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We’re in the process of bringing together the best of the best for the 2025 agenda. Be the first to hear about the latest updates by registering your interest on the link below as the 8th Social and Emotional Wellbeing Forum returns bigger & better with a fresh new look and dynamic line up of local and international speakers in 2025.
We understand that the content and topics covered in this forum can be uncomfortable or trigger trauma for some delegates. Therefore, we have arranged for healers to be available during the course of the event. They will be onsite for all four days to ensure our delegates’ wellbeing is a priority. If delegates wish to have a private counselling session, they can access the healing room at the event venue.
Health Services Manager
Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC)
Born and raised in Circular Head, Tasmania, Steve graduated from the University of Tasmania majoring in Clinical Exercise Physiology/Sports Science and has worked across multiple sectors including, community health, tertiary education, industrial health and sports high performance. This has included program management appointments with the Royal Flying Doctor Tasmania, University of Technology, Sydney and Rio Tinto. As a result of his work, Steve was awarded the coveted accolade of Exercise and Sports Science Australia’s (ESSA) 2017 Exercise Physiologist of the Year.
Now the Health Services Manager and Circular Head Aboriginal Corp. (CHAC), Steve is assisting in developing all their current health services and introducing new impactful community-based health programs while identifying current health service gaps and making them more accessible.
Clinical Spiritual Carer, Psychosocial Recovery Coach, Counsellor, Animateur, Poet
Ronia Haidar is a Psychosomatic educator with a background in Visual Arts, Anthropology, Clinical Spiritual Care and Narrative Counselling. She has been a lifelong seeker, enchanted by the embodied intersubjectivity of people within esoteric and exoteric spiritual traditions. Ronia has facilitated various groups concentrating on the interrelational dynamics and self-consciously applying intentional regard to cross-cultural engagement. Her past work has been centered on collecting grief stories within Palliative care and Mental health units. In the Digital realm, she has explored the therapeutic space and held meditative space for Syrian women affected by War trauma. She is currently undertaking her last year in a Masters Counselling program and writing poetry with various people around the globe.
Team Leader
Namatjira Haven
Colin is a Monaro Ngarigo man from Southeast of NSW, the Snowy Mountains region. He has worked and studied in Youth, Mental Health, and suicide, AOD (Alcohol and Other Drugs) for the past 14 years. He is currently working at Namatjira Haven D&A Healing Centre as the Team Leader. Colin is passionate about supporting men that come into our residential service to heal from harmful substance use and the impacts of trauma by using the above experiences and skills, working culturally with a strengths based and narrative approach.
Practice Lead Counselling and Mental Health
Wyndham City
As a psychotherapist, counsellor, and mental wellbeing leader with 15+ years of experience, Yusuf integrates scientific knowledge with ancient wisdom traditions. He values the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit in promoting holistic health. Yusuf’s background as a musician specialising in traditional Sufi music, particularly playing the Ney, enriches his practice, offering unique avenues for emotional expression and spiritual connection. Through this integrated approach, he facilitates healing and growth, supporting individuals towards resilience, balance, and vitality.
Karin is a Proud Taungurung / Darug Woman and a proud mother to four children, and grandmother to three (So Far). She was born in Melbourne on Wirrunjurri land and lived there until she was 12 years of age, then moved to live on the Billabong Creek at Culcairn on Wiradjuri land.
Karin has used art and narrative therapy traditional and contemporary knowledge to heal and serve her community in Albury Wodonga in the health field for the last 19 years. She is now a Qualified Art Therapist since 2018, and complemented study in narrative therapy and she is also qualified in both Art Therapy and Clinical Art Therapy.
Karin currently works in the Spiritual Emotional Wellbeing area based in the local community mental health service in Wodonga on Dhudhuoa Country for about 15years.
FCS Operations Manager
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
Dalan was born and raised New Zealand Māori and moved to Melbourne 24 years ago. He has been working at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) for the past 9 years. He is Operations Manager at Family Counselling Services, and a certified practicing counsellor registered with PACFFA. The principal focus as a Healer at this conference is to actively listen, validate and support individuals that feel the weight of any topics raised through the conference.
