NEW SEASON, NEW CONNECTIONS SEPTEMBER NETWORKING
Join the SCLAA's "New Season, New Connections" networking event at Lil Miss Sunshine Bistro & Brewery! Mingle with supply chain pros to grow your network in South East Queensland.
ABOUT THIS EVENT
Join the Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA) for a night of professional growth and connection at our "New Season, New Connections" September Networking Event. Set in the vibrant and charming Lil Miss Sunshine Bistro and Brewery in the heart of Brisbane CBD, this is the perfect opportunity to forge new relationships and strengthen existing ones. Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of this unique venue, with its own on-site brewery and a menu featuring delicious modern Australian and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Mingle with industry peers over handcrafted beers and fine food, sharing insights and discussing the latest trends shaping our dynamic sector. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the industry, this event is designed to facilitate meaningful conversations and build a robust network. Don't miss this chance to welcome the new season and cultivate the connections that will drive your career and our industry forward.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
NSW Networking & Mentoring Catch-Up
Join us for an exclusive evening of networking, insights, and inspiration with Supply Chain and Logistics professionals, proudly hosted by Miller Leith Recruitment.
Members and mentoring program participants - No charge. Non-members: $50
Registrations close at 12noon on Monday, 22 September 2025.
Enjoy great food, drinks, and the chance to win spot prizes throughout the evening. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow with like-minded professionals in the Supply Chain & Logistics community. Spaces are limited — secure your spot today and elevate your professional journey!
WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA
Hear from Miller Leith's leading recruitment specialists.
SPEAKERS
Laura Callinan – Senior Recruitment Specialist, Supply Chain, Procurement & Logistics, Miller Leith Laura is a highly driven recruitment professional with experience across Europe and Australia, specialising in Supply Chain, Procurement, and Logistics. With expertise in 360 agency recruitment, she partners with leading NSW businesses to build high-performing teams that keep industries moving. Her background in finance for a global recruitment firm and event management adds depth to her sector knowledge, enabling her to shape talent strategies that transform supply chains and deliver strong business outcomes. An active SCLAA contributor, Laura shares workforce insights and is passionate about diversity, inclusion, removing bias in hiring, and driving more sustainable recruitment practices.
Matt Walker – Practice Lead, Manufacturing & Supply Chain (NSW), Miller Leith With 17 years of experience in the Manufacturing and Supply Chain ecosystem, Matt specialises in connecting organisations with professionals who deliver efficiency, precision, and leadership across the value chain. He began his career in the UK with Page Group, partnering with SMEs and multinationals such as Rolls Royce, Aston Martin, Boeing, DHL, and Aldi. After relocating to New Zealand, he established a dedicated Manufacturing and Operations recruitment division before moving to Sydney, where for the past eight years he has focused on mid-to-senior leadership roles across food, packaging, industrial, and manufacturing sectors. Matt is recognised for his consultative approach, designing talent strategies that build high-performing, long-tenured teams.
Bernard Desmidt – Executive Team Coach Bernard is a globally experienced leadership coach, facilitator, and speaker with over 25 years of expertise empowering leaders and teams to achieve their full potential. Having delivered more than 10,000 hours of coaching worldwide, he has partnered with leading organisations across Australia, APAC, and Southern Africa. Recognised as a top-rated facilitator at the Macquarie Graduate School of Management and Academy Global Emerging Leaders Program, Bernard is also the author of Inside-Out Leadership and Team Better Together. With an engaging style and practical approach, he helps organisations improve performance, implement sustainable change, and elevate workplace culture, working with clients such as Woolworths, Coles, IAG, and the Reserve Bank of Australia.
MODERATOR
Ishan Galapathy – Excellence Strategist Ishan, a productivity expert, has worked across seven countries for nearly three decades. As a speaker, author and facilitator, Ishan helps to inspire, unlock and unleash latent capacity in manufacturing and warehousing. Ishan lives in Sydney with his wife and two sons.
Bridging Learning and Logistics: Skills, Strategies & Stories for Tomorrow’s Supply Chain and Logistics Leaders
This event connects students with industry professionals, academic leaders, and a national association to uncover essential skills, emerging opportunities, and real-world career pathways, and give the opportunity for employers to provide constructive feedback or otherwise on the current system.
Parking is available on Campus
Light refreshments will be provided. Registrations close at 12noon on Monday, 22 September 2025
In the first of a two-event Thought Leadership program, join us for an inspiring and interactive evening as SCLAA and ECU come together to explore the exciting world of Supply Chain Management and Global Logistics. By facilitating the sharing of insights and open dialogue, students will gain practical advice, make valuable connections, and be empowered to take the next step on their logistics career journey. Likewise those that seek to employ them or provide them with relevant learning and career pathways will be able to connect with potential future leaders and to provide their feedback on the success or otherwise of the current education and placement systems. Leading Academic, Industry and Association experts will address these topics in a panel format, with light refreshments provided. Watch out for the second event in this series in late October, addressing the opportunities for practical use of Artificial Intelligence in the Supply Chain and Logistics industry.
