We look forward to welcoming a host of speakers and presentations to the 2024 Aboriginal Housing and Homelands Conference.
Justin Noel
Master of Ceremonies
Justin is one of Australia’s most respected Indigenous communications, research and facilitation consultants. He is a Dunghutti man who grew up in Western Sydney. Justin has extensive and diverse experience in strategic planning, social marketing, community research, policy development, training, recruitment, coaching, health and human services. With more than 30 years' experience in the health, training and community sectors he combines both theoretical and practical understanding of systems, cultural imperatives, policy analysis, capacity building and community empowerment.
Justin has also completed extensive research and review projects involving First Nations health, health service delivery, child protection, alcohol and other drugs, governance, capacity building, youth services, housing and suicide prevention. He has worked closely with management committees and communities to develop and implement organisational change strategies within a community-based context.
Based in Sydney, NSW, Justin has a large national clientele of government, corporate and community based organisations that utilise his services to facilitate management training, strategic planning, program development, cross-cultural training, and service outcome reviews. He also provides independent facilitation, community driven co-design and stakeholder forums to inform policy, program and outcome designs (including community engagement, consumer forums and issue-specific consultations).
With a background in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Housing and Community Services, Workforce Development, Management and Training, Justin is also an accredited trainer delivering courses in areas such as Aboriginal Health, Health Promotion, Mental Health, Management and Communication Skills, Governance, Aboriginal Studies and Youth Leadership.
Wednesday 10 April, Day 1 - Morning
Louise is a Warlpiri and Luritja woman who grew up in Alice Springs. Her family ties are in Willowra on her father’s side and Watarrka/Kings Canyon on her mother’s side. She is the Co- Founder and majority shareholder of Tin Truck Consulting Pty Ltd, owns Tali Creatives, an online Aboriginal art store and is part-owner of contracting company Hardy Fencing Australia Pty Ltd. Louise’s professional journey has seen her work in industries including building and construction, community housing, outstation service delivery, community development, the performing arts and visual arts, and women’s social programs.
Wednesday, April 10
Tanami Community Housing Project
1100-1130, Ellery Room AD
Luke Bo’sher is the Head of Program Strategy at Housing Australia. Luke leads Housing Australia's strategy for growing social and affordable housing, including the investment approach and funding design, and partnerships with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sector and other government agencies to grow housing. Luke was previously a senior executive in the Victorian Government's housing agency (Homes Victoria) leading housing policy, the design and implementation of Victoria's $5 billion Big Housing Build initiatives. This included overseeing funding programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and increasing self determination in the way Homes Victoria worked with the Victorian community.
Wednesday, April 10
Funding and housing growth opportunities available through the Housing Australia Future Fund
1100-1130, MacDonnell C
Wednesday, April 10
Anindilyakwa Housing Aboriginal Corporation's journey towards self-determination.
1100-1130, Ellery Room BC
Wednesday, April 10
Homelands and Homelands Housing and Infrastructure Program
1130-1200, Ellery Room AD
Clive Rosewarne, Eileen Hoosan, Maxine Carlton and Michael Klerck
Clive has over 35 years’ experience in community development programs, strategic planning and community driven research, including 25 ears working with Aboriginal community-controlled education, health and housing organisations in central Australia.Clive is a long-term resident in Alice Springs and brings this community commitment and knowledge to our housing programs. Immediately prior to being employed with CHCA. Clive worked as a Project Officer for the National Affordable Housing Consortium, on the Town Camp Community Housing Model project. Since then he has held a number of project and management positions including as Operations Manager with CHCA. Now as Strategic Project Manager, Clive continues to have a key role in leading, coordinating and managing strategic projects related to CHCA’s future growth and development.
