Matthew A.J. Anderson
Matthew A.J. Anderson is a horror storyteller and public speaking educator. Originally from Queensland, Matt moved to Albury during the Covid-19 pandemic and ever since has worked to be a part of the local community. As the Vice-President of Education at Albury-Wodonga Toastmasters, Matt strives to help members reach their full potential as leaders and public speakers; and as a horror writer he seeks to deliver stories that explore the breadth and many depths of the human experience. He is also a podcaster, discussing topics of children’s literature, writing, and horror, but in his spare time, enjoys board games, cooking and trivia.
Julia Brown
Julia Brown is a business strategist and long-time advocate for meaningful communication and community connection. With a deep curiosity about people and how we interact with the world around us, she brings warmth, clarity, and structure to moments of uncertainty. After navigating her own career transition Julia leaned into creativity not as an indulgence, but as a tool for resilience and reflection. This experience led her to create Space Inside Yourself, a self-guided journal that invites others to explore change with creativity, courage, and compassion. Through her consultancy, Upstream Communication, Julia delivers strategic engagement, marketing, and communications solutions that help organisations build trust, navigate change, and connect meaningfully with the people they serve. Her work is grounded in trust-building, deep listening, and practical momentum. Based in Albury on Wiradjuri Country, Julia lives with her husband, two kids, and an ever-growing collection of notebooks. She believes creativity isn’t just for artists but a vital tool for leadership, wellbeing, and navigating what’s next.
Kara Chanter
Kara Chanter is a palliative care nurse, end-of-life doula, funeral celebrant, pet death doula, loss and grief coach – and women’s circle facilitator, living and working in Albury-Wodonga, Wiradjuri and Duduroa Country respectively. For more than a decade, Kara has worked alongside people and their families in those end of life, tender, and often sacred moments that come with dying, death, and grief. Her belief is simple: death is not just a medical event. It is deeply human. It is love, loss, stories, laughter, tears, and truth – all rolled into one. Through her work and her business Dying to Help, Kara offers end-of-life doula support, 1:1 and family grief coaching, bespoke funeral and memorial ceremonies, and community events that make talking about death feel less like a dark secret and more like a necessary, even empowering, conversation. Her work is as much about the living as it is about the dying – giving people permission to show up, exactly as they are (and what they want), right until the very last breath.
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Brendon Hyndman
Brendon Hyndman is an educator, researcher, and systems thinker whose work has transformed how schools approach play, wellbeing, and learning. As an Associate Professor and academic leader at Charles Sturt University, he has spent two decades exploring how everyday school environments- from playgrounds to classrooms can shape the health, behaviour, and futures of young people. His research has been featured internationally and has influenced teachers, school leaders, and policymakers across the world. Brendon has been a driving voice in the Global Recess Alliance, co-authored multiple books on school play, wellbeing and weather impacts on schools, and developed tools and guidelines used by schools worldwide to better understand children’s play and activity. But Brendon is more than an academic. He is a father of two daughters, a passionate endurance event pursuer, and a community advocate who sees play not as a luxury, but as a necessity for thriving schools and healthier societies.
Narayan Khanal
Narayan Khanal is a junior doctor based in Albury Australia with a passion for youth empowerment, health equity and building leadership opportunities within diverse communities. Arriving in Australia as a refugee, his journey has shaped a deep commitment to tackling the barriers faced by young people from underrepresented backgrounds and ensuring their voices are included in decision-making processes.
Narayan has represented Australia at the Y20 Summit, the official youth engagement group of the G20, and at other international forums where he has championed intergenerational dialogue and inclusive policy. He travelled to Geneva for the Global Summit of Refugees, contributing to global conversations on refugee-led policy, and also attended sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
His contributions to advocacy and community have been recognised nationally: he was named Wollongong’s Young Citizen of the Year and became a finalist for the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Young Human Rights Medal.
Daniel Searle
Dan Searle is a physiotherapist, educator, and passionate advocate for inclusion and social change. Raised on a farm in rural New South Wales, he grew up with traditional views of masculinity but also learned the value of strong community networks—insights that continue to shape his work today. At 16, Dan experienced significant vision loss, an event that deepened his resilience and appreciation for accessibility and support. He has since shared his story as a lived experience presenter with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT for over 15 years, highlighting themes of identity, resilience, and advocacy. His professional journey has spanned healthcare and mental health—shaped by the unique perspective of having once been both a patient and a clinician. A proud member of the disability and LGBTIQ+ community, Dan works to break stigma, amplify diverse voices, and champion equity.
Graeme Simpfendorfer
Graeme Simpfendorfer is a former police officer, local government leader, and national television personality with a passion for redefining what it means to be a man in today’s world. With 27 years in policing, including roles in homicide, armed robbery, and sex crimes investigations, Graeme has witnessed both the strength and fragility of the human spirit. As a former Deputy Mayor for the City of Wodonga, and a board member for the Centre Against Violence, he has been a strong advocate for respectful relationships, mental health, and community safety. Known to audiences across Australia and internationally through the Logie-nominated TV series Hunted Australia, Graeme challenges men to lead with courage, vulnerability, and integrity.
Chi Chi Wang
Chi Chi Wang is the founder of C.C.Within, a self-image facilitator and author who helps people break free from body shame and rebuild lasting self-worth. Drawing on storytelling, psychology, and lived experience, she supports those who feel pressured to change their appearance in order to be accepted or valued. Through her coaching, workshops, and her book From Ugly to Beautiful Without Surgery, Chi Chi challenges culturally manufactured beauty ideals and explores their psychological and social impact across global contexts. Her work helps people understand how beauty standards shape identity, influence self-perception and affect our sense of worth.