
Program
CREATE’s fifth biennial conference is set to be an innovative, virtual event. With interactive panels, workshops and inspirational speakers available online, the Voices in Action Conference encourages collaboration between key decision-makers and those with a lived experience of the care system in order to find solutions to the toughest problems within the out-of-home care sector.
Note: the program is held in Brisbane AEST time.

Download the full program here, or check it out in the drop downs below!
Tuesday, 26 April 2022
10:00am – 11:00am Opening Plenary
10:00am MC Welcome
Gregory Nicolau; Founder Australian Childhood Trauma Group
10:05am Acknowledgement of Country
Dean Brunker; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Initiatives Manager YourTown
10:15am Governor General Address*
His Excellency General the Honourable David John Hurley AC DSC (Rtd)
10:20am Performance from Strong in Culture, Strong in Voice Choir (South Australia)*
10:25am Young Person Address
Eleanor Perkins; CREATE Young Consultant
10:30am Welcome from Jacqui Reed
CEO, CREATE
10:35am “Foster kid to Chief Executive Officer” Keynote and Q&A
Isaiah Dawe; CEO, ID Know Yourself
11:00am – 11:15am Morning Tea Break
11:15am – 12:00pm Concurrent Session 1
No Capes for Change
Presentation and Q&A*
Session Chairs:
Danni Ashton; TAS State Coordinator, CREATE
Tricia Carter; Young Consultant, CREATE
Presenter:
Isabella Ciezkowski; Senior Program Officer, Department for Child Protection SA
Young People featured in presentation:
Adam, Brooke, Felicity, Jaime, Jasmine, Kelvin, Lauren, Lachlan, Steph, Syanne and Tahmika
11:15am – 12:00pm Concurrent Session 2
Quality Relationships = Quality Care
Presentation and Live Q&A
Session Chairs
Jacqui Reed; CEO, CREATE
Ellie Perkins; Young Consultant, CREATE
Presenter
Isaiah Dawe; CEO, ID Know Yourself
12:00pm – 12:45pm Lunch Break
12:45pm – 1:30pm Concurrent Session 1
The Future of Transitioning to Independence in a Care Context
Presentation and Panel Discussion with Q&A
Session Chairs
Deb McElhinney; WA State Coordinator, CREATE
Kathleen Martawan; Young Consultant, CREATE
Panel Moderator
Dr Joseph McDowall; Executive Director of Research, CREATE
Panel
Professor Philip Mendes; Director of Social Inclusion and Social Policy Research Unit, Monash University
Judy Cashmore; Professor of Socio – Legal Research and Policy, University of Sydney
Jennifer Thonrithi; Young Person, VOYCE
Oliver Page; Young Consultant, CREATE
12:45pm – 1:30pm Concurrent Session 2
Lived Experience of Sibling Connection and the Decision Makers Who Can Enable These Connections to Thrive
Presentation, Panel and Q&A
Session Chairs:
Ben McMullin; Influencing Officer, CREATE
James Unwin; Young Consultant, CREATE
Presenters:
Danni Ashton; TAS State Coordinator, CREATE
Tricia Carter; Young Consultant, CREATE
Natasha; Young Consultant, CREATE
Hannah; Young Consultant, CREATE
Karah Mackie; Youth Council Member, VOYCE
Panel:
Liana Buchanan; Principal Childrens Commissioner VIC
Helen Connolly; South Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People
Sonya Pringle-Jones, Tasmanian Child Advocate for Children in Care, Communities Tasmania
Peter Melrose – Youth Participation Coordinator, YourTown
1:30pm – 1:50pm Afternoon Tea Break w Mindful Yoga
1:50pm – 3:00pm Closing Plenary
1:50pm Tupua (VOYCE Young Person) interview with Assistant Maori Commissioner for Children Glenis
Philip-Barbara followed by Q&A
2:35pm Performance by True Harmony*
2:45pm Resilient, Resourceful, Remarkable Young People*
3:00pm Session Closed
Wednesday, 27 April 2022
10:00am – 11:00am Opening Plenary proudly brought to you by Life Without Barriers

10:00am MC Welcome
Lindsay Wegener; Executive Director Peakcare
10:05am Welcome
Anne Hollonds, National Childrens Commissioner
10:15am Sponsor Address, Life Without Barriers
Jane French; Executive Director Child Youth and Family
10:20am “The three R’s, Reading, Writing and Arithmetic” Keynote and Q&A
Gregory Nicolau; Founder Australian Childhood Trauma Group
11:00am – 11:15am Morning Tea Break
11:15am – 12:00pm Concurrent Session 1