Eileen is a descendant of the Yankunytjatjara / Luritja people NT and Ganggalida people of Burketown Qld and was raised by an Arrernte family in Alice Springs. Eileen is a Traditional Owner of Uluru Traditional Owners Association, Yankunytjatjara Kutu. Eileen has been member of the Executive of the Tangentyere Council and has served on the Board of Congress and is a current Director of Centrecorp, AHNT and CHCA. Eileen also served as a local ATSIC Councillor and was elected the ATSIC Chairperson of the Alice Springs Regional Council from 1998 through to 2001. Eileen is a long-term resident and Vice President of Mt Nancy Town Camp in Alice Springs and is a strong advocate for Women’s issues, serving on the NT Women’s Advisory Council and the Tangentyere Women’s Council.
Maxine Carlton is an indigenous woman heavily involved with the welfare of the Town Camps of Alice Springs as the current president of Anthelk-Ewlpaye (Charles Creek) Town Camp, she is also a member of the Board of Directors of Tangentyere Council and was the second female President of Tangentyere Council. During her time as president of Tangentyere Council, Maxine said she was passionate about women’s issues. “We face challenges every day, we started the Women’s Safety Committee and we have a lot to do with the Women’s Shelter as well,” she said. Maxine is also passionate about speaking for our rights, specifically for the rights of families, mothers and children and wants to help with everyday issues and problems. As such she is involved in Local Decision Making. Maxine said that it’s important for our community to have strong women in it and that she hopes that in the future, more and more women will stand up for their rights.
“I hope all of our Town Camp women become strong and keep advocating for younger ones to take part”.
Michael has worked at Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation since 2008. His current professional interests include Housing; Environmental Health, Energy Security; & Essential Services. Closing the Gap Target 9B is a priority. Michael is also affiliated with ANU & the University of Newcastle.
Wednesday, April 10
It takes two to tango, but who gets to lead? Learnings from negotiating the Tangentyere Town Camp Community Housing Model.
1130-1200, MacDonnell C
Wednesday, April 10
Drinking water security in the NT
1130-1200, Ellery Room BC
Wilya Ajjul Janta is a Warumungu grass-roots initiative to recognise both culture and climate in the design of affordable, scalable homes that allow families to thrive.
Wednesday, April 10
Wilya Ajjul Janta - housing from the grass root, Wumpurrarni Way. Housing Model.
1200-1230, MacDonnell C
Dr. Liam Grealy is a settler scholar living on Larrakia Country in northern Australia, employed as Senior Research Fellow at Menzies School of Health Research. At Menzies, Grealy is undertaking the Homelands Housing and Infrastructure Program Monitoring and Evaluation Project and leading a project investigating options for Aboriginal-controlled governance for the remote housing system in the NT, commissioned by Aboriginal Housing NT and the Central Land Council. From 2018-2023, Grealy worked in the Housing for Health Incubator at the University of Sydney, where his research examined housing and infrastructure policy in regional and remote Australia and southeast Louisiana.
Wednesday, April 10
Repairs and Maintenance: Evaluating Healthy Homes
1200-1230, Ellery Room BC
Wednesday 10 April, Day 1 - Afternoon
Wednesday, April 10
Joint partnership and Interim Accommodation Facility in Darwin
1330-1400, Ellery Room AD
Wednesday, April 10
Facing Up. The serious design challenges of First Nations housing in Central Australia
1330-1415, MacDonnell C
Raymond is an electrician by trade and the sole owner and Director of DICE Australia. Ray has over 20 years of experience in owning and operating successful businesses and over 25 years within the electrical, renewable energy and construction sectors. As a proud Indigenous man, with a background in diligently servicing remote and rural areas, he has a passion for making a positive difference for the wider Indigenous community. This passion coupled with ambition and dedication has allowed him to create opportunities for over 70 staff and growing. His impressive track record of business performance, hands-on approach, and clear vision for the future makes him the perfect leader for Dice Australia who will continue their mission to Power Communities and Empower people.
Wednesday, April 10
Genuine partnerships to tackle the remote housing crisis
1330-1400, Ellery Room BC
Annie Taylor started her career as an Australian Youth Ambassador for Development working for disability inclusion in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. This experience led Annie to complete a master’s degree in international public health and pursue work in the not-for-profit space. Annie is based in Alice Springs and works across the Central and Barkly Regions as Regional Coordinator for Central Australia with NT Shelter. NT Shelter is the Northern Territory’s peak body for affordable housing and homelessness.
