Agenda

Day One | Wednesday| 9th September

8:00

Registration Open

8:30

Welcome to Country and Acknowledgements

8:50

Chairpersons address

Zachariah Matysek, Former Chief Executive Officer, NATISHA

9:00

Keynote: Embedding Self Determination into Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander housing and homelessness approaches

Role of government in supporting self-determination
Shifting responses to culturally safe, long-term housing outcomes.
Supporting Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to lead housing delivery, with partners working alongside them

Matthew Duggan, Executive Director Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness, Homes Victoria

Moving Beyond the Physical Structure

9:30

Housing as Cultural Infrastructure

How planning and procurement systems fail to recognise connection to Country, kinship systems, and collective living
The housing legacy of forced assimilation and displacement
The role of housing in strengthening cultural identity, community connection, and self-determination

Shaun Middlebrook, CEO, Woor-Dungin

10:00

Panel: What do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people want from their Homes?

Moving beyond minimum compliance to deliver culturally anchored, high-performing housing assets
Designing scalable housing models that respond to the date of different clan structures and community needs
Ensuring developments create long-term economic participation and stability

Patricia Cotton, CEO, Aboriginal Sobriety Group Indigenous Corporation

Lisa Sampson, CEO, ACHIA NSW

Naomi Anstess, Big Boss, Northern Territory Indigenous Business

Leonie Harris, Manager of Community Housing, Aboriginal Housing Victoria

Luke Issacs, First People Partnership Lead, SEC Victoria

10:40

Keynote: Reimagining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Futures

Empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to design and control their own solutions
Practical reforms to close the housing gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Looking beyond shelter and seeing housing as a catalyst for wellbeing, culture, and self‑determination

Zachariah Matysek, Former CEO, NATISHA

11:10

Morning Tea

Attendees can move between the sessions listed under the two streams

Housing

11:30

Preventing Regional Homelessness Through Mobility

Supporting Aboriginal people moving for medical, family, and cultural reasons
Flexible housing solutions that prevent displacement and homelessness
Sustainable homes that respect culture while meeting changing needs

Russell Logan, Chief Executive Officer, Coodjingburra HOME

12:00

Fireside Chat: Ending Youth Homelessness Through Real Partnership

Moving beyond consultation to shared decision-making and governance
Embedding Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander leadership across Youth Foyers
Lessons from establishing the National Indigenous Council and what it means for future delivery

Zachariah Matysek, Former Chief Executive Officer, NATISHA

Liz Cameron-Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Foyer Foundation

Homelessness

11:30

Fireside Chat: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Renting Reform

Strengthening fairness and accountability in the renter–landlord relationship
Removing systemic barriers impacting Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander tenants
Improving long-term rental stability and outcomes

Jennifer Beveridge, CEO, Tenants Victoria

Ben Poona, Co-Manager Community Safety & Social Services, Tangentyere

12:00

Housing as a Foundation for Health, Safety and Wellbeing

How housing insecurity and overcrowding impact family stability and health
The role of stable housing in supporting safety and recovery from domestic and family violence
Yarns for Change, a trauma-informed and culturally safe training model

Marnie Davis, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Learning and Development Lead, Women up North Housing

12:40

Networking Lunch 

Aboriginal Architecture

1:30

Panel: Understanding Design

Reclaiming the aesthetic and functional design of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander homes
Ensuring local sourcing and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander trades are at the centre of every build to foster community wealth
Prioritise culture in design and space

Andrew Lane, Director, Indijdesign

Sarah Lynn, Cochair, Jackson Clement Burrows Architects

The Intersection of Health and Homelessness

1:30

The Recovery Journey: How stable housing facilitates the transition from addiction to community participation Copy

Strengthening culture promotes harm reduction
How safe spaces reduce stress directly and indirectly associated with historical trauma
Rehabilitation and support: from the floor to and an open door

Scott Wilson, CEO, Aboriginal Drug & Alcohol Council

2:10

Yarning Circles 

From displacement to home ownership

Francoise Lane, Director, Indijdesign

Community-led programmes that make a difference

Corina Dunnachie, Service Lead, Ruah

Taminya Councillor, Support Coordinator, Ruah

Creating cultural in new spaces

Building strength and resilience through community and culture

Marnie Davis, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Learning and Development Lead, Women up North Housing

3:00

Afternoon Tea 

Prioritising Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander ideas

3:30

Bawoorooga: How Community Design is Redefining the Home

Housing shaped by Community for Community
Creating a SuperAdobe home using regional materials.
Embedding skills and resilience with training and maintenance for long-term stability.

