StateCover Seminar 2025
Proud Partner of StateCover Seminar 2025
Speakers
Alison Hill
Psychologist
Ali is a registered Psychologist and co-founder of three-time AFR Fast 100 company, Pragmatic Thinking. Pragmatic Thinking is a behaviour and motivation strategy company that helps organisations build better leaders by building better people. Awarded Educator of the Year in 2018, business woman and international keynote speaker, Ali’s work has made its way into businesses you may have heard of… Virgin Australia, Suncorp, PepsiCo, Siemens, McDonalds, Bond University and Heritage Bank to name a few. On top of all this, Ali’s found the time to author three best-selling books; ‘Dealing with the Tough Stuff: How to achieve results from key conversations and Stand Out: A real world guide to get clear, find purpose and become the boss of busy, and Work From Anywhere. She’s also the host and producer of one of Australia’s top podcasts, Stand Out Life where she digs into the stories behind some of the world’s greatest thought leaders and talents who lead truly awe-inspiring lives.
Avril Henry
Leadership consultant & coach and author
Avril Henry is the Founder & Executive Director of Avril Henry & Associates. Avril is a game changer and provocateur who is passionate about the practice of leadership. An award-winning keynote speaker, consultant, coach, facilitator, and author Avril was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2024 Australia Day Honours list, for services to business consultancy, project management and advancement of women. She has formal qualifications in Accounting (FCPA), Economics, Human Resources (MAHRI), Coaching, Leadership and Psychology from the University of Cape Town, AGSM (Australian Graduate School of Management), The Langley Institute and Harvard Business School. Avril is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), a Fellow of the Institute of Banking & Finance (F Finsia) and a Fellow of the Institute of Management & Leadership (FAIM). Avril has also authored two best selling business books in Australia on Australian leaders and generational diversity, two further business books on leading in crises and gender equity and co-authored three books on leadership and thought leadership.
Gus Worland
Mental Fitness Campaigner
Gus gets a room (or a global audience!) laughing, crying thinking and talking afterwards about a topic others feel uncomfortable speaking about. Gus breaks down barriers with an authentic, honest, interactive conversation delivered in his relaxed, informal, style. What you see is what you get. And what you get is incredible.
Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM
Author, columnist and leadership expert
Kirstin is an award-winning and internationally acclaimed leadership expert, esteemed author and prominent figure in business leadership. In 2023 Kirstin was ranked as one of the top 50 thinkers in the world by Thinkers50 and was also recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant contributions to business and gender equality. With over 30 years of experience, she has held significant roles including CEO of a global consulting firm and board chair of various private, public, and government boards. Notably, she was appointed by the Australian Prime Minister to lead the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. While she began her career as a military officer in the Air Force. Kirstin has a PhD in leadership and culture and is the author of two award winning and bestselling books; her latest book is Head & Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership.
Simon Kuestenmacher
Demographer
Simon Kuestenmacher is a Director and Co-founder of The Demographics Group. He presents on demographic and global trends that are shaping Australia today and into the future and his observations are enjoyed by corporate, government and industry audiences alike. Simon is a columnist for The New Daily newspaper and a regular contributor to The Australian newspaper; and he is a media commentator on demographic and data matters. In his spare time Simon has authored three books on maps and runs what is by now the world’s largest Twitter account dedicated to maps and data. His social media posts reach over 35 million people every month. Simon ranks as one of the world’s top 10 influencers in data.
Dr Simone Scovell
Specialist Occupational & Environmental Physician
Dr Simone Scovell is an internationally recognised leader in occupational medicine and healthcare innovation. Simone holds multiple qualifications including triple Bachelor degrees (in Medicine, Surgery and Medical Science) and a Master level education in Occupational and Environmental Health. Simone has a strong background in injury management, vocational rehabilitation, corporate health and return-to-work assistance in private practice. Out of a personal passion for improving healthcare for workers, she founded TOTIUM – a multi-national b-to-b provider of medical services for corporate companies, where she remains Medical Director. In addition to her medical achievements, Dr Scovell was a former elite basketballer, winning four WNBL titles and representing Australia at the national level and the proud mum of Max, an American high school student athlete chasing his dreams in both academia and sport.
Linton Chalmers
Facilitator
Linton Chalmers is a strategic facilitator, leadership consultant and trainer. With 15 years of facilitation and consulting experience, he has led engagements in over 25 countries, and worked with leaders at many of the world’s great companies including Morgan Stanley, Microsoft, Chanel, Novartis and Paypal. He runs a consultancy helping organisations maximise their impact, and get the very best out of their people.
Frequently Asked Questions
The StateCover Seminar is an exclusive event for StateCover Members. Registration for the full program, including the Seminar dinner, is at no cost to you or your local government organisation. Travel and accommodation, however, must be arranged and paid for by your local government organisation.
Venue
Statecover Seminar 2025 will be held at Doltone House Hyde Park, which is located opposite Hyde Park at Level 3, 181 Elizabeth Street, Sydney.
Enter through the gold doors at street level and make your way to level 3 via the lifts.
Dress Code
During the daily seminar sessions, we suggest business attire, office attire or smart casual.
For the Seminar dinner we suggest casual elegant. Above all we want you to feel comfortable.
Airport
Doltone House Hyde Park is approximately 20 minutes’ drive or 13 km from Sydney Domestic Airport.
The train from the airport to St James Station takes 16 minutes and costs approximately $20-$25.
Parking
There are several paid carparks close to Dolton House Hyde Park. Some options include:
Public Transport
Bus services: There are frequent bus services that run along Elizabeth Street.
Train: St James train station is a two minute walk from Doltone House Hyde Park. Town Hall train station is also a short walk to the venue.
Light rail: This service runs along George Street and the nearest light rail station is Town Hall, a short walk from the venue.
Metro: Gadigal metro station is a three-minute walk from the venue.
For route and timetable information, visit transportnsw.info or call 131 500.
Accommodation
There are many accommodation options in Sydney CBD that are close to Doltone House Hyde Park. Some of these options include:
- Castlereagh Boutique Hotel (0.1 km)
- Park Regis City Centre (0.1 km)
- Meriton Suites Pitt Street, Sydney (0.3 km)
- Oaks Sydney Hyde Park Suites (0.5 km)
- ibis Styles Sydney Central (0.6 km)
