Advancing communities in Central Western Queensland

This webinar highlights key issues impacting the remote region of Central Western Queensland and the roles that the Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences and data science, can play in addressing these issues.

In this webinar you will hear from:

• Prof. John McVeigh: Executive Director of the University of Southern Queensland’s Institute for Resilient Regions
• Associate Prof. Ben Lyons (UniSQ): Director of The Rural Economies Centre of Excellence (RECoE)
• David Arnold: CEO of the Central Western Qld Remote Area Planning & Development Board (RAPAD)
• Kristine Arnold: Operations & Innovation Manager at RAPAD

Emeritus Professor Helen Chenery (QAAS) and Professor Roger Stone (UniSQ) moderated the discussion.

Prof. John McVeigh is the Executive Director of the University of Southern Queensland’s Institute for Resilient Regions, which focusses on economic and social sciences research and engagement to assist regional communities embrace change and adapt successfully, and Director of the Southern Queensland Northern New South Wales Drought and Agriculture Innovation Hub.

Assoc Prof. Ben Lyons is the Director of The Rural Economies Centre of Excellence (RECoE), a first-of-its-kind rural economic research collaboration between: The University of Queensland, James Cook University, Central Queensland University and the University of Southern Queensland. RECoE undertake a multi-disciplinary approach to addressing regional and rural economic problems and opportunities, providing solutions that integrate the economics of innovation with world-leading technical expertise on regional economic development and agriculture.

David Arnold is the CEO of RAPAD, a position he has now held since 2003. Through RAPADs administration of the Rural Financial Counseling Service, David is also the CEO of Rural Financial Counseling Service North Qld. As a partner in RAPAD Employment Services Qld David is also a director of RESQ, which delivers the Federal Governments Community Development Program. David is also the Deputy Chairman of the Central West Hospital and Health Service (CWHHS), chair of its executive committee and member of the audit & risk committee, since its inception in 2012, and member of its finance committee since 2016.

Kristine Arnold has enjoyed the lifestyle in Outback Queensland for the last 21 years as an educator and innovation and entrepreneur advocate at Central West Qld RAPAD. Joining the RAPAD team in 2008 Kristine was tasked with increasing vocational education training in the region. With RAPAD’s growth, and an increasing focus on regional innovation, digital technology and entrepreneurship, Kristine moved across to manage RAPAD’s operations and the innovation programs. She is passionate about offering opportunities to others, co-leading the regional innovation initiatives.

Emeritus Professor Helen Chenery is the President of the Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences. She is a speech pathologist who began her career at UQ as a tutor in that profession in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Professor Chenery made outstanding contributions to the University during this time, maintaining a strong research track record while engaging in numerous service roles. She supervised 24 Higher Degree Research students to completion at UQ, obtained over $16 million in grant funding and has 140 peer-reviewed publications.

Professor Roger Stone is an Australian and international leader in climate science and a big believer in the value of seasonal forecasting to help farmers, communities and governments plan for and manage risks associated with drought and other extreme events. Roger works with The Centre for Climate Science, University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ). He is the Founding and past Director of the Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation for Southern Queensland and Northern NSW also at UniSQ.