Working Agenda

Full program to be announced on 26 May

Day One | Wednesday | 16 September

Registration and light refreshments

7.45

Welcome to Country

8.40

Chairperson’s opening address

Jacara Egan, Head of Operations, Cultural Practice and Engagement, Headspace

8.50

A voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people

Join our opening session on advocating for system accountability and reform to keep Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children safe, connected to culture and thriving in their communities.

9.00

The Intersection of Mental Health and Youth Justice

Panel: Protecting our young people: Community-led responses to the state of youth justice in QLD

Promoting justice diversion programs that work to keep First Nations young people out of the justice system
Highlighting the harm perpetuated through QLD’s youth justice laws
Prioritising SEWB, culture, identity and connection to Country in justice reinvestment initiatives

Moderator: Genus Passi, Chairman & Managing Director, Namu Collective

Jamie Simpson, Program Manager, Darumbal Community Youth Services

Merrissa Nona, Chief Executive Officer, Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good

Matthew Mackie, Communications Manager, Change the Record

Kristy-Lee Costello, General Manager, Murri Watch

9.20

Case study: Improving youth SEWB and developing early justice reinvestment for young people

Healing intergenerational trauma through strengthening SEWB and connection to culture
How Elders distill their ways of knowing being and doing to our youth to encourage pride and self-worth
Creating strategic activities that promote wellbeing and compliment mentorship to prevent contact with the justice system

Jen Nielsen, Team Leader, Minjerribah Moorgumpin (Elders-In-Council) Aboriginal Corporation

Tegan Burns, Collaborative Partnership and Community Engagement Coordinator, Minjerribah Moorgumpin (Elders-In-Council) Aboriginal Corporation

10.05

Morning tea

10.35

Attendees can move between the sessions listed under the two streams

11.05

Concurrent sessions

Safety and Wellbeing for At Risk Young People

11.05 Reclaiming child and family services

Understanding the systemic shifts required to reclaim child and family services in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Improving outcomes for our children through self-determined service design and deliver.

Candice Butler, Research Fellow & PhD Candidate, Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research

11.35 Karla Kuliny: Return to Campfire

Ensuring identity and cultural connectedness is maintained and developed for children in care
Supporting youth and carers through building capacity and understanding

Glenda Kickett, Chief Executive Officer, Karla Kuliny Aboriginal Corporation

12.05 Adapt Mentorship: Changing the Narrative for Young People

Exploring tailored, place-based programs that embrace culture and Country, providing strong foundations and practical building blocks for young people to thrive
Combining Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing with modern tools, systems, and opportunities to create meaningful pathways into education, training, and employment
Centring young people’s voices, lived experience and strengths to guide programs that are responsive, empowering and focused on long-term change

Adam Wenitong, Co-Founder, Adapt Mentorship

Susy Wenitong, Co-Founder, Adapt Mentorship

Social and Emotional Wellbeing

11.05

Whaddup: Culture, Connection and Community in First Nations Youth Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB)

Decolonising First Nations youth SEWB by exploring the research to practice continuum

Julianne Kealey, Lecturer and PhD Candidate, School of Psychology and Wellbeing, University of Southern Queensland

11.35

Nurturing Spirits: Culture, Country and Connection

Offering a culturally adaptative program to promote social and emotional wellbeing
Engaging with culturally based healing and developing positive support systems

Lauren Noller, Program Manager, Bidgerdii Community Health Service

12.05

Gallang (healing) Place

Exploring the Gallang model of care for young people
Bridging the gap in culturally appropriate counselling for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and families

Noeleen Lopes, Chief Executive Officer, Gallang Place

Batasi Morris, Clinical Lead, Gallang Place

Belle Hartnell, Staying on Track Manager, Gallang Place

Lunch

12.35

Yarning Circles

1:45

A: Healing through art workshop: Join this culturally grounded yarning circle to explore art as a form of healing, expression and connection. This interactive session will highlight the therapeutic value of Indigenous artmaking as a pathway for processing experiences, strengthening identity and supporting social and emotional wellbeing.

B: Guided by Elders: Join this yarning circle led by Aunty Joanne McConnell a Murri Court Elder in Ipswich. Aunty will share insights from experience mentoring young people in juvenile detention and supporting their connection back to culture, identity and community. Hear reflections on justice, healing and accountability through an Elder-led lens, with space for respectful dialogue on what diversion, support and stronger pathways can look like for young people.

Aunty Joanne McConnell, Murri Court Elder (Ipswich), Murri Court (DOJ)

C: Youth-led yarn: A youth-led space for open, honest conversation where First Nations young people share their lived experiences, priorities and ideas for improving mental health and wellbeing supports. Listen, reflect and engage in dialogue guided by young leaders shaping what culturally safe and relevant services should look like in practice.

First Nations Youth Advisory Council Members, Headspace

Centring Youth Voices

Afternoon tea

2:45

Panel: Insights from young leaders on the future of youth mental health and wellbeing

3.15

Exploring what keeps us strong with everyday cultural connection as prevention
Reflections on building a strong sense of self as First Nations young people
Practical insights into what youth want from services, schools, and programs

Moderator: Daniel Rosendale, Custodian of Growth and Sustainability, Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good

Shania White, Allied Health Assistant, Institute for Urban Indigenous Health

Tion Torrens, Junior Mentor and Engagement Officer, Institute for Urban Indigenous Health

Youth Keynote: Forging a future through resilience, connection and strength in identity

4.10

Join the 2025 Gayaa Dhuwi inspiring youth leader winner, Jasmine Pilling, as she shares a powerful message grounded in her lived experience, reflecting on resilience, identity and the importance of culturally safe support systems for First Nations young people. Jasmine will highlight how connection to culture, community and accessible wellbeing resources can empower young people to seek help, stay strong and shape their own futures

Jasmine Pilling, Social Media and Project Support, WellMob; First Nations Youth Advisory Council, Headspace; 2025 Inspiring Young Leader Award Winner, Gayaa Dhuwi

Chairperson’s closing comments

4.45

Community social gathering

4:55

Join us immediately following day one to unwind, continue conversations and connect in a more relaxed environment. Substantial drinks and food will be provided.

Day 2

Day Two | Thursday | 17 September

Registration open

8.30

Chairperson’s opening address

Jacara Egan, Head of Operations, Cultural Practice and Engagement, Headspace

9.00

Opening keynote: Culture as prevention: Indigenous Youth leading healing, hope, and systems change

Join this session exploring how culture, community, and youth leadership create transformative mental health outcomes and inspire systems grounded in justice, belonging, healing, and self-determination.

9.10

Research and Policy Informing Practice

From community wisdom to systems change: Embedding First Nations concepts into Australia’s mental health system

What it will take to build a future mental health system where First Nations young people can thrive in culture, identity and belonging
Advocating for systems that value the concepts of SEWB, Culture and Healing alongside clinical practice
Showcasing the Wangkatjungka Community Basketball Court project as an example of combining clinical and cultural action

Rachel Fishlock, Chief Executive Officer, Gayaa Dhuwi

Tom Hodge, Operations Manager, Gayaa Dhuwi

9.40

Supporting agency and connectivity to drive primary healthcare innovation for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Southeast Queensland

Understanding how agency and connection can improve engagement with primary healthcare
Gain insights into innovative, community-informed approaches being developed to better support youth wellbeing outcomes
Learn how research partnerships and evidence-informed practice can help shape more responsive and culturally safe health systems for young people

Anika Buining, Research Assistant, Institute for Urban Indigenous Health

10.05

Morning tea

10.30

Data Sovereignty and Digital Inclusion

Staying Deadly Online with AIMhi-Y

Providing accessible mental health support for First Nations young people
Address key risk factors for youth suicide through collaboration with youth wellbeing services

Kylie Dingwall, Associate Professor, Menzies School of Health Research

11.00

Closing the digital divide

Establishing digital inclusion hubs in NSW ACCOs
Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to access and utilise digital technologies

11.30

Safer Together! And Leaving Deadly Digital Footprints!

