Indigenous Wellbeing Conference
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7 - 8 October 2021

#IWC21

Connecting Communities and Services to Close the Gap in Social & Emotional Wellbeing

Cairns, QLD

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Hearing the Hard Truths.

It is devastating that in Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have significantly higher mental health needs than other Australians and experience psychological distress at around THREE times the rate of the non-Indigenous population.

We see similar statistics across the seas, with Māori and Pacifika populations carrying the highest burden of suicide with higher incidences.

In order to change, we must first shine a light on the key challenges in Indigenous communities, and address the past and present issues contributing to inequities in mental health treatment and care. We must work towards empowering Indigenous communities to develop their own solutions to live long healthy lives; strengthen culture; and reconnect with their spirit.

Share, listen & learn.

At the 2021 Indigenous Wellbeing Conference, you will discover the latest Indigenous-led, grassroot programs and projects taking place around the nation and across the seas. You will learn how to implement practical evidence-based research into your service, and gain a greater understanding of Indigenous protocols, practices, and considerations.

Discover ways to connect with services, communities and clients when distance is a challenge, and hear about the existing health care gaps and strategies. With a program full of practical solutions, you will leave better equipped to effectively acknowledge and encompass physical, spiritual, and cultural needs of Indigenous populations.

Our Commitment to You.

We understand that to close the gap in social and emotional wellbeing for the Indigenous population, a national platform is needed to connect, collaborate, and unify the voice for change.

That’s why we promise to:

  • Provide a balanced program that gives voice to lived experience journeys, Indigenous communities, natural healers, services, and practitioners
  • Offer a holistic approach which covers all demographics and stages of mental health including prevention, treatment, and recovery
  • Give you various opportunities to create meaningful networks
  • Design a keynote line-up highlighting examples of best practice, identifying improvements & providing practical solutions to key challenges
  • Be accessible to even the most remote locations through online access
  • Offer development opportunities to challenge you both personally and professionally through a range of pre-conference activities
  • Provide you with a culturally diverse and safe space for growth, learning and healing

Present.

Your voice deserves to be heard.

Have your say by applying to become a presenter and feature in the 2021 conference program.

Let us know how you are helping to close the gap in Indigenous mental health care.

Honouring Indigenous Voices & Wisdom: Balancing the System to Close the Gap

Promoting Wellbeing
  • Exploring the role of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations
  • Suicide prevention and community impacts
  • Exploring the seven inter-related domains of social and emotional wellbeing
  • Early childhood preventive action and interventions
  • End-to-end school based SEWB programs – check points, who and what?
  • Indigenous governance, data sovereignty and self-determination/Tino Rangatiratanga
  • Funding challenges to incorporate Aboriginal Wellbeing from Aboriginal Worldview
  • Alcohol and drug reduction strategies
  • Research and its role in delivery, evaluation, costs and impact
Social, Political & Cultural Determinants
  • Substance abuse and comorbidity
  • Family and domestic violence
  • Economically and socially disadvantaged
  • Poor physical health
  • Homelessness and inequality
  • Chronic diseases
  • Developmental/cognitive impairments and disability
  • Absence of family members
  • Causal pathways and collaborative approaches in housing, education, employment, recreation, family services, crime prevention and justice
Community Care, Culture Revitalisation & Healing
  • Strength in cultural identity and security
  • Traditional healing methods/Rongoā Māori
  • Mobilising community natural helpers
  • Healing from trauma, discrimination, racism and stigma, grief, loss and stolen children
  • Power of Indigenous ways of respect, relationships, caring, view of life, living and passing
  • Recovery under the SEWB framework
  • Meaningful consumer & carer participation
  • Integration of clinical and non-clinical services
  • Building resilience & empowering communities
Culturally Responsive Care & Community Control
  • Government funding responses to service gaps and uncertainties
  • Shaping assessment, diagnosis, care and management under culturally valid understandings
  • Creating a culturally and clinically competent workforce and skill set
  • Partnering with relevant providers to plan and commission culturally and clinically appropriate services
  • Opportunities and developments in digital mental health
  • Family and Kin-centred and trauma-informed care
  • Clinical quality indicators to measure SEWB including accessibility, appropriateness, capability, continuity of care, effectiveness and efficiency
  • Improving service equity for rural and remote communities and under serviced populations
  • Facilitating continuity of care and information sharing between services
  • Literacy and trauma sensitivity

Presentation Styles

7-Minute Brief Presentation

Each presenter has  7 minutes to deliver a presentation with accompanying slideshow.

Talk along to the images as your slideshow progresses.

30-Minute Presentation

A 30 minute oral presentation consists of 20 minutes presentation time and 10 minutes discussion time at the end of your presentation.

