Premier Roger Cook will provide a recorded opening message as he is unable to present in person. Mel Every will open the conference as EO of FCAWA.

Speakers

Roger Cook

Premier

Born and raised in Western Australia, Roger Cook has lived and worked with his wife Carly in the local suburb of Wellard since 2007. Elected as the Inaugural Member for the State Seat of Kwinana in 2008, Roger works relentlessly within the Kwinana Community and assists many residents, school groups, and sporting clubs in addition to holding the key portfolios of State Development, Jobs and Trade, Hydrogen Industry, Tourism, and Science.

Prior to entering politics, Roger studied Arts and Public Administration at Murdoch University before completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations and a Master of Business Administration at Curtin University. He was active in campus politics and established the National Union of Students as its first National President. After completing his studies Roger Cook later became involved with several Aboriginal advocacy groups, serving at various times as a policy coordinator for the Western Australian Aboriginal Native Title Working Group, as CEO of the Yamatji Marlpa Barna Baba Maaja Aboriginal Corporation, and as Government Relations Manager for the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council.

Roger is a strong advocate for health and fitness, competing in regular triathlons, marathons, and rides for muscular dystrophy along with the walk for diabetes. He is an avid supporter of the Western Force and Fremantle Dockers. Roger is local and active, and a prominent and proud advocate for individuals, communities, and businesses in Kwinana. His door is always open.

TBC

Speakers

Dr Scott Hollier

CEO of Centre for Accessibility

Scott Hollier specialises in the field of digital accessibility, and has a PhD in Internet Studies, a Master of Management, and senior management experience across the not-for-profit, corporate and Government sectors. Scott also holds academic positions at Edith Cowan University and the University of South Australia and is an Invited Expert for the W3C Accessible Platform Architectures Research Questions Task Force. Scott has a lived experience of disability as a person who is legally blind, and as such has both a professional and personal understanding of the importance of accessibility.

Further opportunity to dive deeper with stakeholders.

Speakers

Vithya Vijayakumare

Senior Digital Accessibility Specialist at Visability

Vithya Vijayakumare is the Senior Digital Accessibility Specialist at VisAbility. With 13+ years of experience, Vithya is responsible for ensuring that websites, social media, videos, documents and audio materials are accessible to all users. She has successfully delivered projects for government organizations, businesses, and schools/universities in various accessible formats. Vithya has also conducted several workshops on digital accessibility, inclusive publishing (EPUB/DAISY), content/document accessibility and future innovation solutions (3D Binaural Surround Sound/360 audio). She is a proud member of the Perth Web Accessibility Camp (PWAC) and Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities.

1. General Insurance & TPD Case Study Insights - Maurice Blackburn 2.Financial Capability Workshop 3. Financial Recovery after Disaster 4.Digital Inclusion Resource Hub Training (repeated session)

Speakers

Vanessa Jessett

Organisational Development and Communications Officer at People with Disabilities WA

Vanessa began working as a volunteer for children with disabilities at the age of 14. She worked in New York for The New York Association of Disabled Children in her 20’s, where she learned American Sign Language, before returning to Australia. While living in Brunei Darussalam, Vanessa homeschooled her son, who is part of the ASD community, for five years. During this time, she facilitated support groups for families with children with disabilities and homeschoolers. After returning to Australia and enrolling her son in school, Vanessa served as the chair of the West Coast Education Support Centre Board for several years. Before joining PWdWA, Vanessa worked as a swimming teacher and supervisor both overseas and in Western Australia. She specialised in teaching people with disabilities and won the Western Australian Austswim Access and Inclusion Teacher of the Year

1. Neurodiversity 2.Agency Managers Meeting 3.CCLS and AFCA session on Credit Law/Case Studies, 4. LGBTQI

Speakers

Dr Eleanor Marillier

Senior Member at State Administrative Tribunal

Eleanor Marillier was appointed as an ordinary member of SAT in January 2020, and as Senior Member of the Human Rights Stream (Guardianship List) in October 2022. Eleanor’s qualifications include MBBS (University of Western Australia), Fellowship of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, Associate Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, post-graduate qualifications in child health and travel medicine, and a Masters in Health Administration (Monash). Eleanor worked as a specialist emergency physician at Joondalup Health Campus (JHC) from 2002 and has held roles at UWA as a clinical lecturer and tutor. In 2015 she was appointed Senior Consultant for Patient Safety at JHC, working to investigate incidents and complaints and assist in medicolegal and vocational regulation matters with the goal of quality improvement across all specialties. Eleanor is an accredited mediator.

Speakers

Chris Lovelock

Disability and Inclusion Trainer at Activ Pathways

Chris Lovelock, an Activ Disability and Inclusion Trainer, has had a diverse career. With a Bachelor of Nursing, she practiced as a Registered Nurse for over two decades before transitioning into an Authorised Financial Planner in the corporate sector. Chris sees a meaningful link between these roles, with the importance of effective communication. She firmly believes that both professions rely on listening, accurately recognising client needs, and providing tailored solutions. Financial Counsellors, share this skill set.

