Event Details
Date: 19 – 20 June 2024
Location: Pullman Melbourne on the Park, East Melbourne
The biennial State Conference returned in 2024, and it was bigger and bolder than ever before!
Held at the Pullman Melbourne on the Park in East Melbourne, the event saw over 300 delegates join us in-person to explore the theme ‘Shake It Up: Bold Change!’. For the first time, we were thrilled to also offer online attendance and regional hub participation, thanks to our partners at GippSport and Centre For Participation, who hosted hubs in Traralgon and Horsham.
The conference was officially opened by our dynamic MC, Rana Hussain, whose warmth and energy brought our 2024 State Conference to life. Her joyful presence was felt by all, highlighting her genuine care in making a meaningful connection with delegates in the room and online.
The morning commenced with a special Welcome to Country by Mandy Nicholson, Founder of Djirri Djirri Dancers, who shared a beautiful reflection on cultural law and the importance of connection. She emphasised the significance of leaving legacies, respecting others, self, and country, and coming together through passion and purpose; a fitting way to kick-start the event.
Fresh off a plane from Stockholm, our opening keynote speaker, Dr Sandro Demaio, shared his public health insights and experience with reshaping systems for transformative change. Attendees then faced tough choices among concurrent breakout sessions. Our in-person attendees chose from presentations across four streams, allowing for a tailored experience based on individual interests and expertise levels.
Day 2 was spearheaded by changemaker Nornie Bero, whose keynote address detailed her inspiring journey of driving bold change through the power of purpose and a love for Indigenous food. Her insights set a powerful tone for the day, encouraging delegates to embrace bold change within their own organisations.
The conference concluded with an impactful keynote from AJ Kulatunga, who challenged us to rethink what is ‘impossible’. As the closing session, AJ’ left delegates with the confidence to “make tomorrow better than today”.
Designed to challenge and inspire, the 2024 State Conference aimed to spark new ideas, offer fresh perspectives, and provide valuable insights for delegates to take forward.
Bold change is possible, and it can start with you. Shake it up!
So, what will be your Bold Change?
With thanks to our event sponsors:
