Join Us
18-20 April
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Esplanade Darwin
Welcome
We acknowledge the Larrakia People, the traditional owners of the lands upon which we will meet and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
“As Chair of AHNT, I am excited to invite you to join us in the Top End of Australia for the inaugural Remote Housing and Homelands conference to be held in Darwin capital of the Northern Territory” Alan Mole – Chairperson
“I’m pleased as the CEO of Aboriginal Housing NT to invite you to be involved in the inaugural Aboriginal Housing & Homelands conference, on beautiful Larrakia Country. This is an opportunity to come together to discuss how we can support and empower our Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to realise a long-term vision, Aboriginal housing in Aboriginal hands.” Skye Thompson – CEO
Introduction
Aboriginal Housing NT (AHNT) is the independent peak body for Aboriginal community-controlled organisations that provide housing and housing-related services in the Northern Territory.
Our vision
Aboriginal housing in Aboriginal hands
Our mission
A key priority for AHNT is to provide guidance, support and resources to members and Aboriginal organisations to assist them build capacity and become registered Community Housing providers (CHPs) through the National Regulatory System for Community Housing (NRSCH). We strongly encourage more Aboriginal organisations to join us.
The theme of this year’s conference is towards a regulated, resilient, and sustainable Aboriginal community-controlled housing continuum in the Northern Territory.
The focus of the conference is homelessness, housing, homelands, including town camps/community living areas.
The conference will build on the strengths of the two previous Aboriginal housing forums run by the Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the Northern Territory (APO NT) in 2015 and 2018.
Background
AHNT was formed following the 2015 Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT (APO NT) Aboriginal Housing Forum and has been active ever since with the strong support of over a dozen Aboriginal organisations, their boards, community leaders and elders. The establishment of AHNT was a strong signal that Aboriginal leaders want to regain control over housing development and management in their communities.
AHNT member organisations represent:
- around 47,811 Aboriginal people or 41.7% of the population in the electorate of Lingiari, which covers most of the Northern Territory, and
- around 9752 Aboriginal people or 8.5% of the population in the electorate of Solomon, which covers Darwin and Palmerston
In March 2018, AHNT hosted the second APO NT Aboriginal Housing Forum. This forum attracted almost 200 delegates and representatives from over 60 NT Aboriginal organisations. Forum delegates expressed overwhelming support for the development of AHNT as a representative voice for Aboriginal people in the NT and for Aboriginal people to regain control over housing in their communities, homelands, outstations, town camps, and community living areas.
On 23 August 2019, Aboriginal Housing NT (AHNT) Aboriginal Corporation – ICN 9120 – was registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006.
On 13 July 2021, AHNT signed a formal memorandum of understanding with NT Shelter to support, prioritise and advocate for needs-based funding for the homelessness and housing sectors in the Northern Territory.
AHNT is a member of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Association (NATSIHA). NATSIHA is the first and only national leadership body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing in Australia. Its purpose is to facilitate access to quality, accessible, affordable and culturally appropriate housing to help empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families and communities to optimise their health and wellbeing and improve their employment opportunities, access to education, connection to the community and sense of home.
AHNT works closely with the Australian and Northern Territory governments, and land councils as a member of the Joint Steering Committee for the National Partnership Agreement for Remote Housing and to establish a regulated, sustainable and resilient Aboriginal community-controlled housing and homelands sector.
For more information, head to our website: ahnt.org.au
Who's coming
The profile of delegates will range from relevant housing stakeholders from:
- Members of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly,
- Commonwealth Senators, Ministers and Members of Parliament
- Northern Territory Land Councils
- Senior public servants in the Australian and Northern Territory governments
- Heads of organisations who fund or are partners of the Aboriginal community-controlled housing sector
- Representatives from the Aboriginal community-controlled housing sector from across the Northern Territory and Australia
- Local government representatives
- Community representatives and residents
Program and keynote speakers
Click on the dates to view the conference program
Guest speakers
Biography
Carol started her career as a nurse in regional and remote communities across Australia, and internationally – including Iraq and the UK. These experiences led Carol to complete a BA degree in anthropology and sociology, followed by Honours at Charles Darwin University in the area of alcohol treatment programs in the NT.
