Inaugural Indigenous Family & Community Strengths Conference

Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia (14-16 April 2008)

Sessions at the Indigenous conference (14-16 April) are numbered days 1-3. This conference was followed by the fifth National Family & Community Strengths conference (16-18 April, numbered days 3-5), with day 3 overlapping. Please note that not all presentations are available for download.

Ren Adams and Elly Robinson, of Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse, wrote an extremely comprehensive and interesting report on the conference. Clicke here to download a pdf of the article, which appeared in Family Relationships Quarterly, issue 9.

Jump to the following sessions:

Day 1 (am) | Day 1 (pm) | Day 2 (am) | Day 2 (pm) | Day 3 (am) | Day 3 (pm)

Keynote address 1: Chris Sarra (11KB)

Keynote address 2: Wheturangi Walsh-Tapiata (226KB)

Keynote address 3: Lorraine Muller (190KB)

Day 1: Monday 14 April 2008 (morning)
Concurrent 1a: Health

• Developing Effective Family Support and Counselling Programs in Central Australia: Christine Palmer, Gerard Waterford & Mary Therese Mulladad. Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Social & Emotional Wellbeing program: Towards a mental wellbeing framework in the central Australian Indigenous communities, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress. (3.4MB)

• Connecting with Kids: Wiyiliin Child and Youth Counselling Service: Darren Faulkner, Jude Payling, Sharon Searle & Mary Watson, Wiyiliin Counselling Team. (3MB)

• Australian Hearing's New Service Delivery Model and Benefits for Indigenous Australians in Remote Communities: Caroline Cuckson, Australian Hearing. (1.4MB)

Concurrent 1b: Family Wellbeing

• Birral-li Aboriginal Birthing Service: Carol Anderson & Ebony Eulo, John Hunter Hospital.

• NEWPIN: A Catalyst for Change: Linda & Anneliese, UnitingCare Burnside. (1.7MB)

• Sustaining Engagement with Aboriginal Families in Early Childhood Programs: The Experience of a Non-Aboriginal, Non-Government Agency: Roberta Chavez, Rebecca Galea & Jancie Brooker, Bankstown Community Resource Group.

Concurrent 1c: Community Engagement

• Blackout Violence Campaign: Dixie Link-Gordon, Jackie Jarrett & Anita Vosper. (520KB)

• Stories from the Playground: Lesley Olsen, Playgroup Queensland. (565KB)

• Gallang Place: Matthew Collins, Gallang Place.

• Concurrent 1d: Workshop

• Preschool Bilingual Program, Aboriginal Children and Home Language Maintenance, Bernanda Sanchez, Department of Education & Children's Services.

Concurrent 1e: Workshop

• Thinking Nationally, Acting Locally: How Does the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations' Indigenous Education Group Encourage Greater Engagement with Families and Communities?: Nick Condratroff & Feoina Kelly, DEEWR.

Concurrent 1f: Community Team Presentation

• Ngawarrimangi Kakirjuwi: Working Together to Strengthen Tiwi Island Children and Young People: Lisa Hillan, Nancy Sweeney, Eunice Orsto & Marcilla Fernando, Save the Children.

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Day 1: Monday 14 April 2008 (afternoon)
Concurrent 2a: Working with Families and Youth

• Tjinatjunanyi: A Community-Based Approach to Re-Engaging Aboriginal Youth in Education: Hohaia Matthews, Dawn Matthews, Denise Champion, Joanne Dingaman & Reggie Reid, Tjinatjunanyi.

• Family Group Conferencing: Respectful, Inclusive and Effective Decision Making for Families: Patricia Kiely, UnitingCare Burnside. (2.3MB)

• Burri (baby) Program, Barbra Kelly, Wandiyali.

Concurrent 2b: Wellbeing and Identity

• The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Women's and Children's Unit: Promoting Family Wellbeing: Maggie Cotter & Sue Hedges, Victorian Aboriginal Health Service.

• From Little Things, Big Things Grow: Dixie Link-Gordon, Jackie Jarrett & Anita Vosper, Mudgin-gal Aboriginal Women's Centre.

• Strengths-Based Suicide Prevention: Charles Hodgson & Liz Archer, Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation. (1.9KB)

Concurrent 2c: Stories of Success

• Multi-Systemic Therapy: Strengths-Based Community Engagement Empowering Aboriginal Families to Manage Serious Behavioural Problems in Youth: Shannon McNeair, Multi-Systemic Therapy Program.

• Birra-li Aboriginal Birthing Service: Karuah Safe Driving Program: Lowana Fox & Carolyn Ripper, John Hunter Hospital. (1MB)

• Men's Health, Family Health: Kerrie Doyle & Des Thompson, Combined Universities Centre of Rural Health.

Concurrent 2d: Workshop

• Communities Do Matter: A MindMatters Approach: Kanat Wano (MindMatters) & Garry Creighton (Hunter New England Health Service).

