ARTC is pleased to announce the following keynote speakers for the 2009 conference:

Ella James

Ella James has notched up over 20 years in the Australian media, in radio, television and magazines as well as playing the supporting role in a Tropfest finalist film and performing stand up comedy at the Basement for the International Comedy Festival.

She is also one of Australia’s top voice artists, with her voice being heard by millions of Australians on a wide variety of advertising campaigns and television programs.

Her career has seen her on channel nine in Time Out For Serious Fun with Katie Fischer, and as the money specialist and host on FCTV (Family Circle TV on the Ten Network). She has broadcast to UN Peacekeepers for the Defence Department and done stand up comedy for the International Comedy Festival at The Basement in Sydney. 

Ella was the original morning crew on 2DAY FM before Wendy Harmer and the moved onto 2GB (Macquarie Network),2UE (Southern Cross Network) and 702 ABC Sydney. In this time she interviewed world experts and collected stories from her celebrity interviews with everyone from supermodels to politicians and beyond including Elle McPherson, Whoopi Goldberg, Dr Lee Berk, Dr Bob Cummins, Bob Hawke, Paul Keating, Magda Szubanski, Bert Newton, writer Elizabeth George (Inspector Linley) and Chrissie Amphlett.

Ella is the ultimate performer having done stand up comedy and being one of Australia’s top voice over artists. She combines this well with her extensive journalist background, to give her a unique ability to think on her feet and hold an audience’s attention.

Her warm, entertaining and professional style is fast making her one of the most popular professional MC’s in Australia today.

Clare Martin

Clare Martin is the CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) and took up the position in November 2008.

Prior to her appointment at ACOSS, Clare was the Labor Member for the electorate of Fannie Bay in the Northern Territory Parliament for 13 years. During that time she was Opposition Leader from 1999 to 2001, then Chief Minister in the Territory’s first ever Labor Government until 2007.

Before her parliamentary career, Clare was a journalist and broadcaster with the ABC for 17 years, working in Sydney, Canberra and Darwin in both radio and television.

Clare was raised in Sydney in a large Catholic family and is a graduate of Sydney University.

Her partner, David Alderman, is a barrister in Darwin, and they have two children, both students, studying in Queensland.

Rod Fehring

Rod Fehring (CEO - Lend Lease, Primelife) has spent the past 26 years working in the Australian property sector. Rod has held various positions including Chief Executive of Delfin Lend Lease, Head of Lend Lease Communities, Asia Pacific (which consisted of three business units; Delfin Lend Lease, Lend Lease Development and Retirement By Design).

More recently, Rod was appointed Chief Executive of Lend Lease Ventures working with all Lend Lease businesses to identify new and emerging technologies capable of driving new growth whilst positioning Lend Lease at the forefront of the property and construction industry, as a leader in sustainable development practices. In addition during May 2008, Rod was appointed Head of Lend Lease Communities, USA.

Rod is actively involved in the property industry and was appointed Chairman, Australian Housing Urban Research Institute, May 2008, is a current Foundation Member & Chairman of the Residential Development Council and Director of the Property Council of Australia. In September 2008, Rod was appointed (by the Minister for Innovation Industry Science & Research Council), Member of the Built Environment Innovation Council. Rod is also a member of the Planning Institute of Australia and was Trustee of the Melbourne Cricket Ground Trust, from July 1999 to December 2007.

Rod's qualifications include, Bachelor Applied Science, Graduate Diploma Bachelor Applied Science, Graduate Diploma Sports Administration (Facilities), Graduate Diploma Urban & Regional Planning and has participated in the Executive Development and Advanced Management Programs at Wharton Business School, USA.

Mark McCrindle

Mark McCrindle [MA, BSc. (Psychology), QPMR] was trained as a Psychologist and his research into the emerging global generations is now recognised internationally. Mark is a Social Researcher and he is accredited with the Industry’s highest accreditation Qualified Practising Market Researcher.

He is the Director of McCrindle Research which counts amongst its clients over 50 multinational organisations and 100 of Australia’s largest corporations. His highly regarded research and reports into the changing times and emerging trends have developed his reputation as a futurist, demographer and a social commentator.

Mark is renowned for his engaging presentations and he often delivers keynote addresses at conferences but he is equally at ease in delivering his expertise in workshops or facilitated forums.

Mark graduated from the University of NSW with a BSc (Psychology) and he has completed a Masters degree majoring in Social Trends.