Carol has worked in the NT with Aboriginal organisations and across Government for nearly 30 years. She initially worked across many regional and remote communities in the area of alcohol and other drugs. During this time, she facilitated the development of cross-cultural resources that are still being used today.
Since then, Carol has managed services and programs across Community and Primary Health, Children and Families, and Homelessness. As a result of these combined experiences, Carol is an advocate for understanding the issues associated with homelessness from a wide, and questioning lens. She is also passionate about ending homelessness in the NT.
Carol has started a PhD about “Hidden” Homelessness among Older Aboriginal women in Garramilla (Darwin). Her aim is for women’s lived experience to guide and shape change, both for women seeking help today, as well as for the prevention of future need. The findings will also be relevant in her role as Director, Homelessness Programs.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Hidden homelessness in Darwin
1100-1145, Litchfield Room
Biography
Anahita Tonkin comes from a background spanning 18 years working alongside profit for purpose organisations, Government, universities and remote First Nations communities across Australia and beyond in the fields of community development, consultancy, mental health awareness, leadership, governance, business sustainability and growth modelling. She is the current CEO of Yalu Aboriginal Corporation taking on the role in 2021 and has been involved with Yalu as a Director for 2 years prior. While in this role the organisation has had consistent growth, has become a registered charity, increased its assets, reached diversity in funding streams to enable a sustainable future and has provided financial literacy to the Board of Directors.
Her passion is to work alongside the Yolŋu team to continue to build and strengthen the current model and capacity to ensure Yalu are advocating and delivering fit for purpose programs and services in the fields of children and family services, cultural education and research. The focus is on strong governance and processes to ensure the future of Yalu belongs and continues to be in the hands of Yolŋu people. Yalu is continuing to lead by example as a strong Yolŋu organisation in East Arnhem Land.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Yalu's Journey: Yolngu to be strong
1145-1230, Litchfield Room
Biography
Helen Westbury is a Palawa women originally from Tasmania. Her career includes 35 years in the Australian Public Service with 3 years seconded to east Arnhem Land from 2007-2010. She has extensive experience in community development, heath promotion, contract management, research management, governance, and quality assurance. Since 2019 she has worked with Yalu Aboriginal Corporation in Galiwinku serving as CEO to get the corporation to a feasible operating level while establishing foundational governance until the end of 2020 and is now the Executive Manager and also sits on the Executive Committee as Finance Manager.
Helen co-developed Yalu’s Children and Family Service model with the late Mr Ross Wunungmurra and now manages the Children and Family Service arm which includes the Family Support Service, the Aboriginal Carer Service and Indigenous Parenting Service. Her passion is passing on skill sets to Yalu’s Yolŋu team and along with her team, developing resources on understanding trauma and other educational materials that are culturally appropriate to support families at risk of having children go into out of home care.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Yalu's Journey: Yolngu to be strong
1145-1230, Litchfield Room
Biography
Regina is a proud Yawuru and Warrramungu woman, she was born in Darwin on Larrakia country and have lived in Darwin all her life. Her employment history includes working in both the NT Government and Federal Government for 24 years, During this period, she travelled to remote communities. She developed a passion to help her people to improve their lives, and this commitment and passion continues today.
Regina was appointed as an ATSIC Counsellor in Darwin. This experience instilled great pride in working with her people and enabled her to gain valuable skills to find ways to improve their lives. She was chosen to undertake the first National Indigenous Womens’ Leadership Program. She graduated from this program with a certificate IV in indigenous Leadership. She was provided with the opportunity to travel overseas to Conferences with other Indigenous groups in Canada and Papua New Guinea.
Regina is currently employed as the General Manager of the Darwin Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Shelter (DAIWS) and has been managing the service for the past 20 years. Regina is also on the boards of Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation and Yilli Housing Aboriginal Corporation, she has been involved with these Organisations for many years.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Impacts of homelessness on Aboriginal women and men, as well as LGBTIQA+ community.