Your application should outline the important points of your presentation and highlight the content you want to communicate. It should outline the aims, methods, relevance, results and conclusions of the work, research, project or case study.

Papers not selected for oral presentation may be given the option of a poster presentation.

90-Minute Workshop

Workshops will require an interactive format to facilitate active learning, such as discussions, small group role plays, or hands-on activities.

Your workshop format should focus on offering participants an interactive and informative session.

90-Minute Panel Discussion

Panel presentations bring together the views from a group of presenters into a discussion of innovative ideas, current topics, and relevant issues. The panel presentation is comprised of two components:

Presentations from the members of the panel (total of 60-minute duration)

Question and answers between the delegates and panel members. (total of 30-minute duration)

One combined application with a minimum of three and maximum of six individual presenters must be submitted by one author on behalf of the group.

Each panel will consist of a chair and panellists. The chair is to be the main organiser of the session and main contact for the session. The chair will coordinate the preparation, theme of presentations, be the timekeeper, and facilitate the Q&A session.

Panellists will each provide a brief presentation on the theme of the panel.

Poster Presentation

Poster presentations are visual displays combining text and graphic information, and will be displayed in the exhibition area and for the duration of the conference.

Posters may be on any topic relevant to the conference topics.

It is expected that presenters should be available during meal breaks to discuss their poster with conference attendees.

Important Dates

Super Early Emu Registrations Ending: Friday 9 April 2021

Presentation Submissions Close: Friday 18 June 2021

Program Available: Tuesday 13 July 2021

Early Emu Registrations Ending: Friday 20 August 2021

Conference Dates: 7-8 October 2021

Apply To Present

Committee.

Professor Patricia Dudgeon

Psychologist and Professor from the School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia

Professor Patricia Dudgeon

Psychologist and Professor from the School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia

Pat Dudgeon is from the Bardi people in Western Australia. She a psychologist and professor at the School of Indigenous Studies at UWA, and the director of the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention.

Pat's area of research includes Indigenous social and emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention. She is also the lead CI of two national research projects, which aim to develop approaches to Indigenous mental health services that promote cultural values and strengths as well as empowering users.

Among Pat's many publications in Indigenous mental health is the Working Together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Wellbeing Principals and Practice 2014.

Mr Rob McPhee

Chief Operating Officer, Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council

Mr Rob McPhee

Chief Operating Officer, Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council

Rob is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Kimberly Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS) based in Broome WA.

His people hail from Derby in the West Kimberley and the Pilbara region of WA. He has held several roles including Lecturer at both Curtin and the University of Western Australia and has worked as a senior adviser in community relations and Indigenous affairs to the oil and gas industry.

Rob is passionate about social justice for Indigenous people and currently co-chairs the Commonwealth funded Kimberley Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Trial Working Group.

Dr Kate Derry

Research Associate, School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia

Dr Kate Derry

Research Associate, School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia

Kate was born, lives, and works on Noongar Boodja. Her father migrated to Australia in 1963 during the Burmese coup d’état and is a descendant of the Shan people of Myanmar. Her mother was born in Piawaning and raised on Gnaraloo Station. She completed her PhD in social and developmental psychology at the University of Western Australia in 2019.

Her thesis investigated the development of self in children, adolescents, and adults. Using her understanding of self-concept, personality, emotions, and psychometrics, she has worked in the areas of organisational psychology, human factors, education, and adolescent suicide prevention.

During her PhD, she was encouraged to explore her own racial-ethnic identity and became interested in the relationship between culture and health, and the role of cultural identity in suicide prevention. Kate started her post-doctorate with Professor Pat Dudgeon in late 2019 and is excited to use evidence-based approaches and strengths-focused solutions to empower Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and other Indigenous peoples. She is currently working with the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention and the Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing Project.

Ms Fiona Peterson

Chief Executive Officer, The Healing Foundation

Ms Fiona Peterson

Chief Executive Officer, The Healing Foundation

Fiona Petersen is a Wuthathi (Shelburne Bay) descendant with family roots in the Torres Straits. She has an extensive background working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

Fiona is a Masters Graduate of ANU’s College of Business and Economics, and an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy of the UK. Holding past senior roles in community and government organisations, she utilised her global experience in education, leadership and business development to raise awareness around the impacts of intergenerational trauma.

Mr Nat Heath

Manager, Aboriginal Engagement & Policy Team, NSW Department of Education

Mr Nat Heath

Manager, Aboriginal Engagement & Policy Team, NSW Department of Education

Nat Heath is a proud Aboriginal man from the Martujarra and Noongar peoples. He completed a Bachelor of Social Science with a focus on Aboriginal Studies, Social Policy and Sociology in 2006 at the University of Newcastle.