Dr Reza Kiani Mavi, Senior Lecturer ECU will be the Moderator.
PANELISTS
David Sutherland – President, SCLAA WA and experienced Supply Chain practitioner David Sutherland is a logistics and supply chain leader with more than 25 years of experience spanning start-ups, national operations, and global corporations. He has delivered major improvements in warehousing, transport, and distribution, including building a greenfield distribution centre in Saudi Arabia and driving significant cost savings and efficiency gains for leading companies. As President of the Supply Chain & Logistics Association of Australia (WA Branch) and Chair of the Global Logistics and Freight Council, David is passionate about mentoring and coaching the next generation of supply chain professionals. He actively supports students and emerging leaders through industry mentoring programs, career guidance, and leadership development initiatives.
Amanda Bradfield – Head of International Freight & Logistics, Freight and Trade Alliance With almost three decades in international freight and logistics, Amanda bring deep industry knowledge, strong leadership, and a track record of building trusted relationships. Now as Head of International Freight and Logistics, she focuses on delivering practical solutions, supporting clients through complex global challenges, and keeping the supply chain front of mind - not just behind the scenes. She’s passionate about connecting people, sharing insights, and helping others understand the real impact of trade and logistics. Through LinkedIn, she enjoys sharing industry updates, stories from the frontline, and the occasional vessel photo - because every shipment has a story.
With over 20 years in international freight and logistics, Jenni brings extensive operational experience and leadership across the full supply chain. She manages the team at EES Shipping responsible for exports, domestic freight, warehouse operations, container management, wharf transport, and local deliveries. Known for her direct, practical approach, Jenni works closely with producers and exporters across a range of industries, supporting their growth while keeping day-to-day operations running smoothly. She combines deep industry knowledge with a passion for making logistics accessible and less daunting for businesses of all sizes.
In his current role at the Logistics Skills Council (LSC), Ian provides high-level strategic advice to the WA Department of Training and Workforce Development and the Office of the State Training Board on industry training needs and priorities. He drives initiatives to strengthen partnerships between industry and the training sector, contributes to the State Training Profile, and develops market intelligence on skills supply, demand, and emerging shortages to ensure Western Australia’s transport and logistics workforce is future-ready.
This event will be of benefit to students, industries seeking to employ graduating students and those that provide the learning and career pathways for these students.
NATIONAL CONSULTATION WORKSHOP ON SCLAA'S SUPPLY CHAIN ACCREDITATION
This is not a public event. Only a small group of leaders have been hand-picked to join this online session, and you are among them.
National Consultation Workshop for SCLAA's Supply Chain Accreditation Program is a one-hour exclusive online event designed to gather feedback on SCLAA's new accreditation program from key stakeholders, including recruiters, industry professionals, and educators, and to explore potential collaboration opportunities.
12.00noon to 1.00pm (AEST) Online No charge
Registrations close at COB on 19 September.
The session will bring together supply chain recruitment experts, practitioners, and academic leaders to discuss the relevance and value of SCLAA’s Supply Chain Accreditation Program for its primary stakeholders. This workshop will serve as a collaborative forum to explore how the program can best be aligned with evolving talent development priorities, industry needs, and educational standards.
Participants will receive a detailed overview of the program’s structure, objectives, and intended outcomes. The session will include focused discussion groups to examine the practical benefits of a nationally recognised accreditation for employers, practitioners, and training providers.
The workshop will conclude with an outline of the next steps for the broader promotion of the program and opportunities for national collaboration ahead of its 2026 launch.
WHY ATTEND
The expertise and perspective of our selected invitees are highly valued. This invitation reflects both their standing in the field and the potential for meaningful collaboration with SCLAA. This is an invitation-only workshop where the input of selected invitees will directly shape the future of our Supply Chain Accreditation Program and open doors for potential collaboration opportunities.
FORMAT
One-hour online workshop, structured to engage recruitment professionals, supply chain practitioners and executives as well as supply chain educators in a focused consultation session.
Prof Ben Fahimnia - Professor of Supply Chain Management, University of Sydney. Ben is a globally distinguished researcher and a renowned supply chain consultant with a diverse background in business/management, applied mathematics, engineering, and psychology. Ben leads multidisciplinary teams working on a range of projects related to supply chain digital transformation, resilience and risk management, sustainable operations, and human intuition in supply chain decision-making. He has helped practitioners and policymakers develop decision-making skills and tools to create and manage efficient, resilient and sustainable supply chains. He has led over 140 industry projects in different sectors, for which he has received numerous awards from professional associations, research organisations and government agencies.
