‘I’m all about
encouraging more girls to skate. I look forward to representing Australia in
skateboarding at the Olympics one day. It’s looking more and more likely that
it will be in Japan 2020; this is going to be the best thing ever for Women’s
skateboarding.’ Poppy Starr.
Poppy’s talents
extend into the art community as a jewellery designer and card designer and it
was the sales of her art that help fund the early stages of her competition
career at the legendary Bondi Skate Park.
She now has an established business with her art being sold online and
in several stores across the country. She
inspires young people to find their passion and gives great tips on being a
young entrepreneur finding ways to fund her passion.
Kim Ellis BA (Mil),
Grad Dip HRM, MBA, FCILT, GAICD - Executive Director, Botanic Gardens & Centennial Parklands
Kim was appointed Executive Director of Botanic Gardens & Centennial Parklands in January 2014, when the Office of Environment and Heritage announced the operational integration of Centennial Parklands and Moore Park Trust and Royal Botanical Gardens & Domain Trust.
Kim has extensive experience in leading diverse, high profile public businesses through strategic reforms to deliver transformational change. After a 20 year career in the Australian Army in logistics leadership roles, including support of the Australian scientific research expedition in Antarctica, Kim held senior positions in publicly and privately owned airports delivering major infrastructure projects.
Before taking up the role as CEO of BAC Airports Kim was Head of the Passenger Services Group at Sydney Airport, where he was responsible for all airlines related operational activities on Sydney Airport. Kim led the 120 strong Passenger Services Group team through the $600 Million International Terminal upgrade, and the Sydney Olympic operations in 2000.
Kim retired from a 24-year career in the Australian Army in 1997, where he had worked in amphibious warfare support logistic roles in Australia, the United States and the Antarctic. He specialised in amphibious warfare operations in Sydney and Darwin, which culminated in command of the Army’s Amphibious Logistics Regiment.
Mr Matt Miller - Chief Executive NSW Office of Sport
With over 40 years’ experience in the Queensland and Australian Governments, Matt Miller currently leads the Office of Sport NSW as the Chief Executive.
Matt’s primary role, as the Chief Executive of the Office of Sport (Oos), is to lead the management and delivery of a significant range of sports-related services and facilities across the State, including the development and implementation of state-wide Sports policy and strategy for NSW, to inform the strategic directions of all divisions in the OoS and to ensure Cluster alignment and whole-of-government coordination.
Lead, strategically plan and direct the activities of the Sport and Recreation, Venues NSW, Office of Penrith Lakes, and Strategic and Business Services divisions of the OoS to ensure the full implementation of Government policy and priorities and maximise benefits for communities.
As the Agency Head of the OoS, provide collegial/agency coordination support to the NSW Institute of Sport, Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA) and the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust (SCSGT) to ensure that the strategic goals of SOPA and SCSGT are achieved within the required NSW Government legislative frameworks.
Prior this current position, Matt led the Australian Sports Commission from 2009 to 2011. In that role, he came to understand the importance of sport and the difference it can make to the lives of people in NSW and Australia, as well as building better communities. Matt has held a number of other executive roles within government, including Qld Commissioner for Fair Trading, and CEO of the Australian Child Support Agency.
He appreciates actions speak louder than words and for Matt it is important to establish personal credibility, trust and rapport. His leadership style is one where he seeks to be accessible, authentic and collaborative. He values engaging with staff and stakeholders at all levels and in receiving frank, honest and open communication. Like you, he wants to have clear direction, priorities and performance targets and to work with an aligned team passionate about making a difference.
Since commencing in the role in Nov 2014, Matt has been working on reforms to deliver improved outcomes for the people of NSW through better targeted and leveraged investment by the NSW Govt in the sector. Matt is passionate about creating a truly aligned and collaborative sports system within both the government sector and sports.
A/Professor Thomas Astell-Burt PhD, MSc, BA Hons - University of Wollongong
Thomas Astell-Burt is the Associate Professor in Public and Population Health in the School of Health and Society at the University of Wollongong (UOW). Astell-Burt earned his PhD from the University of St Andrews and has held postdoctoral fellowships with the Medical Research Council’s Social and Public Health Sciences Unit and the National Heart Foundation of Australia.
Astell-Burt’s research is located at the interface between population, wellbeing and environmental studies using a range of quantitative approaches (e.g. multilevel modelling, longitudinal data analysis, Geographic Information Systems). His recent work has involved analysing sources of health, demographic and spatial data to enhance understandings of how where people live shapes their health, lifestyles and wellbeing.
Astell-Burt is leading an NHMRC-funded research project which focusses on diabetes prevention and care (APP1101065). He is also working on several projects with The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre and China’s National Center for Chronic and Non-communicable Disease Control and Prevention in the areas of neighbourhood liveability, non-communicable disease risk factors and population health geo-surveillance.