1100-1230, Grand Ballroom
Biography
Michael is an Indigenous man whose clan is Jabirr Jabirr, north of Broome to Beagle Bay in Western Australia. He spent most of his life in northern Australia working between Broome and Darwin providing support services to Indigenous people and communities. He has a qualifications in Business Management, Counselling, Alcohol and Other Drugs Work, and Community Services Work. He has worked in Indigenous affairs for 39 years providing services to individuals and communities. His work involved community development, project administration, education and training, counselling and mentoring, art and music, and cultural healing activities for Indigenous and LGBT people. Since 2005 he worked with Darwin Aboriginal and Islander Women’s Shelter as a Family Violence Counsellor and Project Manager, providing family violence counselling and education, and healing activities for Indigenous men. He is the founder of Darwin Indigenous Men’s Service (DIMS) which was developed in response to the needs of men, families and town communities in Darwin. DIMS provides a culturally safe, supportive, non-judgemental service for males to heal from grief, trauma and learn new skills, where they are encouraged to embrace changes that work towards building healthy, harmonious and equitable relationships, families and communities.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Impacts of homelessness on Aboriginal women and men, as well as LGBTIQA+ community.
1100-1230, Grand Ballroom
Biography
Sally works at Central Desert Regional Council in the NT. Servicing an area the size of Victoria, Sally is the Director of Community Services, managing Aged Care, Youth and Community Safety, Child Care, Libraries and the Community Development Program across 9 remote Aboriginal communities. Over a 30 + year career Sally has worked in social housing, community development, homelessness, mental health and crisis intervention. She has spent the last 20 years in Executive Management roles in Community Services, Social Housing and Homelessness. During her 9 years in the NT Sally's lead roles have been in Executive Management within Aboriginal controlled organisations and government services.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Homelessness in Central Australia, and the importance of a needs-based funding model for the NT
1100-1230, Reflections Room
Biography
Michael Berto is the CEO of Yilli Rreung Housing Aboriginal Corporation commencing on 14 November 2023. Originally from Darwin, he has also lived in Katherine for more than 48 years and is connected to the Alywarre people in northern central Australia on his mother’s side. He is a member of the Stolen Generation. Michael has a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (MBA) 2013 and has over 20 years of senior management experience in the Katherine region. He initially spent 14 years in the Commonwealth Government in the Indigenous employment area. Michael was elected as the Chairperson with ATSIC Garrak-Jarru (black cockatoo) Regional Council representing the Katherine region, and then elected as the Chairperson of the Indigenous Housing Authority Northern Territory (IHANT) for 2 years in 2003/04. He moved to the local government industry in 2005 and was CEO of two local government organisations (Nyrrunggulung Regional Council, then RoperGulf Regional Council at one point, delivering a range of services including housing new builds, tenancy management and maintenance in the Katherine/ Big Rivers Region. More recently he worked with the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics (DIPL) in Aboriginal Development. Michael then worked with Northern Land Council in Regional Development with Section 19 land use agreements.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
How YISSA is helping people coming in to Darwin to access health and other services
1330-1500, Litchfield Room
Biography
Neil is an Aboriginal man with connections to the Waanyi people of the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Kuku Yalanji people of Far North Queensland. He is national leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing, health, economic development and administration. He is known as a leading thinker and for his work in strategy and policy development and implementation. With national and international experience in business, health and housing. He was appointed as the CEO of the peak body – “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Queensland” in December 2020. As the CEO, he was responsible for establishing this organisation, and is now responsible for implementing the strategic vision of the organisation, strategic partnerships and the overall management of the organisation so that there are better Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing outcomes in Queensland.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Matters that have an impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing, accomodation and homelessness
1330-1500, Grand Ballroom
Biography
Jenny Samms is currently a consultant and Director on several Boards and advisory groups. She was previously the CEO of Aboriginal Housing Victoria. During her time as CEO, she led the organisation to achieve Housing Association status, the only Aboriginal organisation in Australia to achieve this level of accreditation and successfully negotiated the historic transfer of ownership of the nearly 1,500 DHHS properties that AHV was managing. Following her time at AHV, Jenny was instrumental in driving the development of Victoria's Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Framework, Mana-na woorn-tyeen maar-takoort, and developing Aboriginal Cultural Safety Framework for the Community Housing Associations Limited Victoria and Council to Homeless Persons.Working to a Victorian Government Ministerial Taskforce on Aboriginal Affairs, chaired by the Deputy Premier, Jenny’s engagement was crucial to achieving whole of government reform of Aboriginal Affairs, including ongoing development and implementation of the overarching Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework, Cultural Inclusion Framework, strategic reform across key areas of Government, annual reporting to Parliament, successful whole of government budget bids over six years, representing Victoria on the COAG Working Group on Indigenous Reform, negotiating and finalising the COAG National Indigenous Reform Agreement and the Overarching Bilateral Indigenous Plan and establishing Commonwealth State bilateral arrangements to achieve effective investments, building community partnerships and working with the private and philanthropic sectors to achieve sustained opportunities and improvements for Aboriginal Victorians.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Aboriginal housing and homelessness, the Victorian journey to self determination
