Innovation Sparks in the Hunter
Innovation is a bit like a lightning storm — unpredictable, exciting, and powerful enough to light up the whole sky. That’s exactly what the Hunter Innovation Festival 2025, held on Thursday 25 November, felt like. A collision of ideas, technology, and human connection.
This post recaps the keynote speakers who left us buzzing, the conversations that fired up new collaborations, and my own experience being invited onto the “Less Talk, More Action” panel on manufacturing.
A Festival That Began with Purpose
The day opened with a heartfelt Welcome to Country, followed by insights from Sarah Kelly, Matt Syron, Alex Brennan, Zara Crichton, Lord Mayor Dr. Ross Kerridge, The Hon. Yasmin Catley, and The Hon. Emily Suvaal.
Their words framed the Hunter as a place where bold ideas don’t just sprout — they’re nurtured and scaled.
Keynotes That Opened New Doors
The stage was alive with ideas that bridged science, business, and imagination:
Prof. Renee Goreham shared “A Breath of Hope”, showing how optical tomography and breath analysis could revolutionise healthcare.
Vu Tran unpacked “Demystifying Defence”, urging us to take national security and sovereign capability seriously.
Prof. Thomas Nann revealed breakthroughs in water-based, non-flammable batteries — a leap forward in energy storage.
Emeritus Prof. Roy Green AM reflected on Australia’s R&D future, asking how the Hunter could lead the way.
Each session felt less like an ending and more like a launching pad.
📊 Fact: The Festival features over 60 speakers across disciplines each year, reinforcing its role as one of the largest regional innovation events in Australia.
💡 Quote: “Innovation is seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.” — Dr. Albert Szent-Györgyi
The Thrill of the “Less Talk, More Action” Panel
For Resourceful Living, the highlight was for our Founder Jess Hodge to be part of the “Less Talk, More Action” stage to tackle the future of manufacturing.
Included on this panel was:
Justin Bain (3ME Technology)
Benji Prawer (PlasmaLeap Technologies)
Alex Lautenschlager (Pitcrew AI)
- Brett Thomas ( The Melt) – Moderator
Our discussion wasn’t about theory — it was about rolling up sleeves and making it happen. From electrification to AI-powered manufacturing and circular economy solutions, the message was clear: execution is the new innovation.
The Ripple Effect of One Day
By the end of the festival, new collaborations were already in motion. At “Festival After Dark,” connections turned into projects, “what ifs” became “let’s do it,” and AI-driven solutions were a hot talking point for manufacturing, mining, and sustainability.
The Hunter’s innovation ecosystem isn’t just dreaming big — it’s acting fast.
💡 Quote: “Ideas are easy. Execution is everything.” — John Doerr
Turning Sparks Into Action
The Hunter Innovation Festival 2025 reminded us that innovation doesn’t wait. It doesn’t ask for permission. It moves forward with those willing to take risks and build.
Being part of the Less Talk, More Action manufacturing panel was a privilege and a challenge — a reminder that the Hunter has the talent, grit, and imagination to lead Australia’s next wave of innovation.
If there’s one lesson, it’s this: the future isn’t handed to us — it’s made by us. And here in the Hunter, we’re ready to make it real.
