.
Adam Bannister, the event producer, successfully launched the first TEDx forum in the Riverina region in Wagga in November 2023. Now, businesswoman Sara Pixley is spearheading the inaugural Griffith forum set to take place on Thursday, 29 August.
Ms. Pixley approached Dr. Ludicke to inquire about hosting the event at Marian Catholic College, a proposal that was promptly accepted by the school’s business manager, Helen Brill, just before Easter. Ms. Brill expressed their readiness to collaborate with the organizing committee to ensure the event’s success.
Dr. Ludicke also mentioned the potential involvement of Marian students in assisting with the event’s organization and catering, further highlighting the community engagement aspect of the forum.
Ms. Pixley expressed her gratitude for the principal’s support, emphasizing the event’s goal of showcasing local talent and resources. She praised Marian for providing an excellent venue and involving students in this enriching experience.
The previous TEDx event in Wagga featured speakers Dr. Rachel Hogg and Bernard Higgins, with Adam Bannister and Scott Howie organizing the successful forum. The event adhered to TEDx regulations limiting the audience to 100 attendees, perfectly suited for the 120-seat capacity at Marian, ensuring an intimate setting for the upcoming Griffith event.
Ms. Pixley highlighted the upcoming tasks for her organizing committee, including engaging local businesses for support and inviting speaker applications through an expression of interest (EOI) process. She encouraged individuals to either financially support the event or apply as speakers, emphasizing the unique opportunities available.
TED Talks have gained immense popularity, with the most-watched talk, “Do schools kill creativity?” by the late Ken Robinson, amassing over 76 million views, propelling him to global fame instantly.
The Griffith TEDx forum seeks engaging presentations of 12 minutes or less on novel ideas, with a preference for local narratives and themes. Selected talks will be broadcast online, with the potential for exposure to a vast audience through the main TED page.
Prospective TEDxTalk applicants are encouraged to share unprecedented ideas, demonstrate passion for their topics, and present talks that inspire rather than lecture. The selection process involves shortlisting EOIs, inviting top applicants for pitch talks in early May, and ultimately choosing the best six to eight speakers for the August event.
For those interested in delivering a TEDx talk, a guide and the EOI application form can be accessed here. The deadline for EOIs is 19 April. Stay updated on the event and access the latest information by following the event page.