1330-1500, Reflections Room
Biography
Brent is an executive leader with experience in law enforcement, youth justice, child protection and family support. This includes extensive experience leading and championing the implementation of reform initiatives in key operational areas. Brent has led regional service delivery arrangements and has lived and worked across the Northern Territory. He brings strong working relationships with key government agencies and community organisations, and experience in leading emergency management response; policy development; stakeholder liaison; human resource management and research and analysis.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Transitioning from a public housing model to an Aboriginal Community Controlled Housing Sector model
1100-1145, Litchfield Room
Biography
After a six year stint in Western Australia, Jared has recently returned to the Northern Territory as the Executive Director Housing Market Reform and Programs. Jared has over 20 years of experience in the public sector shaping national housing and homelessness policy agendas, advising on housing system stewardship and leading delivery of strategic policy and commercial projects that enhance residential market functionality.
Jared has extensive experience in urban, regional and remote delivery across multiple jurisdictions; social and affordable housing provision; government home ownership entities; and contemporary inter-governmental relations. Driven by a desire to work with market forces to deliver affordable and diverse housing options that assist society’s most vulnerable, Jared strives for improved community outcomes through provision of housing stability and security of tenure as the platform for greater socioeconomic benefits for all.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Understanding the context of broader reform agendas and how these will influence future direction
1145-1230, Litchfield Room
Biography
Andrew Forster has been a Principal Compliance Officer at the New South Wales Registrar of Community Housing for almost five years. Andrew manages a team of twelve Analysts who register and monitor the compliance of community housing providers across New South Wales, the Northern Territory and Tasmania, of which there are more than 200, including over 40 Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations. Andrew has worked in regulatory environments for 30 years, including policing, security, sports integrity, and housing. Andrew is passionate about developing and implementing contemporary regulatory approaches that are proportionate, fit for purpose, and reduce reporting burden, while encouraging best practice in governance and management to deliver a safe tenant experience.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
NRSCH and it's importance in establishing the Aboriginal Community Controlled Housing Sector of the NT
1100-1230, Grand Ballroom
Biography
Wendy has lived in the NT for over 25years. She worked in the Disability sector before spending 7 years as the Disability Discrimination advocate and outreach worker at Darwin Community Legal Service. She then had the privilege of being the Executive Director of the NT Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) for 14 years. Wendy left this role late in 2019 and did consulting work before being appointed as the NT’s Community Housing Registrar in 2021.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
NRSCH and it's importance in establishing the Aboriginal Community Controlled Housing Sector of the NT
1100-1230, Grand Ballroom
Biography
Michael Campbell joined NHFIC as a Director in the Origination team in 2022, where he works with Community Housing Providers to provide social and affordable housing solutions across Australia.
Michael has a passion for delivering nation-building infrastructure projects that improve the day-to-day lives of our communities. He spent the past 20 years advising governments and the private sector on some of the most complex infrastructure projects in Canada and Australia across the accommodation, transportation, health, and energy sectors.
Michael holds a Master of Economics degree from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) degree from Queen’s University.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
How NFHIC is supporting Aboriginal Community-Controlled Housing Organisations in becoming a Community Housing Provider
1100-1230, Reflections Room
Biography
George is a Managing Director and National Housing Lead within PwC’s Integrated Infrastructure practice. George’s professional background includes more than 25 years working in the housing sector for private developer, not for profit and consultancy services. He regularly advises public and private sector clients on a range of housing issues such as strategy, operating models, financial, regulatory and commercial issues. He has extensive experience in strategic development, stakeholder engagements and assessment, working with clients at all levels of government, private, not for profit to apply national housing evidence-based approaches to support new housing products, and reviewing, designing and supporting the implementation of new business models for efficient and effective service delivery.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
How NFHIC is supporting Aboriginal Community-Controlled Housing Organisations in becoming a Community Housing Provider
1100-1230, Reflections Room
Biography
John McBryde has spent over 20 years working in the property and community housing sectors in NSW and the NT. John began his career at the age of 15 as Property Manager in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney and was most recently the CEO of Community Housing Central Australia in Alice Springs.
