Presentation: Brighter BeginningsNataša Mitic is an Executive Director at the NSW Department of Education. Nataša has responsibilities for policy development and program delivery to improve quality across the early childhood sector, lift child learning, development, and wellbeing outcomes, and ensure inclusive, culturally responsive services, which support all children to thrive.
Prior to this role, Nataša held other executive roles in the Department of Education and has worked in both State and Commonwealth Government across portfolios including emergency services, local government, and health. Nataša holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts degree from the Australian National University.
Presentation: Pregnancy to the Preschool: Strengthening the Health Sector Responses to Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence
Professor Kathleen Baird is an internationally recognised leader in midwifery and health education, currently serving as Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Technology Sydney. With a midwifery career spanning over two decades, Professor Baird has held academic and clinical roles across Australia and the UK.
Professor Baird's research and leadership interests centre on models of maternity care, women's health, perinatal mental health, birth trauma, and intimate partner violence - particularly during pregnancy. She has also emphasised innovation in teaching, curriculum design, evidence-based practice, and interprofessional collaboration.
In addition to her university leadership, she plays key roles in governance and accreditation. She has served as Deputy Chair of the Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Homicide Review Board, a member of the Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Implementation Council (2016–2023), and Chair of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) Midwifery Accreditation Committee (2021–2024). She currently serves as a board director for the ANMAC, is a board member of the Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery, holds the role of co-Assistant Secretary General in the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery, and is an executive member of the Australasian Nursing and Midwifery Clinical Trials Network.
Presentation: Nurturing Connections
This presentation brings together highly experienced clinical leaders in perinatal and infant mental health.
Each bringing their extensive clinical expertise and a shared commitment to collaborative, family-centred care. Over years of dedicated service, they have led the development of high-performing multidisciplinary teams, carefully selecting and mentoring senior staff to deliver impactful early intervention.
Their work, grounded in trauma-informed and culturally responsive practice, is deeply rooted in advocacy for vulnerable families, bridging research and clinical practice. This collective effort with the NSW Ministry of Health, has culminated in the creation of the Nurturing Connections service. This innovative model of care exemplifies best practice in supporting families during the perinatal and early childhood period. Grounded in partnership, advocacy, and a strong connection to research through ongoing collaboration with the University of NSW, their work continues to champion the needs of vulnerable families across NSW.
Presentation: From Trauma to Trust: Changing Birth Experiences
Co-authors: Alana White, Sexual Assault Counsellor, Western NSW LHD, Lucy Johnson, Registered Midwife, Western NSW LHD.
Alysha Karraz works alongside women and families from conception until their baby’s first birthday, with a focus on strengthening both internal and external supports to create safer and more positive newborn experiences.
With over 11 years’ experience as a social worker, including hospital-based oncology and palliative care roles, Alysha brings a depth of clinical knowledge to her perinatal work. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Western Sydney University and a Master of Social Work (Counselling), where her thesis explored the experiences of loneliness in middle-aged people living with chronic health conditions.
She worked to establish the Hyperemesis Gravidarum psychosocial service in Western NSW LHD and is currently leading the development of the Pregnancy Family Conferencing Service.
Presentation: From Trauma to Trust: Changing Birth Experiences
Madison Spencer is a proud Wiradjuri woman who grew up in the Central West of NSW. Madison is deeply committed to providing compassionate, culturally safe, and trauma-informed care that supports women, children, and families through some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
Her practice is grounded in authenticity, connection, and respect. With specialised knowledge across Women's and Children's Health and the Intensive Care Unit.
Madison has co-led the Trauma to Trust Birthing Project with Alysha Karraz, an inclusive and culturally responsive initiative designed to foster safe, empowering, and healing birthing experiences for all women. This project reflects her belief that when women are supported to feel seen, respected, and in control of their birthing journey, it strengthens not only individual wellbeing but the health and resilience of families and communities.
Presentation: Building Clinician Capacity to engage expectant and new mums with online therapies
Co-authors: Brendan Cook, Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Coordinator, Southern NSW LHD, Christina Hunt, Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Coordinator, Western NSW LHD, Dr Elyce Green, Associate Professor in Rural Health, University Department of Rural Health, Charles Sturt University, Kathryn Castelletto, Lecturer in Rural Health, University Department of Rural Health, Charles Sturt University, Latitia Kernaghan, Mental Health Academic Advisor, University Department of Rural Health, Charles Sturt University, Dr Maree Bernoth, Adjunct Associate Professor, University Department of Rural Health, Charles Sturt University, Nicole Hodgson, A/Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Coordinator, Southern NSW LHD.