Concurrent 2e: Workshop

• Supa Heroes for My Mokopuna: Di Grennell, Amokura (with acknowledgements to Robyn Kahukiwa). (266KB)

Concurrent 2f: Community Team Presentation

• Central Coast Cultural Collaboration: Making It Real: Deb Tipper, Vickie Parry & Hellen Dib, The Benevolent Society. (1.8MB)

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Day 2: Tuesday 15 April 2008 (morning)
Concurrent 3a: Moving Forward

• Promoting Indigenous Strengths: Julie Johnstone, School of Nursing and Midwifer, University of Newcastle.

• Improving the Future for Indigenous Children: Childcare Choices of Indigenous Families, Rosalind Kitson, Lindy Moffatt & Jennifer Bowes.

• Effective Early Intervention Strategies for Indigenous Children and Their Families: A Literature Review: Hyllus Munro, NSW Department of Community Services. (159KB)

Concurrent 3b: Resarch

• The NSW Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Strategy: Clare Rogers, NSW Department of Community Services. (1.4MB)

Concurrent 3c: Partnerships

• Murri First Aid: How Working in Partnership Can Save Lives: Amy Creighton, University Department of Rural Health. (1.5MB)

• Gatherings in the Park: Ed Bailey, Barnardo's. (1.4MB)

• Partnerships at Work: Integrating Indigenous Wellbeing: Heather Ploeger & Karen Brooke, Community Child Health Unit, City of Greater Geelong.

Concurrent 3d: Workshop

• Sober Up the Man: The Wife Wins, Sober Up the Wife: The Child Wins, Sober Up the Child: The Family Wins, Sober Up the Family: The Community Wins: John Close, Craig Carson & George Zukiwskyj, Goori House.

Concurrent 3e: Workshop

• Paddocks of Dreams: Increase Your Awareness of Working with Community Members Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: A Practical and Interactive Workshop on Communication: Jody Saxton, Deaf Indigenous Community Consultancy. (6.1MB)

Concurrent 3f: Workshop

• Cultural Care of Aboriginal Children: Steve Larkins (Hunter Aboriginal Children's Services) & Bill Pritchard (Aboriginal Child Family & Community Care State Secretariat NSW).

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Day 2: Tuesday 15 April 2008 (afternoon)
Concurrent 4a: Cultural and Child Development

• Nurturing the Spirit of Childhood: Strengthening Early Parent-Child Bonds Through the Use of Innovative Arts, Crafts, Games, Songs and Stories: Jane Hanckel (Spirit of Childhood Foundation) & Selina Ashley-Brown (Barunga & Wugulurr, NT).

• Parenting Outreach/Supported Playgroup Programs: Sharon Williams & Denise Dixon, Barnardo's. (119KB)

• Cultural Inclusion and Program Delivery in a Multi-functional Aboriginal Children's Service: What Works!: Stacey Brown, Yappera Children's Service Cooperative.

Concurrent 4b: Research

• Footprints in Time: Following the Developmental Pathways of Indigenous Children: Melisah Feeney, FaHCSIA. (693KB)

• Providing a Secure Base: Nurturing and Strengthening Aboriginal Families in South-West Sydney Through a Research Project: Vicki Wade & Jenny Knight, SSWAHS, University of NSW.

• Wellbeing, Culture and Early Childhood: Voices from Urban Melbourne: Naomi Priest (McCaughey Centre, School of Population Health, University of Melbourne) & Sue Hedges (Victorian Aboriginal Health Service).

Concurrent 4c: Fatherhood

• Brothers Inside: Fathering Workshops with Indigenous Prisoners: Craig Hammond & Graeme Stuart, Family Action Centre, University of Newcastle. (80KB)

• "I'm an Aboriginal Dad" Support Program: Marcus Stewart, IAAD & Family Services, Children's Protection Society.

• Life Blong Ali Drummond, Samantha Faulkner.

Concurrent 4d: Education

• Families and Schools Together (FAST) Program: Jenni Mitchell, Education Transformations.

• Towards Culturally Appropriate and Community-Determined Assessment for Therapists Working with Australian Indigenous Children, Alma Dender, Curtin University of Technology.

• Circular Movement in Teacher/Learner Roles for Advanced Indigenous Social Work Education: Susan Gair & Lorraine Muller, James Cook University. (77kb)

Concurrent 4e: Workshop

• The Early Childhood Services: Building on the Cultural Strengths of Our Koorie Children: Geraldine Atkinson, VAEAI. (417KB)

Concurrent 4f: Workshop

• Developing Cultural Courage: A Way Forward for Non-Indigenous Workers: Joanna Zubrzycki (Australian Catholic University) & Bindi Bennett (University of Newcastle).

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Day 3: Wednesday 16 April 2008 (morning)
Concurrent 5a: Pathway to Rediscovery Panel Presentations

• Building Supportive Rolse on Peer Relationships: Jack Guillebeaux, Federation of Child Care Centres of Alabama, USA.

• Shaping and Responding to the Context of Indigenous Children: Not Blaming It!: Chris Sarra, The Indigenous Education Leadership Institute.

