Agenda
The 2026 Pathways to Safety for First Nations Women and Children is now CPD Accredited. Attendees will receive 7 points per day, with a certificate immediately following the event.
Day One | Tuesday 10 March
8.00
Registration and Light Refreshments
8.50
Welcome to Country
9.00
Chairperson Opening Address
Reflections on the leadership from community-controlled organisations in creating pathways to safety for First Nations women and children and the importance of gatherings such as these to connect and showcase the strength and resilience of our communities.
Ngaire Denton, Lead Aboriginal Midwife, Dragonfly Midwifery Program, Westmead Hospital; Yarning Aboriginal Mothers Program, Gunawirra
9.10
Government commitment to the National Closing the Gap Agreement through self-determination
Hear from to the Hon Jodie Harrison MP, Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault on how government is working to prioritise self-determined solutions and ensure community voices are the table of policy design and service delivery for First Nations women and children.
The Hon Jodie Harrison MP, Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, NSW Government
Strengthening the ACCO Sector
9.30
An introduction to Yarns for Change
Join Marnie Davies, Trainer, Facilitator and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Learning and Development Lead at Women up North Housing as she introduces the Yarns for Change training model a trauma informed, culturally safe model that strengthens responses to domestic and family violence.
Marnie Davis, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Learning and Development Lead, Women up North Housing
10.00
Keynote: A Co-Designed, Culturally Grounded Response: The Aboriginal Family Preservation Model
Outcomes from the ‘What we Heard’ report
Understanding the significance of a dedicated Aboriginal Family Preservation (AFP) approach
How AbSec is working with the NSW ACCO sector, government and communities to ensure successful implementation of the Aboriginal Family Preservation Model
Alira Tufui, Director of Innovation, AbSec
10.35
Morning Tea
Therapeutic, Culturally Informed Supports
11.20
Panel: Shifting Punitive Responses to Self-Determined Therapeutic Support for Children and Mothers
Approaching child and family care with a trauma informed lens
Ensuring genuine community engagement to foster self-determined solutions to child and family matters
Providing services that meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children
Moderator: Cindy Torrens, Chief Executive Officer, North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service
Jacynta Krakour, Aboriginal Enterprise Fellow, Australian Centre for Child Protection, University of South Australia; Honorary Senior Fellow, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne
Carly Stanley, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Deadly Connections
Madeline Mitchell, Senior Social Worker, Jaghu Maternity & Infant Program, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Marg Sutherland, Early Childhood Development Consultant, Cullunghutti Aboriginal Child and Family Centre
12.10
Case Study: A Birthing on Country Model of Care
Drawing on thousands of years of knowledge and practice from Aboriginal women
Providing holistic wrap around maternal and child and family healthcare
Continuity of care for mums and babies
Tammy Osgood, Child and Parenting Support Service (CAPS) Case Management Team Leader, Waminda
Melanie Briggs, Midwife, Waminda
12.45
Lunch
2.00
Yarning Circles
Jaghu Maternity & Infant Program, helping First Nations babies to thrive: Join this yarn to hear about the success of the Jaghu program which incorporates First Nations ways of being and knowing to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and their babies.
Facilitator:
Madeline Mitchell, Senior Social Worker, Jaghu Maternity & Infant Program, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Breaking Silent Codes of Sexual Violence in First Nations Communities: Yarn with Aunty Dixie Link-Gordon, Kowana Welsh and Yatungka Gordon as they discuss the Breaking Silent Codes movement and the importance of standing up and speaking out against sexual violence across Australia and the pacific.
Facilitators:
Dixie Link-Gordon, Aunty in Residence, Full Stop Australia and Women and Girls Emergency Centre
Kowana Welsh, Lived Experience Advocate; Board Member, Full Stop Australia; Senior Project Officer, Women and Girls Emergency Centre
Yatungka Gordon, Executive Officer, Breaking Silent Codes
Yarning for Change: Indigenous Trauma Informed responses to Violence: This culturally safe session is designed to empower and strengthen responses to domestic, family & sexual violence through, culturally safe, Indigenous trauma-informed training, community-centered approaches to supporting survivors and practical skills to enhance workforce capacity.
Facilitator:
Marnie Davis, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Learning and Development Lead, Women up North Housing
Reflection circle: Join Gunawirra for this reflective circle and take the opportunity to explore in greater depth themes of healing and resilience through their programs that strengthen cultural identity and knowledge.
Facilitator:
Sonia White, Chief Executive Officer, Gunawirra
3.00
Afternoon Tea
3.25
Wirrawee Gunya: Aboriginal Women and Childrens Domestic Violence Service
Model of support- how an Aboriginal service can work within a mainstream organisation
Providing culturally safe crisis accommodation, transitional housing and outreach services
The importance of local Aboriginal women leading services that are culturally safe and appropriate
Terrieanne Hughes, Manager of Aboriginal Services and Development, DV WEST
4.00
Case Study: An Introduction to Child Protection and Its Renowned Complexities
Hear the challenges faced by mothers who are navigating the complexities of the child protection system and how these challenges can be overcome with culturally safe and respectful representation for families.
