Sharon Natoli: Speaking with Confidence & Growing Your Influence

A Short Course for Aspiring Female Leaders in Food Science

Due to the popularity of this course we are scheduling some more dates with the fabulous Sharon Natoli.

3 x 90 minute online sessions for female food scientists. Sessions will be held fortnightly over a 6 week period from 6 May - 3 June 2025. Registrations are limited to 25 so be quick!

Course outline-

Session 1: Barriers, Intentions and Challenges (6 May)

• Awareness of the barriers that get in the way of speaking with confidence and growing your influence.
• Why confidence and influence matters in the workplace – what you gain from developing your skills in these areas.
• How to increase your confidence and influence – a starting point for change.
• Setting intentions.
• Getting into action - fortnightly challenge.

Session 2: How to Increase Your Confidence (20 May)

• Fortnightly challenge follow-up and sharing
• The power of words – words and phrases you can use to enhance your confidence
• Standing in your power – embodying confidence through your body language
• Structuring your message for clarity – using the power of three to create rhythm and memorability
• Shifting from nervousness to confidence – how to manage nerves before you speak or participate
• Getting into action - fortnightly challenge.

Session 3: How to Increase Your Influence (3 June)

• Fortnightly challenge follow-up and sharing
• Speaking to be heard – voice projection and warm up
• Five speaking styles for influence
• When to use more words and when to use less
• Managing your state – bringing energy to your speaking
• What’s next? Intentions and outcomes.

ABOUT YOUR PRESENTER:

Sharon Natoli helps individuals, teams and leaders find their voice, grow their presence and ignite their influence by speaking up with confidence.

Sharon has 30 years experience in one on one counselling, communication, media and spokesperson roles, and as an advisor to organisations in the food sector assisting brands find their voice through key message development. Her professional experience is complimented by her personal understanding and empathy about the internal barriers that hold people back from speaking up and sharing their thoughts, ideas and opinions with confidence.

Sharon’s philosophy is that speaking up is a critical ingredient for demonstrating leadership readiness and making the career contribution you'd like to make.

Food Science Fundamentals

Virtual Short Course

The aim of this course is to familiarise food industry staff on the basic principles of food science.

Understanding the language used to assist communication with other staff and customers. Identify how food science impacts and supports their non-science role. 

This course will be delivered virtually, and the content includes:

• What is Food Science?
• Food Policy & Regulations
• Food Chemistry – the building blocks
• Food Packaging
• Food Microbiology
• Nutrition – food and the human body
• Food Processing
• Sensory & Consumer Science
• Food Safety
• The Future of Food

The course is held over four (4) afternoons:

1. Thursday 8th May 2025, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (AEST)
   
2. Thursday 22nd May 2025, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (AEST) 
3. Thursday 5th June 2025, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (AEST) 
4. Thursday 19th June 2025, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (AEST) 

Only 30 places available.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the interactive nature and long hours these sessions will NOT BE RECORDED and you are expected to be in attendance to gain the most from this course.

Engage 2025: A hybrid education program for tertiary

food science students

Engage 2025 is an opportunity for tertiary food science students to come together to connect and learn from industry and academic leaders from across the agrifood industry The program is delivered in a hybrid format across 8 x 2hr sessions across several university locations. Students will have the opportunity to attend in person or virtually.
The aim is to enhance their current academic program and networks, building on their current skills and challenging their knowledge through critical and reflective thinking to better prepare them for the practical, real-world need for food science and their potential place within the agrifood industry. This program is intended to ‘jump start’ their industry readiness.

The course will be run over 9 x 2hr sessions. Eight of these sessions will be held face to face at university campuses around Australia and recorded for all registered participants. The final session, Careers, will be a Zoom session. These sessions would be delivered monthly from April 2025 to October 2025.

You are welcome to still register for this program as previous sessions have been recorded for all registrants.

Program topics include:

• The food industry status - agrifood industry trends
• Research & Development
• Sensory & Consumer Science
• Food Safety
• Sustainability
• Humanitarian Food Science
• Nutrition
• Careers in the agrifood industry

Session 1 University of Queensland - held on 1st April 2025

Session 2 La Trobe University - held on 1st May 2025

(These events have concluded and have been recorded for registrants to access)

Session 3 Western Sydney Uni Richmond Campus - Monday, 26th May 2025 from 3.30pm

Session 4 Deakin University Downtown - Friday, 27th June 2025 from 3pm

Session 5 UNSW, Friday, 25th July 2025 from 4pm

Session 6 RMIT City Campus - Tuesday, 26th August 2025 from 4.30pm

Session 7 University of Sydney - September

Session 8 Uni of Melbourne - October

Session 9 AIFST - October

AIFST and FaBA - Australia’s Food and Beverage Accelerator are looking forward to delivering this program for our student and graduate members.

