Culturally Grounded Practice : For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers July 2026 (Cairns)

This one-day, face-to-face workshop offers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers a relaxed, culturally safe space to pause, reflect, yarn, and connect with others who do similar work. 

The day focuses on reflective practice as something many workers already do… through listening, observations, and shared sense-making rather than as a formal or clinical process. Drawing on the Reflective Practice Toolkit and the Reflective Practice Guide, participants will explore reflective practice in practical, hands-on ways that can be used in everyday work. 

Dadirri - deep listening, presence, and connection - will be woven throughout the day, supporting reflection, awareness, and learning. 

There will be plenty of opportunity for small group yarns, guided activities, and practising reflective tools together. The workshop values lived experience, relational learning, and the strength that comes from connecting with others who do this work. 

To find out more about the Reflective Practice Toolkit please visit www.workupqld.org.au or check out the introductory video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGduC3kHPJ4. 

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the workshop, participants will have: 

• A stronger understanding of reflective practice and its role in everyday work 

• Increased confidence using simple, practical reflective tools and prompts 

• Experience reflecting through conversation, yarning, and shared learning 

• A deeper appreciation of Dadirri and its connection to reflective practice 

• Practical ideas for sustaining wellbeing and strong practice through reflection 

• A strengthened sense of connection with peers across the sector. 

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, 23rd July 2026
Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm AEST Queensland Time
Location: Cairns Harbourside Hotel, 209-217 Esplanade, Cairns North, QLD< 4870.

Please note: This is a face-to-face event.

Travel support is available* – click here to apply. If you are unable to download the application form please email workforce@healingfoundation.org.au to receive a copy. *Target Group Services Only

Who should attend

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers in all roles will benefit from this workshop, particularly those interested in strengthening reflective practice, connection, and sustainability in their work.  It is targeted for workers in the domestic and family violence, sexual violence and women’s health and wellbeing sector. 

No prior knowledge of the Reflective Practice Toolkit is required. 

About the presenter/s

This workshop will be facilitated by Sue Kitchener and Tania Felstead, who bring extensive experience in reflective practice, supervision, and workforce development, alongside a shared commitment to culturally grounded and trauma-aware practice. 

They aim to create learning spaces that are respectful, strengths-based, and practical, where participants are supported to engage in ways that feel safe, meaningful, and relevant to their roles. 

Sue Kitchener is a proud Gadigal and Waradjuri woman living on Turrbal and Yuggera lands. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) and a Bachelor of Human Services. Sue has a long-standing career as a counsellor, team leader, and manager in the areas of domestic and family violence, sexual assault, child protection, and family preservation. She brings extensive experience in supervision, cultural support, and practitioner development, with a strong commitment to breaking the cycle of violence for First Nations women and children. 

Tania Felstead is an Accredited Social Worker with over 25 years of experience across the social welfare and human services sector. She has worked as a frontline practitioner, supervisor, manager, trainer, and consultant, and now operates her private practice, Wattle Tree Wellness. Through her work, Tania supports individuals, teams, and organisations to engage in ethical, reflective, and trauma-informed practice. She delivers supervision, counselling, coaching, and training with a strong focus on practitioner wellbeing, skill development, and relational, values-based practice in the context of trauma, violence, and complexity.