Keryl de Haan is a Registered Nurse with postgraduate qualifications in Child and Family Health Nursing and a Masters in Applied Mental Health studies (Perinatal).
Keryl was the principal investigator for the 2019-2022 translational research project titled Supporting Isolated Women in NSW: An implementation research study for delivering an online treatment program for Postnatal Depression and Anxiety (PNDA), and the follow-up participatory action research project: Developing a Model of Practice to support isolated new mums' engagement with online PNDA therapies.
Keryl is passionate about early intervention and the importance of early attachment and parenting. She is a strong advocate for accessible health care for rural families.
Poster presentation: Collaborating for Healthier Beginnings: QIDS MatIQ and Every Week Counts in Local Maternity Services
Co-authors: Professor Jonathan Morris, Clinical Excellence Commission Preterm Birth Prevention Obstetric Lead, Julianne Jones, Maternity Safety Intelligence Register (MSIR) Midwifery Lead, Amanda Rehayem, Previous Clinical Excellence Commission Preterm Birth Prevention Maternity Lead, Kristin Rickard, Maternity Safety Intelligence Register (MSIR) Midwifery Data Lead.
Natalie Middlemist leads the Every Week Counts Collaborative, bringing over 19 years midwifery experience and a strong background in digital health and data governance to the role.
Passionate about improving maternity outcomes, Natalie plays a key role in guiding clinical practice change to support the initiative's goals to safely reduce the rate of preterm and early term birth.
Natalie is specifically supporting maternity services from NSW, as well as across Australia, in reducing early planned births before 39 weeks without a medical indication. With deep understanding of both frontline care and digital systems, Natalie ensures that midwifery perspectives are at the heart of collaborative efforts to enhance care quality, safety, and outcomes for women and babies across Australia.
Poster presentation: The Alcohol and Other Drugs Care Charter – offering trauma informed care in maternity settings to improve mother and infant outcomes
Angela has played a key role in the implementation and advocacy of the NSW Health Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Care Charter, a statewide initiative co-designed by the Ministry of Health, Agency for Clinical Innovation AOD Network and consumer organisations.
In her role as a Substance use in Pregnancy and Parenting CNC, Angela embedded the Charter's principles into clinical practice, championing trauma-informed, person-centred care for families affected by substance use. Angela has focused on reducing stigma and improving access to compassionate care by guiding clinicians to reflect on their practice, adapt service environments, and uphold the Charter's values of safety, equity, and non-judgement.
Angela has supported workforce development through education and mentoring, within local maternity services to deliver respectful, culturally safe care. Her leadership has helped align local service delivery with statewide reform goals.
Angela is passionate about integrated care models that support early relational health and intergenerational wellbeing, and she continues to advocate for workforce development and system change across rural and remote communities.
Poster presentation: The Alcohol and Other Drugs Care Charter – offering trauma informed care in maternity settings to improve mother and infant outcomes
Daria Erihe has extensive experience in the public sector working in blood borne viruses, homelessness, tobacco, maternity and alcohol and other drugs. Daria holds a Master of Public Health.
Daria was the project lead on the NSW Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Care Charter, which was developed in partnership with the Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs, ACI, the Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (NADA) and the NSW Users and AIDS Association (NUAA). The Care Charter was co-designed by people who use or have used substances and clinicians with diverse expertise across maternity, emergency departments, mental health and drug and alcohol services.
Presentation: Digital screening of child development and parental mental health needs in a preschool-based wellbeing hub
Co-authors: Ewan Mok, UNSW, Dr James John, South Western Sydney LHD and UNSW, Karen Ali, Ashcroft Public School, Olivia Wright, School Gateway Project, NCOSS, Poppy Loueizi, Ashcroft Public School
Dr Christa Lam-Cassettari is a Senior Research Associate in the School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, and the Academic Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services and adjunct Research Fellow at The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University.
She holds a PhD in Developmental Psychology and led the establishment of new BabyLab's across Western Sydney University. Christa's research focuses on the evaluation of factors that support optimal development and wellbeing in infants, children, and their families, particularly in the first 2000 days.
