Exploring the power of connections to shape the future of HR in Western Australia
Explore the ways in which we can lift HR practice to the next level and add more value within organisations.
Thursday, 16 May
8:00am
Coffee and networking
8:30am
Opening Comments
Jonathon Woolfrey · WA State President · Australian HR Institute
AHRI address
CPHR Beth Hall · General Manager, HR Standards and Capability · Australian HR Institute
8:50am
OPENING KEYNOTE: Industrial Relations as the mining boom ends
9:40am
SESSION 2: Secure Work, Better Pay and Closing Loopholes - Making Practical Sense of Legislative Reform
This session offers a comprehensive overview of the tranche of recent legislative reform, with a specific focus on how these changes effect the HR landscape in Australia. In taking stock of the changes, the focus will quickly shift towards practical insights on what action HR professionals need to take to not only comply but also look to enhance their workplaces.
10:25am
Morning tea, expo, networking
10:55am
SESSION 3: Connecting Workplace Relations - Leaders talk Workplace Relations Strategy for Employers
Jessica Price (Moderator) · Director and Principal · JP Employee Relations
Alex Lyon · Executive Director Government Sector Labour Relations · Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
Bronwyn Baker CAHRI · Vice President People and Culture · Austal
This panel session brings together leaders in human resources and workplace relations to discuss strategic & practical approaches for employers in managing their workplace relations. The panellists will share their experiences and insights on formulating effective strategies that not only comply with legal requirements but also promote a positive and productive work environment, sharing examples of contemporary practices and strategies.
11:40am
SESSION 4: Human Resources is at the heart of Industrial Relations
Jonathon Woolfrey FCPHR · Managing partner – Talenting & WA State President · Australian HR Institute
12:25pm
Lunch, expo and networking
1:10pm
SESSION 5: Culture Eats Compliance for Breakfast
Pauline Tarrant FAHRI (Moderator) · Director · Pauline Tarrant Consulting
Beth Robinson · Partner · Kingston Reid
Dr Tom Barratt · Senior Lecturer/DECRA Fellow · The University of Western Australia
Jo Alivovic
This panel discussion explores the premise that while legislative compliance is crucial, the overarching influence of organisational culture often plays a more significant role in shaping employee behaviour and legislative compliance. How do functions such as HR consulting, payroll, finance all influence compliance? Is job security a legislative requirement or an organisational culture issue? Panellists will discuss how culture and legislation interact.
1:55pm
SESSION 6: Ask Me Anything! Expert Advice on Curly Challenges
Julie Dawson CPHR · HR Business Partner · RAC WA
Ronan Boothman · Senior Associate · Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Mark Cox · Director · MDC Legal
After a day rich in learning and discernment, this AMA session convenes a diverse panel of experts determined to help turn insight into action. The panel will draw on intriguing recent case law, offering fresh perspectives on perennial challenges like performance management, navigating workplace investigations and everything else IR. Note your questions throughout the day and we’ll bring them all to life through this session.
2:40pm
Afternoon Tea, expo and networking
3:10pm
SESSION 7: Leadership Perspectives on Industrial Relations
Leadership Perspectives on Industrial Relations.
If life is like a box of chocolates, then many workplaces are like a packet of crayons.
Over the last three and half decades, Celia has been an employee (casual, part time, full time, fixed term and ongoing), an employer of 1000+ fte, a lawyer (in private practice and in-house counsel) and (briefly) a parliamentarian. Through that time and those roles, she has experienced the changing nature of workplaces and the ever increasing size and complexity of workplace laws and regulations. Celia will reflect on those experiences and offer her perspectives on how to navigate the IR and ER environment.
3:55pm
Closing comments
Friday, 17 May
8:30am
Coffee and networking
9:00am
Opening Comments
9:10am
OPENING KEYNOTE: Connecting to the Big Picture
The charts and stats that explain the WA economy, and what your teams are facing.
10:05am
SESSION 2: Collaborative Solutions: Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace
Paul Hadfield FCPHR (Moderator) · Vice President of Membership · Australian HR Institute
Beth Shaw · Partner – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory · PwC
Belinda Riley
Join us for an enlightening panel discussion featuring two esteemed HR experts with international experience. Delve into the nuances of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as these leaders share their insights and strategies for creating more inclusive workplaces. Explore the impact of collaboration in advancing DEI efforts and gain valuable perspectives on fostering diversity in global contexts.
10:55am
Morning tea, expo, networking
11:25am
SESSION 3a: Learning through Connection: Cultivating our Human Superpower in a Tech-Focused World
In this session, we will share our approach to building your workforce’s capability to learn, unlearn, and relearn during digital transformation and as new technology plays a bigger role in o-day jobs.
