Many Faiths, One Planet. Together Caring for Our Common Home
About
Join us in at The Multicultural Hub in Melbourne for this 1-day conference celebrating how the living world brings us to together in Faith, and in care. Hosted by The Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA) and the Faith Ecology Network (FEN). The full conference program will be available at: www.faithecology.net.auConference Speakers:
SHERRY BALCOMBE-MALONEY
Sherry is an Olkola / Mularidji woman from Far North Queensland. Born in Narrm, she has an extensive experience in Social Justice with a faith-based approach, and has enjoyed numerous roles within the community including Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, visiting First Nations youth in detention, Aboriginal Catholic Ministry for 20 years. She is a currently State Representative for NATSICC, board member of Jesuit Social Services, Aboriginal Visitor to Aboriginal community at Thomas Embling Hospital, cross cultural Educator, Story Teller with Djirra (Abororiginal women’s support service), and Aboriginal Heritage Walk tour guide at the Royal Botanical Gardens. Sherry also contributed to the book, "An Urgent Call: Laudato Si' and Indigenous Wisdom in Oceania", recently published by the Vatican.
PROF SARAH BEKESSY
Sarah leads the ICON Science research group which uses interdisciplinary approaches to solve complex biodiversity conservation problems. She is particularly interested in understanding the role of human behaviour in conservation, in designing cities to encourage ‘every day nature’ experiences and in defining and measuring ‘nature positive’ development. Sarah is a Lead Councillor with The Biodiversity Council, which she helped to establish "to be a trusted, expert voice communicating accurate information on all aspects of biodiversity to the Australian people, to ensure biodiversity and Country prosper." She is Honorary Professor at RMIT University, and 2020 Winner of the City of Melbourne Design Challenge.
DR MICHELLE MALONEY
Michelle manages the strategic direction and governance of the Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA), designs and manages AELA programs and events, and coordinates the work of staff, volunteers and collaborative networks. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (political science and history) and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the Australian National University, and an PhD in environmental regulation, from the Griffith Law Futures Centre. Michelle is also the Co-Founder and Director of Future Dreaming Australia; Adjunct Fellow, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and a member of the Advisory Council, Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature. She lives near Brisbane, Australia with her family and Ziggy the Wonderdog.
ANDREW SKEOCH
Andrew is an educator, author, naturalist, environmental thinker, and one of Australia's best-known nature sound recordists. Over the last thirty years, he has documented the sounds of wild environments around the planet, and through his label, Listening Earth, published over one hundred recordings featuring habitats from most continents, attracting Spotify streaming figures in the many tens of thousands a week. His recordings are featured in the audio installation at Sydney Wildlife World, feature films, including Peter Gabriel's soundtrack to Phillip Noyce's 'Rabbit Proof Fence', and Disney's 2016 remake of 'The Jungle Book'. Andrew is a TEDx speaker and President of the Australian Wildlife Sound Recording Group.
Space is limited. Please register for the conference as soon as possible.
TICKET PRICING
Early Bird Tickets - Now until Monday 13th July 2026:
Waged: $120
Concession/Unwaged/Students: $80
From Tuesday 14th July 2026 these prices will apply:
Waged: $140
Concession/Unwaged/Students: $95
Children under 18 attend free. Families welcome. Please contact us if you have any special needs.
We aim to create a safe and inclusive space for people from all cultural backgrounds, and beliefs.
The Multicultural Hub an accessible venue
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/multicultural-hub
Note: Post-Conference Dinner Tickets will be available here closer to the conference, please keep an eye out for details
Date
Saturday 3 October 2026 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (UTC+10)Location
City of Melbourne Multicutural Hub
Level 1, 506 Elizabeth St, Melbourne Victoria 3000
Contact Form
Many Faiths, One Planet. Together Caring for Our Common Home
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