Wednesday 7th August

Hannah Beazley MLA

Minister for Local Government, Youth, Minister Assisting the Minister for Training and Workforce Development

The Honourable Hannah Beazley MLA was appointed a Minister of Western Australia in December 2023. She was elected Member of Victoria Park in March 2021 and currently holds the title of Minister for Local Government; Youth; Minister Assisting the Minister for Training and Workforce Development.

Steve Sammartino

Steve Sammartino, a prominent futurist, commands the technology and AI scene with his dynamic and humorous keynote speeches, making him a celebrated speaker worldwide. Writing his first lines of computer code at at 10, Steve boasts an extensive record of tech accomplishments, including co-founding the innovative AI and robotics firm Macro3D. His three best-selling books delve into the realm of tech’s potential, and his expertise is showcased in a successful TED talk and as the host of the acclaimed TV show "The Rebound," which ran for 3 seasons nationally on Channel 9.

His knack for unraveling tech complexities into relatable content is proven by his viral videos, with over 100 million views, and his engaging commentary in the media. Steve’s insights are highly sought after, positioning him as a trusted voice in tech circles. More than just envisioning the future, Steve is at the forefront of shaping it, making his presentations essential for those looking to understand the technological horizon.

Nick Clayton

Effective Water Use and Savings / Soil Testing and Using the Results for Turf and Gardens

Nick has been in the turf industry now for over 40 years. He has worked in Local Government, been a Golf Course Superintendent and was Construction Manager of the Dockers AFL Elite Training Facility at Cockburn.

He currently, in partnership with the NewGround Group, owns a WA mine that provides a unique water and nutrient saving mineral soil amendment across Australia to some of the countries most prestigious horticultural facilities.

Nick is very much a hands-on approach guy and still loves operating a mower or fixing a sprinkler and loves to share experiences with like minded people.

Ben Cousins

Ben Cousins, a legendary figure in Australian Rules Football, is celebrated for his extraordinary career with the West Coast Eagles before moving to play at Richmond where he finished his playing career at the end of 2010. Known for his tenacity, skill, and leadership on the field, Cousins won the Brownlow Medal in 2005 and played in the West Coast Eagles Premiership win in 2006, solidifying his legacy as one of the game’s greats. Over his career, Cousins was a six-time All-Australian and a four-time West Coast Eagles Best and Fairest winner.

Cousins experienced personal struggles throughout his career. These challenges, however, have not diminished the admiration for his on-field prowess and the mark he left on Australian Rules Football.

In recent years, Ben Cousins has focused on rebuilding his life, reconnecting to the AFL, and contributing positively to the community. He is back in media in various roles on Channel 7, Mix 94.5, and will appear on the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars.

Gretchen Lumsden

R.N. Dip. Educ. 

Gretchen has 40 years experience in the health industry. She is a registered nurse who brings up to date clinical information to you with practical help for attendees. Her sessions are entertaining, lively and packed with powerful information to save lives and ensure a healthy workforce. Gretchen is in demand across Australia achieving remarkable health and lifestyle behaviour changes for executives, managerial staff and operational staff. Gretchen has a unique and very natural style of presentation, which immediately captures the attention of her audience. Her knowledge of the subject is clearly that of a specialist and together with her skill as a presenter, results in a most professional presentation.


Panel Discussion


Steve Halligan (owner Road Surfacing SOLUTIONS)

Steve’s company is Road Surfacing SOLUTIONS, specialising in the area of bituminous materials and asphalt focusing on increasing the use of recycled materials in asphalt to enhance mix performance and respond to community expectations. He has extensive experience and knowledge in the design of asphalt mixes along with the production and placement of asphalt. In recent years he has undertaken extensive work incorporating recycled materials into asphalt such as reclaimed asphalt and crumb rubber. This work was published in WARRIP (warrip.com.au) reports in addition to many workshops and webinars to present outcomes from the research. He also has expertise in the spraying of bituminous seals and in particular those with crumb rubber modified binders having updated relevant Main Roads specifications on the means of setting up bitumen sprayers when spraying rubber seals. Steve is also Chair of Standards Australia committee CE-006 responsible for developing and maintaining standards or guidelines relating to asphalt.

In a previous life with Main Roads WA he led in the development and implementation of new technologies in the bituminous surfacings and pavements area, maintaining focus on the quality of bituminous materials used for asphalt and sealing works, developing and maintaining working relationships with bituminous suppliers and providing expert technical advice on bituminous products. Steve developed and maintained specifications, guidelines and methods of test and contributed knowledge to national bodies such as Austroads, NATA and Standards Australia.

Andrew Romero – Divisional Manager – Regional

Andrew has over 20 years’ experience within the surfacing industry for Fulton Hogan in both Australia and New Zealand. Starting off within a spray seal crew as a labourer, then spray driver and supervisor he has extensive experience in different spray seal binders, application, design and productivities associated with sealing roads. He is currently Fulton Hogan’s Spray Seal and Production Manager for the Western Region’s business. This role manages asphalt and binder production, in particular crumb rubber and the application in the field with the spray seal crews.

Mark Burgess

Mark has worked in Local Government off and on over the last 35 years, in between Local Government he has run his own business and worked within the private sector which still allowed him to be a part of Local Government albeit it in a different capacity.

During this time, he has taken a special interest in bitumen applications both in reseals and new works and learnt a lot from talking to the bitumen companies to improve his skills in this area. Now at the Shire of Kondinin he has recently used the S15A in a couple of areas with great success, combine this with Steve’s knowledge what could possibly go wrong?

Allister Butcher

Rural Infrastructure Services

Allister has 20 years working in local government, 18 of which as Manager of Works or similar roles at the Shires of Gingin, Dalwallinu, Katanning, Dumbleyung, Capel and Carnarvon to name a few. In 2021 Allister left local government and started his own company Rural Infrastructure Services. Since then Allister has worked with numerous local governments across the Wheatbelt, Great Southern, South West and Murchison regions to assist them with technical advice, project management, procurement, budget/costing, asset inspections, long term planning and much more.

Craig Stone

Digital Manager, WesTrac

Caterpillar Digital Technology

Craig Stone is the Digital Manager for WesTrac WA where he manages the Digital Support team that consists of 4 individual teams who provide support to a broad range of both reactive and proactive Caterpillar digital tools.

Craig joined WesTrac 4 ½ years ago, bringing with him prior experience in maintenance management within the Construction and Mining industries.

Before joining Westrac in 2018, Craig held the position of National Maintenance Systems Manager for an Australian company, where he worked for 10 years.

His experience in this business involved roles responsible for the creation, setup and execution of all maintenance activities, including preventive service sheets, maintenance and component schedules to maintenance strategies, safety compliance and systems management.

Our team goal is to provide innovative solutions and support that create value for our customers.