Wednesday, April 10
Young people and Homelessness in Mparntwe
1400-1430 Ellery Room AD
Wednesday, April 10
Forging Pathways to First Nations Housing Excellence: Unifying Voices, Driving Accountability
1415-1500, MacDonnell C
Brittni Dienhoff is a Civil Lawyer at NAAJA. Brittni is based in the Katherine office, and works with clients across the Big Rivers region to support their advocacy for safe, and healthy housing. Previously, Brittni has worked at Environmental Justice Australia working with communities to tackle the climate crisis, at the Human Rights Law Centre and in private practice. Brittni is passionate about the fundamental right to sustainable housing, as a determinant to other social and economic outcomes.
Antony Sinni is a civil lawyer at NAAJA, based in the Darwin office. Antony’s work involves supporting clients advocate for their Housing needs in Darwin and across remote communities in the Top End and is passionate about working across all levels of the sector to improve outcomes. Prior to NAAJA, Antony worked as a research assistant for the Indigenous Studies Unit at the University of Melbourne School of Population and Global Health where they investigated Indigenous health issues with a focus on Housing in the Northern Territory as a social determinant, Indigenous data governance, cultural heritage, technology, and resource management.
Wednesday, April 10
Lessons from Tenants – building a strong, sustainable and self-determined community housing sector
1400-1430, Ellery Room BC
Michelle serves as the Healthy Housing Officer for CAAC. She has deep roots in Alice Springs, being born and raised here. Her family heritage is rich, with affiliations to the Ngalakan people from Roper River through her mother's lineage and the Garawa people from Borroloola, NT through her father's lineage. Her role involves close collaboration with six communities serviced by Congress, conducting comprehensive audits on each household regarding maintenance and repairs. Following every successful audit, each household receives a hygiene pack as a token of appreciation for welcoming her into their homes for the audit. She also takes the opportunity to educate them about the contents of the pack, explaining how and why each product contributes to fostering a healthier living environment.
Wednesday, April 10
Addressing the “causes of the causes” by developing short and long-term solutions to environmental health and housing problems in remote Northern Territory communities.
1430-1500, Ellery Room AD
Kelly Keane
Kelly Keane, Associate Director – Housing Solutions at Indigenous Business Australia. IBA is a Commonwealth Government commercial entity which delivers financial services to advance the economic circumstances of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people across Australia. IBA achieves its purposes through provision of supported, concessional home loans for first home buyers and commercial finance to early stage and growing indigenous businesses. Kelly joined IBA in August 2023 after 24 years at the CBA predominantly in retail banking and commercial lending operations. Having grown up on Yinggarda country (Carnarvon) in WA’s Gascoyne region she witnessed the unique challenges and opportunities faced by indigenous communities. Kelly has made the move to IBA to use her financial expertise in a more positive and impactful way that supports mob with achieving their home ownership goals. At IBA, Kelly is responsible for the delivery of all home loan activity with a focus on customer service excellence, staff performance and accountability.
Wednesday, April 10
Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into home ownership
1430-1500, Ellery Room BC
Thursday 11 April, Day 2 - Morning
Thursday, April 11
Aboriginal women’s experiences of homelessness and domestic, family, sexual violence
0945-1030, Ellery Room AD
For more than 30 years, Frances has dedicated her career to the provision of housing and homelessness services both in the UK and Australia working as a senior executive across a range of government and non-government agencies. Moving to Australia in 2009, Frances took up the role of General Manager of Churches of Christ Housing Services in Queensland and more recently to take up the role of CEO for Community Housing Central Australia in 2021. Frances is a strong advocate for people who are marginalised, disadvantaged or facing discrimination. Frances is also driven to achieve sustainable business growth and excellence in service delivery. Frances is the President of NT Shelter, a Graduate of the AICD and holds a Masters Degree in Property Development.