Empowering young First Nations people and addressing the unique challenges they face online
Using stories, case studies, activities and yarning cards that parents and carers can explore with their children and young people

12.00

Wellbeing in Early Years

Yiriman: A space for healing, culture and positivity

Empowering young people through intergenerational cultural knowledge sharing
Separating youth from negative influences and reconnecting them with culture
Exploring the evolution of the Yiriman Project

Thomas Hine, Yiriman Coordinator, Kimberly Aboriginal Law and Cultural Centre

11.00

Jipungwayi: Supporting First Nations Young People with culture and on-Country wellbeing activities

Prevention through on-Country camps for ages 12–18 combining cultural practices (weaving, hunting, storytelling) with therapeutic conversations
How fostering confidence and pride in identity equips young people to step into meaningful careers and contribute positively to their community

Michael Coombes, Co-Founder, Jipungwayi

11.30

Kadna Kawa ‘To Climb a Mountain’ Youth Leadership Academy

Supporting individual journeys of learning and growth
Involving young people in the design of leadership activities to encourage independent thought and confidence

Lily Edwards, Youth Services Manager, Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative

12.00

Lunch

12.30

Yarning circles

1.30

B: Guided by Elders: Join this yarning circle led by Aunty Joanne McConnell, a Murri Court Elder in Ipswich. Aunty will share insights from experience mentoring young people in juvenile detention and supporting their connection back to culture, identity and community. Hear reflections on justice, healing and accountability through an Elder-led lens, with space for respectful dialogue on what diversion, support and stronger pathways can look like for young people.

Aunty Joanne McConnell, Murri Court Elder (Ipswich), Murri Court (DOJ)

First Nations Youth Advisory Council Members, Headspace

Health Promotion and Empowerment

Deadly Choices: Creating strong futures through culturally grounded health promotion

2.35

How Deadly Choices uses culture-led health promotion and gets it to resonate with young people
Exploring examples of how outreach, events and partnerships create real behaviour change
How programs like Deadly Choices go beyond physical health to strengthen self-worth, leadership, and a sense of agency

Sam Pierce, Program Development Manager, Deadly Choices

Afternoon tea

3.05

Transforming engagement to opportunity with wellbeing support and education and career pathways

3.30

Using sport and culture to drive consistent engagement
How sustained engagement in wellbeing programs translates into better attendance, routine, and confidence at school
How Clontarf supports young people to transition beyond school into jobs, training, and leadership roles

Andrew McDonagh, Zone Manager, Queensland, Clontarf Foundation

Celebrating Diversity in Indigenous Youth

Between Binaries

4.00

Join Amber Johnson as they share the life story interviewing of plurisexual non-binary Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Young People. Hear their voices, stories and aspirations and understand the significance of centring non-binary identities in conversations on mental health and wellbeing.

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

Connecting young people living with disability to Country, community and identity

4.30

How cultural immersion, community connection and guidance from Elders act as protective factors for young mob living with a disability
Providing care that reflects the unique intersectional identities and needs in our community
The importance of advocacy to elevate the voices of often unheard identities

Sheena Olsen, Chief Executive Officer, Oyster Tribe Aboriginal Corporation

Chairperson’s closing comments

5.00

End of Forum

5.10

Day 1

Working Agenda

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​

Registration and light refreshments

7.45

Welcome to Country

8.40

Chairperson’s opening address

8.50

A voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people

9.00

​

​

Panel: Protecting our young people: Community-led responses to the state of youth justice in QLD

9.20

Case study: Improving youth SEWB and developing early justice reinvestment for young people

10.05

Morning tea

10.35

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

11.05

Safety and Wellbeing for At Risk Young People

​

​

​

11.05

Reclaiming child and family services

​

11.35

Karla Kuliny: Return to Campfire

​

12.05

Adapt Mentorship: Changing the Narrative for Young People

​

Lunch

12.35

​

Yarning Circles

1:45

Centring Youth Voices

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​

​

Afternoon tea

2:45

​

Panel: Insights from young leaders on the future of youth mental health and wellbeing

3.15

​

Youth Keynote: Forging a future through resilience, connection and strength in identity

4.10

​

Chairperson’s closing comments

4.45

​

Community social gathering

4:55

Data Sovereignty and Digital Inclusion

​

​

​

Staying Deadly Online with AIMhi-Y

11.00

​

Closing the digital divide

11.30

​

Safer Together! And Leaving Deadly Digital Footprints!

12.00

CONTACT US

Attendees can move between the sessions listed under the two streams