Families Week 2025 Launch: The changing nature of families: demographics, economics and the future

You're invited to the launch of National Families Week 2025

Families Australia and the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare invite you to join us for the official launch of National Families Week 2025.

This hybrid event, held in Melbourne and online, will feature a keynote presentation by Cherelle Murphy, EY Regional Chief Economist, Oceania. Cherelle will examine the shifting landscape of Australian families—looking at trends in demographics, economics, and what the future holds for policy and service delivery.

Held annually, National Families Week brings together thousands of individuals and organisations to recognise and celebrate the central role families play in our society. The 2025 theme, “Lending a hand to thrive: Supporting each other,” emphasises the importance of connection, care, and resilience—key values that underpin our collective work with children, families, and communities.

We hope you’ll join us as we reflect on the evolving needs of families, celebrate our shared commitment to their wellbeing, and explore how we can continue to support families to thrive—together.

Event Details:

📅 Date: Monday 12 May

📍 Location: Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare
🕐 Time: 1:45pm arrival for a 2:00pm–4:00pm session

💻 Online attendees: A Teams meeting link will be provided upon registration
🕐 Time: 2:00pm–3:30pm 

National Families Week reflects our shared commitment to strengthening family and community connections through care, resilience, and support. The event will bring together leaders, thinkers, and changemakers to reflect on the evolving needs of families and the collective role we play in helping them thrive.

Program Overview:

• Opening remarks from Deb Tsorbaris, Families Australia Chair and CEO at the Centre

• Keynote address by Cherelle Murphy and audience Q&A  

• Panel discussion with Cherelle, Families Australia Chair Deb Tsorbaris, CEO Jamie Crosby, and a sector representative

• Closing remarks by Jamie Crosby, CEO Families Australia

• Networking afternoon tea

About Cherelle Murphy

EY Regional Chief Economist, Oceania | Mother of teen twins. Economist. Peddler of my profession, especially to women and girls.

Cherelle helps clients to understand and interpret the economic backdrop. She uses her commercial acumen, public sector experience and analytical skills to see through the noise and help identify risks and opportunities that the changing phases of the business cycle bring.

Prior to EY, Cherelle was Chief Economist at Austrade, helping guide Australian Government policy in trade, foreign investment and tourism. Cherelle also spent 15 years at ANZ Bank, having started her career as an economic research analyst at the Reserve Bank of Australia. She also worked as a journalist for the Australian Financial Review.

Cherelle holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from Curtin University and a Master of Population Studies from Australian National University. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a member of Chief Executive Women.

For more information about National Families Week visit https://familiesaustralia.org....