CONFERENCE | 2025

Changing the Family and Domestic Violence Story

MARCH 20th THE CUBE, CAMPBELLTOWN

"A groundbreaking national conference that will make life changing impact."

Register now and join us for this one day conference, highlighting the need for Child-Centred approaches for children impacted by family and domestic violence (FDV).

Sector Connect is proud to present this groundbreaking and crucial event for Health Professionals, Frontline Workers, and other Stakeholders. This inaugural conference will focus on the importance of early childhood intervention, as outlined in the Australian Government’s ‘Early Years Strategy 2024-2034' and NSW Health's 'First 2000 Days Framework', and how to make systemic change.

For too long, children have been invisible, often considered not affected by FDV, yet the research indicates a high % of those impacted grow up to be victims or offenders themselves.

Current child protection frameworks have failed the children, with the evidence showing that early intervention and prevention with the child is the only way to reduce violence.

With a range of keynotes, panel discussions, case studies and deep dive breakouts, this conference will detail the importance of trauma-informed and effective programs aimed at children and critically, initiate discussions on what is needed to address the needs of vulnerable children and make systemic change to break the cycle of violence.

Why you should attend

  • Learn about national and international programs that are making change

  • Be part of the conversation and solution to make systemic change

  • Network and collaborate with other sector professionals

Who should attend?

  • Health Professionals

  • Frontline workers

  • Legal sector

  • Social and case workers

  • Educators

  • Policymakers

  • NFP service providers

  • Other Stakeholders
    *From any Region, State, Territory or Country

Conference Committee

The Through Children’s Eyes Conference is an initiative by long-term FDV sector workers & stakeholders who wish to see change. Sector Connect, which auspices two local DV committees and participates in four DV committees, heard their frustration and felt their passion. With the assistance and drive of Campbelltown DV committee Chair Lesley Robson, they garnered support to present a conference. The conference team includes:

  • Conference Executive Committee

  • Conference Committee

  • Fetching Events & Communications

PATRON

DR. MIKE FREELANDER MP

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MACARTHUR

Mike has been the Member for Macarthur since 2016, however before this, he worked as a paediatrician in Campbelltown & Camden for nearly 40 years, and in both roles, he has dedicated himself to making sure our local community is supported, cared for and receives the best outcomes possible.

Mike has a long connection to Macarthur as he opened his very first clinics in Campbelltown and Camden in 1984, which occurred the same day that Medicare was established. His hard work and dedication to the region earnt him the respect of local families and residents. In his near 4 decades as a paediatrician in the Macarthur region, Mike has seen over 200,000 patients.

As the Member for Macarthur, Mike has long advocated for better healthcare, economic, environmental and infrastructure outcomes for his electorate, which is important given that Macarthur is the largest electorate by number on enrolled individuals in the nation.

Since then, and with the successful election of the Albanese Government in 2022, Mike has been able to deliver local services, such as the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics and the Medicare bulk billing incentive increase that benefits both patients and GPs alike.


MASTER OF CEREMONIES

JELENA DOKIC

Former world no. top 4 tennis player, Jelena Dokic is a living testament to resilience, triumph, and the unyielding spirit of a true champion. Her journey on the court has been nothing short of awe-inspiring, marked by monumental victories and a fearless determination that defies all odds.

Former world number 4 tennis player, Jelena Dokic embodies resilience and triumph.

Her awe-inspiring journey on the court includes making the semi-finals of Wimbledon at 17 years of age and being a doubles Grand Slam finalist at 18. Yet, beyond the spotlight, she endured adversity, including abuse from her father for 15 years. This trauma shadowed her success, affecting her mental health. At 22, she faced a breaking point, but chose resilience. Dokic emerged as a survivor,

determined not just to survive but to thrive. Her story, shared in bestselling books, "Unbreakable" and "Fearless", and now her number 1 documentary, showcases her journey from victim, survivor to thrive.

Today, she inspires as a TEDx presenter and commentator, 2-time bestselling author, a living testament to the human spirit's resilience


SPEAKERS

JESS HILL

Change Matters - How to Embrace, Influence and Drive Change

Australia’s 2019 Keynote Speaker of the Year, Rowdy McLean has delivered more than 1000 keynote presentations to over 700,000 people in 17 different countries.

Rowdy has played professional sport, built a successful entrepreneurial start up, turned around a failing company, founded 5 companies of his own and mentors and works with leaders from the world’s top companies daily.

His two bestselling books PLAY A BIGGER GAME and LEADABILITY have been published in 7 countries.

He has an extensive history of helping individuals, teams, and organisations achieve remarkable results

ROWDY MCLEAN

Shorna is a social justice lawyer and advocate and is dedicated to driving positive social change for children and young people. She is currently the Head of Policy, Advocacy and Government Relations at MCM where she is responsible for leading the development of policy, law reform and advocacy across the organisation.

