Program and speakers

 Keynotes

Dr Tracy Westerman AM, a Nyamal woman from Pilbara, WA, is a trailblazer in Aboriginal mental health, cultural competency, and suicide prevention. She was the first Aboriginal person to attain a masters and PhD in Clinical Psychology. She founded Indigenous Psychological Services in 1998 and never received government funding for any of her work. She has delivered over 80 keynotes nationally/internationally in Canada, the USA, and New Zealand. Her PhD resulted in the development of the Westerman Aboriginal Symptom Checklist – Youth and Adults (WASCY/A), the only culturally and clinically valid tools for at-risk Indigenous youth. Following the 13 suicide deaths of Aboriginal young people in the Kimberley in 2018, developed the Dr Tracy Westerman Indigenous Psychology Scholarship Program with a donation of $50,000 and, in 2020, launched the charity, The Westerman Jilya Institute for Indigenous Mental Health to drive Indigenous mental health and suicide prevention best practice. She works for no salary in its operations, sits on the board, and mentors the students. Jilya supports 55 Indigenous psychology students, many of whom have now graduated.

Taimalelagi Mataio Faafetai (Matt) Brown (She is not your rehab) – a New Zealand born Samoan author and renowned communicator who works to eradicate domestic violence by supporting those who perpetrate violence, to heal. A survivor of family violence and childhood sexual abuse himself, he started his domestic violence advocacy work by sharing his story with the men who frequented his busy barbershops as a way to foster vulnerability, healing, and connection. He has grown that idea into hosting free men’s anti-violence support groups from locations like barbershops, construction sites, gang pads, prisons and in indigenous spaces. He is a staunch advocate of being able to redefine societies’ view of masculinity and to help end the cycle of domestic violence plaguing families all over the world.

Craig Worland is at the forefront of integrating lived/living experience (LLE) perspectives into policy, service design, and systemic transformation. Currently serving as the Manager of Lived Experience in the Queensland Health Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategy and Planning Branch, he creates inclusive frameworks that empower people with LLE to drive meaningful reforms in mental health and alcohol and other drug systems. Using co-design methodologies, he ensures that individuals with LLE are equal partners in shaping services that are accessible, effective, and compassionate. Craig’s passion for this work is deeply personal. His journey reflects resilience, empathy, and a steadfast belief in the power of community-driven change.

Livestream with Q&A

Dr David Best is Professor and Director of the Centre for Addiction Recovery Research at Leeds Trinity University, Honorary Professor of Regulation and Global Governance at The Australian National University, Adjunct Associate Professor of Addiction Science at Monash University (Melbourne) and Affiliate Senior Scientist at the Public Health Institute in California. He is also a founding member of the College of Lived Experience Recovery Organisations in the UK and of the Inclusive Recovery Cities movement where he is chair of Inclusive Recovery Cities UK. Trained as a psychologist and criminologist, he has worked in practice, research and policy in the areas of addiction recovery and rehabilitation of people in custody. His soon-to-be published book will summarise the existing and emerging evidence around the concept of recovery capital.