Concurrent 5b: Partnerships and Cultural Competency

• Sustainable Relationships: Indigenous Service Users, Staff and Carers Leading the Way in a Mainstream Organisation, Reg Humphreys, UnitingCare Burnside. (1.65MB)

• Aboriginal Cultural Support Planning: An Agency's Learning, Kerrie Clarke & Sean Tynan, Life Without Barriers.

• Indigenous Staff Network Working for Indigenous Community: Amy Creighton, University Department of Rural Health. (9.8MB)

• Service Provision for Aboriginal Community, John Gilroy, National Disability Services. (130KB)

Concurrent 5c: Research

• Fascination With What's Difficult: Di Grennell, Amokura. (73KB)

• Lessons Learnt from Using Strengths-Based Perspective in Research: Lindsay Smith, University of Tasmania.

• Developing Strengths-Based Domestic and Family Violence Resources: Potential and Challenges: Graeme Stuart, Dee Brooks & Craig Hammond, Family Action Centre, Univeristy of Newcastle. (767KB)

Concurrent 5d: Workshop

• Engaging with Young People and Families to Create Change: Andy Simpson, Birmingham Association of Youth Clubs.

Concurrent 5e: Strength-Based Practice

• Engaging Families and Effectively Working with Indigenous Families: Kerrie Doyle, Des Thompson & Angela Duery, Combined Universities Centre of Rural Health.

• Working in Partnership for Booris in Broadmeadows: Colleen Turner (Broadmeadows UnitingCare) & Melissa Bembo (Victorian Aboriginal Childcare Association).

• Children as Citizens: Athena Williams (St Luke's Anglicare) & Loretta Kingston-Brown (City of Greater Bendigo). (2.9MB)

Concurrent 5f: Workshop

• Strength-Based Supervision: A Resource for Fostering Resilience in Staff: Jenny Terry, Wanslea Family Services. (4.1MB)

Concurrent 5g: Workshop

• Practising the Strengths Perspective: Dennis Saleeby, University of Kansas.

Concurrent 5h: Workshop

• Beautiful Minds: Overcoming Oppression in Aboriginal Communities Using Mind-Brain Approaches: Michael Yellow Bird, University of Kansas Lawrence.

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Day 3: Wednesday 16 April 2008 (afternoon)
Concurrent 6a: Working Together

• Men, Violence, Brotherhood and Hope: Greg Telford (Indigenous Family Service) & Stuart Anderson (Men & Family Centre).

Concurrent 6b: Partnerships and Cultural Competency

• Partnerships for Impact and Change: Challenges and Learning: Katrina Bredhauer, Mission Australia. (326KB)

• Breaking Down the Barriers: Development of a Culturally Appropriate Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service for Aboriginal Families in South Australia: Stephen Meredith & Helen Wyld, SAHS-Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services. (390KB)

• Inter-Cultural Organisational Development: A Contribution to Aboriginal Social Justice: Rita Perkons & Sally Cowling, UnitingCare Children, Young People and Families Services Group. (446KB)

Concurrent 6c: Healing

• Marumali Program: Model of Healing to Improve the Quality of Support for Survivors of the Stolen Generations: Lorraine Peeters & Maurice Walker, Winangali-Marumali.

• Aboriginal Healing Project: Dorinda Cox, Women and Newborn Health Service. (96KB)

• Yarning Up on Trauma: Shaun Coade & Lisa McClung, Berry Street, Take Two. (412KB)

Concurrent 6d: International Perspective on Family Strengths

• Strong Families Around the World: A Global Perspective on Family, Community and Cultural Strengths: John de Frain & Sylvia M Asay, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

• Dialogues Across Nebraska: John de Frain, Janet Hanna & Pam Bauer, University of Nebraska. (666KB)

• Strengthening Families in New Mexico Through Group-Based Parenting Education: Esther Devall, New Mexico State University. (555KB)

• A Longitudinal Study on the Healthiness of Rural Families in South Korea: Soon Mi Yang, Rural Living Science Institute.

Concurrent 6e: Cultural Care

• Engaging Culturally Diverse Families with Complex Adolescent Issues: An Integration of Two Programs: Lyndal Power (RAPS Adolescent Family Therapy & Mediation Service) &  Patrick Baffoun (Strength to Strength). (525KB)

• Interactive CaLD Parent Support Services: Ellen Cahill, Holroyd Parramatta Migrant Services. (48MB)

• Keeping Indigenous Ways Within Our Mainstream Service: Tess Ryan, Barnadro's. (439KB)

Concurrent 6f: Workshop

• Yarning About Social and Emotional Wellbeing with the Media: Challenges and Opportunities for Health and Community Workers: Jo Piggott & Michael Romeo, HIMH.

Concurrent 6g: Strengths-Based Cultural Alignment

• Growing Stronger Together: Vivianne Freeman & Kerry Moore, Barnardo's. (2.5MB)

Concurrent 6h: Workshop

• Building Connections: Jonathon Toussaint, Interrelate Family Services.

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