Thursday, April 11
Understanding the NRSCH process.
0945-1030, MacDonnell C
Thursday, April 11
Central Land Council Homelands Reference Group: What homelands mean to us
0945-1030, Ellery Room BC
Thursday, April 11
Building Blak and Blak Building
1100-1130, Ellery Room AD
Lisa's sweet spot is developing greenfield socio-economic, cultural and arts enterprises. Her work with government and profit-for-purpose human service organisations has delivered imaginative developmental pathways, game-changing outcomes against generational horizons and better quadruple bottom lines. Lisa knows how to tell stories that convey messages that stick, and convince decision makers to take action. In September 2020, the ACHIA NSW Board engaged Lisa to formally establish ACHIA NSW, the peak industry body for 170 Aboriginal Community Housing Providers in NSW. Twinned with its advocacy work, ACHIA NSW has developed and implemented 'The Coolamon Project' offering targeted Incubator-Accelerator assistance to propel ACHPs further, faster and better to close the housing gap in collaboration with the Aboriginal communities that control and authorise them.
Thursday, April 11
The ACHIA NSW Story: Building a Strong Aboriginal Community Housing Sector in NSW
1100-1130, MacDonnell C
Francesca Breidahl holds a Master of Public Health from James Cook University and currently serves as the Healthy Wäŋa (Healthy Homes) Project Officer at Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation. With a profound interest in the social determinants of environmental health, housing-related health inequalities, and One Health, Francesca is dedicated to addressing the intricate links between housing, social disparities, and health outcomes. In her role at Miwatj Health, Francesca actively supports the team of Yolngu Community Workers in the implementation and management of the Healthy Wäŋa program, which focuses on improving living conditions and health equity in remote Aboriginal communities of North East Arnhem Land. Her dedication to understanding and addressing the complexities of environmental health disparities makes her a valuable contributor to the conference, where she will share insights from her experience on how the Healthy Wäŋa program tackles housing-related health issues.
Danielle Yunupiŋu is a proud Yolngu woman from Nhulunbuy. After completing her schooling in South Australia last year, she is now working as a community worker in Miwatj Health’s Healthy Wäŋa (healthy homes) program. She is passionate about improving the environmental health of her community and is eager to continue her studies in the future.
Thursday, April 11
The Healthy Wäŋa Program 18-month review: Yolngu Solutions to Addressing Rheumatic Heart Disease in North East Arnhem Land.
1100-1130, Ellery Room BC
Thursday, April 11,2024
ANWERNE-KENHE - Our Home, Our Story, Our Future
1130-1200, Ellery Room AD
Miriam is Project Manager and Architect who has work with Susan Dugdale and Associates (SDA) in Alice Springs since 2008. SDA provides creative design and responsive project management on urban and remote projects across Central Australia. SDA works in all areas of construction including commercial, residential, education, housing, medial, public and institutional Architecture. Our clients include private developers, Commonwealth and NT Governments, NGOs and Aboriginal Organisations of all sizes. SDA takes pride in listening to clients to provide people centered designs that a site responsive and suit Central Australian environment and the realities of the remote construction. Miriam has designed and managed construction projects with budgets ranging from $50,000 to $30mil and worked with NTG on some of the early elements of the Room to Breathe Project.
Thursday, April 11
Out of Area Out of Mind - Examining the impact of the NT Building Certification System
1130-1200, MacDonnell C
Clayton has over 20 years of experience in Aboriginal Housing and manages a small unit that delivers construction and maintenance to South Australia’s remote Indigenous communities. Building partnerships with service providers and stakeholders is a key outcome for Clayton in successfully delivering services in remote Aboriginal communities.
Phil has worked in Aboriginal Housing in South Australia for 18 years as a Senior Project Co-ordinator. Phil is the head designed for remote housing and managers the delivery of both construction and maintenance operations. His experience extends to regional and metro housing and is a subject expert on technical and housing design.
