Program

Workshop Agenda

Day One | Tuesday| 24 March 2026

7.30 Registration open – light refreshments provided

8.10 Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony

8.50 Welcome from AIPA and housekeeping

Vanessa Edwidge, Chair, AIPA

9.00 Chairperson opening address

Change from the Top Down

9.10 Opening Keynote: Indigenous suicide prevention and community solutions

Join Professor Pat Dudgeon as she unpacks community-led solutions to preventing Indigenous suicide and explores elements of the 2025 AIHW report ‘Preventing Suicides of First Nations People’.

Pat Dudgeon, Professor of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia; Project Director, Centre for Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP)

9.40 Elders panel

Looking to the wisdom of Elders is an important aspect of Social and Emotional Wellbeing and Suicide Prevention initiatives. Join this panel of local Elders as they impart their cultural knowledge and lived experience to continue guiding this important work.

Moderator: Yvonne clark, Principal research Fellow, Aboriginal Communities and Families Health Research Alliance, SAHMRI Women and Kids theme; Director, AIPA

Reserved

10.20 Lightening Address – Aboriginal Health and Medical research Council of NSW (AH&MRC)

Lachlan Madden, Senior Project Officer - Suicide prevention, Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW

10.25 Morning tea

10.50 Concurrent streams

** Attendees can move between the sessions listed under the three streams **

Stream A: Ballroom 1-3

Social and Emotional Wellbeing

Stream facilitator: Bianca Hunt, TV presenter, media personality, interviewer and author

10.50 Guided by Elders

Transforming Suicide-Prevention Education for Future Indigenous Mental Health Professionals

Rhys Callaghan (Worimi), Lecturer, First Nations Health, Charles Sturt University

Aunty Mary Atkinson, Cultural Knowledge Holder

11.20 Youth Services - Youth Reconnexion

Exploring our Model of Care and program components towards Suicide Prevention

Vickie Louise Simpson, Program Manager, Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service

Jacinta Oakley, Youth Project Officer, Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service

11.50 Supporting Journeys to Healing

Insights from Waminda’s Model of Care and Balaang Healing Framework

Debra Bowman, Manager Social and Emotional Wellbeing Services, Waminda

Katie Fox, Program Team Leader, Waminda

Hayley Marshall, Aboriginal CSA Healing Counsellor, Waminda

Jesse Regan, Social and Emotional Wellbeing Coordinator, Waminda

Stream B: Colley Room

Stream facilitator: Thara Brown, Founder and Creative Director, Wala Connections

10.50 At the edge

Exploring how italk Studios, in partnership with Central Australian Indigenous organisations and individuals, produced a series of animations covering mental health

Christopher Brocklebank, Director, italk Studios

Beatrice Jeavons, italk Studios

11.20 Aboriginal Voices

How the Aboriginal Voices Project will develop The Northern Adelaide Suicide Prevention Action Plan

Tamara Noel, Senior Project Officer, KWY Aboriginal Corporation

11.50 Walking and Talking Together

Reflections on Suicide Prevention Training in the APY Lands

Keith Brandy, First Nations Trainer, Wesley Mission

Shaun Hart, Strategic Relationship Manager, Wesley Mission

Bethany Farley, National Training Manager Wesley Mission

Time

Stream C: Ballroom 4-5

Time

Strengthening Connections

Stream facilitator: Joe Sproats, Senior Psychologist, Wakai Waian Healing; Director, AIPA

Time

10.50 Policy Pathways for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

Selwyn Button, Commissioner, Productivity Commission

Gavin Matthews, First Assistant Secretary, Mental health and Suicide Prevention, Department of Health and Aged Care

Time

11.50 Understanding Deep Yarning

Deep Yarning is a practice-based evidence approach of psychological therapy based on Indigenous standpoints and relational processes

Mary Goslett, Psychotherapist, Clinical Psychologist; Professional Practice Fellow, University of Western Australia; Director, AIPA

Belle Selkirk, Research Fellow, Clinical Psychologist, School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia

12.20 Lunch

1:10

Concurrent streams

** Attendees can move between the sessions listed under the three streams **

Stream A: Ballroom 1-3: Spotlight on Youth

Stream facilitator: Bianca Hunt, TV presenter, media personality, interviewer and author

1.10 From wellbeing to opportunity

Embedding social and emotional wellbeing in work and study support

Hannah Halliburton, First Nations Advisor Work and Study Online, Headspace National

Anita Jackman-Davey, First Nations Work & Study Specialist, Headspace

1.40 Decolonising First Nations Youth Social and Emotional Wellbeing

Exploring the research to practice continuum

Julianne Kealey, PhD Student and Psychology Researcher/Academic, University of Southern Queensland