Mark Anderson, CEO, Foundations for Indigenous Health (FISH)

4:00

Housing designed for First Nations people by First Nations hands

The practical meaning of "culturally responsive" design and transitioning from consultation to integrated co-design
What polices need to be put in place to ensure Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander voices are heard at the centre of the build?
Locally sourcing allowing for community growth and ownership
Embedding Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders procurement and design intelligence from project inception

Dr. Jefa Greenaway, Director, Greenaway Architects (GA)

4:30

Redesigning the System, Not Just the Homes

Why one-size-fits-all housing policy and lending models fail
Moving beyond compliance KPIs to measure cultural, governance and community impact
Aligning credit frameworks with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander housing realities and building balance sheets, not dependency
Unblocking land transfers and embedding ACCO authority in funding decisions

Nicola Lemon, Head of Housing Strategy, Westpac

5:00

Chairperson’s Closing Address 

5:10

Community Social Gathering

Day Two | Thursday | 10th September

8:50

Chairpersons address

Zachariah Matysek, Former Chief Executive Officer, NATISHA

Economic Independence and Housing Security

9:00

Keynote: Expanding Pathways to First Nations Home Ownership

Supporting First Nations households to transition from renting or social housing into sustainable home ownership
Removing barriers through tailored financial capability support, savings pathways, and guidance to prepare households
The role of partnerships between community organisations, government and lenders in creating practical pathways to First Nations home ownership

Stephen Woodlands, Founder and Managing Director, Head Start Homes

Pam Jackson, Executive Director - First Nations Collaboration, Head Start Homes

9:30

From Partnership to Pipeline: Delivering Aboriginal Housing at Scale

Moving beyond consultation to genuine shared decision-making with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partners
Turning partnerships into delivery through aligned funding, governance, and clear accountability
Scaling community-led housing pipelines with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations at the centre

10:00

Economic Independence & Housing Security to Avoid Homelessness

Focus on HAFF supply and housing funding streams and their impact on housing outcomes
Education-to-ownership pathways supporting long-term housing stability
Leveraging shared equity & community land trust models

Voula Moustos, Executive Leader NHIF CT, Housing Australia

10:30

Morning Tea

Attendees can move between the sessions listed under the two streams

Regional Living

11:00

The Djarindjin Way: Regional Roots, Culture, and Community-Led Growth

What does genuine economic self-determination look like
How does anchoring Aboriginal corporations in cultural values strengthen their wellbeing, resilience, and long-term sustainability?
Developing regional, community-owned infrastructure and renewable energy to support local prosperity

Desarae Sibosado, COO, Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation

11:30

A New Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing in Australia

Scale of unmet housing need among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households
Strengthening Aboriginal community-controlled housing organisations and governance
Long term investment and a framework for a future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Strategy

Megan Moskos, Associate Professor, Adelaide University

12:00

Panel: Closing the Gap with Better Data for Smarter Responses

Strengthening Closing the Gap accountability through improved data on Aboriginal housing access, homelessness, & service use
Creating new data frameworks to reflect capacity & improve measurement of housing service outcomes
Using homelessness & housing data to improve pathways from crisis services into long-term housing

Suzanne Naden, Chief Executive Officer, Bungree Aboriginal Association Ltd

Stacey Broadbent, Chief Executive Officer, Aboriginal Community Housing LTD

Chris Leishman, Professor of Property and Housing Economics, University of Adelaide

Metropolitan living

11:00

Building culturally appropriate homes in the city

Combating cultural issues associated with space
Adopting new ways to have shared community space that are not just parks