Nat has over 15 years experience working in Aboriginal education working in the early childhood education sector, primary and secondary education spaces and also in tertiary education in Aboriginal and non-for-profit organisations as well as government agencies. This experience has led Nat to understanding and seeing the impact trauma caused by colonisation and both past/current government policies has detrimentally impacted on First Nations mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

Nat currently is the Manager of the Aboriginal Engagement and Policy Team within the NSW Department of Education (Early Childhood and Education Directorate) and is a Board Director of The Indigenous Marathon Foundation (founded by Robert De Castella).

Henrietta Marrie

Local Elder

Henrietta Marrie

Local Elder

After completing a Masters in Environmental and Local Government Law at Macquarie University, Henriette was appointed as a senior professional officer with the United Nations and was the first Aboriginal Australian to be appointed to a full-time professional role.

She went on to become the North Australian Program Manager overseeing nearly $30 million in grants to promote and encourage Indigenous biological and cultural diversity across the northern regions of Australia.

In 2012, Henrietta started with the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies Traditional Knowledge Initiative.

Henrietta wants to encourage all Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people to aim high. It's important to have a voice and be passionate about what you believe in.

Mr Daryl Hobbs

Senior Psychologist, Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation & Dhauwurd-Wurrung Elderly & Community Health Service, Gunditjmara Nation, SW Victoria

Mr Daryl Hobbs

Senior Psychologist, Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation & Dhauwurd-Wurrung Elderly & Community Health Service, Gunditjmara Nation, SW Victoria

Professor Cheryl Kickett-Tucker

Fellow/Founding Director, Curtin University and Pindi Pindi Ltd, Centre for Research Excellence in Aboriginal Wellbeing

Professor Cheryl Kickett-Tucker

Fellow/Founding Director, Curtin University and Pindi Pindi Ltd, Centre for Research Excellence in Aboriginal Wellbeing

Professor Cheryl Kickett-Tucker is an Aboriginal Western Australian who is a Wadjuk traditional owner. She has traditional ties to her grandparents’ Balladong and Yued country. Cheryl was born in Subiaco, Western Australia and has lived most of her life in Perth.  She is a dedicated wife (23 years) and mother of three children.  Cheryl was educated in both Australia and the United States of America.

Cheryl is a Research Fellow at Curtin University and the Project Director/coach Kaat Koort n Hoops (after hours) at Koya Aboriginal Corporation. She is also the Founding Director of Pindi Ltd, Centre for Research Excellence in Aboriginal Wellbeing. She is a Wadjuk Noongar Traditional Owner, social psychological research scientist, children’s fiction writer and community development practitioner.

Dr Lynne Russell

Senior Research Fellow, Māori Health, Victoria University of Wellington

Dr Lynne Russell

Senior Research Fellow, Māori Health, Victoria University of Wellington

Dr Lynne Russell works as a Senior Research Fellow - Maori Health with the Health Services Research Centre (HSRC) at Victoria University of Wellington.

Much of Lynne's professional and academic work has centred around the Indigenous knowledge and healing practices used in recovery from trauma associated with mental distress, suicide loss and self-harm. She describes herself as an writer, activist and public speaker stirred by cultural resilience, social justice, Indigenous and LGBTI rights, and the amplification of voices more readily silenced in society.

Ms Donna Stanley

District Coordinator Aboriginal Mental Health Drug & Alcohol, Western NSW Local Health District

Ms Donna Stanley

District Coordinator Aboriginal Mental Health Drug & Alcohol, Western NSW Local Health District

Donna Stanley is a Gunggari Umby from Mitchell in South Western QLD, Donna has been working in Aboriginal Health and predominately Aboriginal Mental Health for the past 28 years.

Donna is the vastly experienced District Coordinator for Aboriginal Mental Health Drug & Alcohol based at Bloomfield Hospital Orange NSW. Her role is district wide and covers a large area of Western NSW. Roles Donna has worked in have been across the clinical mental health services, community development and partnering with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, strategic development of mental health services and policy development.

In 2019 Donna was contracted by the NSW Auditor General’s Office to assist in being a cultural and knowledge expert on a performance audit of NSW Health and the way services are planned and delivered to Aboriginal people with mental health and drug and alcohol problems. The Audit produced a report with a series of recommendations including the review and launch of the NSW Aboriginal Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2020 -2025.

Donna was one of seven finalists for the Australian Mental Health Prize in 2019.

