Steve Heanes career in the heavy vehicle sector spans 40 years, starting on the workshop floor and progressing through to senior management and leadership roles. Steve worked for Ivecco for almost 30 years before being appointed as Managing Director of Irizar Australia in 2021. He is the former vice- chair of the Bus Industry Confederation and convenor of the Suppliers Group, roles he held for 10 Years

Gard Bus and Coach Insurance was established to provide a fresh and innovative approach to the bus and coach insurance market. By combining specialist underwriters and claims management professionals with extensive industry experience, Gard Bus and Coach Insurance delivers tailored insurance solutions for operators in the passenger transport sector. Our market-leading underwriting system ensures an efficient, fast, and seamless service. With a strong commitment to sustainability and long-term partnerships, Gard Bus and Coach Insurance provides stability in an evolving market, backed by trusted insurer relationships. We offer: • Motor vehicle insurance for bus and coach owners and operators • Coverage for businesses of all sizes - from individual operators to large corporate and government fleets • Specialist policies for self-drive hire, transfers and shuttles, tour and charter services, community and hospitality transport • Depot liability coverage - general liability for your depot and business operations.

Nicole joined the NHVR as Chief Executive Officer in June 2025, following more than 20-years’ experience in Chief Executive and senior management roles in the public and private sector. Most recently serving as the Chief Executive of New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Nicole brings to the NHVR extensive experience in uniting people and driving whole of system focused approaches to deliver meaningful change and improved outcomes across systems. Under Nicole’s leadership, the NZTA shifted its focus from traditional road building to being a multi-mode transport agency with considerable work done on public transport, walking and cycling and rail. This included work to decarbonise the public transport bus fleet, changes to public transport fare structures (free and half price fares), increased investment in passenger rail including inter-regional services and work done to look at mass transit options in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Transformation changes were also made in the regulatory, safety and digital functions of NZTA, with modern platforms implemented to manage public transport, to support network pricing (tolling and RUC charges) and network management and utilisation. Over this period the New Zealand ‘Road to Zero” strategy, achieved a 15% reduction in road deaths and serious harm, with NZ recording its lowest road toll in more than a decade in 2024. Nicole has a Master of Public Health in law and public health from Harvard University, a Master of Law from Auckland University and Law and Arts degrees from Otago University.

Manfred Streit, has 15 years of experience working with Scania in Europe, specifically in Austria. He has a strong retail background in the automotive and transport industries, working for Renault Group in Austria as a Senior Product Manager and then as Head of Fleet Sales, prior to joining Scania in the role of a Regional Director in central Austria in 2007. After 8 years in this role, he moved to the position of Country Manager for Scania Austria, which he held for more than 6 years before accepting the job of Managing Director of Scania Australia in August 2022. Manfred has spent his life in and around the industry, having driven trucks commercially in his younger days. He completed an MBA at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, and initially worked with French signalling manufacturer Alcatel, both in Canada and Austria.

Live music experts and party starters. Award-winning and specialising in high-energy music, we will infuse the evening with energy and fun, filling dance floor.

Perth Magician Toby Z. Magic is not only experienced in all types of close-up magic and illusions, but he is also very skilled and charismatic. A true entertainer, he will make sure dinner guests stay on their tip-toes waiting for him to come back for another round. Toby Z. Magic, a Perth Illusionist can do it all: unbelievable card magic, jaw-dropping coin magic, stunning Rubik’s cube magic, awesome rubber band magic and even mind reading! And the best part is that it can all be done Close up!

Peter Rowsthorn is one of Australia’s most experienced stand up comics performing in just about every stand up room in the country as well as delighting numerous corporate clients as an MC and entertainer. He is very, very funny. This high energy, multi-talented entertainer performs as a fast paced stand up comedian one minute, a measured character actor the next and then, a masterful MC. Best known as Brett on ABC TV’s Kath & Kim, Peter Rowsthorn has also been a series regular on Channel Ten’s Thank God You’re Here and has been the host of Can We Help? on ABC TV for the past five years. In 2009 he was a contestant in Celebrity Master Chef. He has presented radio shows for Triple M’s The Cage (mornings) and The Shebang (drive) as well as for Austereo Network. Peter began his stand up career in 1983 as one half of the Cactus Brothers, before moving onto the Comedy Company. He has made numerous stand up appearances on shows including Hey, Hey It’s Saturday, Midday With Ray Martin, The Big Gig, Tonight Live, Australian Comedians In Concert, Denton, IMT, Something Hot Before Bed and Recovery.