AIFST QLD Member Exclusive: Priestley's Gourmet Delights

Need to know:

• The tour has limited numbers, so register today to avoid missing out!
• Competitors to Priestley's and those from similar industries are not permitted on tour.
• The attendee list will need to be approved by Priestley's prior to the tour, so please wait for confirmation from AIFST that your tour spot has been confirmed.

After the tour the Priestleys R&D team will provide complimentary samples of their cakes.

Parking instructions - Priestleys have some car parking onsite and street parking as well. Park in marked areas only. 

Safety and PPE requirements for guests:

• No fake lashes to be worn inside the factory

• If they have any piercings (including face ones) these will need to be taken out.
• Closed in footwear
• Hair to be tied up
• Long pants to be worn
• No jewellery
• If they have fake nails, they will need to wear gloves.
• Priestley’s will provide coats, shoe covers, hair nets and earplugs which are all required to be worn into the factory.

Please direct queries to aifst@aifst.com.au. We look forward to sharing this experience with our members, and hope you can join the QLD branch on this tour.

2025 AIFST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

Notice is hereby given that the 2025 AIFST Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on THURSDAY 29 May 2025 commencing at 5:30pm (AEST) via ZOOM video conference.

The AGM is open to all financial members of AIFST. 

Members entitled to vote can do so in two ways:

Before the AGM: 

1. Nominate your vote on the Direct Voting Form and send to AIFST by 5.00pm (AEST) Tuesday May 27; or  

The ‘Direct Voting” form, along with the AGM documentation is available on the AIFST website: https://www.aifst.asn.au/AIFST-2025-AGM

At the AGM:

 2. Members will be able to vote via the virtual Zoom platform using the “chat” function in zoom by sending a private chat message to AIFST.

Register to attend the AGM by clicking on the REGISTER button or by emailing aifst@aifst.com.au by 5pm (AEST) on Wednesday May 28th 2025

Food Science Week Webinar 1: Why Food Scientists Matter More Than Ever

Australian Food Science & Technology Week kicks off with a powerful conversation: Why Food Scientists Matter More Than Ever.

Join us for the first in a three-part free webinar series exploring the impact, challenges and future of food science in Australia.

• What exactly does a food scientist or technologist do?
• How will we feed a growing population sustainably?
• What global problems can food scientists help solve?

Monday 2 June, 1:00 - 2:00pm
Free registration

Host: Fiona Fleming, AIFST

Panellists:

Stewart Eddie, askafoodtech

Rozita Vaskoska, CSIRO

Lata Masih, ICS

Chris Downs, FaBA

Daniel Mullette, Harvest B

Australian Food Science & Technology Week Webinar 2: What does Australia’s future food workforce look like?

Free to register webinar during Australian Food Science & Technology Week

Join us mid-week for the second webinar in Australian Food Science & Technology Week (2–8 June), as we explore the future of Australia’s food workforce.

Jobs and Skills Australia recently released its major report An Essential Ingredient: The Food Supply Chain Workforce. In this session, Andrew Edwards, Director at Jobs and Skills Australia, will unpack the key findings—highlighting the challenges and opportunities most relevant to the food science and technology sector.

Based in Canberra, Andrew has led national research into workforce planning for the care sector, clean energy transformation, and now the food supply chain.

What to expect:

• Insights into current and emerging workforce needs
• Skills gaps and career opportunities across the food supply chain
• What the data means for the future of food science in Australia

Wed 4th June

1:00pm - 2:00pm AEST

Free to register!

 

Food Science & Technology Week Webinar 3: Food Safety - Science in Action!

Food safety doesn’t happen by accident - it’s built on science. 

Join us on the eve of World Food Safety Day as we explore the vital role science plays in protecting our food supply, supporting public health, and building trust in the system.

This expert-led discussion will discuss current and emerging global food safety threats, explore how innovations such as AI and traceability tech are strengthening our defences, and share real-world examples of science in action. We’ll also look at how food safety professionals balance shelf-life, sustainability, and consumer trust, and what it takes to prepare the next generation of experts.