2.10 Between Binaries

Life Story Interviewing of Plurisexual Non-Binary Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

Amber Johnson, PhD Candidate, University of Southern Queensland; Senior Social Worker, Queensland Health

Stream B: Colley Room: Advocacy and Justice

Stream facilitator: Thara Brown, Founder and Creative Director, Wala Connections

1.10 SHS Framework for Supporting Women who have been Incarcerated

Addressing systemic racism and intergenerational trauma

Jenny Holmes, Program Manager, Women and Girls Emergency Centre

Shannay Holmes, Senior Projects Manager, Women and Girls Emergency Centre

1.40 Preventing compulsory mental health treatment for First Peoples in Victoria

Insights from the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service

Tanya Wells (Palawa), Social and Emotional Wellbeing Officer, Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service

Bonina Challenor, Senior Lawyer, Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service

2.10 IMHA Strengthening Voice and Choice for First Nations Peoples

Providing free, confidential, non-legal advocacy to people receiving compulsory mental health treatment

Belinda Foley, Manager, First Nations Team, Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)

Time

Stream C: Ballroom 4-5: Transforming Our Learning and Knowing

Time

Stream facilitator: Joe Sproats, Senior Psychologist, Wakai Waian Healing; Director, AIPA

Time

1.10 Transforming Psychology Higher Education to be more Culturally Responsive

Exploring the urgent need to reimagine psychology higher education so it can better serve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Emily Darnett, Postdoctoral Fellow & Clinical Psychology Registrar, Queensland University of Technology

Time

1.40 Decolonising Neuropsychology

Looking towards an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led Practice Framework

Jody Kamminga, Clinical Neuropsychologist/PhD Candidate, University of NSW

Belle Selkirk, Research Fellow, Clinical Psychologist, School of Indigenous Studies University of Western Australia

Stacey McMullen, Interim Deputy Head, Wollotuka Institute of Indigenous Education and Research, University of Newcastle

Shannon McNeair, Clinical Psychologist, McNeair Aboriginal Psychological Services; Director, AIPA

Time

2.10 Facilitating mental health and wellbeing

Elder led Education for non-Indigenous health care providers

Clair Andersen, Aboriginal Higher Education Advisor, University of Tasmania

2.40 Yarning Circles

A: Youth-led yarn: Join the voices of our next generation and yarn about what’s needed for young people to thrive.

Manny Williams, Program Coordinator, Culture is Life; Yoora Maltha

B: Boorai Dreaming Project: Yarn with Aboriginal Elders and Senior Women who are working tirelessly in their community about the three stages of the Boorai Project.

Janey McNally-Mendoza (PhD), Project Lead, Boorai Dreaming Project

Annabelle Sharman, Elder, Boorai Dreaming Project

Rochelle (Connie) Johnson, Elder, Boorai Dreaming Project

C: Walking with Knowledge: Join Tammy Hatherill and explore the role of Australian First Nations Traditional Healing, a vital, yet under-recognised, system within contemporary healthcare.

Tammy Hatherill, Psychologist, Tribal Psychology; PhD Candidate

D: Engaging Young People: Join this yarn about the Tangka Marnirninthi Group, a therapeutic art group embedded within a youth mental health service, designed to engage young people.

Pam Ghebretensae, Youth Coordinator, Western Community Mental Health Service, Mental Health Clinical Program, Central Adelaide Local Health Network

Vanessa Browne, Nurse Practitioner, Mental Health Clinical Program, Central Adalaide Local Health Network

E: 4-Directions, One Path to Healing: The 4-Direction, One Path to Healing model directly addresses the comprehensive well-being of American Indian/Alaska Native individuals by evaluating emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical health, with culture as the foundation of mental health practices.

Nawiishtunmi Nightgun, B.S.P., Founder, Brown Bear Woman LLC; Cultural Knowledge Practitioner; Indigenous Data Analyst Expert

Veronica Owens, Operations Leader, Indigenous Data Sovereignty, Process Improvement

F: ‘6 Ps x 8 domains’ Indigenous Psychology Formulation model: Join Mary Goslett and Joe Sproats as they introduce a psychological formulation model that is grounded in Indigenous knowledges and incorporates Western psychological paradigms.

Mary Goslett, Psychotherapist, Clinical Psychologist; Professional Practice Fellow, University of Western Australia; Director, AIPA

Joe Sproats, Senior Psychologist, Wakai Waian Healing; Director, AIPA

3.30 Afternoon tea

Pathways to Healing

3.55 Ngagagee Ngulu Murrup Durra - Building Victorian Aboriginal specialist healing service and survivor responses to healing child sexual abuse

The need for healing child sexual abuse as part of suicide prevention
Building alternative pathways to support healing child sexual abuse

Graham Gee, Associate Professor, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne

4.20 Advancing Indigenous Rights and Resilience

Join Professor Marcia Langton AO, Indigenous rights advocate, academic, and anthropologist as she shres insights on paving the way foward for future generations through education, cultural preservation, and resilience.

