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Tuesday 12 November
Opening session
Conference Opening: Welcome
Keynote Address By Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter
Sue-Anne Hunter
Sue-Anne Hunter, a proud Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman. The Deputy Chair and Commissioner of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, will make the keynote address.
Session One
Towards Truth - Truth-telling About Law and Policies Impacting First Nations People in NSW
Corey Smith, Brydie Zorz
Towards Truth is a ground-breaking project which shows how NSW laws and government policies have impacted almost every aspect of First Nations lives from 1788 to today. This presentation will explain how Towards Truth came to be and how it can support truth-telling and law reform. It will also give a tour of the website and showcase some of the research that has already been published.
Bridging The Gap: Advocating for Cultural Safety In Schools
Professor Kevin Lowe
Delve into the unique educational challenges faced by First Nations students in New South Wales. This session will discuss addressing systemic barriers and proposing collaborative, culturally informed solutions involving community participation.
Session Two
Learning and Leading: The Experiences of Four Young Aboriginal Women and Their Social Work Student Experience
Mahlia Garay, Tiah Payne, Tara Weldon, Tyrah Chan-Hampton, Keely-Che Cain
As this years conference theme is truth-telling, it is critical that we amplify and include the voices and experiences of our young leaders in the sector. This panel discussion will hear from Tiah Payne, Tara Weldon, Tyrah Chan Hampton and Keely-Che Cain who are four staunch Aboriginal women and social work students from the University of New South Wales.
Housing Instability and Child Protection: Empowering Aboriginal Families Through Culturally-Led Reform
Dr. Melissa Kaltner, Mr. Mark Galvin
This presentation shares insights from a collaborative scoping study undertaken by AbSec and Lumenia, focusing on the relationship between housing instability and child protection involvement for Aboriginal families in NSW.
Session Three
Self-determination in Aboriginal Perinatal Health
Leshay Chong
A representative of Molly Wardaguga Institute for First Nations Birth Rights. In response to First Nations community aspirations and industry partners, the Institute assembles a nationwide transdisciplinary team focusing on maternal health and social justice reform from a First Nations community driven perspective, translating research outcomes into practical solutions.
"That’ll Never Happen Because We Don’t Want White People to Raise Our Kids": Experiences of First Nations People in the New South Wales Out Of Home Care (OOHC) System
Dr. James Beaufils
This session will explore the importance of maintaining cultural connection, kinship and relationality when placements are implemented. To showcase the importance of these, a successful case study will be shared with a model of out-of-home-care that worked within community.
Session Four
Establishing the Wee-ya Win-na Aboriginal Community Controlled Mechanism
Petrice Manton, Sonnie Ridgeway, Paula Giles
Wee-ya Win-na, a group of dedicated Aboriginal community members, provides a culturally safe space for Aboriginal families in Newcastle and the Hunter Region, offering support and referrals for Aboriginal families.
Racial bias of the SDM Family Risk Assessment: Lessons from Queensland
Dr. Brian Jenkins
Risk assessment instruments have long been used in child protection to guide decisions about statutory intervention. Instruments aim to make accurate predictions about future maltreatment to target intervention to children at risk of harm.
Wednesday 13 November
Opening session
Keynote Address by Catherine Liddle, National Voice for our Children
A keynote presentation by Catherine Liddle, Chief Executive Officer, SNAICC on the importance of the Safe and Supported: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Action Plan 2023 – 2026.
Video presentation from NSW Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services the Hon. Kate Washington MP
The current minister for the Department of Communities and Justice will speak to Safe and Supported, the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children.
Keynote Address by Young Advocate
Gracie Cutmore
Gracie will share her own powerful story about growing up in the NSW Child Protection System, the long-term impacts of guardianship and discuss where she is now.
Performance by the Buuja Buuja Butterfly Dancers
Buuja Buuja Butterfly Dancers are a Sydney based dance group, having formed in 2014 under the leadership of Wiradjuri Woman Rayma Johnson who also has family bloodline connections with Yorta Yorta, Yuin, Gadigal & Bidgigal Nations.
Session One
Keynote Address by Adjunct Professor Muriel Bamblett
Adjunct Professor Muriel Bamblett
A keynote presentation from Aunty Muriel Bamblett, Chief Executive Officer of Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency sharing from her decades of experience advocating for Aboriginal rights and empowerment.
