The Matthew Flinders Foundation is reigniting its acclaimed business networking initiative, “Growth on the Coast”, kicking off with the first of two Leadership Series events in 2026 on Wednesday, 22 April at Matthew Flinders Anglican College in Buderim.
Building on past sold‑out events that brought the business community together, this biannual series connects Flinders families and local leaders for insight, dialogue and collaboration.
Members of the Flinders community are invited, along with members of the wider community. Book your tickets here.
The keynote address will be provided by Major Matina Jewell (Retired) CSP, a Leadership Specialist, who will share life-changing perspectives from the front-line of leadership, resilience and change. Matina has been a Prime Ministerial advisor and remains highly sought-after as a leadership strategist and keynote speaker. Her 15-year military career saw her serve on five missions, earn eight medals and serve as a UN Peacekeeper in Syria and Lebanon, along with many other highlights.
The event guest panellists – all Flinders parents – will share real‑world perspectives on performance, leadership and excellence, fostering community impact around issues key to the Sunshine Coast’s future.
SPONSORS
This Matthew Flinders Foundation event is proudly supported by:
SPEAKER LINE-UP
Emcee: Richard Thompson, Director, Thompson Legal and host of the Success X Happiness Podcast
Keynote: Major Matina Jewell (Retired) CSP, Leadership Specialist
Guest Panel:
• Justin Pascoe, CEO, Global Sports Fund Management Group
• Heidi Walker, Co-owner and Managing Director, Walker Seafoods
• Dr Vas Srinivasan, Specialist Orthodontist, Invisible Orthodontics
EVENT DETAILS
Growth on the Coast: Leadership Series
When: Wednesday, 22 April 2026
Time: 5:30pm to 6:00pm – Arrival Drinks and Canapes; 6:00pm to 8:00pm – Keynote and Panel Presentation
Where: Infinity Centre, Matthew Flinders Anglican College, 1-47 Stringybark Road, Buderim, Sunshine Coast, Qld
Tickets: $80 pp includes refreshments and canapes
Book Your Tickets here
BIOGRAPHIES
EVENT MC: Richard Thompson, Director, Thompson Legal
As a solicitor and former professional athlete, Richard brings a rare blend of legal expertise and elite performance. He has practised across commercial, property and succession law, before spending five years as a full-time ultra triathlete – winning two world titles and setting a world record. Returning to law in 2023, Richard founded Thompson Legal in 2024, specialising in commercial and business law.
Thompson Legal is the fastest growing law firm on the Sunshine Coast and is recognised for their client-focused approach, strong values of integrity and teamwork, and ability to deliver practical, results-driven legal solutions.
KEYNOTE: Major Matina Jewell (Retired) CSP, Leadership Strategist
Major Matina Jewell (Retired) CSP helps leaders build resilient teams to thrive through change. She has been a Prime Ministerial advisor and remains highly sought-after as a leadership strategist and an in-demand international keynote speaker for over a decade.
Named in the ‘AFR 100 Women of Influence 2018’, Matina is a Telstra Business Awards Finalist and was named a CPA ‘Top-10 Australian Smart Thinker’. She is a founding ambassador for Project Thankful, a movement partnered with the United Nations to help empower women and children globally. Her incredible life story has been optioned for a global feature film.
Matina grew up in Byron Bay and joined the Army at age 17. Highlights across her 15-year military career included serving on five missions and earning eight medals, along with serving as a UN Peacekeeper in Syria and Lebanon and appointed Officer in Command of the Army Department and Diving Officer for JMAS Kanimbla, then Australia’s largest Navy ship, at only 23 years old.
GUEST PANEL
Our guest speakers on the panel are all Flinders parents.
Justin Pascoe, CEO, Global Sports Fund Management Group
Justin is a senior executive with international experience across multinational and start-up environments in sports, consumer, automotive and industrial sectors. GSF Management Group has established itself as a premier sports investment entity, showcasing a diverse portfolio of high-value sporting assets across multiple codes and continents, including the Sunshine Coast Lightning - Super Netball; the Newcastle United Jets Football Club - A-League; and Ottawa BlackJacks - Canadian Elite Basketball League.
With an MBA in financial management, he brings expertise in operations, analytics and strategic planning. His career spans Europe and North America, including work with the AFL and NRL, underpinned by strengths in leadership, change management and board-level reporting.
Heidi Walker, Co-owner and Managing Director, Walker Seafoods and Walker’s Tuna
Heidi brings a strong corporate foundation, having worked with leading brands such as Uncle Toby’s, Carlton & United Breweries, and Treasury Wine Estates before joining and helping grow her husband’s commercial fishing business based on the Sunshine Coast. She now leads day-to-day operations with a focus on sales, marketing and brand strategy, and recently launched Walker’s Tuna — a retail brand for responsibly sourced Australian tuna sold in Australian supermarkets and soon to be launched in the United States.
A respected industry voice, Heidi serves on national and regional advisory bodies and works closely with chefs to meet premium standards for wild-caught Australian seafood. She played a pivotal role in achieving Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification in 2015 — Australia’s first for a tuna fishery — underscoring her long-standing commitment to sustainability, innovation and building trust in responsibly sourced seafood.
Dr Vas Srinivasan, Specialist Orthodontist, Invisible Orthodontics
Dr Vas is a highly qualified specialist orthodontist with international training and a passion for delivering exceptional patient care. Internationally recognised, he lectures to specialist dental groups worldwide and continues to advance his expertise through ongoing education.
Dr Vas is the co-founder of world renowned Spark clear aligners, which started here on the Sunshine Coast, and has now treated more than one million patients globally. He is a volunteer angel flight pilot and flies rural Australians to major hospitals.
Educated in India, the USA and Australia, he completed advanced orthodontic training at the University of Sydney, graduating with a merit scholarship, and holds membership with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
Dr Vas’ warm, approachable manner and strong clinical expertise enable him to combine science and precision with patient-centred care. He is a member of the Australian Dental Association.
About the Matthew Flinders Foundation
The Matthew Flinders Foundation is proud to support the College while engaging the wider community. The Foundation aims to encourage philanthropy to facilitate the ongoing development of facilities, scholarships and educational programs for the long-term benefit of our students - current and future.