Thursday, April 11
RACE 2030 Climate Change Project
1130-1200, Ellery Room BC
Thursday, April 11
Water for Homelands: embedding a systemic approach for safer water
1200-1230, Ellery Room AD
Kieran is a co-founder and partner at The Fulcrum Agency (TFA), a BCorp and Social Enterprise practice of architects, project managers and grant writers who support First Nations-led projects across Australia. TFA use their skills to advance social justice in Australia across housing, infrastructure, and community planning. Kieran has worked with communities from many First Nations including Warnindilyakwa, Martu, Nyoongar, Yawaru, Miriwoong Gajerrong, Kardu Yek Diminin, Warlpiri and Kuku Yalanji. His work has received national and international awards for its design quality, community engagement processes and social impact. Kieran is the current Chair at Shelter WA, the peak body for housing and homelessness in WA; a Director at Communicare; an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at Monash University; and Industry Partner for the University of Sydney’s Health Habitat Incubator.
Thursday, April 11
A Martu-Led Housing and Infrastructure Strategy: a project designed for advocacy
1200-1230, MacDonnell C
Carol has been working in the NT on housing and homelessness issues and across, social and health services for over 30 years. During this time, she has worked across remote, regional, and urban locations, within NGO and NT government settings. Carol is passionate about Community Housing in the NT and the transformative role it has in creating social and economic impact and addressing homelessness. She has taken on a newly established Coordinator position with the Community Housing Industry Association NT (CHIA NT), currently under auspice arrangements with NT Shelter.
Thursday, April 11
CHIA NT: Transformative social and economic change through Community Housing
1200-1230, Ellery Room BC
Thursday 11 April, Day 2 - Afternoon
Lesley Martin is a Central Australian Arrernte Woman by decent, Lore & Culture. Lesley has lived in the Northern Territory all her life and has also worked and lived in different remote communities. Lesley has been working for IEHU – University of Melbourne as a Health Promotion and Community Engagement Officer, in the trachoma space for the past five years. Lesley’s main role is community engagement and Health Promotion with all community stakeholders and community members. Raising awareness about what trachoma is and how to help eliminate trachoma with Milpa’s six steps to stop germs in various schools, early learning centres, playgroups and FaFT’s centres. Yarning and education sessions with community members around Milpa’s hygiene practices to stop germs helps to spread the key messages. Lesley believes it is time to share the importance of community health and well-being through education, acceptance and solving the issues of health, in education and a healthy environment in their homes.
Thursday, April 11
Community partnerships for healthy homes.
1330-1400, Ellery Room AD
Thursday, April 11
REACH-ing beyond silos
1300-1400, MacDonnell C
Thursday, April 11
Overview of Kalano Aboriginal Corporation
1330-1400, Ellery Room BC
Elizabeth Zarebski is the nominated architect for RASP Architecture, a fast-growing Architectural design firm in Western Australia, proud of its 100% Indigenous ownership. Elizabeth completed a research seminar at UWA which focused on indigenous housing within the suburb (Queens Park) she grew up in Perth, WA. This research developed into an interest that found her completing her student architect work experience with PM&D Architects, which focused on the Housing for Health program at Balgo Community in the Kimberley Region of WA. In 2022, Elizabeth joined RASP Australia and with the support of RASP Managing Director/ Founder Richard Tester, was able to fore fill the role of nominated architect to then establish RASP Architecture in 2024. RASP Architecture as a forward-thinking design firm, specialize in services catering to the Remote + Urban Indigenous Housing Sectors. Their success is a testament to their dedication and commitment to human centered design solutions. Their culturally sensitive approach and response to country ensures that they bring cutting-edge solutions to every project they undertake. They pride themselves on providing cost-effective and environmentally conscious solutions without compromising on the specific needs of the individual and occupiers of their built forms. RASP Architecture believe in empowering local communities and fostering economic growth.
Thursday, April 11
Remote Indigenous housing; redefining culturally appropriate housing in remote communities.
