Melbourne's North Circular Economy Forum - last chance to book this week

Last chance to book your tickets…

Ticket sales for Melbourne’s North Circular Economy Forum are closing this week, and this is your last chance to secure your place at one of the region’s key conversations around sustainability, circularity, and the future of business.

Join manufacturers, food businesses, sustainability leaders, researchers, and industry experts for a day of practical insights, networking, and real-world strategies designed to help businesses navigate the shift towards a circular economy.

Event Details:

Tuesday, 26th May 2026

9:30 am - 2:30 pm

Plenty Ranges Arts & Convention Centre, South Morang

Sponsored by Hume City Council | Hosted by City of Whittlesea | Delivered by NORTH Link

Event Program:

9:30 AM - Registrations and check in

10:00 AM - 10:10 AM - Welcome and Introduction (? Yan Yean Theatre)

10:10 AM - 10:30 AM - Keynote by Dr Heinz Schandl, CSIRO (? Yan Yean Theatre)

10:30 AM - 11:15 AM - Panel: Circular Economy 101: What it means for your business (? Yan Yean Theatre)

Jan Bjelic, Brunswick Site Lead, CoLabs
George Hatzimanolis, CEO, RePurpose It
Dr Aida Golneshin, Innovation and Sustainability Advisor, Edlyn Foods
Adam Norris, Founder and Design Principal, Annular Design
Dr Heinz Schandl, Senior Principal Research Scientist and Circular Economy Lead, CSIRO

11:15 AM - 11:45 AM - Morning Tea & Exhibitor Time (? Red Gum Room)

11:45 AM - 12:30 PM - Session 1 (Breakout Room 1 - ? Yan Yean Theatre):

Identifying Circular Economy Opportunities in Melbourne's North

Dr Alessio Miatto, Senior Research Scientist, CSIRO
Dr Heinz Schandl, Senior Principal Research Scientist and Circular Economy Lead, CSIRO
George Osborne, Manager, Hume City Council (Panel Chair)

11:45 AM - 12:30 PM - Session 1 (Breakout Room 2 - ? Woodstock Theatre):

From waste to Value: Simple Circular Wins for SMEs

Marshall Waters, Owner, ReWine
Julie McKay, Founder and Managing Director, Enable Australia
Tyrone Hunter, Business Development Manager, IPS
Katrina Naish, Founder, A Fitting Connection
Steve Morriss, Head of Circular Economy, Close the Loop

12:35 PM - 1:15 PM - Session 2 (Breakout Room 1 - ? Yan Yean Theatre):

Circular Economy ESG and Regulatory Compliancemple Circular Wins for SMEs

Samatha Zabrowski, Principal, Business Advisory, William Buck
Victor Barichello, CEO, Empauer
Richard Ralphsmith, Founder and Chief Creative Officer, DPR&Co
Caroline Bennett, CEO, Green Energy Carbon Management

12:35 PM - 1:15 PM - Session 2 (Breakout Room 2 - ? Woodstock Theatre):

Creating products & revenue from Food Waste

Georgia Brown, Waste to Energy Officer, ReWaste - Yarra Valley Water
Rebecca Hawking, Waste Diversion Officer, City of Whittlesea
Syed Shahed, Chief Operating Officer, Melbourne Market
Dr Sarah King, Business Development Manager, Gaia EnviroTech
Emil Kroel, Technical Engagement Lead, End Food Waste

1:15 PM - 1:30 PM - Thank You and Acknowledgements (? Yan Yean Theatre)

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM - Lunch, Exhibitor Time & Networking (? Red Gum Room)

Exhibitors:

Exhibitors include leading organisations and innovators showcasing practical circular economy solutions, sustainable technologies, waste reduction initiatives, and resource recovery services designed to support businesses on their sustainability journey.