Shorna brings almost 15 years’ experience in executive policy and advocacy roles across the community legal, youth and homelessness sectors and has led successful campaigns on issues including youth homelessness, access to justice, human rights and family violence.

Shorna is well known for her ability to identify, design and deliver innovative services and system reforms. Shorna is the former Policy and Advocacy Director of the peak body for community legal centres, sits on a number of NFP boards and was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.

SHORNA MOORE

Eleonora De Michele is a passionate practitioner, consultant, trainer and coach who has been working in the child protection and family welfare field for the past 45 years, specializing in all aspects of domestic and family violence service delivery. She has worked as a frontline statutory worker; as a manager leading Service Centres in metropolitan and rural, remote Aboriginal community settings; and as a senior policy advisor on state-wide policy and service implementation.
Since 1996 Eleonora has worked as an independent consultant, both nationally and internationally, providing high quality consultancy, advisory, training and coaching services to government and non-government welfare organisations. Eleonora has a deep passion and commitment to bringing best outcomes for children and families by assisting organisations implement policy and practices that are ethical, evidence based, culturally relevant, family led, collaborative and dignity driven.

Eleonora is a skilled facilitator and leading provider of training, supervision and coaching services to all levels of staff. Her reputation for the development and delivery of evidence based, tailored, responsive training curriculum that reflects the organisation’s needs and practice context is well-established. Eleonora describes her key values as: integrity, honesty, inclusion, respect, empowerment, commitment and collaboration. Her professional practice is often described as: ethical, committed, passionate and dynamic.

ELEONORA DE MICHELE

Natalie Cabrera is a Clinical Psychologist and an Educational and Developmental Psychologist. She is a nationally accredited TF-CBT trainer and an experienced trauma therapist focusing on evidence-based interventions for children and families affected by trauma and domestic violence. With over a decade of clinical experience, Natalie has trained and supervised countless mental health professionals in implementing Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) to support survivors in healing and resilience-building. As a dedicated advocate for trauma-informed care, Natalie has worked extensively with survivors of domestic violence, providing both direct clinical services and large-scale training initiatives to equip professionals with effective therapeutic tools.

She is passionate about bridging research and practice, ensuring that clinicians and service providers have access to the latest trauma-focused methodologies. She is committed to empowering professionals with the skills needed to create safe, supportive environments for survivors of domestic violence. Natalie is an active speaker at national conferences on trauma and evidence-based interventions. She is committed to empowering professionals with the skills needed to create safe, supportive environments for survivors of domestic violence.

NATALIE CABRERA

Named marie claire’s 2023 Changemaker of the Year, Jess Hill is a journalist, author and educator who has achieved global renown for her groundbreaking work on gendered violence. Her journalism in this area has won two Walkley awards, an Amnesty International award and three Our Watch awards. Her first book ‘SEE WHAT YOU MADE ME DO’ became a bestseller and was awarded the 2020 Stella Prize and the ABA Booksellers Choice non-fiction book of the year (and was shortlisted for several other awards, including the Walkley Book Award and the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards). It has been translated into five languages and is ranked the highest-rated book by any Australian author by readers on Goodreads.

In 2021, Jess presented a three-part television series adaptation of the book for SBS, which became the network’s highest-rating factual program. Since then, she has written a Quarterly Essay on how #MeToo is changing Australia, made a podcast series on coercive control titled The Trap, and a three-part series on Consent, titled Asking For It. In her work as an advocate against gendered violence, Jess has made hundreds of media appearances and has fronted more than 350 events across the country, addressing community audiences as well as educating magistrates, police, health and family law professionals on coercive control.

PROGRAM

TICKETS

EARLY BIRD TICKETS

Early bird tickets on sale until the 4th of March 10pm

Early Bird: Changemaker delegate (General): $350 + gst

Early Bird: Changemaker delegate (Group 3 or more): $332.50 + gst

Tickets on sale until the 13 March 25 12 noon

Changemaker Delegate (General): $450 + gst

Changemaker Delegate (Group 3 or more): $428 + gst

Sector Connect Members can receive 10% off

Contact office@sectorconnect.org.au

SPONSORS

PLATNIUM SPONSORS

>>>READ MORE<<<

Sponsorship & Donations

Become a partner in changing the family & domestic violence (FDV) story and engage with key industry stakeholders.

Currently we have 3 options:

  1. Delegate (Participant) Sponsorship – Have your region represented

  2. Donations

  3. Event Sponsorship

Download Sponsorship Package

VENUE - The CUBE

ACCOMMODATION

CONFERENCE ACCOMMODATION SPECIAL: Rydges Campbelltown (adjacent to The CUBE)