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Biennial Conference

HOME /SUPPORTING OUR SECTOR / Biennial Conference
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Looking back at AbSec’s 2017 conference

If you haven’t yet provided us with feedback on your conference experience, we’d appreciate your comments! Your honest evaluation will help us make future conferences even better.

We would be grateful if you would please download and complete the form and return it to publications@absec.org.au or post to PO Box 604 Marrickville NSW 1475. All responses will be confidential.

Download Conference Evaluation form

The biennial conference for the Aboriginal child and family sector in NSW was held from 22 to 24 November 2017 at Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour, under the theme 'Keeping it real: empowering Aboriginal children, families and communities'. Reflecting the theme, we endeavoured to cut through the spin to talk about strategies and programs that really work for our people. Download the conference program.

Read through our daily conference blog posts below to find out what was discussed each day.

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Thank you to all people and organisations who presented at the AbSec 2017 conference. Some presenters have generously made their presentations available below. If the presentation you’re looking for doesn’t appear here, unfortunately the presenter has not given us permission to share their content.

The following conference presentations are available for download:

  • Aboriginal Case Management Policy – AbSec
  • Carers Register – NSW Office of Children’s Guardian
  • Cultural Connections Workshop – AbSec
  • Health intersections with Aboriginal families children and young people – NSW Health
  • How connections make a difference – Wentworth Housing
  • NGO Benchmarking Model – NSW Finance, Services and Innovation
  • NSW Ombudsman Presentation
  • OOHC intersections with education – NSW Education
  • Partnership with Redfern Jarjum College – Northcott
  • Permanency Support Program – FaCS
  • Planning and preparing for NDIS – My Choice Matters
  • Targeted Earlier Intervention reform – FaCS
  • Working towards better outcomes – QATSICPP

Images from AbSec’s 2017 conference

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Thank you to our distinguished speakers and performers

john tamihere

Keynote speaker John Tamihere has a long history fighting for Maori rights both as a New Zealand Government minister and as CEO of the Te Whanau O Waipareira Trust (an urban Maori authority delivering not-for-profit services to the community of Waitakere and across Aotearoa). John, affectionately known as JT, was widely expected to become the country’s first Maori Prime Minister before leaving parliament to return to the grassroots.

Jocelyn Formsma

Keynote speaker Jocelyn Formsma, a member of the Moose Cree First Nation in Canada, has over 15 years of experience advocating for Indigenous and children’s rights. She was also the recipient of the Canadian Coalition on the Rights of Children's 2009 Child's Rights Award, and is an alumni of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference (2015). She currently serves as an Associate Lawyer with Nahwegahbow, Corbiere Genoodmagijig Barristers and Solicitors, a board member of the National Indian Child Welfare Association, and the Chairperson of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) Board of Directors.

Caleb Turner

Caleb Turner is a role model, youth mentor and organiser from Moose Cree First Nation in northern Ontario, Canada. His job with Moose Cree First Nation Youth Department entails working with young people to organise recreational, sports, art, cultural and ceremonial activities. Caleb travels extensively across Canada – and now to Australia! – as an unofficial ambassador of Moose Cree people, culture and language.

Luke Carroll

Conference MC Luke Carroll is a busy film, television and theatre actor. He has performed in Black is the New White and played the lead role in The Hanging and The Battle of Waterloo for Sydney Theatre Company, as well as premiering a one-man version of Wind in the Willows for La Boite Theatre Company. Some of Luke’s extensive television and film credits include Black Comedy, The Gods of Wheat Street, Redfern Now, Strangerland, Needle and Stone Bros. Luke is also a much loved presenter on Playschool.

Rochelle Pitt – Soul Mumma

Rochelle Pitt is a proud Aboriginal woman from Cairns and rose to fame as a finalist on The X Factor in 2014. Since then she has featured at many events, including festivals, communities and conferences, released her EP Soul Mumma, and become ambassador for Kidney Health Australia. Rochelle was an instant hit at our conference dinner on Wednesday 22 November.

Kevin Kropinyeri

Australia’s premier Aboriginal comedy star, Kevin Kropinyeri is a one-man whirlwind that will have you holding your sides laughing, as he shares tales of growing up, marriage and the particular, absurd challenges of life as an Aboriginal Australian family man. Kevin shared his keen observational stand-up in a high-energy performance at our conference dinner.

Thanks to our sponsors

This conference couldn’t happen without the generous support of our sponsors. Thank you to our premium sponsor, the Office of the Children’s Guardian; our major sponsors, the NSW Department of Family and Community Services and My Choice Matters; as well as proud sponsors NCOSS, Woomera Aboriginal Corporation & Relationships Australia.

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AbSec generally holds sector conferences every two years. To stay informed about our upcoming events, please sign up to our monthly email newsletter.


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