AORA Annual Forum and AGM at The Lakes Golf Club, Sydney

Thursday 15 October 2026

AGM 10am – 10.30am (please arrive for 9.30am)

Forum – 10.45am – 3pm

The AORA Annual Forum returns to Sydney in 2026 and it’s packed with all of the latest information for the organics recycling industry.

Join AORA for a deep dive into the issues shaping our industry’s future. We’ll be launching the highly anticipated 2025–26 Industry Capacity Report and unpacking the AORA FOGO Position Paper.  We will delve into FOGO compost application and explore some of the latest research and plenty more!

Don’t miss it — secure your spot today.

Please note: the AORA AGM will proceed this event from 10am – 10.45am and is exclusively for members, when booking a ticket for the forum, we will include your attendance at the AGM.   If you are only able to attend the AGM, please contact Alex – alex@aora.org.au

Speakers across the forum include:

• Launch of the Industry Capacity Report 2025-26 – Nick Behrens, AEAS
• DETSI PFAS in compost – our revised approach – Jackie McKeay, DETSI
• Beyond Waste Diversion: Enhancing crop nutrition and food quality with FOGO compost – Dr Nicole Robinson, University of Queensland
• The Window is Now – Certified Compostables, FOGO and NSW’s path to 2030 – Martine Poulain, ABA
• Accelerating the uptake of compost in Agriculture: Exploring and documenting the barriers, challenges and opportunities of using recycled organics – Alexia Chipperfield, University of Wollongong
• What PFAS proficiency testing can mean for the organics recycling sector – Luminita Antin, National Measurement Institute
• Market Update – Sean Galdermans, OREZ

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR TICKET PURCHASES

You must be logged in as an AORA member in order to access the member tickets. If you login and you are not attached to your company membership, please contact us via compost@aora.org.au  – please do so before you purchase a ticket, we cannot apply member pricing retroactively.  

Event Schedule

Speakers

Nick Behrens, Director of Australian Economic Advocacy Solutions

Nick  specialises in economic analysis, research and advocacy and has over three decades of experience applying these skills in the real world for Australia’s business community.  Across 200 projects, AEAS has delivered services nationally to exemplary organisations including ACOR, AORA, Australian Aluminium Council, Australian Industry Group, Australian Gas Industry Trust, Australian Steel Institute, Master Builders Australia, Natroads, NWRIC, Property Council of Australia, Victorian Waste Management Association, WRISA, WRINT, WRIQ, unions, local government authorities, the Commonwealth and State Governments and many others.

Across his professional career Nick has realised many outstanding outcomes to complex challenges for the business community.  He possesses significant experience in gathering and presenting information, and leveraging that information to achieve results across a range of areas including economic, taxation, regulatory environment, population, infrastructure and planning issues.

Nick’s representations are based on extensive research and his preferred approach to economic analysis, research and advocacy is to achieve results by working with stakeholders behind the scenes to secure positive and lasting outcomes.  He places much emphasis on having a thorough and convincing evidence that is readily understood and in turn leads to real world application and solutions.

Dr Nicole Robinson, Research Fellow in Plant Nutrition at The University of Queensland

Nicole has spent the past 20 years researching plant, soil, and microbial interactions in agricultural ecosystems. Her work has included improving nitrogen use efficiency in sugarcane through variety selection to maintain productivity while reducing environmental impacts, as well as identifying indicators of soil health. More recently, her research has focused on advancing the circular nutrient economy through the evaluation of recycled organic products across broadacre and horticultural production systems. She is currently involved in the End Food Waste CRC Smart Compost Formulations project, which aims to enhance the value and performance of compost-based products for agriculture.

Martine Poulain, Chief Executive Officer, Australasian Bioplastics Association

At a time of unparalleled interest in the role of bioplastics in the circular economy, both domestically and abroad, Martine works with government, organic recyclers, composters, brand owners and converters to further the understanding and appropriate use of bioplastics. She is committed to building awareness of the ABA’s certification schemes, driving continuous evolution in sustainable packaging options that support a circular economy. Martine also represents the industry across a range of national and international forums, partnerships and advocacy initiatives. She brings to the industry over 20 years’ association experience from managing peak industry bodies in related sectors.

Alexia Chipperfield, University of Wollongong 

Alexia is a third-year Bachelor of Science: Environmental and Heritage Management student at the University of Wollongong. Primarily studying geography, she examines the complex and diverse relationships between humans and the environment. Her research has been undertaken as a social science research internship in partnership with EC Focus and AORA. She has thoroughly enjoyed delving into the world of recycled organics and hopes that her work can contribute to positive industry growth.

Luminita Antin, National Measurement Institute

Luminita is the Team Leader of the Chemical Proficiency Testing (PT) Program at the National Measurement Institute Australia (NMIA). She holds a Master of Science in Environmental Chemistry from Macquarie University and has more than 20 years of experience as an analytical chemist. Throughout her career, Lumi has developed extensive expertise in the validation, and documentation of analytical methods, as well as the implementation of quality assurance and quality control systems. In her current role, she leads a team of scientists responsible for the production of reference materials and the delivery of proficiency testing services that support laboratory competence and measurement quality across Australia and internationally.

Sean Galdermans, OREZ 

Sean Galdermans is General Manager of OREZ Solutions, an engineering led delivery company specialising in advanced composting and bioenergy facilities. He brings over 15 years of international experience in the design and delivery of organics processing and waste management infrastructure across Australia and Europe. At OREZ, Sean leads a team that designs, builds, commissions and supports facilities for councils and waste operators, turning kerb-side collected and industrial food organics into valuable resources.