G8 Education invites former Antarctic explorer to inspire centre leaders at conference

Freya Lucas

May 18, 2023

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Early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider G8 Education has invited former Antarctic explorer Rachael Robertson, one of the youngest ever Australians to lead a scientific expedition to Antarctica, to inspire centre leaders from across its network during the provider’s annual conference.

Ms Robertson will speak to delegates about leadership, teamwork and resilience, joining fellow keynote speaker Toni Christie, Director of Childspace Early Childhood Institute in New Zealand, who worked in partnership with G8 Education last year when she and her team hosted a cohort of G8 team members on a study tour.

Around 500 centre leaders and members of G8’s support office team have been welcomed to the Gold Coast for the conference, which has the theme Belong, Inspire, Transform. “I am delighted that we can once again bring together all of our centre leaders for this year’s Conference,” said G8 Education CEO Pejman Okhovat.

The three-day conference will see G8’s leaders engage in collaborative sessions around leadership, inclusion, reconciliation and quality.

A highlight of the program will be a panel discussion on the updates to the Early Years Learning Framework hosted by G8 Education’s Head of Early Learning and Education Ali Evans.

During the panel, Aunty Denise Proud of Reconciliation Queensland, Queensland University of Technology’s Dr Lyndal O’Gorman and Professor Julie Davis, Sarah Callinan from La Trobe University, and Belle Cusack, Centre Manager of Kindy Patch Emmas, are expected to share their thoughts on how the changes will transform early learning in Australia.

Centre Manager Award winners will be announced during the conference, with the winners to be offered a chance to join this year’s study tour.

To learn more about G8 Education, please see here.

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