Educational Issues for Children and Young People in Out-of-Home Care
Presentation*
Session Chair
Mohita Kapoor; NSW State Coordinator, CREATE
Destiny Reid; Young Consultant, CREATE
Presenters
Dr Joseph McDowall; Executive Director of Research, CREATE
Dr Michelle Townsend; Senior Research Fellow, School of psychology University of Wollongong
Dr Miriam Maclean; Australian Centre for Child Protection, University of South Australia
Professor Kitty te Riele; Deputy Director (Research), University of Tasmania
Jayde Ward; Director, Aboriginal Strategy, NSW FACS
11:15am – 12:00pm Concurrent Session 2
Real Relationships in Out of Home Care
Presentation* and Live Q&A
Session Chairs
Rosalind Clarke; NT State Coordinator, CREATE
Young Consultant, CREATE
Presenter
Jarrod Wheatley; Founder and CEO Professional Individualised Care
12:00pm – 12:45pm Lunch Break
12:45pm – 1:30pm Concurrent Session 1
Engaging Children and Young People in Decisions That Impact Them
Presentation and Breakout Discussion
Session Chairs
Elise Hilder; Research Officer, CREATE
Emily Hikaiti (Paul); Young Consultant, CREATE
Presenters
Jane French; Executive Director Child Youth and Family, Life Without Barriers
Chris Skinner; Facilitor, Life Without Barriers
Joel Berkhout; Facilitor, Life Without Barriers
Leanne Rutherford; Facilitor, Life Without Barriers
Melinda Clarke; Facilitor, Life Without Barriers
Rebecca O’Sullivan; Facilitor, Life Without Barriers
Rob Ryan; Facilitor, Life Without Barriers
Ruby Frankcombe; Facilitor, Life Without Barriers
Veronica Martin; Facilitor, Life Without Barriers
Zeah Behrend; Facilitor, Life Without Barriers
12:45pm – 1:30pm Concurrent Session 2
COVID and Health and Wellbeing
Presentation and Q&A
Session Chairs
Cathy Carnovale; VIC State Coordinator, CREATE
Tobias Lindholm; Young Consultant, CREATE
Presenters
Ben McMullin; Influencing Officer, CREATE
Katie Creed; Research Officer, CREATE
1:30pm – 1:50pm Afternoon Tea Break w Mindful Yoga
1:50pm – 3:00pm Closing Plenary
1:50pm Resilient, Resourceful, Remarkable Young People*
2:00pm ”Journey: A documentary”*
presented by Brenda Yelland, WA State Coordinator Keyassets and Young People
2:25pm Case Worker Awards as nominated by Young People in Care*
3:00pm Session Closed
Thursday, 28 April 2022
10:00am – 11:00am Opening Plenary
10:00am MC Welcome
Gregory Nicolau; Founder Australian Childhood Trauma Group
10:05am Queensland Family and Child Commission Address
Luke Twyford; CE and Principal Commissioner
10:15am “Nurturing Resilience: Nine things young people need to thrive” Keynote*
Michael Ungar; Principal Investigator for the Resilience Research Centre at Dalhousie University
11:00am – 11:15am Morning Tea Break
11:15am – 12:00pm Concurrent Session 1
Voices in Action: Aotearoa
VOYCE Short Film* and Q&A
Session Chair
Lisa Wylie; ACT State Coordinator, CREATE
Lucas Parker; Young Consultant, CREATE
Presenter
Albet Lockie; Youth Council Member, VOYCE
Karah Mackie; Youth Council Member, VOYCE
11:15am – 12:00pm Concurrent Session 2
Walking the Child Safe Culture Talk: Power to Kids – Respecting Sexual Safety
Presentation* and Q&A
Session Chairs
Kate Martin; National Influencing Manager, CREATE
Destiny Reid; Young Consultant, CREATE
Presenter
Robyn Miller; CEO, Mackillop Family Services
Q&A
Cameron Burgess; National Leader Program Design and Implementation, Mackillop Institute
12:00pm – 12:45pm Lunch Break
12:45pm – 1:30pm Concurrent Session 1
The Case for Extended Care
Presentation and Q&A
Session Chair
Kate Martin; National Influencing Manager, CREATE
Lexi Cooke; Young Consultant, CREATE
Presenter
Paul McDonald; CEO, Anglicare VIC
12:45pm – 1:30pm Concurrent Session 2
Wild Intervention Explores Uk Care System
Presentation* and Q&A
Session Chair
Elise Hilder; Research Officer, CREATE
Leilani Houston; Young Consultant, CREATE
Presenter
Caine Wild; Company Director and Founder, Wild Intervention (England)
1:30pm – 1:50pm Afternoon Tea Break w Mindful Yoga
1:50pm – 3:00pm Closing Plenary
1:50pm How Peak Bodies are Working With Young People With Lived Experience of Care
Deb Tsorbaris; CEO,Centre for Excellence