Tony Garvey
Wurundjeri Elder
Ally Kelly
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Mind Blank
Bernie Shakeshaft
Founder Director
BackTrack
Bernie Shakeshaft
Founder Director
BackTrack
Sacha King
Founder and Managing Director
Two Two One Mental Health and NT Local Hero 2023
Joel Ryman
Program Coordinator – Youth Mentor and Facilitator
Together We Ride and ALIVE & Kicking Goals!
Ash Gray
Senior Facilitator
Batyr
Sacha King
Founder and Managing Director
Two Two One Mental Health and NT Local Hero 2023
Ally Kelly
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Mind Blank
In this calming session you will be guided through breathing methods and tranquil imagery to relax your
body and mind and help refresh your thoughts and feel safe and protected in the environment you are in.
Stacey Brown
Chief Executive Officer
Yappera Children’s Service Cooperative
Kimberly Do
Family Support Coodinator
Yappera Children’s Service Cooperative
Makita McNally
Wiradjuri Administration Officer
Yappera Children’s Service Cooperative
Cancer is now in the top five causes of death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Research shows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a higher prevalence of health and wellbeing-related risk factors, may be less likely to access support and treatment services and, as a result, may also experience poorer cancer-related outcomes. How can youth voices play a role in advocating for the care of their communities? Canteen’s Young Adult Reconciliation Network (YARN) is an example of Canteen’s youth leadership and advisory framework which aims to guide the organisation towards providing care tailored to their needs.
This interactive session will deep dive into:
Clinton Bennell
Member Young Adult Reconciliation Network (YARN)
Canteen
Joel Matysek
Member Young Adult Reconciliation Network (YARN)
Canteen
Tameeka Iremia
Member Young Adult Reconciliation Network (YARN)
Canteen
Gemma Trueman
Member Young Adult Reconciliation Network (YARN)
Canteen
Tony Garvey
Wurundjeri Elder
Stephen Morrison
Aboriginal Cultural Practice and Capability Manager
Hope Community Services
Tim Richardson MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Parliamentary Secretary for Health Infrastructuret
Parliament of Victoria
Rosemary Wanganeen
Chief Executive Office
Loss and Grief Institute
Ciara Millar
Manager – Knowledge Management and Projects
Coroner Court of VIC
Rachel Green
Chief Executive Officer
SANE
At this session, find out:
Erin Selmesr
Branch Manager
Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme
Chair:
Ally Kelly
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Mind Blank
Chair:
Asha Bhat
Chief Executive Officer
Southern Aboriginal Corporation
Chair:
Stephen Morrison
Aboriginal Cultural Practice and
Capability Manager
HOPE Community Services
Hilton Mtanda
Social and Emotional Wellbeing Manager
Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service
*Virtual presentation
Brad Sprague
AOD and Mental Health Worker
Dhauwurd-Wurrung Elderly and Community Health Service
Nakita Close
Ngootyoong Mara Cultural Healing Centre – Lived Experience Worker
Dhauwurd-Wurrung Elderly and Community Health Service
Joel Ryman
Program Coordinator –
Youth Mentor and Facilitator
Together We Ride and ALIVE & Kicking Goals!
Gary Thorpe OAM
Australian Mental Health Prize Winner 2022
Karen Edwards
Clinical Director
Gidget Foundation Australia
Jacqueline Gibson
Commissioner Carer
Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission (MHWC)
Analysing the importance of cultural responsiveness in healing
Chair:
Ally Kelly
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Mind Blank
Hilton Mtanda
Social and Emotional Wellbeing Manager
Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service
*Virtual presentation
Brad Sprague
AOD and Mental Health Worker
Dhauwurd-Wurrung Elderly and Community Health Service
Nakita Close
Ngootyoong Mara Cultural Healing Centre – Lived Experience Worker
Dhauwurd-Wurrung Elderly and Community Health Service
Paul Martin
Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Relationships and Business Development
EACH
Dani Linossier
Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and AOD Reform Manager
Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NTPHN)
Imogen Stahel
Mental Health Strategy and Planning Coordinator
Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NTPHN)
Delivering services catered towards the diversity in the mental health sector
Chair:
Asha Bhat
Chief Executive Officer
Southern Aboriginal Corporation
Joele Ryman
Program Coordinator –
Youth Mentor and Facilitator
Together We Ride and ALIVE & Kicking Goals!
