Kimberley Economic Forum 2026

*Program subject to change
Wednesday 27 May - Friday 29 May

Welcome Sundowner - Wednesday 27 May 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Conference Day 1 - Thursday 28 May 7:30am - 4:15pm
Gala Dinner - Thursday 28 May 5:30pm - 9:00pm
​Conference Day 2 - Friday 29 May 8:00am - 11:30am


​Wednesday 27 May - Welcome Sundowner

Networking & Registration         
"The True Kimberley Experience"

5.00pm – 7.30pm
@ the Spinifex Hotel

Addresses from:
  • Tim Cusack – Containers for Change - Major Sponsor
  • Event Sponsor Southern Cross Austereo - Jude Chapman
  • Paula Connell – Business News
  • Emanual Dillon – Spinifex Hotel

DAY 2 - Thursday 28 May

Doors open 7:30am

​Welcome Session 
7:45am - 9:50am
  • Brett Angwin - President, Derby Chamber of Commerce
  • Hon Stephen Dawson MLC - Minister for Regional Development; Ports; Science and Innovation; Medical Research; Kimberley
  • Melanie Graetz - Horizon Power
  • Ben Wyatt

Morning Tea - 9:50am-10:20am

Forum Session 1 - Strength in Collaboration
10:25am - 11:25am
  • Vicki O'Donnell OAM - Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service
  • Vernon Lawrence - Kimberley Regional Group
  • Shelley Kneebone - Kimberley Aboriginal Regional Body

Forum Session 2 - Country for All
11:30am - 1:00pm
  • Neil MacDonald - Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility
  • Bron Christensen - Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen's Association
  • Nathan McIvor - Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation
  • Panel Discussion - Wayne Bergmann, Bron Christensen, Jordin Payne, Nathan McIvor and Cherie Heslington (hosted by Taliah Payne)

Lunch - 1:00pm - 1:45pm

Forum Session 3 - Maximising Cultural Exposure and Education
1:50pm - 4:10pm
  • Tonii Skeen and Bill Louden - Kimberley Schools Project
  • Natasha Short - Kimberley Jiyigas
  • Craig Doyle - Developing Northern Australia Conference
  • Brenda Garstone - Shire of Halls Creek
  • Panel Discussion - Tonii Skeen, Bill Louden, Natasha Short, Craig Doyle and Brenda Garstone

DAY 2 - Thursday 28 May - Gala Dinner

Gala Dinner - "Kimberley Under the Stars"
Sponsored by KAPCO Meats
​
5:30pm - 9:00pm
​@Mary Island Fishing Club
​
MC - Shelley Kneebone
Addresses from:
  • Divina D'Anna
  • Tim Cusack - Containers for Change

Live Music by Colin Pigram

DAY 3 - Friday 29 May

Forum Session 4 - Mining
​8:00am - 11:30am
  • Chris Shaw - Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration
  • Aaron Morey - Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA
  • Eanna Doolin - Crestlink
  • David Maxwell - Buru Energy
  • Hon Neil Thomson MLC - Shadow Minister for Planning and Lands; Aboriginal Affairs; Seniors
  • Jodie Wesley - Inpex
  • Ben Latimore - Buru Rehabilitation
  • Cherie Heslington - Aarnja
  • Panel Discussion - Rio Tinto, David Maxwell, Ben Latimore, Luke Westlake, Aaron Morey, Jodie Wesley and Cherie Heslington (hosted by Craig Doyle).

Networking Lunch and Drinks 11:30am-1:00pm