Presentations (View and download the full conference program here)

 

Day 1 (Wednesday 28th August)

 

ACTA, Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, University of South Australia

ACTA, senior staff from the Department of Health and Aged Care, as well as academics from the University of South Australia will present updates on the CHSP Community Transport Pricing Pilot.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER – Karni Lidell, Paralympian, Social Worker, Disability Activist, NDIS Ambassador

Title: How the Smallest of Changes Create the Largest of Impacts

Why you should listen to this speaker:

• Karni has a lived experience of disability, and frequently uses accessible transport
• She was the State Manager for the Public Service Commission, NDIS Ambassador, and officially opened the NDIA head office in Geelong alongside the PM. Karni will talk about her insights into the NDIA, and how to work with Government
• Karni is a presenter for Channel 7’s The Weekender and has a podcast called “Accessed that” 

Anne Muldowney, Senior Policy Officer, Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN)

Title: Transport for Ageing in Place: Enhancing mobility and reducing social isolation

Synopsis: OPAN developed a position statement on transport to advocate for improved access to a range of affordable, accessible, flexible and safe transport services for older people receiving aged care services. It is a human right to have freedom of movement and to have access to the community. Transport needs to be regarded as an essential support for older people receiving aged care services at home and in residential care.  Aged care funding models should ensure equity of access to transport for health care and other services, and to maintain social and cultural connection. Appropriate investment in transport services will support older

Why you should listen to this speaker:

• Anne will provide a consumer perspective that will give you insights into adding improvements to your service delivery
• Anne will take you through the research the OPAN did to identify issues with CT, and the work they are doing to help fill the gaps
• Anne has over three decades of experience in the sector, participating in many reforms around Aged Care

Terry O’Toole, CEO, TransitCare

Title: Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles – Case Study, State Taxi Scheme

Why you should listen to this speaker:

• Terry O’Toole is CEO of a community transport provider who is a member of the pilot
• Terry has been in the Disability sector for over 6 years and brings commercial acumen into the sector that is and continues to undertake transformational change. 
• Terry believes in providing access to wheelchair transport not just during business hours, but when people want it

Dr George Margelis, Chair, Aged Care Industry Information Technology Council

Title: TBA

Synopsis: During his thought provoking speech, Dr. Margelis will assist you in thinking about how you can use technology to improve the customer experience, efficiency, and quality of life for people using community transport.

Why you should listen to this speaker:

• Dr Margelis is a medical practitioner who has been deeply involved in technology for the last 30 years. 
• In 2014 he was appointed to the IT in Aged Care Hall of Fame for his work in the use of technology in aged care. 
• In 2024 he was appointed Chief technology Advisor for the Aged & Community Care Provider Association.

Russell White, Managing Director, Driver Safety, CEO, Australian Road Safety Foundation

Title: Work Related Driving

Synopsis: There is a direct connection between driving and sustainability. Driving is also the number one risk for any organisation. Vehicle incidents account for almost half of the work-related deaths and injuries in Australia. Organisations need to be proactive in how they manage that risk.

Why you should listen to this speaker:

• Russell is regarded as one of Australia’s leading road safety advocates and media commentators, with regular appearances on programs such as Sunrise, The Today Show and The Project.
• Russell’s experience in the road safety field spans more than 30 years and encompasses expertise across a broad range of road safety matters.
• Want to ensure you have safe drivers with the right skills? You need to hear Russell.

Day 2 (Thursday 29th August)

KEYNOTE SPEAKER – Jackie Furey, Clinical Psychotherapist

Title: The Power of Connection – Together we do what we cannot do alone

Synopsis: Clinical psychotherapist Jackie Furey believes, “nothing will affect our lives more profoundly than our relationships”. Studies show how social connection strengthens communities, and how communities strengthen their people. Jackie will share clinical research along with stories of significance and success relating to the Power of Connection – demonstrating how together, with a common purpose, we truly are the difference!

Why you should listen to this speaker:

• Jackie is a Psychotherapist with years of clinical experience
• Social connection is an important benefit of Community Transport
• Jackie will explore the ‘value adds’ that CT providers add to our communities, and give ideas about how you can enhance these benefits to CT users.

Professor Michael Pervan, CEO, Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority

Title: IHACPA and the Development of Aged Care Pricing Advice

Synopsis: In response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, IHACPA’s expanded role in providing independent aged care pricing and costing advice aims to ensure that aged care funding is informed by the costs of delivering care. Under the National Health Reform Act 2011 and the Aged Care Act 1997, IHACPA will provide annual advice on the costs of care and pricing for residential aged care, residential respite care and in-home aged care through development of robust cost data collections, extensive consultation and development of a pricing framework and model.

Why you should listen to this speaker:

• As CEO of IHACPA, Micheal’s organisation plays a key role in advising ministers of service cost and fees. Micheal will provide insights into how IHACPA goes about this, and how you can be involved.
• Michael was Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, the Department of Communities Tasmania and the Department of Health where for nearly a decade he was responsible for designing and implementing major health sector and organisational reforms.
• Michael has represented Western Australia and Tasmania at the Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council and at Council of Australian Governments working groups on system reform, health workforce and mental health over a number of years

Mr Robert Fitzgerald AM, Age Discrimination Commissioner

Why you should listen to this speaker:

• Mr Fitzgerald will share his thoughts around the future of aged care and what it means to CT providers.
• Mr Fitzgerald is a highly respected lawyer, human rights and social justice advocate, and a leading figure in the anti-discrimination space.
• He served as Commissioner on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to CSA and was the Chair of the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission Advisory Board. He has served on NGO boards for over 40 years.