Gary Thorpe OAM
Australian Mental Health Prize Winner 2022
Moderator:
Dr Judy Tang
Director and Clinical Neuropsychologist
Invictus Health
Panellist:
Niharika Hiremata
Co-Founder and Managing Director
Australian Institute for Diversity in
Mental Health (AIDMH)
Jacqueline Gibson
Commissioner
Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission
Shankar Kasynathan
Senior Research Fellow
National Centre for Reconciliation
Truth and Justice
Driving innovation in service delivery
Chair:
Stephen Morrison
Aboriginal Cultural Practice and
Capability Manager
HOPE Community Services
Karen Edwards
Clinical Director
Gidget Foundation Australia
Jacqueline Gibson
Commissioner, Carer
Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission (MHWC)
Tim Richardson MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Parliamentary Secretary for Health Infrastructure
Parliament of Victoria
Kathie Melocco
Head of Corporate Services, Partnerships and Wellbeing
Narang Bir‑rong Aboriginal Corporation (NBAC)
Paul Martin
Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Relationships and Business Development
EACH
Moderator:
Dr Judy Tang
Director and Clinical Neuropsychologist
Invictus Health
Panellist:
Niharika Hiremata
Co-Founder and Managing Director
Australian Institute for Diversity in
Mental Health (AIDMH)
Jacqueline Gibson
Commissioner
Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission
Shankar Kasynathan
Senior Research Fellow
National Centre for Reconciliation
Truth and Justice
Dani Linossier
Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and AOD Reform Manager
Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NTPHN)
Imogen Stahel
Mental Health Strategy and Planning Coordinator
Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NTPHN)
Karen Cashman
Senior Manager
Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing
Kathie Melocco
Head of Corporate Services, Partnerships and Wellbeing
Narang Bir‑rong Aboriginal Corporation (NBAC)
How griefology can transform inter-generational Aboriginal disadvantage into Aboriginal prosperity?
Rosemary Wanganeen
Chief Executive Office
Loss and Grief Institute
This networking function will provide you with the opportunity to connect with like-minded people that are passionate and working towards improving the social and emotional wellbeing of individuals in the community.
Register to join and indulge in an elaborate 3-course meals along with a non-alcoholic beverage of your choice.
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Chair:
Stephen Morrison
Aboriginal Cultural Practice and Capability Manager
Hope Community Services
Courtney Ugle
Founder
Waangkiny
Asha Bhat
Chief Executive Officer
Southern Aboriginal Corporation
Dani Linossier
Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and AOD Reform Manager
Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NTPHN)
Chair:
Ally Kelly
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Mind Blank
Chair:
Asha Bhat
Chief Executive Officer
Southern Aboriginal Corporation
Chair:
Stephen Morrison
Aboriginal Cultural Practice and
Capability Manager
HOPE Community Services
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Sophia Romano
Partnering and Programming Manager – Youth
World Vision
Zoe Adams
Partnering and Programming Manager – Early and Middle Childhood
World Vision
Gill Callister
Chief Executive Officer
Mind
Nicola Ballenden
Executive Director – Research, Advocacy and Policy Development
Mind
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Asha Bhat
Chief Executive Officer
Southern Aboriginal Corporation
April Burgoyne
Network Coordinator – Cultural Care Connect Suicide Prevention Network
Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative
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Darlene Thomas
Chief Executive Officer
Mallee District Aboriginal Services
*Virtual presentation
Marjorie Anderson
National Manager
13 Yarn
Jahdai Vigona
First Nations Community Leader
2023 NT Young Australian of the Year
Panellists:
Marjorie Anderson
National Manager
13Yarn
Annie Cain
Children and Family Services Project Lead and Training Facilitator
Yalu Aboriginal Corporation
Litisha Baker
Project Lead | Board Director
Yalu Aboriginal Corporation
Paul Martin
Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Relationships and Business Development
EACH
Jinny-Jane Smith
Program Manager – First Nations Health Programs
ACON Health
Estelle Clarke
Coordinator, First Nation Health Programs
ACON Health
Son Vivienne
Chief Executive Officer
Transgender Victoria
Stephen Morrison
Aboriginal Cultural Practice and Capability Manager
HOPE Community Services
Ingrid Ozols AM
Founding Director
Mental Health at Work
Providing young people with appropriate tools
Chair:
Ally Kelly
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Mind Blank
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Sophia Romano
Partnering and Programming Manager – Youth
World Vision
Zoe Adams