Her passion for embedding research into clinical practice is evident in her current research implementing digital developmental screening and surveillance programs in collaboration with primary care providers; multi-cultural community-based hubs; and state-based health and development checks. Her research also focuses on the identification of clinical risk factors and early intervention pathways for children at-risk of developmental delays; and initiatives for supporting mental health and wellbeing in caregivers and young people to ensure that children can be given the best start to life.
Presentation: Digital screening of child development and parental mental health needs in a preschool-based wellbeing hub
Professor Valsa is Chair of Child Psychiatry, UNSW, and South-Western Sydney Local Health District. She is a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Senior Research Leadership Fellow and is known internationally for her clinical and research expertise in Tourette Syndrome and autism. She is Director of an NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in child and family health.
After graduating in Medicine in India, she continued her psychiatric training in India and the UK including child psychiatry training through Great Ormond Street hospital for children training scheme and PhD (University of London) research at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square London. Valsa is President, International Neuropsychiatric Association; Co-Chair, Section on Psychiatry in Developing countries and Board member, World Psychiatric Association; and Chair, Faculty of Child Psychiatry, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry (RANZCP). She has >450 publications and >$40Million in grant funding.
Presentation: Using the 'F-words' to adopt a holistic and child rights promoting approach in developmental assessment clinics
Co-authors: Dr Zien Vanessa Tan, Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, Jenna Ohlsen, Department of Community Paediatrics, Primary and Community Health, South Western Sydney LHD, Dr Bronya Cruickshank, Department of Community Paediatrics, Primary and Community Health, South Western Sydney LHD, Dr Lydia So, Department of Community Paediatrics, Primary and Community Health, South Western Sydney LHD.
Dr Sinthu is regularly involved in research activities as part of quality improvement and is in the process of embarking on a PhD to better understand the longitudinal trajectory of children with developmental disabilities.
She is passionate about providing quality education for trainees and students and has been involved in the curriculum redesign for community and child health training with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
Presentation: Keeping Toddlers in the Picture: A tiered prevention and early intervention program to support parents of toddlers and optimise child mental health outcomes
Jane Kohlhoff is an Associate Professor in the Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Director of Research at Karitane, and a registered clinical psychologist. Jane conducts perinatal, infant, and early childhood mental health research, with particular focus on attachment theory and clinical applications, prevention and early intervention models, and the roles of early environmental and biological factors in the intergenerational transmission of risk and resilience.
Together with colleagues, Jane has secured over $12 million in research funding including from the Australian Research Council (ARC), National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), NSW Ministry of Health, and Paul Ramsay Foundation. She collaborates widely and has published over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.
She is a co-developer of an attachment-based early intervention program called Parent-Child Interaction Therapy with Toddlers and has led several real-world trials to evaluate its effectiveness. She has led perinatal mental health research programs at several Sydney-based hospitals, and she currently leads the evaluation of the ForWhen national perinatal and infant mental health navigation service. She is an active member of Australian Infant Mental Health community, serving on the Australian Association for Infant Mental Health (AAIMH) Board of Directors and President of Healthy Attachment Australia and New Zealand (HAANZ).
Presentation: Progressing Little Voices: The Virtual Early Talking Group
Courtney is based at Dubbo Primary and Community Health Centre and has over 12 years speech pathology experience in community paediatrics, as well as specialised expertise in Cleft Palate Speech Sound Disorders.
As the Project Lead for the Virtual Early Talking Group, Courtney has played a pivotal role in expanding virtual access to early intervention services across the Western NSW LHD. Her efforts have significantly improved service reach to rural and remote communities, ensuring children and families have equitable access to high-quality care, regardless of their location.
Courtney is deeply passionate about improving communication outcomes for children across Western NSW and is committed to advancing equity in service delivery through innovation and collaboration.
Poster presentation: Engaging Fathers in a Parenting Service: Tresillian’s Parenting Groups for Dads
Alison Wallbank has over 24 years of experience supporting families in the critical early years. As a child and family health nurse, Alison works closely with parents navigating a range of challenges, including trauma, substance use, mental health concerns, and social adversity. Her practice is grounded in trauma-informed, relationship-based care, with a strong focus on strengthening parent-infant attachment.
Alison understands the complex dynamics within families and is passionate about collaborative care that supports parent and child wellbeing during the First 2000 Days - a vital window for lifelong health and development. Drawing on 25 years' worth of personal experience navigating cross-cultural relationship and parenting differences.
Poster presentation: Improving Timely Access to Paediatric Physiotherapy in South Western Sydney: The STAT Approach
Natasha is an experienced physiotherapist with particular interest in child development, early intervention and improving access to healthcare for vulnerable and diverse populations.