Ms Rosemary Wanganeen

Griefologist, Australian Institute for Loss & Grief

Ms Rosemary Wanganeen

Griefologist, Australian Institute for Loss & Grief

Rosemary is a proud South Australian Aboriginal woman! She founded the Sacred Site Within Healing Centre in 1993 preceded by Australian Institute for Loss and Grief in 2005.  She applied her personal ‘lived experiences’ to research and develop her now published Seven Phases to Integrating Loss and Grief model.

As a Griefologist and her industry experience, Rosemary been accepted into the Master in Philosophy at the University of Adelaide with a view to being accepted into a PHD to further research her Seven Phases model.

Professor Neil Drew

Director, Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

Professor Neil Drew

Director, Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

Neil who has more than 30 years’ experience working with a diverse range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and groups, commenced as Director of Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet in February 2014.

Neil’s involvement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health extends from his work as a volunteer in 1980 at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Service in Townsville, north Queensland to his role as co-founder and ongoing head of the Aboriginal Youth and Community Wellbeing Program in the Kimberley region of WA. His doctoral studies in community psychology have been of enormous value to the latter program, which promotes wellness and suicide prevention with young Aboriginal people.

Professor Drew also has substantial experience in the tertiary education sector, most recently with the University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA) as Foundation Head of Behavioural Science, Dean of Arts and Sciences, and Deputy Head of UNDA’s Broome Campus.

Ms Tammie Wilkinson

Psychologist and Senior Clinician, Institute of Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH)

Ms Tammie Wilkinson

Psychologist and Senior Clinician, Institute of Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH)

Tammie Wilkinson is a descendant of the Kalkadoon people (Mt Isa region), born and bred on Yugambeh speaking people’s country. A mother of two and Registered Psychologist, she spent the first 10 years of her career working for the Gold Coast Mental Health’s Yan-Coorara Service as an Aboriginal Mental Health Worker.

For the last 5 years, Tammie has been employed by the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) providing psychological services to the local community as well as being involved in staff training and supervision activities. Tammie also enjoys facilitating the 2-day Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid workshops to staff and community and is passionate about building and nurturing connections to help improve access to culturally and clinically competent social and emotional wellbeing services for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Mr Grant Hay

Director, Barni Yunggudja Aboriginal Corporation

Mr Grant Hay

Director, Barni Yunggudja Aboriginal Corporation

Ms Leshay Chong

Regional Social Health Manager, Institute of Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH)

Ms Leshay Chong

Regional Social Health Manager, Institute of Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH)

Mrs Asha Bhat

Chief Executive Officer, Southern Aboriginal Corporation

Mrs Asha Bhat

Chief Executive Officer, Southern Aboriginal Corporation

Like the organisation she leads, Asha’s personal commitment to constantly develop better outcomes towards ‘Closing the Gap’ between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in the areas of Economic Prosperity, Individual Prosperity, Community Prosperity and Environmental Prosperity, is second to none.

Asha spends every day ensuring that critical services are provided seamlessly to some of Australia’s most vulnerable communities.

Asha is now an Australian citizen; however, she was born in India. English is her third language.  She has risen to the top of the organisation because she tirelessly invests her time and energy into helping to improve the culture and environment for everyone.

Asha advocates for change every day. She goes above and beyond to make her community - and, by extension, the world – a better place. She confronts unfairness. She constantly rolls up her sleeves and she uses her skills, wisdom and knowledge to help change the status quo and create a more equitable society.

Mr Tom Brideson

Chief Executive Officer, Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia

Mr Tom Brideson

Chief Executive Officer, Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia

Tom is a Kamilaroi/Gomeroi man born in Gunnedah north-west NSW and a member of the Red Chief Local Aboriginal Land Council.

In April 2020, Tom was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia – the culmination of more than 25-years’ work in Indigenous mental health and health policy; social and emotional wellbeing; clinical mental health care; suicide prevention; education and mental health leadership.

Between 2007 and 2020, Tom was the State-wide Coordinator for the NSW Aboriginal Mental Health Workforce Program, a ground-breaking program that has embedded a new discipline into the mental health space in NSW.

Tom sits on multiple committees under the Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan to improve the health and mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Miss Isabel Venables

Program & Event Manager, Indigenous Wellbeing Conference

Miss Isabel Venables

Program & Event Manager, Indigenous Wellbeing Conference

Mr Sam Stewart

CEO, Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association

Mr Sam Stewart

CEO, Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association

Partner With Us

Align your organisation with a community passionate about closing the gap in mental health equality.

Choose from our range of pre-prepared packages, or chat with us to tailor make your own.​

Exhibitor Stands & Display Opportunities

Showcase your product or service via a display booth, pull-up banners, app or range of other branded conference signage.