John has worked in a wide range of roles in project management, business improvement, management, operations, remote community development and was previously the Vice President of NT Shelter.
John now works for himself as a management consultant, helping organisations with a wide range of projects such as strategy development, group facilitation, stakeholder engagement and more. John continues to work with the community housing sector and recently worked with AHNT, CHIA NT and NT Shelter to develop the first NT Urban Community Housing Industry Development plan.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
New model for delivering remote community housing in the NT and Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation housing trial
1330-1500, Grand Ballroom
Biography
Clarissa is committed to central Australian regional development through self determination and self governance and has a firm belief in build local lead local. With over 16years experience in the aboriginal medical services governance and 12 years in the commonwealth government, Clarissa in 2021 joined Julalikari Council with a concentration on revitalising Aboriginal Housing management. Through the Julalikari Council’s Local Decision Making Agreement signed in March 2022, they are progressing the goal to achieving Housing for Independence, Health and Wellbeing. Clarissa believes it is critical to ensure the inclusion of all service providers for the benefit of the Tenants and future housing is designed for future environmental conditions. “We need to build homes which supports Tenants and strengthens the life of the housing asset itself”.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
New model for delivering remote community housing in the NT and Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation housing trial
1330-1500, Grand Ballroom
Biography
LT (Linda Turner) is a Warlmanpa woman from the Barkly Region, LT lives in tennant Creek and is the Chairperson of Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation. LT has been the Chairperson of Julalikari since 2017.
LTs has advocated and has worked with many communities in the Barkly region and having spent 13 years in the south west gulf living and working in Borroloola. LTs passion is working with families dealing with Domestic & Family Violence, Housing for families especially on remote homelands. LT believes supporting families to live on their own homelands will contribute to better health and wellbeing.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
New model for delivering remote community housing in the NT and Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation housing trial
1330-1500, Grand Ballroom
Biography
Hal has been a leading figure in the social housing sector for over 30 years. In 1985 he was founder of Ecumenical Housing and then CEO for 18 years.
In 2004 he facilitated a merger with Inner City Social Housing to form Melbourne Affordable Housing which later evolved into Housing Choices Australia. Hal was Chairperson of the Victorian Ministerial Advisory Committee on the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program and a member of the Victorian Ministerial Advisory Committee on Housing in the 1990s. He served as a Director of the Australian Housing & Urban Research Institute and the Australian Institute for Health & Welfare and as Chairperson of the Community Housing Federation of Australia and the National Community Housing Forum.
In 2004 Hal established Ward Bisset Consulting through which he has provided housing policy and project development advice to all levels of government and numerous community housing organisations in all States and Territories as well as New Zealand. Hal is also a partner and Executive Director of Affordable Housing Solutions (AHS) since 2005. AHS has worked with the private and community sectors to deliver more than 4,000 social and affordable housing dwellings under the National Rental Affordability Scheme, the Nation Building Housing Stimulus program in NSW, the Social & Affordable Housing Fund in NSW and the Social Housing Growth Fund in Victoria.