2:20pm CREATE’s Transition Suite (CREATE Your Future, Sortli, GYOW kits)
Presented by Deb Watson; CREATE Community Facilitator VIC, Erin Laing; CREATE Marketing Project
Coordinator, and Andrew Cummings; CREATE Program Developer
3:00pm Session Closed
Friday, 29 April 2022
10:00am – 11:00am Opening Plenary
10:00am MC Welcome
Gregory Nicolau; Founder Australian Childhood Trauma Group
10:05am Minister for Child Protection Address
Katrine Hildyard; Minister for Child Protection, South Australia
10:10am Guardian for Children and Young People Address
Penny Wright; Guardian for Children and Young People, South Australia
10:15am Keynote
Catherine Liddle; CEO,SNAICC
11:00am – 11:15am Morning Tea Break
11:15am – 12:00pm Concurrent Session 1
Transition from Care to Adulthood for Young People with Disabilities
Presentation and Panel Discussion with Q&A
Session Chairs
Kate Martin; National Influencing Manager, CREATE
Emily Hikaiti (Paul); Young Consultant, CREATE
Presenters
Hannah Mawbey; Senior Program Officer, Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs QLD
Lisa Appleby; Senior Program Officer, Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs QLD
Panel Moderator
Hannah Mawbey; Senior Program Officer, Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs QLD
Panel
Lisa Appleby; Senior Program Officer, Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs QLD
Shikana; Young Consultant, CREATE
Mary Sayers, CEO, Children and Young People Disability Australia
11:15am – 12:00pm Concurrent Session 2
Young Person Only Workshop – Found Object Art Workshop
Facilitators
Phi Theodoros; Residential Artist – Living Art, LWB
Caleigh Jenkins; Social Work Student – Living Arts, LWB
12:00pm – 12:45pm Lunch Break
12:45pm – 1:30pm Concurrent Session 1
Supporting and Building Resilience Through Putting Relationships and Young People at the Centre of Practice
Presentation* and Q&A
Session Chairs
Dr Joseph McDowall; Executive Director of Research, CREATE
Lucas Parker; Young Consultant, CREATE
Presenters
Alannah Grace; Youth CONNECT Reserch Team, Churches of Christ QLD
Alannah Grace; Youth CONNECT Reserch Team, Churches of Christ QLD
Brooke Weston-Hill; Practice Lead, Churches of Christ QLD
Adjunct Associate Professor Phil Crane; Social Work and Human Services, University of Sunshine Coast
Rachael Stubbs; Research Assistant, University of Sunshine Coast
Dr Marion Norton; Evaluation Lead, University of Sunshine Coast
12:45pm – 1:30pm Concurrent Session 2
Centering Sibling and Kinship Connection in Care Placements
Presentation and Q&A*
Session Chairs
Kate Martin; National Influencing Manager, CREATE
Destiny Reid; Young Consultant, CREATE
Presenter and Panel Moderator
Dr Elise Hilder; Research Officer, CREATE
Panel
Destiny Reid; Young Consultant, CREATE
Natalie Lewis; Commissioner, QFCC
Donna Burns; Deputy CEO, Healing foundation
Clea North; Education Consultant, LWB
1:30pm – 1:50pm Afternoon Tea Break w Mindful Yoga
1:50pm – 2:35pm Closing Plenary
1:50pm Young Person Closing Speech*
Adina Gunnis; Young Consultant, CREATE
2:00pm Competition Winners Announced
Jacqui Reed; CEO, CREATE Foundation
2:10pm Address from Child Protection South Australia*
Cathy Taylor; Chief Executive, Child Protection SA
2:20pm Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and the National Redress Scheme
Bob Atkinson AO, APM; Chair Truth, Healing and Reconciliation Taskforce and Former Royal Commissioner, and Rachel Neil; Managing Lawyer, Knowmore Legal Service
2:35pm Conference Close from CREATE CEO
Jacqui Reed; CEO, CREATE Foundation
2:45pm Session Closed
*Program sessions marked with an asterisk contain pre-recordings as part or all of the program session.
Note: The program is correct at the time of publishing. The organizers reserve the right to delete, modify or alter items from the program or to delete, modify or alter any aspect of the Conference timetabling and delivery at their sole discretion and without notice. CREATE Foundation will not accept any liability for any loss or inconvenience caused to any party consequent to such changes.