Isabella Copetti, Principal Legal Officer, Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service
4.35
Chairperson Closing Address
Reflecting on the day’s learnings and what it means moving forward, taking this newfound knowledge back to our communities.
4.45
Community Social Gathering – Continue connecting with one another in a more relaxed setting on the terrace with nibbles and drinks provided.
Day Two | Wednesday 11 March
8.30
Light Refreshments
9:00
Chairperson opening address
Exploring the day’s themes of investing in Aboriginal women, culturally affirming care and dedicated support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families who are navigating the child protection system.
Ngaire Denton, Lead Aboriginal Midwife, Dragonfly Midwifery Program, Westmead Hospital; Yarning Aboriginal Mothers Program, Gunawirra
Investing in Aboriginal Women
9.10
Opening Keynote: Strengthening Futures Through Aboriginal Women’s Leadership
Championing investment into Aboriginal women and their children
Prioritising healing and cultural strength
Centring self-determination in service design and delivery
Antoinette Braybrook, Chief Executive Officer, Djirra
9.35
Yarning Aboriginal Mothers Program: Supporting Aboriginal Women’s Journeys to Safety and Wellbeing in Motherhood
Nurturing women in culturally affirming environments
Empowering mothers through community and cultural wellbeing workshops
Developing pride and confidence as mothers in First Nations women
Jessica Grace, Social Worker, Gunawirra
10.05
Creating Pathways for Women to Heal and Thrive
Join Jacqualine Elwell as she calls for systemic change and culturally informed and coordinated care. Jacqualine’s story highlights how, with the right opportunities, Aboriginal women can flourish as mothers, leaders, and strong voices within their communities.
Jacqualine Elwell, Family and Domestic Violence First Nations Advocate
Culture the Foundation for Healing
10.30
Morning Tea
11:00
Outcomes from Trauma-Based Therapy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children in Out-of-Home Care
Placing a cultural lens on clinical therapy to heal trauma in Aboriginal children placed in out of home care
Building on the strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, women and families
The effectiveness of evidence-based trauma interventions for Aboriginal children and adolescents in out of home care
Debbie Haynes, Aboriginal Clinical Psychologist, LINKS Trauma Healing Service - Illawarra & Western, Department of Communities and Justice, NSW
Elizabeth Hagarty, Director of NSW Psychological and Specialist Services, NSW Department of Communities and Justice
11.35
Culturally safe continuity of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and their families
Ensuring women receive support through pregnancy, birth and postnatal periods
Improving health and family outcomes through culturally safe and competent maternity care
Ngaire Denton, Lead Aboriginal Midwife, Dragonfly Midwifery Program, Westmead Hospital; Yarning Aboriginal Mothers Program, Gunawirra
12.10
Yarning Circles
Jaghu Maternity & Infant Program, helping First Nations babies to thrive: Join this yarn to hear about the success of the Jaghu program which incorporates First Nations ways of being and knowing to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and their babies.
Facilitator:
Madeline Mitchell, Senior Social Worker, Jaghu Maternity & Infant Program, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Breaking Silent Codes of Sexual Violence in First Nations Communities: Yarn with Aunty Dixie Link-Gordon, Kowana Welsh and Yatungka Gordon as they discuss the Breaking Silent Codes movement and the importance of standing up and speaking out against sexual violence across Australia and the pacific.
Facilitators:
Dixie Link-Gordon, Aunty in Residence, Full Stop Australia and Women and Girls Emergency Centre
Kowana Welsh, Lived Experience Advocate; Board Member, Full Stop Australia; Senior Project Officer, Women and Girls Emergency Centre
Yatungka Gordon, Executive Officer, Breaking Silent Codes
Yarning for Change: Indigenous Trauma Informed responses to Violence: This culturally safe session is designed to empower and strengthen responses to domestic, family & sexual violence through, culturally safe, Indigenous trauma-informed training, community-centered approaches to supporting survivors and practical skills to enhance workforce capacity.
Facilitator:
Marnie Davis, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Learning and Development Lead, Women up North Housing
Reflection circle: Join Gunawirra for this reflective circle and take the opportunity to explore in greater depth themes of healing and resilience through their programs that strengthen cultural identity and knowledge.
Facilitator:
Sonia White, Chief Executive Officer, Gunawirra
1.10
Lunch
Engagement and Collaboration with Community
2.10
Keynote: Federal Circuit and Family Court Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
Ensuring a national family court system that is attuned to the needs of the communities it serves
Understanding the role of Indigenous Family Liaison Officers
How consultation is enabling the court to improve policies and procedures affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families
Kirsty Maylin, Director Indigenous Operations Policy and Support, Federal Circuit and Family Court
Tracy Flintoff, Senior Judicial Registrar, Federal Circuit and Family Court
2.45
Wirringa Baiya: Supporting Aboriginal women with culturally safe community and legal outreach
Intervening with birth alerts by providing support and guidance for mothers and their unborn babies
Providing outreach services to women in correctional facilities
Addressing place-based community needs for women and children
Christine Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Service
Kathryn Farrar, Assistant Principal Solicitor, Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Service
Aimee Chaffer, Solicitor, Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Service
Oletha Ribeiro, Torres Strait Islander Specialist Worker, Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Service