During 2013 & 2014 Hal served as the CEO of Community Housing Central Australia. He continues to provide consultancy advice to the Central Land Council on the development of an Aboriginal controlled community housing model for remote communities which is currently under consideration by the Joint Steering Committee for the National Partnership for Remote Housing Northern Territory. Hal is a member of the Australasian Housing Institute. He was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 1992 to study affordable housing systems in northern Europe, the UK, Canada and the USA. He has been recognised for his contribution to social housing in Australia with a Centenary Medal in 2001 and investiture as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2005.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
New model for delivering remote community housing in the NT and Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation housing trial
1330-1500, Grand Ballroom
Biography
Kirsty Moore, Chief Executive Officer, Indigenous Business AustraliaMs Moore joined IBA in 2018 after three years as a senior director with the WA Government where she had responsibility for business development, low deposit home loans, shared equity and asset management of the $14.5bn WA social housing asset portfolio. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Kirsty has a strong background in technical accounting, corporate governance and commercial finance. Prior to joining the public sector, Kirsty worked for National Australia Bank and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Indigenous Australians achieving economic independence
1330-1415, Litchfield Room
Biography
Jerome Cubillo is a proud Larrakia and Wadjigan man who was born and raised on Larrakia country with family connections to the Torres Strait Islands. His education: a Bachelor of Arts (Major in Politics and Minor in Development Studies), University of Melbourne, are qualifications that laid the foundation, and combined with experience, launched the trajectory of his career.Jerome’s professional working career is as diverse, as it is dynamic. Jerome start in the NGO sector working in the youth leadership space, allowing him to work with people, it was a catalyst to take bigger strides for community and career. He then began working with the Northern Territory Government in 2018 in Housing and Community Development before taking a role in the Department of the Chief Minister in Office of Aboriginal Affairs as the Manager, Leadership and Engagement working on the First Circles Leadership Program. Seeking out a new challenge, Jerome took short break from the office, to run on The Amazing Race in 2019, partnering with his wife, Jasmin, The Deadly Duo from NT, placed 2nd. This break was short lived, and Jerome was inspired to push the boundaries and become a Director of Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation, an integral part of the Darwin community. Jerome has been on the board since 2018 and was the Deputy Chairperson for a year, and in 2021 Jerome was elected as the Chairperson.His want for more and need to make inroads of change, lead him to his current role. Jerome is the Chief Executive Officer of Northern Territory Business Network (NTIBN), a role that allows him to advocate for and preference work winning opportunities for Aboriginal businesses in the NT.Snapshot Bio:Jerome Cubillo is a proud Larrakia and Wadjigan man who was born and raised on Larrakia country. His diverse professional career is a testament to his strength of character and ability to see past the now and into the future. Now at the helm of the NTIBN, as the CEO, his passion, drive and ability, culminate to produce results
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
NTG Aboriginal Procurement Policy
1415-1530, Litchfield Room
Biography
David is an independent architect and 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 and the NT, 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.Formerly a resident of both Darwin and Alice Springs, David managed the Housing Division of Tangentyere Council in Alice during the years preceding and following the NT Intervention, and oversaw its transition into Community Housing Central Australia (CHCA) where he remains an independent Director. Passionate about health and housing, he introduced the Maintaining Housing for Better Health programme to CHCA, an ongoing preventative maintenance system to measure, track and improve functionality of peoples’ homes through an annual community-based survey and fix program.David is currently the Program Manager for Healthabitat’s international projects, and has managed water and sanitation projects in Nepal, South Africa and Indonesia. David’s latest project involves training and mentoring a Brooklyn based NGO who are running a Housing for Health project (under a Healthabitat Licence) in Brownsville NYC.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Housing for health program, Safety and the Nine Healthy Living Principles, its importance and benefits
1330-1415, Reflections Room
Biography
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.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Housing SA’s model across the APY lands, including SA Remote Maintenance Program and Construction Program.
1415-1530, Reflections Room
Biography
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.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Housing SA’s model across the APY lands, including SA Remote Maintenance Program and Construction Program.
1415-1530, Reflections Room
Biography
Julia is an experienced senior leader with over 15 years experience in Government and the not-for-profit sector. Julia has worked on a number of key social and economic reforms in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Department of Education, Services Australia and most recently in the Department of Social Services. Julia is currently leading the Branch working in close partnership with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Association to deliver the first housing sector strengthening plan and the Housing Policy Partnership – two key initiatives under the priority reforms in the Closing the Gap National Agreement. Julia is also leading the development of the Government’s National Housing and Homelessness Plan, one of the key commitments under the Government’s housing reform agenda.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Overview of Australian Government Housing Reform Agenda
1530-1600, Grand Ballroom
Biography
Wednesday, April 20, 2023
NTG Homelands Policy and Programs
1000-1030, Grand Ballroom
Biography
A Djapu woman from Garrthalala in the Laynhapuy Homelands, Yananymul Mununggurr is the current Chairperson of Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation and she has been an outspoken advocate for improved education in this region in particular. Yananymul has over many years served on many boards, many committees and many councils as her advice on community development related projects has been vital to the betterment of north east Arnhem Land. Yananymul’s contribution doesn’t merely extend to the homelands – her advice sweeps across health, housing, family wellbeing, cultural maintenance, employment and safe communities in general. She has on many occasions spoken of the important connection that land has to Yolngu culture. Ms Mununggurr has shown formidable courage throughout her professional career and will be making a profound contribution for many years to come.
