ABOUT REIIF

A showcase of innovation

The Resources, Energy & Industry Innovation Forum (REIIF) is a premier event that brings together key industry leaders, regional stakeholders, and investors to explore the future of resources, mining technologies, and renewable energy innovation. This forum serves as a dynamic platform for discussing world-class industry practices, emerging opportunities, and the evolving skills landscape essential for driving economic growth in the Orana and Central West regions of New South Wales.

Day 1 of the program will feature a series of Orana region project updates and three panel discussions focused on the key themes of energy, resources, workforce and migration. With a fantastic lineup of industry-leading speakers, these sessions will explore the challenges and opportunities facing the Orana region and inland Australia as they navigate the energy transition, resource innovation, and the future workforce.

Day 2 will host the Energy + Circularity Summit, new to the REIIF program for 2025 and co-hosted with Circular PV Alliance, offering a dedicated exploration of how the energy sector can move from traditional, linear models of production and consumption to a fully circular economy approach. The Summit will bring together stakeholders to view the energy transition through the lens of circularity, collaboratively identifying what is needed from government, community, and private enterprise to build a truly integrated and sustainable energy ecosystem.

Hosted at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo in 2025, REIIF provides a unique setting for insightful discussions on the latest advancements in the new energy sector.

Resources Energy & Industry Innovation Forum (REIIF)
Resources Energy & Industry Innovation Forum (REIIF)
Resources Energy & Industry Innovation Forum (REIIF)
Resources Energy & Industry Innovation Forum (REIIF)

Program

  • Day 1 18 Jun 2025
  • Day 2 19 Jun 2025
  • Day 3 20 Jun 2025

Facilitator

Official Welcome

Justine Campbell
Justine Campbell
CEO RDA Orana
Jamie Chaffey
Jamie Chaffey
Federal Member Elect for Parkes

Session 1 - Project Updates

Justin Hiller
Justin Hiller
Chief Commercial Officer Essential Energy
Hannah McCaughey
Hannah McCaughey
CEO EnergyCo
Tom O'Dea
Tom O'Dea
State Manager NSW - Regional Stakeholder and Community Engagement NBN
Rob Armstrong
Rob Armstrong
Operations Director ACEREZ
Lucas Coleman
Lucas Coleman
Executive Manager of Corporate Affairs Port of Newcastle

Morning Tea

Session 2 - Energy

Panel discussion
Chris Souness
Chris Souness
CEO Wimmera Southern Mallee Development
Murray Wood
Murray Wood
CEO Dubbo Regional Council
Mark Hudson
Mark Hudson
Head of Land Tenure, Engagement & Communications WestWind Energy
Bart Sykes
Bart Sykes
Regional Economic Development Manager Squadron Energy
Tommy Hicks
Tommy Hicks
Head of Culture & Community Indigenous Energy Australia
Rob Armstrong
Rob Armstrong
Operations Director ACEREZ

Lunch

Session 3 - Workforce & Migration

Panel discussion
Ian Smith
Ian Smith
Executive Director of Regional Economic Development NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Peter Van Vliet
Peter Van Vliet
CEO Migration Institute of Australia
Justine Campbell
Justine Campbell
CEO RDA Orana
Simon Pryor
Simon Pryor
Research and Policy Director RAI
Megan Callinan
Megan Callinan
CEO Marathon Health

Afternoon Tea

Session 4 - Resources

Panel discussion
John Fennell
John Fennell
CEO International Copper Association
Clare Larkin-Sykes
Clare Larkin-Sykes
Managing Director Forelight Advisory
Peter Vlatko
Peter Vlatko
General Manager Cobar Shire Council

Formal Networking Dinner

Speakers

Belinda Kerrison Research Development Coordinator University of Newcastle

Belinda Kerrison

Research Development Coordinator, University of Newcastle
Hannah McCaughey CEO EnergyCo

Hannah McCaughey

CEO, EnergyCo
Ian Smith Executive Director of Regional Economic Development NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Ian Smith

Executive Director of Regional Economic Development, NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Jamie Chaffey Federal Member Elect for Parkes

Jamie Chaffey

Federal Member Elect for Parkes
Justine Campbell CEO RDA Orana

Justine Campbell

CEO, RDA Orana
Justin Hiller Chief Commercial Officer Essential Energy

Justin Hiller

Chief Commercial Officer, Essential Energy
Megan Callinan CEO Marathon Health

Megan Callinan

CEO, Marathon Health
Michael Sutherland General Manager NSW Alkane

Michael Sutherland

General Manager NSW, Alkane
Michelle McCann CEO PV Lab Australia

Michelle McCann

CEO, PV Lab Australia
Nalini Blacker Head of Engineering Atoms Renewables

Nalini Blacker

Head of Engineering, Atoms Renewables
Peter Vlatko General Manager Cobar Shire Council

Peter Vlatko

General Manager, Cobar Shire Council
Shane Bartel CEO Climate Capital

Shane Bartel

CEO, Climate Capital
Sonja Malcolm Workforce Development & Training Manager ACEREZ

Sonja Malcolm

Workforce Development & Training Manager, ACEREZ
Tatum Moore  Community Engagement Specialist Indigenous Energy Australia

Tatum Moore

Community Engagement Specialist, Indigenous Energy Australia
Tatum Moore Community Engagement Specialist Indigenous Energy Australia

Tatum Moore

Community Engagement Specialist, Indigenous Energy Australia
Tony Inder Farmer 'Solar Sheep'

Tony Inder

Farmer 'Solar Sheep'

Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

Essential Energy
EnergyCo
Dubbo Regional Council

Gold Sponsors

Acerez