Tickets are on sale for the fourth Flinders Foundation event in the popular Infrastructure Series, with the focus on the burgeoning food and agribusiness industry on the Sunshine Coast and beyond.
The business networking event is hosted by the Flinders Foundation at Matthew Flinders Anglican College on Thursday, 13 October from 6:00pm to 8:30pm.
Tickets are free and must be booked via https://www.trybooking.com/CCEQO
Guests are invited from the Flinders community and wider Sunshine Coast to hear from Emma Greenhatch, CEO, Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN) and Frances Cayley, Project Director, Turbine Sunshine Coast.
The event will be emceed by communication consultant Jennifer Swaine and explore the infrastructure of organisations like the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN) that are critical to industry and regional development.
Today, FAN has more than 370 members from across the food value chain located in Gympie, Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay and beyond, and is recognised nationally and internationally as a leading Australian food cluster.
Speakers will explore how such organisations help to drive collaboration, innovation and transformative projects like Turbine, Australia’s first collaborative food and beverage manufacturing precinct to be constructed at Sunshine Coast Airport.
Turbine is expected to create 131 new jobs during construction and support 687 once operational with $200 million in economic benefits. The hub will create a new home for companies in the region and will be funded through a federal government commitment of $33.4 million.
The Flinders Foundation’s Infrastructure Series is an opportunity for guests to expand business networks and make connections with like-minded professionals on the Sunshine Coast.
The Flinders Foundation aims to connect, support and engage the community and to encourage philanthropic support for the College to benefit students, current and future.
About the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN)
FAN aims to grow the industry by creating an ecosystem that supports collaboration, accelerates innovation and drives trade, locally and globally.
Its success has been driven by facilitating opportunities for members to connect, build capability, increase knowledge and grow their profile. FAN is creating a culture of collaboration where there is a high level of trust that underpins members feeling supported. This, in turn, leads to a strong ‘give back’ ethos and a dynamic and engaged cluster.
FAN's more than 370 members include input suppliers, growers, manufacturers, retailers, food and service operators, and affiliated services.
Backed by a strong community of supporters and partners including Regional Councils, Regional Development Australia, Queensland Government and the Australian Government, FAN’s members are leading the way in showing how responding to challenges and opportunities together, accelerates growth and creates a stronger and more resilient industry.
EVENT DETAILS:
Infrastructure Series: Food and Agribusiness Industry
Date | Thursday, 13 October 2022
Venue | Flinders Performance Centre
Time | 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Dress | Business attire or smart casual
Canapés will be served. Drinks are available for purchase
Tickets | Free. Bookings are essential by Tuesday, 4 October
Book your tickets here: https://www.trybooking.com/CCEQO
Guest Speakers | Emma Greenhatch, CEO, Food & Agribusiness Network and Frances Cayley, Project Director, Turbine Sunshine Coast
MC | Jennifer Swaine
ABOUT OUR GUEST SPEAKERS
Emma Greenhatch | CEO, Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN)
Emma grew up on a property in the Tamar Valley in Northern Tasmania and has enjoyed an eclectic career – from working on a seahorse farm in Ireland where she developed their global market, to befriending Dame Edna Everage when she managed her 50th-anniversary celebrations. Emma spent nine years working for the Victorian government and helped to establish Victoria’s first representative group for the organic industry. She also created Australia’s largest inbound trade mission, resulting in $100 million in new food and beverage exports for Victoria.
Moving to the Sunshine Coast in 2015, Emma has worked with the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN). She has evolved FAN to be a nationally recognised industry cluster that is demonstrating how businesses and industries can be more competitive and sustainable when they collaborate. This has culminated in FAN – supported by industry and the Sunshine Coast business community – playing a lead role in securing federal government funding towards building Turbine as Australia’s first collaborative food and beverage manufacturing precinct at Sunshine Coast Airport.
Emma won Sunshine Coast Outstanding Business Woman of the Year in 2021 and is regularly called upon to present on the benefits of the industry cluster model.
Frances Cayley | Project Director, Turbine Sunshine Coast
Frances has worked more than 20 years in the property and development sector, managing public and private portfolios and projects. Joining Turbine in March 2022 was a natural pairing of Frances’ desire to do more for the community she lives in and passionately loves, and her skills as an accomplished Project Director.
Frances joined Turbine following a successful career in local government where she was the Head of Property, managing Sunshine Coast Council's $1 billion property portfolio and the Project Director for the Sunshine Coast City Hall in Maroochydore, the single largest infrastructure project undertaken by Council, and a legacy for the community.
In 2019, Frances was recognised as the Outstanding Business Woman of the Year, and is committed to volunteer positions in the sporting and business community.
Jennifer Swaine | Marketing and Communications
Jennifer is a communications consultant to Regional Development Australia, Sunshine Coast; Chair of the Sunshine Coast Business Awards; Vice President of the Sunshine Coast Chamber Alliance; and a Non-Executive Director of Visit Sunshine Coast.
She is a regular columnist in the Sunshine Coast Daily and Hello Sunshine and works hard to actively promote, connect and collaborate with others to promote and increase the profile of the greater Sunshine Coast.
ABOUT THE FLINDERS FOUNDATION
The Flinders Foundation aims to connect, support and engage the community and to encourage philanthropic support for Matthew Flinders Anglican College.
This enables the Foundation to support key projects at the College, including student scholarships, information events and building infrastructure projects, including the newly opened Wonderarium learning centre. The Wonderarium is wholly funded by the Flinders Foundation for the long-term benefit of students, current and future.
Flinders Foundation Contact:
Rachel Sotiropoulos
Flinders Foundation Liaison
Email: foundation@mfac.edu.au