Partnering and Programming Manager – Early and Middle Childhood
World Vision
Gill Callister
Chief Executive Officer
Mind
Nicola Ballenden
Executive Director – Research, Advocacy and Policy Development
Mind
Jahdai Vigona
First Nations Community Leader
2023 NT Young Australian of the Year
Panellists:
Marjorie Anderson
National Manager
13Yarn
Annie Cain
Children and Family Services Project Lead and Training Facilitator
Yalu Aboriginal Corporation
Litisha Baker
Project Lead | Board Director
Yalu Aboriginal Corporation
Paul Martin
Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Relationships and Business Development
EACH
Tackling the rising rate of suicide
Chair:
Asha Bhat
Chief Executive Officer
Southern Aboriginal Corporation
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Asha Bhat
Chief Executive Officer
Southern Aboriginal Corporation
April Burgoyne
Network Coordinator – Cultural Care Connect Suicide Prevention Network
Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative
Jinny-Jane Smith
Program Manager – First Nations Health Programs
ACON Health
Estelle Clarke
Coordinator, First Nation Health Programs
ACON Health
Son Vivienne
Chief Executive Officer
Transgender Victoria
Driving innovation in service delivery
Chair:
Stephen Morrison
Aboriginal Cultural Practice and
Capability Manager
HOPE Community Services
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Darlene Thomas
Chief Executive Officer
Mallee District Aboriginal Services
Marjorie Anderson
National Manager
13 Yarn
Stephen Morrison
Aboriginal Cultural Practice and Capability Manager
HOPE Community Services
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Litisha Baker
Project Lead | Board Director
Yalu Aboriginal Corporation
Jermaine Dhurrkay
Support Worker
Yalu Aboriginal Corporation
Tyron Garmu
Tyron Garmu
Support Worker
Yalu Aboriginal Corporation
Jason Ganambarr
Program Champion
Yalu Aboriginal Corporation
Annie Cain
Children and Family Services Project Lead and Training Facilitator
Yalu Aboriginal Corporation
Join us for an engaging and interactive session that encourages active participation from all delegates. Over the course of three days of enriching discussions, this session invites you to share your valuable insights and key takeaways. The collective findings will be distilled into a comprehensive summit communique, which will serve as a focal point for highlighting the most significant outcomes of your time at the forum. We invite you to be an integral part of this process, sharing the lessons you’ve learned from the forum and providing your perspective on shaping the future of social and emotional wellbeing in Australia. Your contribution will help chart the path forward and ensure that your voice is heard in shaping meaningful change.
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To heal ourselves and others around us, it is important to understand ‘Cognitive Distortions’, or ‘Stinking Thinking’. Some people think like this every day. Some will act on their thinking, believing that other people will recognise that their thinking stinks. Others will laugh at themselves for thinking such thoughts. Some First Nation peoples will say: ‘The white man has to take the blame for what has happened to us.’ But that is a way of a person taking no responsibility for what they say or do, or for telling themselves things that will justify why they think what they think. To understand ‘Stinking Thinking’, we need to look at what we think and talk about and how it affects the way we behave.
Attend this workshop to
Facilitator:
Uncle Winston Cutts
Director
Margie’s Safe Space
Proprietor
Blossoms and Turf the Original Property Group
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditional storytelling is an ongoing and respected part of healing and culture. This workshop around two-way creative practices provides wisdom on how Traditional Forum Theatre Healing practices provide tools to explore and navigate wellbeing and change to create a culture of health in your organisation or community.
In this workshop you will observe, participate in, and learn to create theatre practices that help ease the pressure of communicating about difficult situations and positively shift culture. Sometimes the unspoken is too uncomfortable to speak, which is why it can be so healing to create understanding via stories. This workshop combines innovative skills around best practice in forum theatre workshop creation, and exploration and navigation of themes affecting the wellbeing of young people.
While theatre and storytelling provide the keys to unlock the unspoken, bringing great healing, it is important to know how to unpack how this will be relevant for your community and how to include them in the process of making stories safe and encouraging. Bring your challenges to the conversation and explore how other communities have been able to creatively tailor offerings that reimagine how we approach pain and tragedy and turn it around for a brighter future.