Host: Deon Mahoney, AIFST
Panelists: Victoria Wansink (ACT Health), Jasmine Lacis-Lee (BVAQ), Martyn Kirk (ANU), Craig Shadbolt (NSW Food Authority)

Friday 6 June, 1:00pm–2:00pm AEST

Free to register

AIFST New Member welcome and orientation webinar

If you are a new member to AIFST or joined a while ago and would like to know how to navigate our website, we would love for you to join us for an introduction on how to get the best from your membership.

As a valued member we are committed to you having an enriching and rewarding experience as a member of AIFST.

Member Orientation is designed as just that – an informative webinar where we walk through the key things you need to get the most from your AIFST membership.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Risk Assessment Principles and Practice

• Do you need to update your Risk Assessment process?
• Do you know the right questions to ask and who should be involved?
• Have you thought outside the square?
• Do you know there is a difference between HACCP and Risk Assessment?
• How do we categorise the risk? What if you don’t have the answers? How do you access the data?

Be prepared for the next food safety incident and risk proof your future.

Our presenters include:

• Dipon Sarkar, Victual
• Deon Mahoney, AIFST
• Fiona Fleming, AIFST
• Dr Thea King, DPIRD

This AIFST workshop will bring together individuals from various backgrounds and professions who share a common interest in risk assessment and recall.

Participating in this event will allow you to network with industry professionals, experts, and like-minded individuals.

Networking can lead to valuable connections, collaborations, and opportunities for professional growth.

Program Overview

FoodTech Qld

19-20 June 2025

Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre

FoodTech Queensland brings together the most innovative food manufacturing and technology solutions into one destination event on the beautiful Gold Coast.

Held every three years, FoodTech Qld unites major food operators with influential industry figures and explores the critical challenges faced by food manufacturers. As Queensland’s leading event for food processing and production, it’s the industry’s meeting place for driving business growth, discovering advanced solutions and reconnecting with peers.

To register, visit the FoodTech Qld website HERE

AIFST Members receive 10% discount off Conference Passes! Please contact us at aifst@aifst.com.au to receive the discount code.

AIFST online workshop: How to confidently make voluntary marketing claims food

How does the Australian Consumer Law go beyond the Food Standards Code?

Most of the marketing of food products is not prescribed by regulation in Australia. So how can we confidently assess whether our products are “natural”, “vegan”, “good for you”, “sustainable” or “fresh”? The key is being able to assess your risk of breaching the Australian Consumer Law. This half day workshop will enable participants to:

• Identify who their “reasonable consumer” is.
• Assess what their expectations may be; and
• Know how much evidence we need to hold to substantiate our marketing claims.

We will look at recent regulatory actions on emphasising key ingredients, origin claims, sustainability, and packaging claims, and more.

This workshop is suitable for people working in regulatory, marketing, QA, R&D, NPD and legal at food companies, especially those responsible for either substantiating or approving key marketing claims.

Presented by Charles Fisher, KHQ Lawyers – Principal Solicitor in Food & Beverage 

Charles is a Principal Solicitor (Food and Beverage) at KHQ lawyers. Charles is one of the leading consultants and trainers on food marketing, compliance, labelling, classification, licensing, safety and food crisis management. He has spent more than a decade staring at Australian and New Zealand FMCG regulations. He has facilitated thousands of innovative food, beverage, cosmetic and health products in reaching the AUNZ market, and have negotiated favourable outcomes with many industry regulators, including but not limited to FSANZ, DAFF, TGA, NSWFA and more.

Please note: Due to long length and interactive nature of this workshop it will not be recorded so please only register if you can attend on the advertised date

The AIFST VIC Branch is holding a Trivia night and you are all invited!

The battle of the brains is happening as the 2025 AIFST Trivia Night takes place again.

Get your colleagues together and form a team, or come along on the evening and join one to compete against others in the industry. 

The trivia night provides attendees with a casual and social environment for food industry professionals to network with peers, catch up with colleagues from the past and present, and to meet others in the industry.  

Your Quizmaster Deon Mahoney will entertain you all with his broad range of trivia questions! 

PROGRAM: 6.30pm - 9.00pm

Your ticket includes Trivia, Canapes, and a drink from the bar.

Thanks to our event partners  NEOGEN,  HALCYON PROTEINS and THERMOFISHER

• AIFST Virtual Workshop: Navigating the Food Regulation Maze

• 
  

• Food regulation can be confusing! 