Professor Graham Currie FTSE, Professor of Public Transport, Director of Public Transport Research Group, Monash University Australia

Title: Exploring links between transport and social exclusion in Victoria – findings and new methods

Synopsis: This presentation outlines findings of one of the first studies to measure how transport access links to social exclusion and social well-being. The research was undertaken in Victoria and developed new measurement methods to quantify transport disadvantage and how this impacts life quality, psychological well-being and social exclusions. 

Why you should listen to this speaker:

• Professor Currie’s studies are one of the first of its kind, linking transport to social well being
• Professor Currie is the Director of Monash University’s Public Transport research group
• Professor Currie will provide us with his groundbreaking research to assist you in planning improvements and enhancements to your service delivery

Richard Rees, Senior Consultant – IT Solutions & Cyber, Loftus Technology

Title: Employee Cyber Awareness – tackling blurred boundaries and human error

Synopsis: The boundaries of digital behaviour between personal and work-related risk have never been so closely linked as they are today. Richard dives into the topic of educating employees in Cyber Awareness & PII and the role it plays in keeping your organisations secure. Today, poor personal digital behaviour quickly and easily translates to severe business risk but where and what are the boundaries and are their also wellbeing benefits in making training available.

Why you should listen to this speaker:

• Richard will talk about how to change the behaviours of your staff to stop cyber-attacks and save your business hassle and cost
• He will also talk about other practical areas of your business where you can mitigate cyber risk to your organisation
• With over 30 years in tech, Richard is specialised in advising businesses on best practices for cyber awareness.

Professor Adam Graycar, Emeritus Professor, University of Adelaide

Synopsis: Public policy is what governments choose to do, or choose not to do.  There are more claims on the government than the government has the capacity or willingness to meet.  This presentation charts the fundamentals of public policy and how policy is developed and influenced.

Why you should listen to this speaker:

• Professor Graycar has had years in various senior level posts in Australia at both Federal and State level
• The development of new policy is vital for a sustainable sector
• Professor Graycar will help us understand where and how we can influence policy and the most effective way we of understanding this

Jocelyn Syme, Health Services Manager, & Erin Foster, Team Leader, Royal Flying Doctor Services Victoria

Synopsis: In 2022, RFDS embarked on a three-year project to expand the Flying Doctor Community Transport (FDCT) program to eight new rural Victorian communities. 

The FDCT service model relies on a dedicated volunteer workforce. 

The volunteer workforce is supported by local on-site staff who possess a deep-rooted understanding of local dynamics and the challenges faced by rural and regional communities. A deep understanding and connection with the communities we operate in is key to FDCT service sustainability and expansion and the success of this approach is grounded in program data. 

Whilst service sustainability must be considered in monetary terms and return on investment, there is significant benefit and power in also looking at sustainability in terms of service contribution to a broader tapestry of community resilience and vitality. 

By designing services that fit this metric FDCT illustrates the lasting impact of tailored, community-driven initiatives in rural settings.

Why you should listen to these speakers

• Jocelyn has overseen the Community Transport program since 2019,  With over nine years experience in the healthcare industry, Jocelyn brings a depth of health system knowledge.
• Erin Foster is the Team Leader for the Royal Flying Doctor Community Transport service.  Erin has worked with volunteer teams and paid staff to deliver service operations since 2018.  
• The Royal Flying Doctor Service Community Transport service commenced as a pilot program in partnership with Heathcote Health in 2018.
• This will be a great session to hear about what your colleagues are doing in other parts of the country

Viv Cunningham-Smith, CEO, EV Strengthening Communities

Synopsis: The session will explore the provision of Community Transport and sustainable mobility as a social justice issue. 

Mobility is key to access and participation and we will connect sustainable mobility as a foundation for achievement of a socially just society. 

We are at a tipping point with aged care reform to make a real difference for the social inclusion of our elders and to harnessing their ongoing contributions to community and a social justice lense is key to this. 

We will leave listeners with the challenge of measuring the social justice outcomes/impact of community transport.

Why you should listen to this speaker:

• Viv is the CEO of Community Transport Provider, with 25 years experience
• Viv previously served as the Secretary of VTCTA and was appointed as the Chair in August 2022. She is also the Victorian representative on ACTA.
• Viv will share with you the importance that a social justice framework can add to how you run your service from grassroots to management

Marnie O’Loughlin, Project Lead, Victorian Mapping Project, ACTA 

Title: The Victorian Mapping Project: Findings, Results and Conclusions

Why you should listen to this speaker:

• Marnie leads ACTA’s Victorian Mapping Project, which aims to map the existing eco-system of providers and locations covered, creating a comprehensive report profiling Victoria.
• Marnie will paint a picture of the Victorian CT sector beyond NDIS and Aged Care, 
• She will share the results of this study completed by ACTA, which will be useful in planning

Scott Bogren, Executive Director, Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA)

Why you should listen to this speaker:

• Scott provides an international perspective on Community Transport, and the challenges they face
• He will also provide the lessons they have learned, and ways to collaborate

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