{"id":155172,"date":"2025-03-25T06:09:57","date_gmt":"2025-03-25T06:09:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/adventure\/famous-faces-at-explorerfest-all-the-talks-workshops-on-offer\/"},"modified":"2025-03-25T06:09:57","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T06:09:57","slug":"famous-faces-at-explorerfest-all-the-talks-workshops-on-offer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=155172","title":{"rendered":"Famous Faces At ExplorerFest + All the Talks & Workshops On Offer"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Some of the most exciting voices in the Australian outdoors are descending on Jimmys Beach for ExplorerFest 2025 this May. Let\u2019s meet them!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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For a group of people who love to get outdoors and away from people, you adventure folk really love community. Go figure though. How many chances are there to meet and hang with other like-minded legends in Aus?<\/span><\/p>\n

Not enough is the answer, so we set out to change it. Now with ExplorerFest less than two months away we\u2019re stoked to officially announce the line up of speakers and educators who are bringing inspiration to the festival.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss out!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Get Your Tickets Now<\/a><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Aunty Liz McEntyre<\/h2>\n

Where to find her:<\/strong> Welcome to Country and Cultural Talk<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo supplied by Indigenous Allied Health Australia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Aunty Liz McEntyre is a Worimi Guringai Elder and a board member of the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council. One of our first steps with ExplorerFest was to seek the blessing of the local First Nations people and we feel very privileged to have their blessing.<\/span><\/p>\n

ExplorerFest will begin with a Welcome to Country in Gathang language by Archie, Aunty Liz\u2019s grandson, followed by a smoking ceremony and Yidarki played by cultural educators. Following this, Aunty Liz will talk about Worimi Country and share a blessing from her and her ancestors, for those walking the Yacaaba Headland.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rick J Petersen<\/h2>\n

Where to find him:<\/strong> Survival & bushcraft skills workshops<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo supplied by SBS<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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We\u2019ve been big fans of Rick ever since he stole the show (and our hearts) on <\/span>Season 2 of Alone Australia<\/em><\/span><\/a>. He\u2019s a larger-than-life character with a huge beard, a hilarious turn of phrase, and more outdoor skills than you\u2019ll ever fit in your rucksack. <\/span>He\u2019s even told us ahead of the festival that he doesn\u2019t have a tent, preferring to sleep out in the elements. We\u2019re stoked to announce that Rick\u2019s heading down from Gubbi Gubbi Country to share his wisdom at ExplorerFest 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n

Listen now:<\/strong> Rick J Petersen Has Been Preparing for Alone Australia Season 2 His Whole Life \u2013 We Are Explorers Podcast<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Caro Ryan (Lotsafreshair)<\/h2>\n

Where to find her: <\/strong>The North Face Story Slam & Main Stage<\/p>\n

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@lotsafreshair<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Hailing from the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, Caro is Aussie bushwalking royalty. She inspires people to hit the trails through her website <\/span>lotsafreshair.com<\/span><\/a>, is the author of <\/span>How to Navigate, <\/span><\/i>is part of the SES Bush Search and Rescue (BSAR) and a certified MC.<\/span><\/p>\n

Caro will be hosting The North Face Story Slam, so bring your best adventure (or misadventure) yarn, and ink in some time to attend her presentation: <\/span>Anatomy of a Search.<\/span><\/p>\n

Get Your Tickets Now<\/a><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Samantha Gash<\/h2>\n

Where to find her:<\/strong> Main Stage & Jeep Beach 4WDing<\/p>\n

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Photo supplied by Samantha Gash<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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If you haven\u2019t heard of Sam Gash it\u2019s about time you did. Sam\u2019s a social entrepreneur and expedition-level endurance athlete who\u2019s run across India, the Simpson Desert, Nepal\u2019s Great Himalaya Trail and much more, all while raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for charitable causes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sam\u2019s also the founder of <\/span>Her Trails<\/span><\/a>, a group that\u2019s all about unleashing women\u2019s full potential, and she\u2019s even featured on <\/span>Australian Survivor<\/span><\/a> and was <\/span>interviewed by Brooke Nolan<\/span><\/a> (also on this list) for We Are Explorers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sam will give one of her famously powerful talks on the main stage, fire up and don\u2019t miss it!<\/span><\/p>\n

