Welcome to the 2024 Mallee Early Years Conference!

We have a fantastic line-up of presentations for the Conference and look forward to seeing everyone there.

This year our focus is on 'Diversity and Equity in the Early Years'

Keynote speaker: Christina Keeble (Neurodivergent Consultant):

Christina Keeble is an Autistic & ADHD (AuDHD), Educational Consultant, delivering professional development, training, and consultations on Autism, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), ADHD & Neurodiversity Affirming Practice through Christina Keeble Consulting.

Christina has been in the field of specialist education and disability since 2002 teaching, working with, and supporting neurodivergent children and their families. She has been consulting for families, schools and early childhood centres, allied health, disability, and government organisations since 2016 where she brings her lived and professional experience to the services she provides.

Workshop 1: Foundation House: Partnering with families of a refugee background in Early Years

Presented by Kelly Brand & Dora Kwong (Foundation House) & Rebecca Reale (CatholicCare Victoria)

The workshop will focus on understanding the refugee experience and explore the importance of building collaborative partnerships with families.

Participants will:

Deepen their understanding of Refugee and Asylum Seeker experiences in Early Years.
Critically reflect on their current practices and explore opportunities for partnering with families from refugee backgrounds.

Workshop 2: GEAS: How do we embed 'Gender Equity' in early years settings.

Presented by Amanda Testro (Hullaballoo Music for All), Nancylee Merzel (Playgroup Victoria) & Janet Bonython (Gender Equity Action Sunraysia & Mallee Family Care)

This presentation will be in three parts;

Discussing what gender equity is and how it affects local communities.
Fun practical strategies and activities for use within early years settings.
Question & Answer time relating to the presentation and activities.

Participants will:

Learn how to incorporate gender equity as part of the curriculum.
Explore activities that are easily embedded within a variety of early years settings.
Be encouraged to engage in a robust discussion to address barriers in incorporating gender equity in different settings.
Be provided with take home resources for further information and training.

Workshop 3: Shine Bright: Artmaking in the Early Years

Presented by Maxine Schofield & Amelia Johnson (Shine Bright)

This two-part workshop entails:

Part 1:

Maxine will share her presentation in relation to process art and the importance of supporting children in their creative process. Often there are expectations from parents and other Educators to ‘produce’ the end product – Maxine refers to research, professional wisdom and experience to share the value of process in artmaking.

Part 2:

An art therapy framework will be shared to guide educators to think about the use of different materials intentionally for different purposes. Amelia will lead a hands-on workshop that will provide educators with an opportunity to reflect on and participate in a range of artmaking experiences. Amelia will share her work in arts-based reflective practice and provide some simple, effective ways that Educators can use artmaking to support their reflection and wellbeing.

Participants will:

Be able to identify materials that can support their wellbeing.
Be introduced to frameworks to inform thinking about materials.

Workshop 4: Dr Naomi Malone: Kids in context - The importance of family, school, community and beyond

Presented by Dr Naomi Malone (Naomi Malone Consulting)

The workshop will cover the importance of a holistic systems view of development and thriving, and how to change the focus by ‘zooming in’ and ‘zooming out’ in order to support therapeutic interventions and wellbeing.

Participants will:

Understand the importance of considering family and community wellbeing when supporting children.
Learn how to ‘zoom in’ and ‘zoom out’.
Be able to better collaborate with parents, communities and professionals to support children to thrive.

Please note:

Registration, refreshments and networking opportunity will be available from 9am - 10am. There will be no food or drinks permitted in the auditorium. (Except for water)
Attendees must be seated in the auditorium by 9.55am ready for the prompt commencement of the conference at 10am.
We encourage you to bring information about your service/program to share with others. There will be bags available to aid in the collection of these resources.
If you are unwell, please do not attend.