Wednesday, April 20, 2023
1100-1130, Grand Ballroom
Biography
Wednesday, April 20, 2023
1100-1130, Grand Ballroom
Biography
Wednesday, April 20, 2023
1130-1200, Grand Ballroom
Biography
Wednesday, April 20, 2023
1130-1200, Grand Ballroom
Biography
Wednesday, April 20, 2023
1130-1200, Grand Ballroom
Biography
Wednesday, April 20, 2023
1130-1200, Grand Ballroom
Biography
Wednesday, April 20, 2023
1200-1230, Grand Ballroom
Biography
Wednesday, April 20, 2023
1200-1230, Grand Ballroom
Biography
Jozan has been working for Ingkerreke in various roles since 2005. Jozan reports to a Board of 11 Directors drawn from the Corporation’s founding member homelands and ensures that the organisation is true to its original mission of supporting sustainable homeland living. She previously worked as Ingkerreke’s General Manager for more than 5 years. Jozan is Indigenous and was born in Alice Springs.
Wednesday, April 20, 2023
1330-1400, Grand Ballroom
Biography
Perlin Simon MAICD MAHRI is the Chief Executive Officer at Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation.Perlin has over 15 years of experience working for both Aboriginal community-controlled and mainstream organisations. Working with a strong focus on continuous improvement, Perlin has achieved outstanding organisational results through an inclusive, transformational, and collaborative working environment.
Perlin’s passion includes social and cultural influences on self-determination, holistic approaches to whole of life success and wellbeing, team and individual capacity building and development, and innovative out of the box service delivery. She brings valuable industry knowledge to the team and has expertise in areas of change management, program development, program evaluation, strategic policy development, and organisational management.
Perlin is a leader with natural talent in team development and stakeholder engagement. She has a firm focus on continuously improving business outcomes through careful strategic planning. Perlin has a huge passion for leadership through diversity and is talented in supporting team members in succeeding.
Wednesday, April 20, 2023
1400-1430, Grand Ballroom
Biography
Wednesday, April 20, 2023
1400-1430, Grand Ballroom
Biography
Exceptional leader with over 25 years’ experience managing strategic and business-critical activities within public and multinational organisations in complex environments.Held leadership roles working with boards, executive and leadership teams leading wide and deep reaching businesses.As CEO Mabunji, servicing over 1,500 members of 20 very remote communities over 17,000 square kilometres (municipal services, community housing in excess of 500 dwellings).
Active participation with State and Commonwealth peak bodies with objectives of elimination of poverty and homelessness through effective community business development.Lobbying on behalf of individuals, businesses and communities, showcasing fit for purpose capabilities and capacity to fulfill the demand and establishment 3-5 year contractual agreements directly elevating economic and social disadvantage (discrimination based on race and culture), separation from culture and identity (indirect health and psychological distress).Actively participating on Borroloola town committee for natural disaster and preparedness (Northern Territory Emergency Services) committee to proactively anticipate and mitigate risks of cyclones, floods, bush fires, Covid-19.Delivered sustainable economic, strategic, social, and environmental benefits to communities, individuals and organisations by strengthening their knowledge and skills (self-esteem), overcoming barriers through innovation and stimulation of creativity, driving prosperity and empowering communities and entrepreneurism.
Wednesday, April 20, 2023
1430-1500, Grand Ballroom
Biography
Wednesday, April 20, 2023
1430-1500, Grand Ballroom
Sponsorship
Aboriginal Housing Northern Territory (AHNT) invite you to participate as a sponsor and/or exhibitor at the conference which will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Darwin, 18 to 20 April 2023. This is a face-to-face conference, and we hope you will join us.
