BELONGING: LAUNCH OF FILM & DISCUSSION GUIDE

An afternoon of connection, storytelling, reflection and advocacy presented by Western Sydney University and the Centre for Excellence in Therapeutic Care, a division of the Australian Childhood Foundation.

Join us for the launch of Belonging, a powerful new documentary created by Dr Rachel Morley and Dr Milissa Deitz.

Belonging tells the story of 21-year-old Hannah and her foster parents, Sam and Nigel. The film traces their journey to uncover and make sense of Hannah's personal history as a young person in foster care, where access to information was limited and fragmented. It highlights the critical role of Life Story Work—a therapeutic practice that helps young people in foster care record and reflect on their lives, but which is inconsistently applied and underfunded. Belonging invites audiences to consider: What would it take to ensure that every child and young person in care in Australia has the relationships and resources they need to understand and heal from their past—so they, and those who care for them, can shape a future that feels safe, connected, and truly their own?

The launch event includes:

• Afternoon tea on arrival

• Welcome to Country

• Opening remarks

• Screening of Belonging

• Panel discussion with researchers, practitioners, and lived experience voices

• Canapés and drinks to continue the conversation in a relaxed and welcoming space

We will also launch an accompanying Discussion Guide, developed in collaboration with the Centre for Excellence in Therapeutic Care. This resource is designed for carers, practitioners, educators, and young people to support reflective and emotionally honest conversations around identity, memory, and belonging.

Whether you work in the sector, bring out-of-home care lived experience, or you care how storytelling can drive meaningful systems change—this event is for you. Let’s gather, reflect, and imagine something better.

The launch of Belonging takes place on the stolen lands of the Burramattagal people. We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of Country. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.