Attend this workshop to:
Facilitator:
Ally Kelly
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Mind Blank
We understand that the content and topics covered in this forum can be uncomfortable or trigger trauma for some delegates. Therefore, we have arranged for healers to be available during the course of the event. They will be onsite for all four days to ensure our delegates’ wellbeing is a priority. If delegates wish to have a private counselling session, they can access the healing room at the event venue.
Health Services Manager
Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC)
Born and raised in Circular Head, Tasmania, Steve graduated from the University of Tasmania majoring in Clinical Exercise Physiology/Sports Science and has worked across multiple sectors including, community health, tertiary education, industrial health and sports high performance. This has included program management appointments with the Royal Flying Doctor Tasmania, University of Technology, Sydney and Rio Tinto. As a result of his work, Steve was awarded the coveted accolade of Exercise and Sports Science Australia’s (ESSA) 2017 Exercise Physiologist of the Year.
Now the Health Services Manager and Circular Head Aboriginal Corp. (CHAC), Steve is assisting in developing all their current health services and introducing new impactful community-based health programs while identifying current health service gaps and making them more accessible.
Clinical Spiritual Carer, Psychosocial Recovery Coach, Counsellor, Animateur, Poet
Ronia Haidar is a Psychosomatic educator with a background in Visual Arts, Anthropology, Clinical Spiritual Care and Narrative Counselling. She has been a lifelong seeker, enchanted by the embodied intersubjectivity of people within esoteric and exoteric spiritual traditions. Ronia has facilitated various groups concentrating on the interrelational dynamics and self-consciously applying intentional regard to cross-cultural engagement. Her past work has been centered on collecting grief stories within Palliative care and Mental health units. In the Digital realm, she has explored the therapeutic space and held meditative space for Syrian women affected by War trauma. She is currently undertaking her last year in a Masters Counselling program and writing poetry with various people around the globe.
Team Leader
Namatjira Haven
Colin is a Monaro Ngarigo man from Southeast of NSW, the Snowy Mountains region. He has worked and studied in Youth, Mental Health, and suicide, AOD (Alcohol and Other Drugs) for the past 14 years. He is currently working at Namatjira Haven D&A Healing Centre as the Team Leader. Colin is passionate about supporting men that come into our residential service to heal from harmful substance use and the impacts of trauma by using the above experiences and skills, working culturally with a strengths based and narrative approach.
Practice Lead Counselling and Mental Health
Wyndham City
As a psychotherapist, counsellor, and mental wellbeing leader with 15+ years of experience, Yusuf integrates scientific knowledge with ancient wisdom traditions. He values the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit in promoting holistic health. Yusuf’s background as a musician specialising in traditional Sufi music, particularly playing the Ney, enriches his practice, offering unique avenues for emotional expression and spiritual connection. Through this integrated approach, he facilitates healing and growth, supporting individuals towards resilience, balance, and vitality.
Karin is a Proud Taungurung / Darug Woman and a proud mother to four children, and grandmother to three (So Far). She was born in Melbourne on Wirrunjurri land and lived there until she was 12 years of age, then moved to live on the Billabong Creek at Culcairn on Wiradjuri land.
Karin has used art and narrative therapy traditional and contemporary knowledge to heal and serve her community in Albury Wodonga in the health field for the last 19 years. She is now a Qualified Art Therapist since 2018, and complemented study in narrative therapy and she is also qualified in both Art Therapy and Clinical Art Therapy.
Karin currently works in the Spiritual Emotional Wellbeing area based in the local community mental health service in Wodonga on Dhudhuoa Country for about 15years.
FCS Operations Manager
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
Dalan was born and raised New Zealand Māori and moved to Melbourne 24 years ago. He has been working at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) for the past 9 years. He is Operations Manager at Family Counselling Services, and a certified practicing counsellor registered with PACFFA. The principal focus as a Healer at this conference is to actively listen, validate and support individuals that feel the weight of any topics raised through the conference.
Tony Garvey
Wurundjeri Elder
Ally Kelly
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Mind Blank
Bernie Shakeshaft
Founder Director
BackTrack
Bernie Shakeshaft
Founder Director
BackTrack
Sacha King
Founder and Managing Director
Two Two One Mental Health and NT Local Hero 2023
Joel Ryman
Program Coordinator – Youth Mentor and Facilitator
Together We Ride and ALIVE & Kicking Goals!