Drawing from her rich experience in the community services and financial sectors, Chris acknowledges the challenges faced by people with disabilities when accessing services. Frustrated by theoretical workshops, her passion lies in offering practical, straightforward advice to dismantle barriers for those with disabilities.

On a lighter note, Chris's upbringing in Papua New Guinea cultivated a profound love for travel. Her global adventures include selling carpets in Turkey, aiding refugees in Tanzania, trekking in Nepal, and providing private nursing in the UK, complete with private jet journeys – a story never to be forgotten.

Shirley Lai

RTO Assistant at Activ Pathways

Shirley approaches both work and life with a strong commitment to achieving goals. Within her role at Activ Pathways, she consistently displays energy, enthusiasm, and a dedicated focus on delivering quality support services to students. These qualities reflect character and determination to succeed.

Shirley shares close bonds with colleagues and holds a deep affection for family, including her furry companion, Percy. Shirley also enjoys work, and her growing confidence has opened doors for participation in various events and workshops where she shares experiences. Shirley's story emphasises that individuals, irrespective of circumstances, can excel in careers and cherish meaningful relationships, both at work and in life.

Don't miss this blockbuster Stakeholders versus Financial Counsellors!

Speakers

Eleanor Grinceri

Financial Counsellor at Ruah Community Services

Eleanor Grinceri is a passionate Financial Counsellor for Ruah’s Enhanced Services Team. She has hands on experience and in only 18 months has had an invaluable impact on Ruah’s service delivery, successfully implementing the following; • Development of the Work and Development online training modules and subsequent roll-out for the Work and Development Permit scheme across the organisation. In only few months the total cleared is: $28,975.00 • Developing a flexible and person-centred model of service which ‘meets clients where they are at’ whilst reaching Financial Counselling standards. • Reduced over 100k worth of debt for Ruah Clients. • Delivered 5-workshops of Financial Literacy to interested Ruah staff to positive feedback. For Eleanor, one of the most rewarding things about her work is “when a client has an ‘ah-ha’ moment in session with either information I have providing them about debt-management, or strategies to better manage their personal finances. It is a hand-up, not a hand-out.

Estelle Dogbe

Service Lead at Ruah Community Services

Estelle Dogbe is Service Lead Lead for Ruah’s Integrated Services. She is an international development expert and has hands-on field experience for two decades across the world. Estelle has provided strategic leadership to numerous projects for Medecins Sans Frontieres, UN agencies and grassroots organisations. She worked in a multicultural environment for many years and brings a highly positive attitude. Throughout her experiences, she founded several NGOs in the area of HIV, malaria prevention, homelessness and child protection. Estelle has a passion for social justice but overall to give dignity to people in need.

Desmond Lau

Graduate Evaluation Officer at Ruah Community Services

Desmond Lau is a graduate evaluation officer for Ruah and recently graduated from the Master of Health Leadership at the University of Auckland and have relocated here in Perth to start a new journey. Desmond developed data collection tool and data analyses to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of Ruah’s Projects, especially the Enhanced Services Team. Desmond has a strong passion for improving the effectiveness and accessibility of services for the community.

Speaker TBC

Speakers

Trish Blake

Commissioner for Consumer Protection

Trish Blake became Commissioner for Consumer Protection and Executive Director for Consumer Protection in January 2023. Prior to becoming Commissioner Trish has been the Director of Retail and Services within Consumer Protection and worked in the Legislation and Policy Directorate of Consumer Protection for more than 13 years. Trish is a great advocate for residential tenancies, scam prevention, human rights and product safety. Trish is a regular guest on ABC Perth’s Drive program, 6PR’s Perth Live program and often features in Consumer Protection television interviews.

Trish has a law degree and is admitted to practice in Western Australia. She also has a degree with Honours in Social Work and a Post Graduate qualification in Public Policy and taught in the Murdoch University’s International Human Rights program for a number of years. Prior to working for the Department, Trish spent many years working in Community Legal Centres in WA.

1. Digital Inclusion Resource Hub Training 2. See Me See You (CALD) 3. Working with Small Business Debts - NAB 4. Mortgage Stress -Legal Aid

Interactive round table session on ethical scenarios and accessibility.

Speakers

Hon. Sue Ellery

Leader in the Legislative Council, Minister for Finance; Commerce; Women's Interests

Sue is currently Leader in the Legislative Council in the Parliament of WA and is the Minister for Finance; Commerce; Women's Interests. She is the first woman to lead the Government in the Legislative Council. Raised primarily in Perth, Sue has been a member of the WA Parliament since 2001 representing the South Metropolitan region in the Legislative Council. Prior to Parliament Sue was in advocacy in the community sector and for 12 years as an advocate for low paid workers in the union movement. Sue was a Minister in the last Labor government holding the portfolios of Child Protection, Communities, Seniors and Volunteering and Women. She was Minister for Education and Training in the current Labor government from 2017-2022.