Natasha currently oversees the paediatric physiotherapy service in Primary and Community Health. In addition to her physiotherapy qualification, Natasha holds a Master of Public Health and Master of Health Management from the University of New South Wales. She is an active member within the Australian Physiotherapy Association, currently serving on their NSW Branch Council.
Poster presentation: Reaching Out, Reaching In: A Community Co-designed Child and Family Wellbeing Hub
Co-author: Paul Dutton, First 2000 Days Program Manager – Grafton Hub.
Debrah has worked in the health system, both public and third schedule, for greater than 30 years across Maternity, Staff Development, Child and Family Health, and Integrated Care.
Debrah is passionate about making a difference to the lives of children and families to improve health, social and emotional wellbeing outcomes. She is currently the Director Integration and Partnerships for Tresillian Family Care Centres and is part of the Leadership team and is actively involved in Local Health District, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and Primary Health Network partnerships, and ongoing collaboration with relevant stakeholders across regional NSW.
In 2014 she was co-recipient of the NSW Health Secretary Award for Integrated Care along with Royal Far West, and Western Medicare Local. This was for the collaborative and integrated process of coordinating early childhood preschool health assessments with a multidisciplinary team working across many health check stations on a mobile van/ community hall in Western NSW regional and rural communities.
Poster presentation: First 2000 Days Aboriginal resources
Co-authors: Adam Johns – Deputy Director, Child, Youth and Family, PaCH South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Christie Longinidis – Manager Aboriginal Health Outcomes, Aboriginal Health Directorate South Eastern Sydney Local Health District.
Lauren is a proud Bundjalung woman from Baryulgil on the north coast of NSW, who has been living and working on Dharawal country for nearly 20 years.
Aboriginal health has been a big part of her life. Her mother was the first CEO of the Bulgar Ngaru Aboriginal Medical Service, inspiring Lauren to focus on improving health outcomes for Aboriginal people.
Lauren started in South Eastern Sydney LHD in the Health Promotions program before moving into the Aboriginal Health Directorate. Prior to working in health, she gained experience across many Federal and community-controlled organisations.
Presentation: From Voice to Outcomes: Consumer Engagement in the Healthy Homes and Neighbourhoods Initiative
Co-authors: Lan Haynes, Sydney Local Health District and The George Institute for Global Health, Julieann Coombes, Hueiming Liu, Anitha Thiraviarajah.
Melissa McDonnell, a proud Kamilaroi woman, is a dedicated researcher in the Guunu-maana (Heal) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program at The George Institute for Global Health. With over 30 years of experience in Aboriginal health, Melissa has been a relentless advocate for equity and transformative change for Aboriginal people and communities.
She brings invaluable lived experience of the systemic disparities affecting Aboriginal people. These experiences have shaped her passionate commitment to driving meaningful, long-term improvements in health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through innovative, sustainable, and culturally grounded research.
Presentation: From Voice to Outcomes: Consumer Engagement in the Healthy Homes and Neighbourhoods Initiative
Ty is a proud Gadigal man from the Eora Nation of the Sydney metropolitan area. He has years of experience working with many NSW Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations across health, education, children and family services, and social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) – mental health.
Ty has contributed to several community projects with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including research initiatives across NSW and nationally through The George Institute and UNSW. His key interest lies in Aboriginal research methodologies and ensuring culturally respectful and collaborative approaches when working with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Presentation: First 2000 Days Emerging Evidence for Interventions
Co-author: Jess Scott, Senior Policy Officer, Health and Social Policy, Ministry of Health
Associate Professor Murphy has overseen the implementation of state wide early intervention programs including the promotion of health and developmental checks in the NSW Personal Health Record and statewide screening programs such as Statewide Infant Screening – Hearing (SWISH), Statewide Eyesight Preschool Screening (StEPS), and regular checks for children in Out of Home Care (OOHC). She worked for many years as the Clinical Director, Child Youth and Family Health in Northern Sydney Local Health District.
Associate Professor Murphy was the Foundation Chair of the Faculty of Community Child Health of the Australian College of Paediatrics and is a past recipient of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Medal. In 2020 she was nominated as a Finalist for Public Servant of the Year and has been recognised as one of the top 50 NSW Public Sector Women. In the 2024 Kings Birthday Awards, she was awarded a Public Service Medal.