Ash Gray
Senior Facilitator
Batyr
Sacha King
Founder and Managing Director
Two Two One Mental Health and NT Local Hero 2023
Ally Kelly
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Mind Blank
In this calming session you will be guided through breathing methods and tranquil imagery to relax your
body and mind and help refresh your thoughts and feel safe and protected in the environment you are in.
Stacey Brown
Chief Executive Officer
Yappera Children’s Service Cooperative
Kimberly Do
Family Support Coodinator
Yappera Children’s Service Cooperative
Makita McNally
Wiradjuri Administration Officer
Yappera Children’s Service Cooperative
Cancer is now in the top five causes of death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Research shows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a higher prevalence of health and wellbeing-related risk factors, may be less likely to access support and treatment services and, as a result, may also experience poorer cancer-related outcomes. How can youth voices play a role in advocating for the care of their communities? Canteen’s Young Adult Reconciliation Network (YARN) is an example of Canteen’s youth leadership and advisory framework which aims to guide the organisation towards providing care tailored to their needs.
This interactive session will deep dive into:
Clinton Bennell
Member Young Adult Reconciliation Network (YARN)
Canteen
Joel Matysek
Member Young Adult Reconciliation Network (YARN)
Canteen
Tameeka Iremia
Member Young Adult Reconciliation Network (YARN)
Canteen
Gemma Trueman
Member Young Adult Reconciliation Network (YARN)
Canteen
Tony Garvey
Wurundjeri Elder
Stephen Morrison
Aboriginal Cultural Practice and Capability Manager
Hope Community Services
Tim Richardson MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Parliamentary Secretary for Health Infrastructuret
Parliament of Victoria
Rosemary Wanganeen
Chief Executive Office
Loss and Grief Institute
Ciara Millar
Manager – Knowledge Management and Projects
Coroner Court of VIC
Rachel Green
Chief Executive Officer
SANE
At this session, find out:
Erin Selmesr
Branch Manager
Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme
Chair:
Ally Kelly
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Mind Blank
Chair:
Asha Bhat
Chief Executive Officer
Southern Aboriginal Corporation
Chair:
Stephen Morrison
Aboriginal Cultural Practice and
Capability Manager
HOPE Community Services
Hilton Mtanda
Social and Emotional Wellbeing Manager
Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service
*Virtual presentation
Brad Sprague
AOD and Mental Health Worker
Dhauwurd-Wurrung Elderly and Community Health Service
Nakita Close
Ngootyoong Mara Cultural Healing Centre – Lived Experience Worker
Dhauwurd-Wurrung Elderly and Community Health Service
Joel Ryman
Program Coordinator –
Youth Mentor and Facilitator
Together We Ride and ALIVE & Kicking Goals!
Gary Thorpe OAM
Australian Mental Health Prize Winner 2022
Karen Edwards
Clinical Director
Gidget Foundation Australia
Jacqueline Gibson
Commissioner Carer
Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission (MHWC)
Analysing the importance of cultural responsiveness in healing
Chair:
Ally Kelly
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Mind Blank
Hilton Mtanda
Social and Emotional Wellbeing Manager
Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service
*Virtual presentation
Brad Sprague
AOD and Mental Health Worker
Dhauwurd-Wurrung Elderly and Community Health Service
Nakita Close
Ngootyoong Mara Cultural Healing Centre – Lived Experience Worker
Dhauwurd-Wurrung Elderly and Community Health Service
Paul Martin
Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Relationships and Business Development
EACH
Dani Linossier
Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and AOD Reform Manager
Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NTPHN)
Imogen Stahel
Mental Health Strategy and Planning Coordinator
Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NTPHN)
Delivering services catered towards the diversity in the mental health sector
Chair:
Asha Bhat
Chief Executive Officer
Southern Aboriginal Corporation
Joele Ryman
Program Coordinator –
Youth Mentor and Facilitator
Together We Ride and ALIVE & Kicking Goals!
