PRESENTED BY:
Our Way, Our Changemakers.
27 – 29 May 2026
InterContinental Brisbane
The Overcoming Indigenous Family Violence Forum is CPD Accredited. Attendees will receive 8 points per day, with a certificate immediately following the event.
We are proud to announce the return of the Overcoming Indigenous Family Violence Forum. The 2026 theme ‘Our Way, Our Changemakers’ is a tribute to the continuous hard work put out by our community leaders and ACCO sector who are fighting tirelessly to achieve real progress towards Target 13 of Closing the Gap.
To ensure we are supported in this fight for real change we must continue to demand for sustained funding, resources, and support for First Nations community-led solutions that have the cultural knowledge, lived experience, and expertise to create lasting change.
Significant developments have occurred in the Indigenous family violence sector. We continue to witness the emergence of community-driven initiatives that prioritise cultural healing, early intervention, and support for families and individuals experiencing violence. Increasingly, Elders and cultural leaders are recognised as key agents of change, and collaboration between governments, service providers, and First Nations communities has strengthened.
It is with this momentum that we look ahead to the 2026 Overcoming Indigenous Family Violence Forum; a platform for knowledge exchange and community connection; a place where we, the changemakers, are heard.
Together, we hold the solutions to create safer, stronger, and healthier communities. I look forward to welcoming you all in May to what will be another powerful gathering and celebration of, resistance, resilience and our collective cultural strength.
Wynetta Dewis
CEO, Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS)
Chair, First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence (FNAAFV)
Meet Our Featured Keynote
Stan Grant, journalist, author, moral philosopher, thinker, film maker and communicator
We are honoured to welcome Stan Grant, a renowned journalist, author, moral philosopher, thinker, film maker and communicator. He has had a ground breaking four decade career as one of Australia’s most awarded journalists. A Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi and Dharrawal man, Stan has blazed a
trail for First Nations journalists. In a career of firsts he was the first Indigenous Political Correspondent, the first Indigenous Foreign Correspondent, he was the first Indigenous person to present a prime time commercial television news and current affairs program.
For a decade he was a senior correspondent for American news giant CNN based in Asia and the Middle East.
Featured speakers
Thelma Schwartz
Executive Director Legal
Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS)
Maggie Blanden
Advisory Council Member;Contributing Writer;Co-Founder
Tasmanian National Preventive Mechanism; Common Ground; Naarm Law Students
Ana Falemaka
Youth Mentor and Ambassador
Talitha Project Tonga
Murray Benton
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak, (QATSICPP)
Zachariah Matysek
Chief Executive Officer
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Association
Kerry Staines
Chief Executive Officer
First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence (FNAAFV)
On Country Workshop Day
A powerful experience of cultural immersion, connection and reflection
Step out of the conference and onto Country at Musgrave Park in Meanjin for a guided experience led by Nunukul Yuggera Aboriginal Dancers. Begin with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, then take part in hands-on cultural activities including painting, bush food and medicine, tribal dance and boomerang throwing designed to foster connection, wellbeing and community-led change.
Reasons to attend
Learn from Community-Led Solutions
Hear directly from First Nations leaders and organisations sharing evidence-based, culturally grounded initiatives that are creating real change in communities.
Amplify First Nations Voices
Be part of a national platform that centres the voices of Elders, community leaders, frontline workers and young changemakers shaping the future of family violence prevention.
Gain Practical Strategies to Take Back to Community
Tailor your learning through targeted streams and yarning circles and access tools, frameworks and case studies that support prevention, healing and wellbeing designed to be applied in real-world community and service settings.
Connect with Over 300 Changemakers Nationwide
Build meaningful relationships with peers from across Australia through yarning circles, panels, workshops and community gatherings.
Engage in Culture, Healing and Learning
Participate in cultural workshops, trauma-informed training and immersive learning experiences that strengthen cultural knowledge, connection and wellbeing.
Be Part of the Movement for System Change
Contribute to critical conversations on system reform, culturally informed accountability, and advancing progress toward Target 13 of Closing the Gap.
Who should attend
Those responsible for designing and delivering Indigenous family violence policies, programmes and services from:
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ACCHOs
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Aboriginal Legal Services
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Not-for-Profits
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Family Violence Shelters
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Family Violence Support Centres
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State and Federal Government
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Community Organisations and Foundations
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Local Councils
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Police and ambulance services
Forum Experience
Cultural Safety
A qualified First Nations wellbeing counsellor will be on site to provide support throughout the forum. You will always be able to access a wellbeing counsellor in the venue’s wellbeing room, where you can have a confidential chat or simply take some time to recuperate.
There will also be a dedicated Elders’ Room on site for Elders to take their lunch, socialise, or take a break from the conference.
Community Social Event
Immediately following the conclusion of Day One, we welcome you to kick off your work shoes and relax outside as we host food and drinks for all attendees. Everyone is welcome to enjoy some delicious canapes and drinks as they connect with their peers and reflect on the day’s learnings.
Venue
InterContinental Brisbane
Address: 190 Elizabeth St, Brisbane, QLD 4000
Forum: Grand Ballroom, Level 5
Accommodation
InterContinental Brisbane is offering discounted accommodation rates. Please book through this unique booking link: InterContinental Brisbane | Luxury Hotel in Brisbane
Parking
Valet parking is available at a cost of $60 per vehicle per day via Concierge on Elizabeth Street and subject to availability. Alternatively, the Wintergarden, which is located within the hotel complex, has over 500 spaces and competitive pricing. Secure Parking has direct access to InterContinental via levels 5 or 6. View Secure Parking Wintergarden rates here.
