Speakers

Amanda is a dedicated animal rights activist and Campaign Manager at AnimalKIND, with nearly a decade of frontline experience in the movement. Her work includes leading powerful campaigns, conducting investigative work, organising grassroots actions, and creating compelling media that gives voice to animals. She is driven by a deep commitment to bearing witness and keeping animals at the heart of the animal protection movement. Amanda played a central role in the creation of Imogen’s Story and Boe’s Story—impactful campaign pieces that have resonated deeply with the public and sparked vital conversations around animal suffering. She was honoured with the 2021 Animal Justice Foundation Award for Outstanding Activism in Animal Justice, and the 2023 Award for Best Public Service Announcement at the International Vegan Film Festival.  

With a background in environmental campaigning, electoral campaigning, volunteer management and communications, April Broadbent currently works at the Australian Alliance for Animals as their Better Chicken Commitment Campaigner. April has also managed an animal shelter in rural Fukushima, camped outside Adani’s Carmichael mine, and spends her free time as the Policy Convenor for the Queensland Greens and as a pigeon rescuer-rehabber.

A long-term advocate for the animals, Cameron is also one of the organisers of the Action for Animals forum, an idea inspired by his participation in the Brisbane Social Forum back in the mid-2000s. At this year's forum, Cameron will be part of our session on community building, where he will talk about the events that Brisbane Vegan Meetup holds, and how you can get involved. He recently had the chance to share some of his philosophy about veganism and animal rights as a podcast guest: click here if you'd like to have a listen. 

Dr David Fechner is a Research Fellow at Griffith University. He is passionate about helping reduce suffering for all sentient beings and ensuring that present and future generations can enjoy the beauty of our planet. He designs and experimentally tests interventions to encourage chefs and consumers to embrace plant-based foods.   

Founded by Gareth in 2023, Gaia’s Serenity is the realisation of a dream that began in 2019 when Gareth made the compassionate choice to go vegan. His visit to another animal sanctuary that year ignited a passion to create a safe haven for animals in need. When the opportunity arose to acquire 15 acres of land in Ormeau Hills, Gareth seized it, and Gaia’s Serenity was born. What started as a family-run operation, funded by Gareth’s business, has rapidly grown into a vibrant sanctuary.

For three decades, Gerard Wedderburn-Bisshop served as a Principal Scientist with the Queensland Government, using satellite imagery to monitor deforestation and witnessing firsthand the devastating environmental impact of animal agriculture. He later co-authored Beyond Zero Emissions' Land Use Plan, demonstrating how Australia could reduce land use greenhouse gas emissions to net zero, and co-founded the World Preservation Foundation – an NGO highlighting the climatic, environmental, social, and economic damage caused by animal agribusiness and fishing. Gerard was the lead scientific advisor for the 2022 documentary Eating Our Way To Extinction and recently published groundbreaking research in the prestigious journal Environmental Research Letters suggesting that animal agriculture has contributed more to global heating than fossil fuels.

A dedicated animal advocate, Joyce is a second-year vet student and current Chair of the UQ Vegan Society, a club for vegan and vegan-curious students at the University of Queensland that also welcomes members from the wider community. The society’s activities include potlucks, quiz nights, movie screenings, campus outreach and more!

Kayleigh serves as a Queensland chapter leader for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation Australia, among her various other roles volunteering in both international and local animal protection campaigns and initiatives. Her marine defence involvement spans several years and has included campaigning against the pilot whale hunt in the Faroe Islands and engaging in on-ground initiatives to end the shark fin trade in Indonesia, alongside co-organising local outreach initiatives back home in Brisbane.

Rachel has worked for Animal-Free Science Advocacy (formerly Humane Research Australia) since 2019, where she is now CEO. During her career, she has worked for NGOs in the animal welfare and conservation fields, in Europe, Asia and Australia, as well as roles in the community sector for local, state and federal Government. Rachel holds a MSc in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law from the University of Winchester, during which she undertook her dissertation project on Freedom of Information legislation and animal research.

Rico is the founder and president of the Vegan Society of Queensland, a registered non-profit organisation offering support, education and community events to all its members and the community. Rico has also founded other vegan community groups like the Brisbane Vegan Bikers. He has successfully developed various regular vegan events including Vegan Australia Day and the Vegan Christmas Day celebration. His background in marketing is a key element in the success of his work for the animals and the vegan community. He is an accomplished artist and currently working fulltime in the logistic industry.

An active member of the vegan community since 2017, Shannen has experience volunteering with animal rights groups across Australia and the UK. This includes going out with the UK Hunt Saboteurs to protect British wildlife and participating in anti-whaling campaigns in the Faroe Islands and Iceland with the Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK (formerly Sea Shepherd UK). Now based in Brisbane, Shannen is an active member of the local vegan community and serves as a Queensland chapter leader for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation Australia. In late 2024, she founded the Brisbane Vegan Run Club, a social running group aimed at building community among vegans who enjoy, or want to enjoy, running, with a strong focus on connection and shared values.