Platinum, Gold & Silver Sponsorship Packages

Choose from one of our pre-prepared sponsorship package deals, or speak with us to create your own.

Lived Experience Sponsors

Choose to sponsor a lived-experience speaker who may otherwise be unable to attend due to cost or location.

Branded Conference Material

Get your organization’s branding on conference material, including handbook, lanyards or other merchandise.

Sponsored Scholarships & Study Grants

Help out those who actively want to make a difference in Indigenous mental health by sponsoring a scholarship or study grant. 

ENQUIRE NOW

Our Partners

Venue & Accommodation

Pullman Cairns International
17 Abbott St
Cairns City QLD 4870

About The Pullman Cairns International

The Pullman Cairns International offers you a perfect combination of comfort and convenience located in the heart of the city. Pullman Cairns International is just 8 kilometers from the domestic and international airports. This unique 5-star hotel in Cairns city reflects the ambience and spirit of Far North Queensland and exudes the architectural style and grandeur of the city centre’s rich colonial past. Enjoy a relaxing treatment and harmonize your soul at Vie Spa and dine on the best local seafood in Coco’s Kitchen + Bar.

Welcoming, safeguarding, and taking care of others is at the very heart of Pullman Cairns International. The health, safety and well-being of staff, guests and community remains top priority. To welcome you, Pullman have elevated health and safety norms even further, with the newly launched unique cleanliness prevention label: ALLSAFE by Accor Live Limitless. The #ALLSAFE cleanliness & prevention standards has been developed with and vetted by Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspections and certification, and these standards have been launched within the hotel.

Accommodation Pricing

Super early booking (prior to Friday 9 April 2021)
$191 per night, including breakfast

Standard booking (after Friday 9 April 2021)
$201 per night, including breakfast

Accommodation can be booked during the registration process.

Register Now

Registration Options

VIRTUAL
 

2 DAY PROGRAM

$329

Early Emu

Early Emu pricing ends Friday 20 August
  • All sessions in the main conference room  throughout conference period, live streamed via On Air platform
  • Live Q&A opportunities for all keynote sessions
  • Access to all concurrent presentation recordings via digital library (provided 5 business days post-event)
  • Access to exhibitors via digital platform
  • Hours towards CPD points
  • Certificate of attendance
  • Options to extend access to digital library will also be made available after 30 days.
Register Now

IN-PERSON
 

2 DAY PROGRAM

$934

Early Emu

Early Emu pricing ends Friday 20 August
  • All keynote presentations
  • All concurrent presentations
  • Discounted accommodation rates
  • Access to conference app
  • 5 star conference catering package
  • Access to exclusive networking functions
  • Complete online access to audio and visual presentations for 30 days post-event
  • Printed conference materials
  • Over 10 hours towards CPD points
  • Your personalised certificate of attendance
  • Exposure for your organisation
  • Your choice of workshops
  • Plus, chances to win great prizes!
Register Now

GROUP OF THREE

 

2 DAY PROGRAM

$2637

Early Emu

Early Emu pricing ends Friday 20 August
  • All keynote presentations
  • All concurrent presentations
  • Discounted accommodation rates
  • Access to conference app
  • 5 star conference catering package
  • Access to exclusive networking functions
  • Complete online access to audio and visual presentations for 30 days post-event
  • Printed conference materials
  • Over 10 hours towards CPD points
  • Your personalised certificate of attendance
  • Exposure for your organisation
  • Your choice of workshops
  • Plus, chances to win great prizes!
Register Now

Conference Scholarships

The Indigenous Wellbeing Conference is proud to announce that Registration Scholarships are available to attend this year’s event.

For more information on eligibility and inclusions, please click on the apply now button.

Apply Now

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The 2021 Indigenous Wellbeing Conference will operate on Yirrganydji country. We acknowledge the Yirrganydji people as the Traditional Owners of the Cairns region and pay our respects to Yirrganydji elders past and present. We are committed to a positive future for the Aboriginal community. We hold ourselves to the highest standard in acknowledging and respecting Indigenous cultural protocols and practices. Indigenous visitors are advised that content throughout our website may contain images and voices of people who have passed.

 

© 2021, The Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association. All rights reserved.

Acknowledgement

The 2021 Indigenous Wellbeing Conference will operate on Yirrganydji country. We acknowledge the Yirrganydji people as the Traditional Owners of the Cairns region and pay our respects to Yirrganydji elders past and present. We are committed to a positive future for the Aboriginal community.

We hold ourselves to the highest standard in acknowledging and respecting Indigenous cultural protocols and practices. Indigenous visitors are advised that content throughout our website may contain images and voices of people who have passed.

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