From Transition to Transformation – Community Led Journey
Tracks
Leigh Whicker room
| Thursday, March 19, 2026 |
| 11:00 AM - 11:40 AM |
| Adelaide Oval - Leigh Whicker room |
Overview
Presented by
Annie Kent - Senior Manager, First Nations Network
Brotherhood of St Laurence,
Laura Romeo-Cocciardi - Site Support Manager, First Nations Network
Brotherhood of St Laurence,
Dan Mitchell - Executive Director of Services
KWY Aboriginal Corporation,
and
Nadia Currie - ACCO Transformation Manager, SNAICC.
Details
In 2021, the Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL) committed to transferring the delivery of the First Nations Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) from long-term mainstream providers to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs). This decision marked a critical step toward self-determination, aligning with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap Priority Reform Two – building the community-controlled sector.
This presentation shares a case study of transition in Pt Augusta HIPPY site, co-presented by BSL, SNAICC - National Voice for our Children, and KWY Aboriginal Corporation. Together, we explore the process of moving from a mainstream model to a fully community-controlled service, and the transformation that followed.
SNAICC, as the independent facilitator and cultural authority, has supported locally informed and community-led decision making, while KWY has led a strength-based approach to embedding cultural, therapeutic, and relational practice into the program. The HIPPY transition is deeply connected to child protection and early intervention, supporting families to strengthen relationships, cultural identity, and healing in community-led settings. BSL continues to support and learn through partnership, governance, and accountability to community.
This session will reflect on the challenges, enablers, and healing-centred approaches underpinning the transition, highlighting what is possible when reform is led by community and grounded in culture. Participants will gain insight into how this work connects to broader system change, community wellbeing, and Closing the Gap outcomes.
