On 25 September 2025, we gathered on Gadigal Country for the 2025 Fams Conference, and what a powerful day it was. With a full house of passionate people from across the early intervention and prevention sector, the energy in the room was full of purpose, connection and hope.
This year’s theme – Safe | Strong | Supportive – built on our shared vision: that every child grows up in a safe home, within a strong family, and surrounded by a supportive community. The day was a celebration of our sector’s commitment to making that vision real.
To everyone who joined us, shared your voice, facilitated a session, or helped behind the scenes, thank you. This conference was a reflection of the strength and heart of our sector.
🎤 Highlights from the Day
- Professor Daryl Higgins opened with a compelling keynote on turning evidence into action, drawing from the Australian Child Maltreatment Study.
- Dr Mary Jo McVeigh closed the day with a moving reflection on hope, healing and the dignity of children, using the metaphor of Pandora’s Jar.
- We explored bold ideas in workshops on cultural safety, mental health, child-centred practice, and more, and of course, there was plenty of time for connection, collaboration and great food!
📸 Relive the Moments
We’ve captured some of the magic: Click here to view the photo gallery or 📚take a look at our booklet again
Our Workshops
Our workshops included:
- Parenting in Today’s World – Learnings from the National Parenting Today Survey
- Don’t Just Translate the Flyer: Culture, Trust and Practice that Lands
- Embedding Cultural Safety in Everyday Decision Making
- There’s smoke, but is there fire? Managing the Unknown “Crisis”
- More than the Individual – Rethinking Self Care
- Navigating Stigma and Unfair Systems – A Mental Health and AOD perspective
- Green Flags – Walking the talk on the Child Safe Standards
- Data (What is it good for?) Absolutely outcomes!
- It’s Child Play – Contemporary Practice in Play-based Programs
- Getting It Right – Child Centred Responses to Family & Domestic Violence