We have entered a period of isolated and anxious workers who are bombarded with noise about the relevancy of their skills and the future of their careers. The need to grow what makes us human and how we do this in connection with each other has never been more important.
Social learning and growing our strengths collectively will be key to how we continue to deliver value and maintain relevancy as humans. We will speak to the importance of human connection, knowledge sharing and social learning in building an adaptive future-ready workforce.
A continuous mindset to learning and a willingness to unlearn outdated concepts and relearn new ones will be critical to keep up with changing requirements as technology continues to evolve.
11:25am
SESSION 3b: AHRI Award Finalists: Leading Perspectives from WA
Laura Buck MAHRI (Moderator) · Senior Manager · Wesfarmers
Renay Gamble · General Manager People & Culture · Perth Racing
Ashleigh Freeman MAHRI · Head of People Services · DT Infrastructer
The AHRI awards recognise initiative, strategies and contributions of individuals and teams that exemplify HR’s contribution and value to organisations and the profession. This panel session features 2023 AHRI award finalists who will share their insights, experiences and success stories related to AI, change management, culture build and transformation, employee relations and more. Attendees can expect to gain valuable knowledge, innovative approaches and understand the lived experience of these fantastic WA based finalists.
12:20pm
SESSION 4: Connection 5x5
In this dynamic session, five distinguished speakers from diverse sectors of the HR industry will share their insights and expertise on how HR professionals can future-proof their strategies and practices. Speakers will delve into key trends shaping the future of HR, such as technology implementation, the importance of employee well-being and driving high performance teams. Through their short presentations attendees will gain valuable insights and practical strategies to enhance their HR practices and prepare their organisations for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
12:50pm
Lunch, expo and networking
1:35pm
SESSION 5a: Safe Enough to Take a Chance: Driving Creativity through Connection
Today’s leaders are faced with two simultaneous pressures: the need to innovate in the face of an uncertain future, and the need to maintain the wellbeing of their staff.
Dive into an engaging, participatory workshop where we bridge this gap between psychosocial safety and the creativity needed to spark innovation.
Learn through dynamic, participatory exercises how to foster genuine connections and drive engagement within your teams. This session offers an experience of the relationship between connection, safety, and the creativity needed to create transformational change. You’ll be on your feet connecting with colleagues and learning through experience in a safe, welcoming environment.
This workshop will invite you to think about creativity and connection differently.
1:35pm
SESSION 5b: Using Corporate Theatre for Understanding and Connection
Join us to discover how using drama and theatre can ignite connection, conversation and understanding about difficult workplace and societal topics.
2:10pm
SESSION 6a: Lessons Learned: OD, Leadership and Connections
Dr Darja Kragt (Moderator) · Councillor · Australian HR Institute
Francesca Stewart MAHRI · Manager Employee Experience · The Perth Mint
Luke Greenwood · Manager Learning & Organisational Development · Covalent Lithium
2:10pm
SESSION 6b: From theory to practice: Leveraging academic insights for practical talent acquisition
Ali Local CPHR (Moderator) · Councillor · Australian HR Institute
Prof Patrick Dunlop · Professor · Future of Work Institute, Curtin University
Amy Tian CAHRI · Professor · Curtin University
3:05pm
SESSION 7a: Elevating Organisational Culture: the strategic influence of Senior HR leaders on connection and collaboration
Lucy Harding MAHRI (Moderator) · Councillor · Australian HR Institute
Emma Harris · General Manager, Human Resources · ATCO Australia
Catherine Walker · Director Human Resources (interim) · University of Western Australia
The panel discussion will focus on the power Senior HR roles have in shaping the culture of an organisation through connection and collaboration, reflecting the range and scope of impact we have in the workplace.
Our panellists will unpack their experiences, where it’s most successful and what pitfalls await us along the way as we seek to execute, shape and drive a more connected workplace. We will explore the high impact our HR leadership can have across an organisation and the changing, business centric and people centric balancing act we often find ourselves in!
3:05pm
SESSION 7b: Its more than waving a magic wand: May I be candid about psychological safety
Myth Busting Psychological Safety and Psychosocial Health & Safety. What’s the difference & why HR needs to be on board!
3:55pm
Afternoon Tea, expo and networking
4:20pm
SESSION 8
Ben Hamer CPHR · Director, AHRI | Futurist and Author
Details coming soon.
4:55pm
CLOSING COMMENTS
5:00pm
Networking drinks
Join us at ConNEXTion
Explore how we best collaborate and make connections to enhance our contribution with the people we work with. Be part of insightful discussions, gain practical insights, and network with industry leaders
Level 2, 31 Queen Street
Melbourne
Victoria, 3000
Phone: 1300 811 880
Email: [email protected]