  Do you ever ask yourself "How do I know if the ingredients I want to use in my new product are approved and safe?"

  Or what about... "How do I know what I can or can’t say about my product?"

  This workshop is designed to help your business collect and manage the information needed to assist with regulatory compliance.

  The workshop will cover:

• Overview of the food regulation system in Australia and New Zealand
• Australian Consumer Law (ACL)
• Mandatory labelling requirements under the ANZ Food Standards Code
• Uniform Trade Measurement Legislation
• The Food-Medicine interface - Complementary medicines
• Practical exercise looking at assessing a label

Whether you are entering the food industry or just trialing new products, learn more about the regulations that can protect your products and your consumers.

Please note - This workshop will NOT be recorded due to it its interactive nature and long length so you will need to be able to attend in person on the day.

Presenters:

Fiona Fleming - AIFST

Fiona is CEO of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST). She is an experienced Corporate and Regulatory Affairs professional who has been involved in leading and facilitating change and developing management strategies across a portfolio of food policy and regulation matters in global FMCG and NGO environments.

Mr Jim Moshovelis

Jim has over 30 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical and food & beverage industries with a strong background in regulatory and government affairs, stakeholder engagement, product development and quality assurance. He advises and assists companies wishing to register or list their products with the TGA.

Charles Fisher - KHQ Lawyers

Charles is a principle solicitor (Food and Beverage) at KHQ lawyers. Charles is one of the leading consultants and trainers on food marketing, compliance, labelling, classification, licensing, safety and food crisis management. He has spent more than a decade staring at Australian and New Zealand FMCG regulations. He has facilitated thousands of innovative food, beverage, cosmetic and health products in reaching the AUNZ market, and have negotiated favourable outcomes with many industry regulators, including but not limited to FSANZ, DAFF, TGA, NSWFA and more.

Registration Cost:

AIFST Members: $110.00

Non-Members: $195.00

Student/Graduate Members: $60.00

Student/Graduate Non - Members: $80.00

NZIFST Members: $110.00 with code

Not a member? Join online today!

AIFST25 Convention 12-13 August 

AIFST25 will be held as a face-to-face event, on August 12 & 13 in Melbourne featuring a full technical program and exhibition.

With the theme Grow, Learn, Connect, and Champion, AIFST25 will be held over two days with plenary and concurrent session streams, the convention will feature over 60  scientific and food industry speakers from across the agrifood sector. Food safety will feature strongly, alongside advances in health and nutrition, sensory and consumer science, food security and resilience, sustainability, and packaging. 

Please join us in August to grow, learn and connect.

Visit our AIFST25 website page HERE for partners and more!

For all partnership enquiries, please contact Clive Russell on 0407 066 188 or via clive.russell@aifst.com.au.

AIFST25 Convention Tuesday 12 August 

Day 1 only ticket includes Tuesday 12th August 2025 face-to-face convention sessions and the Food and Wine Networking Event.

AIFST25 will be held as a face-to-face event, on August 12 & 13 in Melbourne featuring a full technical program and exhibition.

With the theme Grow, Learn, Connect, and Champion, AIFST25 will be held over two days with plenary and concurrent session streams, the convention will feature more than 50 scientific and food industry speakers from across the agrifood sector. Food safety will feature strongly, alongside advances in health and nutrition, sensory and consumer science, food security and resilience, sustainability, and packaging. 

Please join us in August to grow, learn and connect.

Visit our AIFST25 website page HERE for partners and more!

For all partnership enquiries, please contact Clive Russell on 0407 066 188 or via clive.russell@aifst.com.au.

AIFST25 Convention Wednesday 13 August 

Day 2 only ticket includes Wednesday 13th August 2025 face-to-face convention sessions and the Food and Wine Networking Event.

AIFST25 will be held as a face-to-face event, on August 12 & 13 in Melbourne featuring a full technical program and exhibition.

With the theme Grow, Learn, Connect, and Champion, AIFST25 will be held over two days with plenary and concurrent session streams, the convention will feature more than 50 scientific and food industry speakers from across the agrifood sector. Food safety will feature strongly, alongside advances in health and nutrition, sensory and consumer science, food security and resilience, sustainability, and packaging. 

Please join us in August to grow, learn and connect.

Visit our AIFST25 website page HERE for partners and more!

For all partnership enquiries, please contact Clive Russell on 0407 066 188 or via clive.russell@aifst.com.au.