Elton Brown - Senior Consultant, Demand Management Systems (DMS) and Adjunct Lecturer, University of Sydney. Elton is a passionate advocate for smarter, technology-driven supply chains. Hes recognised for cutting through the hype to show businesses exactly how AI can transform demand forecasting, inventory optimisation, and Saales & Operations Planing.Wth 28 years of experience around the globe, Elton's mission is clear: help organisations separate fact from fiction in AI, zeroing in on what genuinely delivers value.
With over 12 years of academic and industry experience, she has taught across three continents and developed more than 15 courses, including digital logistics, supply chain management, business planning and project management. Anna has a rich interdisciplinary background in management, applied economics, and innovation capabilities. Her approach is distinguished by the integration of industry and research in sustainable supply chains, digital logistics that is highly supported by collaborations with global firms.
He specialises in mapping operational processes to uncover digital solutions—across ERP and BI systems, as well as compliance—and has led major technology rollouts and risk management initiatives. Liam also lectures part-time at the University of Sydney and sits on the SCLAA education committee, helping shape the next generation of supply chain professionals.
Recruitment ProfessionalsSupply Chain Practitioners and Executives Supply Chain Educators
Metcash Huntingwood Site Visit – Understand how automation plays a role
Join us for an exclusive site tour of Metcash’s Huntingwood facility, where you’ll discover how automation and traditional warehousing operations work seamlessly side by side. As one of Australia’s largest distribution channels, Metcash supports a vast network of independent supermarkets across the country in food, grocery, alcohol and hardware. This event offers a unique opportunity to see how automation is integrated into large-scale distribution to drive efficiency and resilience.
Tuesday, 14 October 2025
Members – No charge / Non-members – $50
Registrations close by COB on Friday, 10 October 2025 Limited places available
This site visit provides valuable insight into how automation can complement traditional warehouse practices to deliver effective, large-scale distribution. Gain firsthand knowledge of how Metcash leverages technology while maintaining the strength of established warehousing approaches, ensuring reliable supply to independent retailers nationwide.
MAKE IT A FULL DAY WITH SCLAA
Later the same day, join us for the NSW Networking & Activities Event at Mullane’s Hotel in Norwest Business Park. From 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, enjoy a relaxed and engaging evening with fellow supply chain and logistics professionals over casual drinks and conversation. It’s the perfect way to continue the discussions from the site visit and grow your professional network.
IMPORTANT GUIDELINES
Safety Attire: All attendees must wear enclosed shoes for safety reasons. Thank you for your understanding.
We look forward to welcoming you to this insightful site tour - and hopefully seeing you again at Mullane’s later in the evening!
This tour is ideal for supply chain professionals, logistics managers, and anyone interested in understanding how automation enhances large-scale distribution.
NSW NETWORKING & ACTIVITIES AT MULLANE'S
Join SCLAA NSW for a relaxed and engaging evening of networking at the public bar of Mullane’s Hotel in Norwest Business Park. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow professionals in the supply chain and logistics industry, enjoy a casual drink, and expand your network.
5:30pm - 8:30pm
Members - No charge / Non Members - $50
Complimentary finger food will be provided. Drinks available for purchase at the bar.
Registrations close by COB on Monday, 13 October 2025
An evening of in-person gathering that provides a great opportunity for non-members and members of SCLAA to meet and greet professionals within the industry.
This event is open to all professionals working in—or interested in—the supply chain and logistics sector. Whether you’re a seasoned industry member or new to the field, we welcome you to join us for an evening of valuable conversations and connections.
Unboxing the Amazing: An Inside Look at Amazon's Brisbane Hub
See inside Amazon's Brisbane warehouse! Join SCLAA for an exclusive tour of this massive, human-powered logistics hub. Witness the scale and speed of their operations firsthand. Book your spot today!
Registrations close on Monday, 20 October 2025 Space is limited with only 40 able to attend, so book your spot today!
Don't miss your chance to experience the heart of modern logistics up close and personal.
Get ready to pull back the curtain on the engine of e-commerce! Join the SCLAA for an exclusive tour of Amazon's Brisbane Fulfillment Centre. This isn't just a warehouse; it's a hub of human ingenuity and smart technology, where people and processes work in perfect harmony to get millions of items from their shelves to your doorstep. Discover how a team of thousands works in sync with advanced systems to sort, pack, and ship orders at incredible speed. You'll see firsthand the immense scale and operational precision of their processes, from the moment an item arrives to its final dispatch. This is a rare opportunity for supply chain professionals and enthusiasts to gain unparalleled insight into the operational backbone of one of the world's most dynamic companies.
Supply Chain and Logistics Managers Warehouse and Distribution Managers Procurement and Purchasing Professionals Operations and Planning Analysts Anyone with an interest in the e-commerce and retail industries
Please note that this event has been postponed from 9 September to 28 October 2025.