Deadly Resources with Ngunya Jarjum
Ursula Donohue, Michelle Hicks
Showcasing developed resources, from a Human Resource Kit, a Cultural Case Plan, a Casework Reference Guide, a School Ready Booklet, a Leaving After Care plan for young people, an Incident/Critical Incident Workflow and many more.
The Intersection: Supporting Children in Both the Criminal and OOHC System
James Clifford, Daniel Daylight, Mounty Yarns
Young people, along with legal and community advocates discuss how both the criminal law and out-of-home care systems could better support Aboriginal young people.
Session Two
Family Is Culture: Five Years On
Zoe De Re, Aunty Deb Swan, Dr. Paul Gray, Jonathan Hall Spence
Marking the fifth anniversary of the Family is Culture report, this presentation will focus on the 126 recommendations found in the report, and what happens next now it’s back in community hands.
Missing Girls: From Childhood Runaways To Criminalised Women
Dr. Phillipa Evans, Shiree Talbot, Caitlin Parker
Girls who are reported as ‘missing’ or as having runaway have been identified as an emerging group that appears more likely to have increased contact with the criminal justice system. This presentation will discuss this new research and it’s preliminary findings.
Involving Young People with Lived Experience in Systems Reform
Lauren Stefanou, Peta MacGillivray, Daniel Daylight
A panel discussion on the Aboriginal Legal Service Therapeutic Pathways project as a case study demonstrating the essential role played by young people with lived experience in community-led systems reform.
Session Three
Keynote Address by Brenda Matthews, Author, Founder and Director
Aunty Brenda Matthews
A keynote presentation from Brenda Matthews, Author, Founder and Director, sharing stories of healing and unity that will inspire you to strengthen your role in supporting communities which shaped her documentary released on Netflix – ‘The Last Daughter’.
Peer Parent Family Advocacy (PPFA) Research
Karina Maxwell
A discussion on the early stages of PhD research using Indigenist methods to investigate the occurrence of culturally safe PPFA with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families at risk of entering, or already in, the child protection system that work with Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs).
Closing the Gap Priority Reform 4 - Shared Access to Data and Information
Sharif Deen
Update to the sector on the Independent Government Accountability Mechanism under the National Agreement and NSW CTG Implementation Plan. Information from CAPO on why this is important to community and the Sector.
Session Four
Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation
Uncle James Michael ‘Widdy’ Welsh, Uncle Roger ‘Pigeon’ Jarrett, Uncle Willy Nixon
KBHAC operated as a forced assimilation site for Aboriginal
boys on Dunghutti land, holding profound memories for Survivors and serving as a powerful reminder of past and painful government policies. The Uncles will share their personal stories.
Family Inclusion in Child Protection and Care: What Does It Look Like?
Aunty Deb Swan, Tammy Prince-Doyle, Shantelle Common, Jessica Cocks
A discussion on family inclusion and participation and how they are essential for an evidence based and improved child protection system at all steps and stages of the system. It’s about family participation at all levels: individual, group, communities, and policy.
Performance by Luca Saunders
Luca Saunders is a proud Biripi woman, First Nations singer based in Sydney. She is currently writing, producing and recording her own music which is due to be released next year.
Gala Dinner & Awards Night
Gala Dinner Opening
Welcome to Country and performance by Uncle Graham Davis King.
Opening performance by Radical Son
David Leha is one of the mightiest voices and most compelling performers currently rising on the Australian concert, festival and dramatic stage. A Kamilaroi man with Tongan heritage, his work draws immense power and resolve from a challenging past and a style that melds the urgency of hip-hop and the emotional punch of soul, as heard on two albums to date: Cause N’Affect (2014) and his stunning new album Bilambiyal (The Learning) (2024).
Dujuan Hussan Keynote Speaker
Dujuan Hussan, an Arrernte/Garrwa teenager, starred in the acclaimed 2019 documentary In My Blood It Runs, which follows his journey through an education system misaligned with his cultural identity. The film, widely used in Australian schools, sparked a multi-year impact campaign led by his family, advocating for juvenile justice reform and anti-racism. At just 12, Dujuan became the youngest person to address the UN Human Rights Council, urging Australia to raise the age of incarceration and reform First Nations education. He has since appeared on talk shows, contributed articles to The Guardian and Overland, and co-authored a children’s book with his grandmothers.
Cultural performance by Burrundi Theatre
Burrundi Theatre for Performing Arts was established in 2020 by Wiradjuri woman Kerry Johnson. Burrundi translates to “black” in Southern Yiradjuri/Wiradjuri dialect & is inspired by the vision and spirit of Black Theatre 1972-1977. Burrundi Theatre is a cross-functional community performing arts organisation.
Thursday 14 November
Opening session
Keynote Address by Michael Tidball, Secretary, NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Keynote Address by Carla Ware, First Nations Performance Audit Team Leader, Audit Office of NSW
A keynote session by Michael Tidball, who has served as Secretary of the Department of Communities and Justice since February 2022.
Followed by a presentation by Carla Ware on the Audit Office’s 2024 Reports.
Performance byFirst Nations Cultural Education
First Nations Cultural Education represents Torres Strait Island dance and song performance led by Ryka. This captivating performance showcased the vibrant songs and dances of the Torres Strait Islands, highlighting traditions from the five major island groups. Presented by First Nations Cultural Education, a 100% woman-owned and majority Aboriginal-owned business, the group brought to life the rich cultural heritage of the Torres Strait with authenticity and passion.
Session One
Developments in Indigenous Data Sovereignty Through the Intersection of First Nations Disability Data for Families and Children
Dr. Scott Avery
This talk will highlight the principles of Indigenous Data Sovereignty in developing data strategies to improve data access and interpretation to support policy programs for First Nations people with disability and their families.
Problematic & Harmful Sexualised Behaviours
Julie Shelley, Jane Key
This workshop seeks to bridge that gap by providing insights into what constitutes typical sexual development, as well as recognizing when behaviours may become problematic or harmful. This workshop will consider the unique perspectives and cultural practices of Aboriginal communities, recognizing that cultural context plays a vital role in shaping understandings of sexual development.
Bring Them Home, Keep Them Home: Evidence & Key Insights for System Transformation from Aboriginal-led Research
Dr Kathleen Falster, Kimberly Chiswell, Associate Professor Dr. BJ Newton
The session will reveal new and significant data at the population level that demonstrates oversurveillance and carceral responses within child protection systems, shown through the Bring them home, keep them home research. It will also touch on decolonial and response-based concepts to disrupt violent narratives and approaches that dominate child protection practices.
Session Two
Pathways for Transformation: Considerations of a Future System
Dr. Paul Gray
Associate Professor Paul Gray will address the conceptual foundations for this re-imagined approach. He will unpack how this might be effectively operationalised to focus the conversation beyond its current limitations and clarify this new approach.
Supporting Aboriginal Children To Heal From Domestic and/or Family Violence
Terianne Hughes, Joanne Campbell
A review of the positive outcomes from the Child and Young People Framework for Aboriginal women and children, and how creating happy memories and rebuilding the mother-child relationship due to the impacts of domestic and family violence, is part of the healing journey.
Co-Designing a National Clinical Framework for Responding to Concerning or Harmful Sexual Behaviours in Aboriginal Children and Young People
Amanda Morgan, Dr. Melissa Kaltner, Mark Galvin
Interactive session engages participants in co-designing key elements of the National Clinical and Therapeutic Framework for responding to children and young people who have displayed concerning or harmful sexual behaviour.
Session Three
Keynote Address by Dr Tracy Westerman AM Managing Director, Indigenous Psychological Services
A keynote session from Dr Tracy Westerman AM, a proud Nyamal woman from the Pilbara in Western Australia and the Managing Director for Indigenous Psychological Services.
Aboriginal Carer Support
Aboriginal Carer Support
Child Protection Helpline
Child Protection Helpline
AbSec would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we will meet to discuss important matters, the Mulgoa clan of the Dharug Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
AbSec acknowledges the Stolen Generations who never came home and the ongoing impact of government policy and practice on Aboriginal children, young people and families.
AbSec would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we will meet to discuss important matters, the Mulgoa clan of the Dharug Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
AbSec acknowledges the Stolen Generations who never came home and the ongoing impact of government policy and practice on Aboriginal children, young people and families.
