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Join us at Together with Families 2024
Together With Families: Family Services Symposium 2024, will held on 15 November 2024.
The Centre, in collaboration with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, welcome family services practitioners, leaders, and partners from across Victoria and Tasmania to a day of celebration, connection, and knowledge sharing.
Our program features keynote speeches from renowned experts, engaging presentations, and interactive panel discussions. Our speakers will offer recent developments, practical strategies, and innovative methods to address current challenges and advance the sector.
Stay up to date with the Centre by joining our fortnightly sector buzz mailing list to get speaker announcements and program updates for the Family Services Symposium.
Together with Families 2023 Resources
Together with Families 2023 was the Centre’s Inaugural Family Services Symposium, a celebration of the central role of family services in promoting the wellbeing of children and families across Victoria and Tasmania.
The Centre welcomed almost 300 family services practitioners, leaders, and partners for a day of networking, celebration and knowledge sharing.The full-day program included keynote speakers, presentations and panellists discussing and exploring effective practice and the impact and reach of this sector. Explore resources from the day below.
Keynote speakers
Supporting families under stress
Dr. Bruce Symth
ANU
Bruce Smyth is Professor of Family Studies with the Australian National University. In 2018, he received the Stanley Cohen Distinguished Research Award from the American Association of Family & Conciliation Courts (AFCC) in recognition of outstanding research and research achievements in the field of family and divorce.
Setting the family services agenda
Connie Salamone
VACCA
Connie Salamone’s life has been devoted to working in the child and family sector. In 2002, she commenced with the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) and went on to hold responsibility for VACCA’s front-line services. Connie was recipient of the 2023 Leaving a Legacy Award at this year’s Victorian Protecting Children Awards.
Evidence, culture and practice in family services
Anita Mobourne
VACCA
Insights from VACCA: Evidence, Culture & Practice in Family Services. Presentation from Anita Mobourne.
Presentation resources and summaries
| Time | Speaker |
|---|---|
|
9.15am |
Registrations Open – Rydges, Melbourne |
|
10:00 am |
Welcome to Country by Murrundindi (ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri people) Welcome Address by CEO Deb Tsorbaris (The Centre) and Alysha (Lived Experience Parent Designer) Welcome Address by The Hon. Minister Blandthorn (Minister for Children) |
|
10:30 am |
Keynote Session 1 Supporting Families Under Stress Professor Bruce Smyth, Australian National University |
|
11:10 am |
Morning Tea |
|
11:20 am |
Celebrating Family Services in Victoria Mary Roberts, Director, Family Services, Evidence and Quality Improvement, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Followed by a Panel Discussion with Annette Lancy, Melanie Heenan, Fran O’Toole, Danny O’Kelly and Mary Roberts. |
|
12:10 pm |
Keynote Session 2
Setting the Family Services Agenda: Reflecting on the past 40 years Connie Salamone, VACCA |
|
12:40 pm |
Insights from VACCA: Evidence, Culture & Practice in Family Services Presentation from Anita Mobourne, Celleste Regan, Lorne Samuels. |
|
1:10 pm |
Lunch |
|
1:55 pm |
Showcasing Effective Practice A showcase of examples of effective practice from:
|
|
3:25 pm |
What does it mean to support families in 2023? A panel delving into the challenges and opportunities for families in 2023, and their intersection with family services.
|
|
4:15 pm |
Closing remarks Deb Tsorbaris, CEO The Centre |
|
4:30 pm |
Networking Afternoon Tea Close at 5.30pm |
Thank you to our event sponsors!
