nhvic conference 2023
keynotes
Sue Woodward AM
Commissioner, ACNC
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Sue Woodward AM commenced as Commissioner of the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC) on December 12, 2022. Previously she was Chief Adviser for Not-for-profit Law with the charity Justice Connect.
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Sue was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 2021 for “significant service to the not-for-profit sector, fundraising and the law.”
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Sue played an instrumental role in the formation of the ACNC, serving as the inaugural Director of Policy and Education during the early years of the Commission.
She has been involved with a number of leadership bodies including: the Charities Crisis Cabinet, the Victorian Government Volunteer Strategy Taskforce, the Victorian Government’s Social Services Regulator Taskforce and the National Strategy for Volunteering Council.
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In pursuit of a stronger, more resilient sector, Sue also contributed to the governance of organisations in the sector, most recently sitting on the boards of the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS), the Human Rights Law Centre and the Australian Communities Foundation, and previously SANE Australia.
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As an academic at Melbourne Law School, she made a seminal contribution to reform of the regulation for the charity and not-for-profit sector with her 2004 research report: 'A Better Framework: reforming the not-for-profit regulation'. Justice Connect’s Not-for-Profit Law service was established in 2008 based on her research recommendations.
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Sue is also a staunch supporter of reducing unnecessary regulatory obligations on the sector. She has worked with an alliance of peak bodies and federal and state governments to make modernised and harmonised fundraising laws a priority.
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Jacinta Parsons
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Jacinta Parsons is a broadcaster, radio maker, writer, and public speaker. She currently hosts Afternoons on ABC Melbourne delivering a popular mix of art, culture and ideas.
She began her radio-life at community radio station 3RRR over a decade ago, where she hosted several shows including Breakfasters and Detour. But her peak Melbourne moment came earlier, when she worked as a tram conductor (proudly wearing one of the last of the Connie’s green uniforms).
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Jacinta has lived with Crohn’s disease for over 20 years and is an ambassador for the Crohn’s and Colitis Association and speaks and writes about the impact of living with chronic illness. She is also an active member of the arts & music community and is a board member for Melbourne theatre company, Rollercoaster.
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She has published two books, Unseen: The Secret World of Chronic Illness (2020) and A Question of Age: Women, Ageing and the Forever Self (2022).
Costa Georgiadis
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In 2013 Costa became only the third presenter for the Logie award winning ABC series Gardening Australia and he has been with the program ever since. Prior to joining Gardening Australia he was the co-creator and host of Costa’s Garden Odyssey for SBS.
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Costa is also seen alongside Dirtgirl, sharing environmental lessons in Get Grubby TV and Get Grubby The Musical, much to the delight of Australia’s pre-schoolers. He is also a popular guest in a range of television programs including Black Comedy, Have You Been Paying Attention?, Celebrity Name Game, and Hughesy We Have A Problem. As testament to his popularity with a broad audience, Costa featured in a dedicated episode of Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery.
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Costa is also involved with regenerative agriculture and holistic practices that deal with the issues arising from a rapidly urbanising world. Through his workshops, lectures, keynotes, expos and other events, he is actively involved in delivering his message to the broader community. His work with pre-schools, primary and high schools, TAFE colleges and universities, industry groups and community organisations, reflects his ability to convey his knowledge of a permanent self-sustaining culture to any audience.
