Adelaide Branch

Annual Gala Dinner

PD Hours

Join the Adelaide Branch for their Annual Gala Dinner.

About this event

Join us for the highlight event of the year – the AusIMM Adelaide Branch Annual Gala Dinner – an unforgettable evening at the stunning National Wine Centre.

Indulge in a 3-course dinner and drinks as we are joined by our esteemed President of AusIMM, Chris Carr and guest speaker Dr. Samantha Pillay.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with fellow professionals and be part of this prestigious event!

Keynote speaker presentation:

Unearthing AI: Digging Deep into My AI Filmmaking Journey
What happens when a full-time surgeon - who has no filmmaking background and doesn’t even own a camera - decides to learn about generative AI? Our guest speaker, Dr. Samantha Pillay OAM, MBBS FRACS FUSANZ GAICD, an extraordinary Urological Surgeon and a visionary entrepreneur, shares her unexpected creative journey, beginning with her first AI-generated video on continence awareness, which ultimately led her to establish the world’s first AI film studio AIFilm4Good, focused on social impact.

With humour and humility, she discusses how learning AI later in life enhanced her problem-solving skills, helped prevent burnout, and enabled her to reach a global audience on a zero budget - all while continuing her surgical career. This is a story about curiosity, reinvention, and the possibilities that can emerge when you explore deeper than you ever thought possible.

She champions the revolution of storytelling through technology. Her latest AI single, I'm a Surgeon, exemplifies her vision and innovative spirit. Learn more about the fascinating life of Dr. Pillay via the links below and a very special clip she created just for our event: AusIMM Intro.

We look forward to having you join us for an inspiring session with a true leader in innovation and change!

Speaker/s

Chris Carr

FAusIMM(CP)

Head of Technical Services (IGO Limited)
BE (Mining), MBA (Tech Mgt), MSc (Min Eco), FAusIMM(CP), FIEAust, GAICD, RPEQ

Chris is a mining engineer with four decades’ experience in mining operations and management including extensive time in site-based and FIFO roles. He holds an MBA from APESMA/Deakin University, an MSc in Mineral economics from Curtin University, and is a Graduate of the AICD. He has been an active member and passionate supporter of the AusIMM having joined in 1984, and brings competence in strategy, governance, ethics, operations and regional perspectives to the AusIMM Board.

Chris previously served as AusIMM Director from 2007-12, and as chair of the Board of Professional Engineers Qld 2013-14. He has contributed to AusIMM’s financial stability via his involvement on the Investment Committee as Chair since 2007, and professional standards through membership of the Chartered Professional (CP) Board from 2009-17 (including Chair 2012-15, Project Manager for the CP program in 2017 and on the Advisory Taskforce). He has also served on various other conference committees, the 2015 EEF Field Trip, the Mining Society and NW Qld Branch Committee.

Chris is passionate about professional development and standards, the future of the industry, and is an active supporter of students and new professionals. Chris is excited about the future of mining and AusIMM’s changing role as the world moves further into the technology age and electrification, and enjoys the opportunity to give more back through the AusIMM Board.

Samantha Pillay

Urological Surgeon and Visionary Entrepreneur
OAM, MBBS, FRACS, FUSANZ, GAICD

Dr Samantha Pillay OAM is a urological surgeon, entrepreneur, international five-time Amazon No. 1 best-selling, multi-award winning author, multi-award winning AI film and AI music producer, speaker, 2024 Women In Innovation Social Impact Award Winner, and finalist for both Telstra Best of Business Awards 2023 & SA Australian of the Year 2022. She was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on Australia Day, 2025. She is the Founder of the World's First AI Film Studio for Social Impact: AIFilm4Good.