In September 2018 around 350 people packed into the Bega Civic Centre to experience the Festival of Open Minds presented by Ian Campbell and About Regional.

The event is still being talked about with many locals asking “when is it on again?” The answer, Friday, September 13 and Saturday, September 14 at Bega Civic Centre!

Last year, the high quality of speakers, good will and discussion in the room, and professional way in which the Festival was presented left a mark and certain sense of pride with the community.

The Festival of Open Minds aims to pull together national and local ideas and identities with the aim of strengthening regional communities and providing an opportunity normally only available via a tollway or airport check-in lounge.

A local, regional version of the TED X series is a good example of what we are trying to achieve and you can be a part of.

Roughly speaking each speaker is allocated 20 – 30 minutes to talk, followed by 15 minutes of audience Q&A. With a wrap up panel discussion at the end of
the day.

Last year’s theme was ‘change’ with a speaker list that included:

• Catherine McGregor, and her story of gender transformation
• Hugh Mackay, Australia’s best-known social researcher
• Gabbie Stroud, education advocate
• Linda Burney MP, Aboriginal reconciliation
• Dr Leeanda Wilton, one of Australia’s leading IVF scientists.

In 2019, the theme is ‘People With Oomph!’ About Regional and its parent company, Canberra based Region Media aims to build on last year’s success and take the event up a notch.

A dynamic program of speakers and ideas has been assembled for Open Minds 2019.

This year’s festival theme is ‘People with Oomph!’ and the hearts, minds, and souls we have assembled so far fit the bill.

“People with oomph, they’re not lyin down,” Bega’s Damon Davies sings.

“People with oomph spread the good life,

“People with oomph keep their own style.

“People with oomph walk mile after mile.

“I hope they keep on smilin in the wake of the clown.

“I hope they keep on shinin when no one is around.”

Speakers AKA ‘People with Oomph’ already confirmed include:

• Tim Costello, Chief Advocate, World Vision
• Pastor Christie Buckingham, spiritual counselor to executed Bali 9 drug smuggler Myuran Sukumaran.
• Nas Campanella, vision impaired Triple J newsreader;
• Aly Khalifa, founder of Oceanworks, focused on harvesting plastic waste from our oceans;
• Emma Booth, para-equestrian competitor, represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Paralympics;
• Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall, comedian, joke writer

More announcements will be made in the coming weeks.

This year’s Festival will launch on Friday night, September 13 with a free community event in the centre of Bega for all to enjoy. Inspired by the Bega Valley Regional Gallery and Bega Valley Library Service, this ‘mini-Vivid’ light show event is currently being developed – stay tuned!

The stunning natural landscape of the Bega Valley naturally relaxes and open minds, the people who will gather to witness and take part in this event adds to the promise and power of the day.

Early bird tickets are on sale now and available until August 14.