Professor Marcia Langton AO, Associate Provost and Foundation Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies, University of Melbourne; Director, Indigenous Studies Unit, Onemda, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health

4.50 A voice for our children and young people (Virtual)

Join the inaugural National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, Sue-Anne Hunter as she unpacks the core pillars of her role to protect and promote the rights, interests, and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people by amplifying their voices, aspirations, and strengths.

Sue-Anne Hunter, Commissioner, National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People

5.10 Chairperson closing comments

5.20 Community social gathering – Join us immediately following the event to unwind and connect with one another in a relaxed setting. We will enjoy food, drinks and entertainment as we process the day’s learnings.

Day 2

Day Two | Wednesday | 25 March 2026

8.15 Registration open – light refreshments provided

9.00 Chairperson welcome

Indigenous Leadership

9.10 International Keynote: Indigenous knowledge systems: Transforming mainstream psychology

Join Dr Gayle Morse, an internationally recognised Indigenous psychologist and researcher whose work bridges culture, clinical practice, and community empowerment. Gayle will explore global perspectives on how Indigenous knowledge systems create pathways to healing.

Dr Gayle Morse, Professor, Psychologist; Internship Director, Counselling and Community Program, Psychology Department- CCP, Russell Sage College, School of Health Sciences

10.10 Morning tea

10.40 Concurrent sessions

** Attendees can move between the sessions listed under the three streams**

Stream A: Ballroom 1-3

Community-led postvention

Stream facilitator: Bianca Hunt, TV presenter, media personality, interviewer and author

10.40 Community-led Care in Postvention

Prioritising truth telling, self-determination, and two-way learning

Dana McDonald, SEWB Postvention Member Support Coordinator, Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT)

Kellene Lambert, NT Regional Manager, StandBy

Stream B: Colley Room: Embracing SEWB through digital technologies

Stream facilitator: Thara Brown, Founder and Creative Director, Wala Connections

10.40 Strengthening SEWB

How digital spaces can strengthen Connections to Country, Culture, Identity and Belonging

Angela Sheridan, Communications and Strengthening Partnerships Officer, WellMob

Michelle Sweet, Senior Workforce Development Officer, WellMob

11.10 Concurrent sessions

** Attendees can move between the sessions listed under the three streams **

Stream A: Ballroom 1-3

Culture, Country and Connections

Stream facilitator: Bianca Hunt, TV presenter, media personality, interviewer and author

11.10 Culture is Healing

Changing perspectives, changing the narrative, changing the outcome

Chris Mason (Ngemba), Founder, Balabalaa

Rhys Callaghan (Worimi), Lecturer, First Nations Health, Charles Sturt University

11.40 Panel:Wakail ngapa Lagaangu (Voices from the Islands)

Meaningful Engagement with Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience.

Moderator: Eliza Kitchener, Partnerships and Engagement Manager, Indigenous Australian Lived Experience Centre

Kathleen Tabuai, National Indigenous Lived Experience Group Representative

Vikilyn Tabuai, National Indigenous Lived Experience Group Representative

George Morseu, National Indigenous Lived Experience Group Representative

Elgina Dhillon, National Indigenous Lived Experience Group Representative

Stream B: Colley Room: Transforming Policy Spaces

Stream facilitator: Thara Brown, Founder and Creative Director, Wala Connections

11.10 Aboriginal Social Emotional Wellbeing Centre

Providing a culturally informed mental health and social emotional wellbeing service

Carla Leversedge, Director of Operations, National Indigenous Network Initiative, Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing Centre

Ian James, Principal Aboriginal Mental Health Advisor, Mental Health Strategy and Planning Office of the Chief Psychiatrist, SA Health

Vanessa Browne, Nurse Practitioner, Mental Health Clinical Program, Central Adalaide Local Health Network, SA Health

11.55 Not another Government review

Exploring the role of evaluation in informing funding decisions and why we need First Nations evaluators to be part of that process

Kristina Musial-Aderer, Acting Director, First Nations Mental Health Programs, Mental Health, Suicide Prevention Division, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Stream C: Ballroom 4-5

Effective Community Solutions

Stream facilitator: Matthew Craig, Managing Director, Neurokind; Director, AIPA

11.10 Panel: Culture, Care, and Connection

Community-Led Innovations in Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

Facilitator: Monica Barolits-McCabe, Executive Director, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)

Kesi-Maree Prior, Culture Care Connect Coordinator, Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance

Denise Flanders, Mental Health Nurse (Suicide Prevention), Galambila Aboriginal Health Service

Martina Browne, Psychologist, Galambila Aboriginal Health Service

Renelle Gondarra, Community Health Worker, Miwatj

Sarah Lance, Culture Care Connect Coordinator, Miwatj

12.10 Holding Hope: Preventing Suicide among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Young People in New South Wales

A comprehensive examination of the complex historical, social and individual factors that intersect to give rise to the tragic deaths by suicide among First Nations children and young people in NSW

Professor Kathleen Clapham, Honorary Professor, University of Wollongong

Christine Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, Cygnet Centre

12.40 Lunch

1.30 Lunch and Learn: From silos to systems: Co-designing a 'whole of person' approach the mental healthcare

Andrea Christie-David, Director, Mental Health, Bupa Health Services

1:50

Yarning Circles

A: Youth-led yarn: Join the voices of our next generation and yarn about what’s needed for young people to thrive.

Manny Williams, Program Coordinator, Culture is Life; Yoora Maltha

B: Boorai Dreaming Project: Yarn with Aboriginal Elders and Senior Women who are working tirelessly in their community about the three stages of the Boorai Project.

Janey McNally-Mendoza (PhD), Project Lead, Boorai Dreaming Project

Annabelle Sharman, Elder, Boorai Dreaming Project

Rochelle (Connie) Johnson, Elder, Boorai Dreaming Project

C: Walking with Knowledge: Join Tammy Hatherill and explore the role of Australian First Nations Traditional Healing, a vital, yet under-recognised, system within contemporary healthcare.

Tammy Hatherill, Psychologist, Tribal Psychology; PhD Candidate

D: Engaging Young People: Join this yarn about the Tangka Marnirninthi Group, a therapeutic art group embedded within a youth mental health service, designed to engage young people

Pam Ghebretensae, Youth Coordinator, Western Community Mental Health Service, Mental Health Clinical Program, Central Adelaide Local Health Network

Vanessa Browne, Nurse Practitioner, Mental Health Clinical Program, Central Adalaide Local Health Network

Nawiishtunmi Nightgun, B.S.P., Founder, Brown Bear Woman LLC; Cultural Knowledge Practitioner; Indigenous Data Analyst Expert

Veronica Owens, Operations Leader, Indigenous Data Sovereignty, Process Improvement

Mary Goslett, Psychotherapist, Clinical Psychologist; Professional Practice Fellow, University of Western Australia; Director, AIPA

Joe Sproats, Senior Psychologist, Wakai Waian Healing; Director, AIPA

2.50 Afternoon tea

3.20 Voice, Treaty, Truth: A mechanism for change

Learnings from across the country on progressing voice, treaty and truth
What a voice and treaty have the potential to do for social and emotional wellbeing system transformation
Next steps for ensuring we continue the momentum gained in some states

Leeroy Bilney, Co-Chair, SA Voice to Parliament

Naomi Moran, Commissioner, Treaty NSW

Ngarra Murray, Co-Chair, First Peoples Assembly Victoria

4.00 Panel: Honouring Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing through reflexivity

Empowering and amplifying the diverse and evolving needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and contexts
Understanding “who we are” in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander spaces
Reflecting on the action and change needed to address injustice produced and sustained through coloniality

Belle Selkirk, Research Fellow, Clinical Psychologist, School of Indigenous Studies University of Western Australia

Jody Kamminga, Research Fellow, Clinical Neuropsychologist, School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia

Rama Agung-Igusti, Research Fellow, University of Western Australia

4.50 Chairperson closing comments

5.00 End of conference

Day 1

Workshop Agenda

Program

Day One | Tuesday| 24 March 2026

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7.30

Registration open – light refreshments provided

​

8.10

Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony

​

8.50

Welcome from AIPA and housekeeping

​

9.00

Chairperson opening address

Change from the Top Down

​

​

​

9.10

Opening Keynote: Indigenous suicide prevention and community solutions

​

9.40

Elders panel

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10.20

Lightening Address – Aboriginal Health and Medical research Council of NSW (AH&MRC)

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10.25

Morning tea

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10.50

Concurrent streams

Stream A: Ballroom 1-3

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​

Social and Emotional Wellbeing

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10.50

Guided by Elders

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11.20

Youth Services - Youth Reconnexion

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11.50

Supporting Journeys to Healing

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12.20

Lunch

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1:10

Concurrent streams

Stream A: Ballroom 1-3: Spotlight on Youth

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1.10

From wellbeing to opportunity

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1.40

Decolonising First Nations Youth Social and Emotional Wellbeing

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2.10

Between Binaries

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2.40

Yarning Circles

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3.30

Afternoon tea

Pathways to Healing

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