Matt Horspool<\/h2>\n

Where to find him: <\/strong>Photography Masterclass with OM Systems<\/p>\n

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\"Self<\/a><\/p>\n

@etchd<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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We\u2019ve been working with Matt for years and he was even one of the judges of MOMENTS, our photo, video, and writing competition last year. We\u2019re constantly floored by his insane eye and skill with a lens. Have a look, you might even already be following <\/span>@etchd<\/span><\/a>!<\/span><\/p>\n

So we\u2019re super excited to announce that Matt will be running a Photography Masterclass on behalf of OM Systems as one of their brand ambassadors. Bring your camera and a creative eye, you\u2019re about to level up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Dimitri Douchin<\/h2>\n

Where to find him:<\/strong> Stargazing experience & Main Stage talk<\/p>\n

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\"Summer<\/a><\/p>\n

@bluemountainsstargazing<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Yep, we\u2019ve got an actual astrophysicist on site for ExplorerFest. Dimitri has been running Blue Mountains Stargazing with his fianc\u00e9e Caroline Boulom since 2020, with the tours recently expanding to Jervis Bay and Byron Bay.<\/span><\/p>\n

Expect high-powered telescopes, laser pointers to guide your understanding of the constellations, and maybe even some historical astrology courtesy of Caroline. With the clear skies above Worimi Country, it\u2019s sure to be a very special part of your ExplorerFest evening.<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll also be able to catch Dimitri on the main stage for a presentation he describes as \u2018TedTalk meets with stand-up comedy\u2019. Strap in!<\/span><\/p>\n

Get Your Tickets Now<\/a><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Hilary McAllister<\/h2>\n

Where to find her: <\/strong>Trail runs & Main Stage<\/p>\n

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\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

@bryanhynes<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Our mates at For Wild Places are coming along to ExplorerFest and Hilary <\/span>runs<\/span><\/i> the whole shebang. FWP\u2019s goal is to use trail running as a meaningful expression of environmental stewardship, and through the Pilliga Ultra, Traction (Trail Action) events, and advocacy, they\u2019re working to protect the places we love to explore.<\/span><\/p>\n

Catch Hilary on one of our beach trail runs or trots out to Yacaaba Headland, or on the main stage where she\u2019ll be talking about protecting our wild places and sports activism.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Amelie Vanderstock (Amelie Ecology)<\/h2>\n

Where to find her:<\/strong> Main Stage & Workshop Tent<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Amelie<\/a><\/p>\n

@amelie_ecology<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Native bees, composting, ukelele? Yes! Amelie Vanderstock is an ecologist and educator with a PhD on native bees and a huge passion for citizen science. Get keen for singalongs as you learn about the importance of native pollinators (even in the city) and how we can all BEE involved. Amelie Ecology (letsbeescientists.org<\/a>) will be running two workshops and performing on the main stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Brooke Nolan<\/h2>\n

Where to find her:<\/strong> Writing workshop<\/p>\n

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@giveintoadventure<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Brooke<\/span><\/a> is a We Are Explorers OG \u2013 her first article was published back in 2017! Now with over 70 articles published on We Are Explorers, and numerous contributions to other adventure publications, Brooke\u2019s a certified voice in the outdoor writing, communication, and storytelling space.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever wanted to get into outdoor writing, or are looking for tips to take yourself to the next level, don\u2019t miss Brooke\u2019s adventure writing workshop at ExplorerFest. Plus, she has great banter.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scott and Liesl<\/h2>\n

Where to find them:<\/strong> Plant Fibre Cordage Making workshop by Living Strong<\/p>\n

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@livingstr8ng<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Living Strong is locally owned and operated by proud Arrernte man and artist Scott and his wife Liesl, a qualified and experienced ecologist. Their workshops are all about working and connecting with the Australian bush. At ExplorerFest you\u2019ll have a chance to learn which plant fibres to use for strength and ease, and make your very own string to take home with you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss out!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Get Your Tickets Now<\/a><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n