Choose from a variety of sponsorship packages listed below – whatever best suits your budget and marketing needsTHANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
OPAL SPONSOR
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Association
NATSIHA is the first and only national leadership body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing in Australia. Its purpose is to facilitate access to quality, accessible, affordable and culturally appropriate housing to help empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families and communities to optimise their health and wellbeing and improve their employment opportunities, access to education, connection to the community and sense of home.
GOLD SPONSOR
Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network
NTIBN is 100% Aboriginal Owned, Aboriginal-centric, and ensures a #Blakfirst approach to everything we do.
We prioritise and preference Indigenous values, culture, self-determination, empowerment, equity and economic development, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for employment and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enterprises and organisations for our supply chain.
https://ntibn.com.au
SILVER SPONSOR
The Northern Land Council (NLC) is an independent statutory authority of the Commonwealth. It is responsible for assisting Aboriginal peoples in the Top End of the Northern Territory to acquire and manage their traditional lands and seas.
The most important responsibility of the NLC is to consult with traditional landowners and other Aboriginal people with an interest in affected land. Landowners must give informed consent before any action is taken to affect their lands and seas. Achieving informed consent ensures affected Aboriginal communities and groups have the chance to express their views.
Key constituents of the NLC are Traditional Owners and the residents on Aboriginal lands. About 51,000 Aboriginal people live in the NLC region, across approximately 33 communities, 261 homelands and 17 town camps. The majority of the NLC's constituents (some 75 per cent or 38,500 people) are residents in regional and remote locations.
In 2019, in response to ongoing housing reforms, the NLC established a Remote Housing team. This team engage with landowners and residents to advocate their aspirations for remote housing delivery, support remote housing and homelands services, provide input into policies and programs, and monitor the implementation and evaluation of the remote housing frameworks.
https://www.nlc.org.au
CATERING BREAK SPONSOR
Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory
https://apont.org.au
THANK YOU TO OUR EXHIBITOR
EXHIBITOR
Community Business Bureau
CBB is a national not-for-profit, charitable organisation that supports over 800 NFPs across Australia. Including over 200 First Nation Organisations.
We support not-for-profit organisations to attract, develop and retain good people elevating the quality of life of people in need through a range of service offerings such as salary packaging, rewards programs, trusted advisor services, scholarships, better health initiatives, community development and business grants and much more.
Our mission is to develop the capacity and sustainability of our fellow not-for-profits. We undertake activities that support and enable charitable organisations to provide benevolent relief in the areas of indigenous services, aged care, disability, health, welfare, and other community and human support services to people in need.
EXHIBITOR
Office of Aboriginal Affairs
Registrations are now open
Register here| Registration Type | Price | Close date |
| Government & corporate early bird | $990.00 | 25 March 2023 |
| Not-for-profit early bird | $490.00 | 25 March 2023 |
| Government & corporate standard | $1090.00 | 18 April 2023 |
| Not-for-profit standard | $590.00 | 18 April 2023 |
| Government & corporate one-day | $400.00 | 19 April 2023 |
| Not-for-profit one-day | $300.00 | 19 April 2023 |
Accommodation
Accommodation options at special conference room rates can be selected during the online registration process.
Please note – these exclusive accommodation discounts only apply for stays from 17 to 21 April. If you wish to stay longer, you will need to organise your own accommodation before and/or after these dates.
It is a busy season of the year. We advise participants to book their accommodation ahead of time as rooms are limited. Click on the link below to start your registration.
Venue
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Esplanade
116 Esplanade, Darwin City
Northern Territory 0800
Australia
Contact us
Please direct all questions to the conference organiser: rhhconference2023@agentur.com.au
Address
15 Cavenagh Street, Darwin City
Phone
P: (08) 8981 2010
Social events
Immerse yourself in our social events starting with the Welcome Reception, to allow guests an opportunity to meet and greet prior to the conference; followed by the Conference Dinner where guests can enjoy a relaxed evening experiencing a ‘Taste of the Territory’ and entertainment by Constantina Bush.
Welcome reception
You are invited to a reception to meet and mingle with other delegates before the formal conference.
Monday 17 April, 5–7pm @ the Raft, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Esplanade
Conference dinner
Join us for a dinner @ Pee Wee's at the Point:
Alec Fong Lim Dr, East Point NT 0820
Dress code: Territory Rig
Tickets are $149 per person and include 3 courses and a selection of drinks: