Novita's EVOLVE conference returns in 2025 with an exciting lineup of keynote speakers and events, including an all-day marketplace to coincide with the event.

This year’s event is theme is 'embracing possibilities’ which explores the power of different connections, collaborations and communities. More information on the program will be coming soon.

Join Novita on Monday 7 July to explore the latest thinking, research and practice in disability and therapy related topics to shape the future of therapy.

Keynote speakers:

Khadija Gbla

Differences in culture and background are simply that – differences. Not better or worse, simply different. Khadija Gbla is a cultural consultant and peer educator with unmatched ability to bridge the difference. Khadija provides advocacy, training, speaking on domestic and family violence, sexual health, racism, human rights, mental health, migrants and refugees and cultural diversity.

Born in Sierra Leone, Khadija Gbla spent her youth in Gambia before putting down roots in Australia. Now Executive Director of No FGM Australia, she advocates for protection and support for women and girls living with or at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM). She has advised on policy through the South Australian Government Minister’s Youth Council and has represented Australia at the Commonwealth Youth Forum and Australian and African Dialogue. Khadija has been recognized through numerous awards for her vision and leadership.

Khadija is the Co founder of The Desert Flower Center Australia. The Desert Flower Australia is the first centre in Australia and the Asian pacific region that specialises in providing holistic, comprehensive gynaecological, urological reconstructive surgery and trauma informed care for women impacted by female genital mutilation. The centre also provides training for professionals, advocacy and community education for practicing communities in Australia. Khadija is also a TEDX speaker with close to 2 Million views on her talk, “My mother’s strange definition of empowerment”.

Khadija encourages people to challenge their understandings of the world around them, and to question the uncritical acceptance of stereotypes and assumptions that are made about unfamiliar cultures.

Dr Jacqui Barfoot:

Dr. Jacqui Barfoot is an occupational therapist, researcher, and consultant with over 20 years of experience in early childhood intervention. She is passionate about relational approaches, focusing on strengthening parent-child interactions to support optimal developmental outcomes and empower families.As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Jacqui’s research aligns OT practice with Australia’s National Early Childhood Best Practice Guidelines and NDIS recommendations. She developed the PAIR Model, a framework integrating child-focused strategies with parent-child interactions and provides training to early childhood therapists on its implementation.

Summary:

The conference will also be covering the latest approaches to early childhood intervention, innovations in assistive technology, research, communication, cerebral palsy, and more.

This event is open to allied health clinicians, educators and academics, community members and students, offering a prime opportunity to develop new skills and ideas while networking with industry professionals and community members. Get your tickets now to make sure you are a part of a full day of learning, growth and collaboration.