WEBINAR: BE BREACH READY. SHUT DOWN THE CYBER-ATTACK, NOT YOUR BUSINESS. THE GOAL IS UPTIME.
Today, organisations try to stop cyber-attacks by shutting down whole network segments or whole of business. They are in fact inflating the impact of the attack by shutting down systems and critical infrastructure that have not been compromised. Shutting down your business as a response to a supply chain related cyber-attack is no longer the only option.
Date: Tuesday, 28 October 2025 Time: 1.00pm - 2.00pm (AEST) Cost: Members - No charge / Non-members $50 RSVP: Monday, 27 October 2025
Cyber incident response needs to shift from "shutdown and investigate" to a more nuanced strategy aligned with organisational needs for continuous operations, during and after an attack. The ability to contain a breach attempt while maintaining organisational uptime is now considered foundational to cyber resilience planning.
Businesses can now architect for breach containment and remediation, aligning cyber resilience with their Business Continuity and Minimum Viability planning. In this professional development session, we will discuss this topic and how businesses can architect for remediation and Be Breach Ready.
PRESENTER
Dan Churches - Sales Director Australia, ColourTokens
Dan is an experienced Sales Leader with over 25 years in IT across hardware, software, professional services, cloud, data analytics, security, and digital transformation. He has held leadership roles at IBM, NTT Global, and Verizon Enterprise Solutions, driving business growth and building high-performing teams.
At Color Tokens, Dan leads market penetration, brand development, partner engagement, and client success. He champions the company’s “Breach Ready” approach—helping organisations stop ransomware and malware across IT/OT, IoT, and legacy environments, and enabling cyber resilience and uptime compliance.
Dan brings extensive experience from both startups and global enterprises. He has built trusted relationships with executives, partners, and customers worldwide and has delivered IT sales and coaching programs across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Australia.
GRC, Chief Risk Officer, CIO, Cybersecurity, Security, Data Security, Applications, Cloud Team, IT Operations, Customer Success
2025 Australian Supply Chain & Logistics Awards Gala Dinner
The annual ASCL Awards gala dinner recognises the outstanding achievements of supply chain and logistics professionals and organisations across Australia, celebrating industry excellence and championing collaboration, innovation, and success.
These prestigious National Awards, hosted by the SCLAA, have been running for over 60 years making them the most sought after, recognised and influential awards across the Supply Chain, Logistics and Transport industries.
Date:
Time:
Venue:
Dress:
Ladies - Cocktail | Gentlemen - Lounge Suit
Registrations close on 7 November 2025
Table of 10: $3,300 (incl GST) Individual: $330 (incl GST)
We’re proud to announce the 2025 ASCLA Keynote Speaker, Steve Thompsett, CEO of DHL Supply Chain ANZ.
With more than 30 years of global supply chain experience, Steve is a customer-centric leader who has worked across multiple markets, building long-term strategic partnerships and constantly finding new ways to engage and connect with customers. Passionate about creating a more sustainable world, Steve champions responsible business practices that deliver both performance and positive impact.
The 2025 ASCL Awards will be hosted by internationally acclaimed Irish stand-up comedian, Jimeoin.
Renowned for his razor-sharp wit and effortless delivery, Jimeoin’s role as MC promises a fast-paced evening packed with off-the-cuff brilliance and perfectly timed punchlines.
From opening remarks to spontaneous one-liners, this won’t be your standard industry dinner. It’s the supply chain and logistics’ night of nights — with world-class comedy keeping things fresh, sharp, and unforgettable.
For more information on the ASCL Awards, Nominations and the Gala Dinner, click here.
Award Nominations NOW OPEN
EXTENDED Submissions Close: 9am on Monday, 8 September 2025 Finalists Announced: Monday, 29 September 2025
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
ASCL AWARDS WEBSITE
We proudly acknowledge our Sponsors for the 2025 ASCL Awards
SILVER SPONSOR
INDIVIDUAL AWARD SPONSORS
Transport & Logistics Excellence Award
Start-Up Award
JOIN THE SCLAA TEAM AT THE 2026 QLD VINNIES CEO SLEEP OUT
Make a real impact! Join SCLAA QLD at the Vinnies CEO Sleepout on June 18, 2026. Help us fund Vinnies' 500 Homes project and give people a safe place to call home.
This is your year to make a difference! Join the SCLAA QLD committee at the Vinnies CEO Sleepout in Brisbane on June 18, 2026. For the second year, we're stepping up to fight homelessness, and this time, we're inviting all SCLAA members to join us. By spending just one night out, you'll help fund Vinnies' 500 Homes project, a vital mission to provide stable, safe homes and critical support to those who need it most. Let's use our collective influence to create real, lasting change. Join the movement and help build a future where everyone has a home.
WHO SHOULD REGISTER
All SCLAA Members Welcome