Gary Thorpe OAM
Australian Mental Health Prize Winner 2022
Moderator:
Dr Judy Tang
Director and Clinical Neuropsychologist
Invictus Health
Panellist:
Niharika Hiremata
Co-Founder and Managing Director
Australian Institute for Diversity in
Mental Health (AIDMH)
Jacqueline Gibson
Commissioner
Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission
Shankar Kasynathan
Senior Research Fellow
National Centre for Reconciliation
Truth and Justice
Driving innovation in service delivery
Chair:
Stephen Morrison
Aboriginal Cultural Practice and
Capability Manager
HOPE Community Services
Karen Edwards
Clinical Director
Gidget Foundation Australia
Jacqueline Gibson
Commissioner, Carer
Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission (MHWC)
Tim Richardson MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Parliamentary Secretary for Health Infrastructure
Parliament of Victoria
Kathie Melocco
Head of Corporate Services, Partnerships and Wellbeing
Narang Bir‑rong Aboriginal Corporation (NBAC)
Paul Martin
Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Relationships and Business Development
EACH
Moderator:
Dr Judy Tang
Director and Clinical Neuropsychologist
Invictus Health
Panellist:
Niharika Hiremata
Co-Founder and Managing Director
Australian Institute for Diversity in
Mental Health (AIDMH)
Jacqueline Gibson
Commissioner
Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission
Shankar Kasynathan
Senior Research Fellow
National Centre for Reconciliation
Truth and Justice
Dani Linossier
Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and AOD Reform Manager
Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NTPHN)
Imogen Stahel
Mental Health Strategy and Planning Coordinator
Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NTPHN)
Karen Cashman
Senior Manager
Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing
Kathie Melocco
Head of Corporate Services, Partnerships and Wellbeing
Narang Bir‑rong Aboriginal Corporation (NBAC)
How griefology can transform inter-generational Aboriginal disadvantage into Aboriginal prosperity?
Rosemary Wanganeen
Chief Executive Office
Loss and Grief Institute
This networking function will provide you with the opportunity to connect with like-minded people that are passionate and working towards improving the social and emotional wellbeing of individuals in the community.
Register to join and indulge in an elaborate 3-course meals along with a non-alcoholic beverage of your choice.
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Chair:
Stephen Morrison
Aboriginal Cultural Practice and Capability Manager
Hope Community Services
Courtney Ugle
Founder
Waangkiny
Asha Bhat
Chief Executive Officer
Southern Aboriginal Corporation
Dani Linossier
Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and AOD Reform Manager
Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NTPHN)
Chair:
Ally Kelly
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Mind Blank
Chair:
Asha Bhat
Chief Executive Officer
Southern Aboriginal Corporation
Chair:
Stephen Morrison
Aboriginal Cultural Practice and
Capability Manager
HOPE Community Services
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Sophia Romano
Partnering and Programming Manager – Youth
World Vision
Zoe Adams
Partnering and Programming Manager – Early and Middle Childhood
World Vision
Gill Callister
Chief Executive Officer
Mind
Nicola Ballenden
Executive Director – Research, Advocacy and Policy Development
Mind
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Asha Bhat
Chief Executive Officer
Southern Aboriginal Corporation
April Burgoyne
Network Coordinator – Cultural Care Connect Suicide Prevention Network
Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative
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Darlene Thomas
Chief Executive Officer
Mallee District Aboriginal Services
*Virtual presentation
Marjorie Anderson
National Manager
13 Yarn
Jahdai Vigona
First Nations Community Leader
2023 NT Young Australian of the Year
Panellists:
Marjorie Anderson
National Manager
13Yarn
Annie Cain
Children and Family Services Project Lead and Training Facilitator
Yalu Aboriginal Corporation
Litisha Baker
Project Lead | Board Director
Yalu Aboriginal Corporation
Paul Martin
Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Relationships and Business Development
EACH
Jinny-Jane Smith
Program Manager – First Nations Health Programs
ACON Health
Estelle Clarke
Coordinator, First Nation Health Programs
ACON Health
Son Vivienne
Chief Executive Officer
Transgender Victoria
Stephen Morrison
Aboriginal Cultural Practice and Capability Manager
HOPE Community Services
Ingrid Ozols AM
Founding Director
Mental Health at Work
Providing young people with appropriate tools
Chair:
Ally Kelly
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Mind Blank
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Sophia Romano
Partnering and Programming Manager – Youth
World Vision
Zoe Adams
Partnering and Programming Manager – Early and Middle Childhood
World Vision
