Come along to this FREE community forum to learn more about childhood development and the importance of investing in the early years. Hear some amazing presentations about contemporary research and how spatial data can be utilised to enhance children’s health, wellbeing and development. You will also have the opportunity to network with other community stakeholders and discuss local priorities.

This event is open to all community.

Our speakers:

Dr Rosemary Cahill, Principal Research Fellow, The Kids Research Institute Australia

Rosemary is Chief Investigator on an evaluation of the Early Years Initiative – a landmark ten-year partnership between the WA State Government and the Minderoo Foundation. Until recently, she was a senior officer within WA’s Department of Education, leading policy and programs in early childhood education, literacy and numeracy programs for the public school sector. Rosemary has taught, shaped policy and delivered system-level projects since the 1980s.

Maketa Reeves, Senior Project Manager, University of Western Australia

Before joining UWA in 2022, Marketa spent 15 years in the WA government sector in various policy and research roles with a strong focus on child and youth wellbeing. She will discuss the Australia Child and Youth Wellbeing Atlas, a unique new data set that empowers decision-makers to identify priorities for child health and wellbeing research and initiatives.

Dr Jill Whelan/ Ashton Kealy, Department of Communities

The Early Years Partnership team at Department of Communities will present about this innovative initiative, which aims to improve children's health, development and learning by putting children and their families at the centre of decisions about how services in their community are delivered. The EYP is a partnership between the WA State Government, Minderoo Foundation and The Kids Research Institute Australia, currently being delivered in four communities throughout WA.

Note: The event will commence at 9.15 am. You are invited to arrive from 8.45 am for registrations, tea/coffee and networking.

Proudly hosted by the City of Stirling. For further information please contact socialimpact@stirling.wa.gov.au.