ACS QLD - Australian Computer Society

06/10/2025

One of the best ways to stay cyber secure is to stay up to date with the latest in policy and privacy reforms.

Join us to review the new IPOLA privacy reforms that started on 1 July 2025, and break-down how they impact you and your business.

Hear from a packed out panel of local cybersecurity experts including Peter Vanheck and Roy Pidgeon, Director of Data and Cybersecurity and Chief Digital Officer at CQUniversity Australia, Matthew J Doyle, Founder and Director at Type One Technologies and Brendan Hooper, Coordinator Information Systems at Rockhampton Regional Council. With their combined expertisie we'll discuss practical, compliant strategies to stay secure in evolving cyber threat landscapes.

It's time to prioritise cybersecurity, make sure to save your seat.

🕔 5pm-7:30pm
📆 Thursday, October 23, 2025
📍 CQUniversity Advanced Technology and Innovation Centre (ATIC), Building 37, 554/700 Yaamba Road, Norman Gardens, QLD
🎟️ https://bit.ly/46y8yGX

03/09/2025

Prepare to ‘Level Up’ with keynote speaker Adam Spencer in Adelaide and Brisbane!

Appearing exclusively on Friday in both cities, Australia’s favourite self-confessed “numbers nerd” is known for hosting award-winning breakfast radio shows in Australia’s toughest markets and has famously interviewed Prime Ministers, Hollywood stars, Fortune 500 CEOs, Nobel Prize-winning scientists, and Australians of the Year.

Powered by the ACS, Level Up is a full-day program designed to inspire students. Offering keynotes and panels from real-world industry leaders, epic esports showdowns, hands-on workshops, plus so much more, don't miss this incredible opportunity to gain practical insights and take the next step in your career journey!

For more information on Adam’s Friday-only appearance and Level Up, visit supa.fans/Web1131

For more on Adam Spencer, visit supa.fans/ASpencer

26/08/2025

05/08/2025

ACS shares insights into the power of networking at Griffith University industry panel 🎓🤝💼

In July, Griffith University hosted an online industry panel tailored for students to be able to hear from a range of industry representatives, and also have the time to ask direct questions and hear tailored advice. The session saw 25 students attend and ask questions around the impact of AI for future careers, how soft skills can support entering the industry, and how valuable networking at events can be. The session was a great opportunity for Alannah Grech, ACS Partner Success Manager, to touch on the great events ACS QLD and the ACS QLD EPC host in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast, and - through complimentary student ACS membership - how valuable being part of the emerging professionals community groups can be in building your network and being the first to hear of local job opportunities.

As the only woman on the panel, Alannah also took the opportunity to share her experiences studying and entering the industry, the value of career changes, and her own personal journey.

01/08/2025

Event Wrap-Up: Modernising Payroll – Human & Tech Challenges 💡👥🤝🛠️💼🧾🧑‍🤝‍🧑💻
Hosted by ACS QLD | Wednesday 23 July
The ACS QLD Branch hosted a thought-provoking panel discussion on Modernising Payroll: Human & Tech Challenges, proudly sponsored and curated by KX2 Management Group. The session explored the complexity of implementing new payroll systems, highlighting the strategic, technical, human, and vendor challenges involved in digital transformation. With insights from a CTO, Digital Transformation Consultant, HR Specialist, and vendor representative, attendees gained practical takeaways and cross-disciplinary perspectives—valuable for tech professionals and leaders alike, as well as those working across People & Culture functions.

Key takeaways
• Make sure there’s a problem to solve first and define it well
• Listen to and collaborate with your people across all departments and ultimately have one key decision maker
• Treat the digital transformation project as a people transformation project first and foremost
• Think about it from user perspective, and then work backwards
• Start with the end in mind and use a strategic business lens

A special thank you to our speakers:

Karen Keynes, Co-Founder, KX2 Management Group
Phillip Harrys, Chief Technology Officer, Tony White Group
Abbie Cotter, Partner Delivery Manager, Aurion - People & Payroll Solutions
Kristy Smith, Managing Director, Agility Business
Karen Taylor, (Panel Chair) Co-Founder, KX2 Management Group
And our MC, Neil Wood, Member of ACS QLD Branch Executive Committee; Global Project Manager, RTI – Real Time Instruments

Don't miss our next events! ACS event page: https://bit.ly/4oatjzd

31/07/2025

ACS Student Outreach at CQU QLD Campuses 🎓🤝📚

ACS recently set up trade tables at CQUniversity Australia's Rockhampton and Brisbane campuses to connect with students and promote ACS membership opportunities. These outreach events were designed to introduce students to the benefits of professional membership, including networking opportunities, career development resources, and industry connections.

The initiative supports ACS's ongoing efforts to engage with emerging IT professionals and help students transition from academia to industry through professional association membership.

Thank you to Marilyn Wells, Committee Member, ACS QLD BEC for leading the initiative and presence in Rockhampton and Alannah Grech, SSM team, for supporting the Brisbane event, partnering with Sangeetha and the CQU WinTech Society.

