Yarram will step onto the global ideas stage this October, with the town set to host its first-ever TEDx event at the historic Regent Theatre.
TEDxYarram will be held on Friday 17 October 2026, from 9am to 5pm, bringing a full day of ideas, stories and connection to the heart of Gippsland. The event will take place at The Regent Theatre, Yarram, with organisers calling for speakers from across Gippsland and beyond.
The event is being promoted under the banner “Ideas worth sharing — here, in Yarram,” and will feature short, powerful talks from thinkers, makers and storytellers with original ideas to share. According to the official TEDxYarram website, local voices are warmly encouraged, but applications are open to people from all backgrounds and levels of experience.
For a regional town, the announcement is significant. TEDx events are independently organised local events licensed by TED, bringing the spirit of the world-renowned ideas platform into communities around the world. TEDxYarram is being run by locals, for the region, under licence from TED.
The choice of venue adds to the occasion. The Regent Theatre is one of Yarram’s best-known cultural landmarks and is described by The Middle of Everywhere as “an historic symbol of the town’s thriving art scene.” The venue was built in 1930 and is regarded as one of the region’s important historic theatres.
The event also highlights Yarram’s growing role as a cultural and creative meeting place. The town itself has a population of just over 2,100 people, according to 2021 Census-based data, making the arrival of a TEDx event a striking example of how major ideas platforms are no longer confined to capital cities.
A local information session was held at Artichoke Books in Yarram on 22 April, with The Bridge Local News listed as a media partner for the event. Further community interest has also been reflected in local promotion across Yarram and surrounding areas.
Speakers will be asked to present a genuine idea, unexpected perspective or story that can shift the way people see the world, with talks limited to 12 minutes or less. The event will also include morning and afternoon sessions and a community lunch. Ticket numbers are limited to 100 under the TEDx licence, with pricing to be announced.
Organisers are also inviting people to get involved as volunteers, sponsors and event supporters.
TEDxYarram will be held on Friday 17 October 2026, 9am–5pm, at The Regent Theatre, Yarram. Speaker applications and expressions of interest are available through the TEDxYarram website.