1400-1430, Ellery Room AD
Thursday, April 11
Remote Housing Investment in the Northern Territory
1400-1500, MacDonnell C
TBC
Lauren Mellor is the Clean Energy Communities Project Coordinator for Original Power. An experienced clean energy and community development practitioner, Lauren has lived and worked in the Northern Territory for close to two decades, most recently coordinating the delivery of the NT’s first Indigenous-owned solar microgrid projects. She is dedicated to community-led solutions and harnessing the transformative power of clean energy.
Thursday, April 11
Renewable energy solutions in remote communities and homelands
1400-1430, Ellery Room BC
Thursday, April 11
Contributing to the June 2024 Responding to Homelessness in the Northern Territory edition of Parity: A workshop for potential contributors.
1430-1500, Ellery Room AD
Bobbie is a national Housing for Health Project Manager and Director at Dogspike Design & Architecture in Mparntwe. Bobbie has a background in Architecture and construction and is pursuing a research project on improving the Thermal Performance of typical NT Aboriginal Community Housing Typologies in the face of climate change – Cool Living. Her work was recently awarded the NSW Construction & Practice Prize in 2023. David is a Director of Healthabitat, an organisation that has spent the past 30 years working with local communities to improve the health of people living in poverty, by using data to fix and advocate for better housing. Through Healthabitat he manages Housing for Health projects in NSW, NT and in the USA, and is uniquely positioned to provide some independent, evidence based insights into the current housing maintenance system rolled out across the NT’s remote Aboriginal communities.
David and Bobbie will share findings from the ten (10) Housing for Health projects completed across the NT over the last 4 years, and how preventative repair and maintenance programs are key to reducing the impacts of crowding, homelessness and improving health.
Thursday, April 11
NT Housing for Health project outcomes, and the importance of preventative / cyclical maintenance for health.
1430-1500, Ellery Room BC
Thursday 12 April, Day 3
Emma White began her career as a social worker in Western Australia (WA) and has extensive experience working in remote and regional communities. During her time in WA, Emma led system-wide reform and community co-design agendas. Emma is recognised as a natural leader with high emotional intelligence and staunch personal integrity, who consistently produces sustainable results. Her commitment to supporting children, families and Communities across the NT, as well as her steadfast ability to work in partnership with stakeholders and community, will ensure Territory Families, Housing and Communities continues to deliver culturally appropriate, community-led policies, programs and solutions.
Thursday, April 11
Remote Housing Investment in the Northern Territory
1400-1300, MacDonnell C
Friday, April 12
Northern Territory Government Address
0930-1030, MacDonnell C
Friday, April 12
Yapa-Kurlangu Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation
1130-1200, MacDonnell C
Housing for Homelands is a charitable organisation established in 2023 in response to the critical need for alternative housing solutions for homeland communities in Arnhem Land. HfH pursues a ‘both ways’ approach that values and integrates Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge and frameworks in the development of a new housing model. HfH’s projects aim to empower residents, strengthen livelihoods on homelands and support the work of local organisations.
Founded by Chloe Gibbon and Janos Kerekes, Housing for Homelands is born from and guided by the close relationships they have developed with Aboriginal people during their time living and working in Arnhem Land. In their presentation, they will introduce the background and aims of HfH and discuss ways philanthropy and non-government organisations can support remote Aboriginal housing.
Chloe is a balanda (non-Indigenous) Australian with a background in anthropology and arts management. She spent nearly 10 years living in the NT, predominately managing Aboriginal-owned art centres in remote communities. Janos is a Hungarian-born Australian and has spent several years living and working in Arnhem Land, involved in community engagement, cross-cultural communication and language work.
Friday, April 12
Housing for Homelands
1400-1430, MacDonnell C
Conference Dates: 9-12 April, 2024
Presentation Submissions: Closed
Early Bird Registrations: 25 Jan - 15 March, 2024
Agentur Pty Ltd
ABN 57 151 252 989
15 Cavenagh Street
Darwin NT 0800, Australia
Phone: +61 8 8981 2010
Enquiries: ahhconference2024@agentur.com.au