29/07/2025

On Wednesday 23 July, at The Ideas Lab on the JCU: James Cook University, Australia Cairns Campus, nearly 25 ACS members and non-members alike came together for an evening of networking and celebrations.

ACS Queensland Branch Member, Beau Tydd, joined Ken Gideon, ACS Queensland Stakeholder Relations Manager, as they presented awards to 3 individuals in attendance.

Beau presented Christine Rollo and Ben Kersnovske their Certified Professional certifications. Finally, Beau presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Jay Davis, who is the Vice-Chair of the ACS Cairns Chapter, for all of the work he has done over the past 2 years as a Young Tech Ambassador for ACS.

21/07/2025

A sold-out crowd of early-career professionals and tech enthusiasts came together at Stair Stadium for AI in Action: How Can You Make AI Work for You?, an event by ACS QLD’s Emerging Professionals Committee (EPC).

Alexander Cohen, Liam D’Souza, Pablo Farias, and Priyanka Shah each shared how they’re using AI to solve problems, accelerate learning, and boost creativity in their day-to-day work. Highlights included practical examples of automation, productivity tools, and a live demo of an AI agent built on the spot.

The event helped demystify AI and gave attendees relatable, real-world ideas to explore in their own careers.

Thank you to the QLD EPC for putting together the sold out event, in particular Sayand Sajith who lead the EPC event team, Miesha Nadri who chaired the event and the 6 event volunteers. We would also like to thank the volunteer photographer, Jessica Sangmorakot, for capturing the energy of the evening — and to all our speakers, and attendees for making it such a dynamic and thought-provoking event.

Want to learn more about ACS Events, check out what's coming up - https://bit.ly/46UKheH

30/05/2025

We were proud to unite the people, passions, and potential shaping Queensland’s future at the fourth annual Queensland Tech Summit today.

This full-day event brought together leaders from business, government, and education to explore cutting-edge solutions and reimagine the state’s digital landscape.

A heartfelt thank you to our inspiring speakers for sharing their expertise on cybersecurity and digital leadership, and to our dedicated volunteers and staff who ensured the event ran seamlessly.

Curious about what’s next for ACS Queensland? Visit us at: https://bit.ly/3ZAlDLW

27/05/2025

Do not miss your chance to attend the 4th Annual ACS Queensland Tech Summit where we redefine Queensland's digital horizons, this Friday, 30 May 2025 at Cloudland, Brisbane.

We’re bringing together tech leaders, digital innovators, and policy changemakers for a full day of insights, connections, and this is your last chance to secure your tickets!

Take a look at the sessions and speakers we have lined up. There will be a special prize draw announced at the end of the day exclusive to attendees only. As well as an opportunity to network over drinks and canapés after the event.

Make sure to have secured your tickets before registration closes on Wednesday 5pm AEST. Register now at https://techsummit-qld.acs.org.au/register.html

02/04/2025

An inspiring example of how digital infrastructure is critical to responding to natural disasters.

During Tropical Cyclone Alfred, Queensland residents turned to Seqwater for critical updates on water safety, dam levels, and flood risks. Thanks to ACS Queensland member, Vice Chair of the ACS QLD Branch Executive Committee & ACS Fellow Sarah-Jane Peterschlingmann and her company ATech, Seqwater’s website stayed live throughout the disaster—handling 1.4M+ page views with zero downtime.

Resilient. Scalable. Mission-Critical. This is cloud hosting at its best! ACS applauds Sarah and ATech for demonstrating the power of tech in safeguarding communities and supporting critical infrastructure.

As the looming threat of Tropical Cyclone Alfred teased South East Queenslanders, Seqwater and a prominent local council were all faced with a surge in online traffic as residents and stakeholders sought urgent updates.

02/03/2025

This year's Queensland Tech Summit will be broken into two distinct streams. One stream is dedicated to cultivating future-focused leadership mindsets, while the other hones in on mastering the latest technical innovations.

In the leadership track, explore how emerging tools are revolutionizing sustainable workforce and business development. Engage with expert panelists Alexia Elmers, Ceri Jury, Denver Naidoo, Dr. Edwin Trevor-Roberts, and Tony Valiantis as they reveal how AI is redefining team roles and industry practices. This discussion will equip you with actionable strategies to position both yourself and your team to seize the opportunities that AI presents.

Attendees will then join thought leaders Phil Harrys, Paul Peterson, Karen Keynes, and William Ulyate as they tackle sustainable enterprise architecture. Their session, chaired by Karen Taylor of Kx2 Management, will demonstrate how to integrate digital transformation and robust security measures to foster enhanced collaboration and safeguard your business's future.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and prepare for the evolving technological landscape at the Queensland Tech Summit, register now:
https://techsummit-qld.acs.org.au/program.html?utm_campaign=techsummitqld&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=leaderstream
ACS Members can get 55% off ticket prices, but be quick its only available for a limited time.