HEADLINE SPEAKERS


Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD
Author of best-selling book What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing

Dr Gabor Maté
Best-selling Author and renowned Addiction, Trauma and Childhood Development Expert

Dr Jane Aronson (New York, USA)
Global Paediatrician and Behavioural Health Expert

Dr Tracy Westerman AM
Psychologist and critical thought leader in Aboriginal mental health, suicide prevention and cultural competency

GOVERNMENT SPEAKERS


The Hon. Amanda Rishworth MP
Australian Government
Minister for Social Services

Tim Crosier
Branch Manager of Children’s Policy – Australian Government Department of Social Services

Matthew Bach MP
Victorian Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Child Protection and Youth Justice, and Youth Affairs

The Hon. Kate Worden MLA (NT)
Member for Sanderson

The Hon. Rachel Stephen-Smith (ACT)
Minister for Health, Minister for Families and Community Services and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs

The Hon. Roger Jaensch MP (TAS)
TAS Government
Minister for Education, Children and Youth

The Hon Simone McGurk BA(Arts) BA(Comms) MLA (WA)
WA Government
Minister for Child Protection; Women's Interests; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services

The Hon. Natasha Maclaren-Jones MLC
NSW Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services

The Hon. Sarah Mitchell (NSW)
Minister for Education and Early Learning

Dr Elsie Alcordo
Victorian Auditor General’s Office
Acting Director | Victorian Auditor General’s Office

Michael Tidball (NSW)
Secretary of the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ)

Nicholas Danta
R/Leader Student Health and Safety Student Health and Mental Wellbeing | NSW Department of Education

Chloe Duncan
R/Principal Project Officer | NSW Department of Education

SPEAKERS


Kylie Anderson
Carer Support

Dr Stacy Blythe
Associate Professor

Thomas Bennett
Co-Founder and Director | Foster the Future Australia

Joseph Bennett
Co-Founder and Director | Foster the Future Australia

Deirdre Cheers
Chief Executive Officer | Barnardos Australia

Dr Sarah Ciftci
Research Associate | Research Centre for Children and Families

Dr Susan Collings
Senior Research | Research Centre for Children and Families, University of Sydney

Linda Cooke
Professional Therapeutic Life Story Worker & Adoptive Parent

Rose Daniel
Disability Supports Operations Manager | CASPA

Victoria Flanagan
Principal Policy Officer | Uniting

Megan Hall
Life Without Barriers

Feonyx Holden
Equality Advocate

Penny Hood
Executive Leader | Barnardos Australia

Catherine Liddle
Chief Executive Officer, SNAICC – National Voice for our Children

Dale Murray,
Director, Education | Life Without Barriers

Michelle Murray
Senior Manager, Education | Life Without Barriers

Clea North
Education Consultant | Life Without Barriers

Chris Skinner
Manager Practice Advancement & Implementation - MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™ StrIDE Team | Life Without Barriers

Amy Wright
Professor of Child and Family Social Work | University of Sydney

Emily Hikaiti
Ambassador & Lived Experience Advocate

Kaisey Hayes
Adopt Change

HOSTS


Deborra-lee Furness
Founder | Adopt Change

Helen Baker
Board Director

Professor Professor Paul Chandler
Board Director | Adopt Change

Angela Bishop
Ambassador & Journalist

Jonah Bobongie
Ambassador & Adoptee

Zufi Emerson
Adoptee & Actor

Phoebe Garland
Ambassador & Adoptee

Ellia Green
Ambassador & Adoptee , Australian Rugby Player

Joe Hildebrand
Ambassador & Journalist

Helen McCabe
Ambassador & Journalist

Daniella Park
Ambassador & TV Personality

Louise Ransome
Ambassador & Journalist

Michelle Stacpoole
Head of Communications, Projects & Events