Alisi Tutuila, Chairperson, Aboriginal Housing Company

11:30

Community-Led Housing Solutions: Wongee Mia

Supporting extended Aboriginal families experiencing homelessness, not just individuals
Guided by Elders and shaped through yarning and culturally safe practices
Helping families secure and sustain stable housing while reducing overcrowding

Corina Dunnachie, Service lead, Ruah

Taminya Councillor, Support Coordinator, Ruah

12:00

Panel: Can there be culturally appropriate and affordable city dwellings

Is there a desire for distinct Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities?
Dismantling the racist ideologies in renting
Would an increase in culturally safe developments help to reduce Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from homelessness?

Christine Thyer, Co-Conveyor, SACCON & Chief Executive Officer, South Australian Aboriginal Education and Training Consultative Council

Ari Soemardi, Property & Infrastructure Partner, Hunterboorn

12:40

Networking Lunch 

Centring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voices

1:40

Panel: What policies are needed for housing growth & homelessness reduction?

What polices need to be put in place to continue to clear the backlog & continue the steady flow of land transfer
A collaborative session on creating a new "Housing Constitution" that views a house as more than just a roof
The role of long-term funding, land access, & community-controlled housing providers in creating stable pathways out of homelessness

Shane Todd, Director, ACHIA NSW

Marie Mitchell, Director of Community Justice Program, Victorian Aboriginal Legal Services

Michael Lennon, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Housing Choices Australia

Shaz McCullough, Statewide Program Manager, Aboriginal Housing Office

Tenisha Lawerence, Manager Aboriginal Strategy Team, Homes NSW

Megan Moskos, Associate Professor, Adelaide University

2:30

Creating Global Pathways & Making Local Impact

Rethinking housing as a human right in a changing global landscape
Exploring new models and partnerships shaping the future of housing delivery
What emerging innovation means for long-term, community-led housing outcomes in Australia

Jesse Martin, Chairman, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander International Engagement Organisation

3:00

Afternoon Tea 

3:20

Making local communities the loudest voice

A house is home to one's culture & one's heritage; building a home should be orchestrated by those inhabiting it
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander homes must be made & backed by Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander corporations
Embedding community voice in every stage of design, delivery, and decision-making

Harley Douglas, A/General Manger, DJAARA

David Allen, Housing Development Manager, DJAARA

3:50

Housing for People, Not Just Profit

This challenge runs deeper for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people as homes are more than walls & a roof
Discussion on how the importance of education & economic advantage & how it heavily effects one's ability to own a home
Steps for the future to make sure all Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people have a place to call home

4:20

Chairperson’s Closing Remarks 

DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE

Agenda

Day One | Wednesday| 9th September

​

​

​

8:00

Registration Open

​

8:30

Welcome to Country and Acknowledgements

​

8:50

Chairpersons address

​

9:00

Keynote: Embedding Self Determination into Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander housing and homelessness approaches

Moving Beyond the Physical Structure

​

​

​

9:30

Housing as Cultural Infrastructure

​

10:00

Panel: What do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people want from their Homes?

​

10:40

Keynote: Reimagining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Futures

​

11:10

Morning Tea

​

​

**Attendees can move between the sessions listed under the two streams**

Housing

​

​

​

11:30

Preventing Regional Homelessness Through Mobility

​

12:00

Fireside Chat: Ending Youth Homelessness Through Real Partnership

​

12:40

Networking Lunch

Aboriginal Architecture

​

​

​

1:30

Panel: Understanding Design

​

2:10

Yarning Circles

​

3:00

Afternoon Tea

Prioritising Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander ideas

​

​

​

3:30

Bawoorooga: How Community Design is Redefining the Home

​

4:00

Housing designed for First Nations people by First Nations hands

​

4:30

Redesigning the System, Not Just the Homes

​

5:00

Chairperson’s Closing Address

​

5:10

Community Social Gathering

Metropolitan living

​

​

​

Attendees can move between the sessions listed under the two streams

Networking Lunch 

Yarning Circles 

Afternoon Tea 

Chairperson’s Closing Address 