AWETISM is our annual I CAN Network expo where Autistic/ neurodivergent students put the awe in Awetism! The event, now in its eighth year, creates a platform for Autistic/ neurodivergent students from our I CAN mentoring programs, both within schools and online, to present their interests and unique skills. This year ‘AWETISM 22’ will also provide opportunities to build meaningful career pathways for Autistic young adults. The event is our way of celebrating Autistic and neurodiverse young people and we hope you can join us!

Click on the logos below to find out more about our AWETISM 22 partners and exhibitors.

PARTNERS & EXHIBITORS

WHERE

LIVE

ANZ Docklands – 833 Collins St, Melbourne. *This event is invite only due to capacity limits. The content will be streamed live via awetism.vfairs.com

ONLINE

Join us online anywhere, anytime to participate in the AWETISM 22 expo. Registrations Open Sep 1st.

WHEN

LIVE

Friday October 21st – 9:30am – 2:30pm AEDT.

ONLINE

Both events will run simultaneously so you will be able to join us at any time and also view the entire expo material for one month after the event (Nov 21st) by using your login details.

WHO

LIVE

I CAN School® students, teachers, educational and political professionals, I CAN Staff and Sponsors will join us face to face at ANZ Docklands . *Invitation only event.

ONLINE

Anyone from anywhere in the world is welcome to join us online by registering and logging in on the day via the vFairs platform. Registrations Open Sep. 1st.

LIVE SCHEDULE

View the sessions below live via the I CAN LIVE auditorium. Click on the schedule to view times and to save the sessions you’d like alerts for.

REGISTRATION & OPENING – 9:30am – 10:30am AEDT

9:30am – 10:00am – Registration at Live Event, ANZ Docklands
Opening – I CAN Network Founder/ CEO Chris Varney
Remarks by Andrew Baird, ANZ Spectrum Program 
Pre-recorded remarks by Tim Richardson MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Schools
Keynote – Max Williams, I CAN Mentor

HOW I CAN WORKS IN HIGH SCHOOLS – 10:30am – 11:00am 

Kate Andrews – Northern Victoria I CAN Regional Manager 
Rachael Hamilton, I CAN Mentor & Disability Inclusion Ambassador – I CAN Talk
Jake Holland – I CAN Mentee to Mentor
Tom Miller, I CAN Mentor 
Video – Vic. Department of Education – The Art of Learning with Autism 

Morning Tea – 11:00am – 11:20am 

EMPLOYMENT PANEL – 11:30am – 12:30pm AEDT

Facilitator: Chris Varney
Andrew Baird – ANZ Spectrum Program 
Andrew Eddy – Genius Armoury (Untapped)
Julie Robertson – Specialisterne
Meiko Giesemann – Auticon
15 mins – Q&A

Lunch – 12:30pm – 12:55pm

EDUCATION & POST SCHOOL PATHWAYS – 1:00pm – 1:50pm 

Billy Exton, I CAN Facilitator – Saxophone Performance
Keynote – Christian Tsoutsouvas, I CAN Facilitator
Lachlan Peach, I CAN South West Mentor – I CAN Talk 
Keynote – Jessica Feary, Positive Partnerships 
Professor Sandra Jones, Pro Vice Chancellor ACU, Autism@ACU Program 

MOVE TO CLOSING – 1:50pm – 2:00pm

1:50pm – 2:00pm – Gather in the Red Room Main Stage for Closing
2:00pm – 2:30pm – 2023 Announcements & Thank You’s – Julia Wake & Chris Varney

ONLINE SCHEDULE

The list below is of videos that will be ‘ON DEMAND’ at the event which means you can watch them anytime during the day via the I CAN TALKS auditorium.

I CAN ONLINE GROUP MENTORING PROGRAM

  • Dinosaur Presentations – Thomas, Parker and Anders
  • Jurassic Presentations – CT and Colby
  • Minecraft Presentations – Shaun, Archie, Austin, Joaquin & Aiden
  • Pokemon Presentations – Patrick, Kobi, Ethan and Eddie
  • Star Wars Presentation – Gavin
  • Harry Potter Presentation – Evie
  • Imagination Club Presentation – Alex
  • Anime Mentoring Group Presentation – Alessia

I CAN SCHOOL® GROUP MENTORING PROGRAM

  • Podcast by Alkira Secondary College Students – Mark, Chrissy, Hayden, Tate & Elijah
  • Numurkah Secondary College – Presentation by Lex
  • Euroa Secondary College – Presentation by Levi, Christopher and Declan
  • CRC Caroline Springs – Presentation by Sophia, Kayla, Alex and Christian
  • Geelong High School – Presentation by Cylan, Aiden and Maddie
  • Surf Coast Secondary College – Presentation by Bailey, Cherry, Brooke and Holly
  • John Paul College Frankston – Presentation by Alanna
  • Sacred Heart College Geelong – Presentation by Bella and Alex
  • Craigslea State High School – Presentation by Samantha and Cara
  • St Monica’s College Epping – Presentation by Bronte and Lachlan