Gill Callister
Chief Executive Officer
Mind
Nicola Ballenden
Executive Director – Research, Advocacy and Policy Development
Mind
Jahdai Vigona
First Nations Community Leader
2023 NT Young Australian of the Year
Panellists:
Marjorie Anderson
National Manager
13Yarn
Annie Cain
Children and Family Services Project Lead and Training Facilitator
Yalu Aboriginal Corporation
Litisha Baker
Project Lead | Board Director
Yalu Aboriginal Corporation
Paul Martin
Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Relationships and Business Development
EACH
Tackling the rising rate of suicide
Chair:
Asha Bhat
Chief Executive Officer
Southern Aboriginal Corporation
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Asha Bhat
Chief Executive Officer
Southern Aboriginal Corporation
April Burgoyne
Network Coordinator – Cultural Care Connect Suicide Prevention Network
Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative
Jinny-Jane Smith
Program Manager – First Nations Health Programs
ACON Health
Estelle Clarke
Coordinator, First Nation Health Programs
ACON Health
Son Vivienne
Chief Executive Officer
Transgender Victoria
Driving innovation in service delivery
Chair:
Stephen Morrison
Aboriginal Cultural Practice and
Capability Manager
HOPE Community Services
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Darlene Thomas
Chief Executive Officer
Mallee District Aboriginal Services
Marjorie Anderson
National Manager
13 Yarn
Stephen Morrison
Aboriginal Cultural Practice and Capability Manager
HOPE Community Services
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Litisha Baker
Project Lead | Board Director
Yalu Aboriginal Corporation
Jermaine Dhurrkay
Support Worker
Yalu Aboriginal Corporation
Tyron Garmu
Tyron Garmu
Support Worker
Yalu Aboriginal Corporation
Jason Ganambarr
Program Champion
Yalu Aboriginal Corporation
Annie Cain
Children and Family Services Project Lead and Training Facilitator
Yalu Aboriginal Corporation
Join us for an engaging and interactive session that encourages active participation from all delegates. Over the course of three days of enriching discussions, this session invites you to share your valuable insights and key takeaways. The collective findings will be distilled into a comprehensive summit communique, which will serve as a focal point for highlighting the most significant outcomes of your time at the forum. We invite you to be an integral part of this process, sharing the lessons you’ve learned from the forum and providing your perspective on shaping the future of social and emotional wellbeing in Australia. Your contribution will help chart the path forward and ensure that your voice is heard in shaping meaningful change.
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To heal ourselves and others around us, it is important to understand ‘Cognitive Distortions’, or ‘Stinking Thinking’. Some people think like this every day. Some will act on their thinking, believing that other people will recognise that their thinking stinks. Others will laugh at themselves for thinking such thoughts. Some First Nation peoples will say: ‘The white man has to take the blame for what has happened to us.’ But that is a way of a person taking no responsibility for what they say or do, or for telling themselves things that will justify why they think what they think. To understand ‘Stinking Thinking’, we need to look at what we think and talk about and how it affects the way we behave.
Attend this workshop to
Facilitator:
Uncle Winston Cutts
Director
Margie’s Safe Space
Proprietor
Blossoms and Turf the Original Property Group
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditional storytelling is an ongoing and respected part of healing and culture. This workshop around two-way creative practices provides wisdom on how Traditional Forum Theatre Healing practices provide tools to explore and navigate wellbeing and change to create a culture of health in your organisation or community.
In this workshop you will observe, participate in, and learn to create theatre practices that help ease the pressure of communicating about difficult situations and positively shift culture. Sometimes the unspoken is too uncomfortable to speak, which is why it can be so healing to create understanding via stories. This workshop combines innovative skills around best practice in forum theatre workshop creation, and exploration and navigation of themes affecting the wellbeing of young people.
While theatre and storytelling provide the keys to unlock the unspoken, bringing great healing, it is important to know how to unpack how this will be relevant for your community and how to include them in the process of making stories safe and encouraging. Bring your challenges to the conversation and explore how other communities have been able to creatively tailor offerings that reimagine how we approach pain and tragedy and turn it around for a brighter future.
Attend this workshop to:
Facilitator:
Ally Kelly
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Mind Blank
