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April 2026

EDITION 25

Vale Sharon Corvinus-Jones

HIPPY Australia would like to take this opportunity to honour Sharon Corvinus‑Jones.

Sharon was CEO of Kentish Regional Clinic in Sheffield, Tasmania, which delivers the HIPPY Kentish program. Through this role, Sharon provided strong leadership and was deeply committed to supporting families and the local community.

A passionate advocate for social inclusion and rural wellbeing, Sharon strongly believed in the role of education, connection, and belonging in building safe and thriving communities. Sharon championed HIPPY as a meaningful way to support parents as their children’s first teachers.

Sharon will be remembered for her integrity, authenticity, and commitment. Sharon’s contribution to HIPPY Kentish lives on through the families and communities she supported.

Key Program Dates

Ensure all reporting and financial requirements are submitted on time to ensure contract compliance and accurate financial reconciliation.

Financial Year Budget: Due by 14 May

For assistance contact the Finance team directly via HIPPYAustralia@bsl.org.au

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National Office Updates

DSS HIPPY Evaluation

Department of Social Services (DSS) has completed its evaluation of HIPPY. We have received the final report and are awaiting formal permission from DSS to share the results.

We thank all HIPPY staff and families who contributed to the evaluation. This evaluation is a key factor in determining the future of the HIPPY contract.

Inaugural First Nations Governance Network meeting

The First Nations Governance Network held its inaugural meeting at the end of March. It was facilitated by Mark Yettica-Paulson from Collaboration for Impact.

This milestone session brought together First Nations Providers and ACCOs.

National Support Portal Launch

HIPPY Support Portal is Live.

It is designed to be a centralized hub to streamline how we support the Network. This platform enables you to lodge support requests for ETO, Finance, Communication collateral or general program queries directly, ensuring each ticket is automatically routed to the most appropriate team member for faster resolution.

Beyond troubleshooting, the portal features an ever-expanding knowledge base with essential resources, including ETO task guides, marketing and branding content, and operational FAQs. We are currently integrating the portal link into all manuals, ETO dashboards, and the HIPPY Online Library to ensure it remains a seamless part of your daily workflow.

Please bookmark the BSL HIPPY Support Portal as your primary point of contact for all technical and administrative assistance moving forward

Pre Service Coordinator Training

First Nations Network:

In 2025, HIPPY Australia supported 19 network provider sites transitioning to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs). To reflect this milestone, we moved Preservice Coordinator Training (PSCT) from Melbourne to local hubs in Adelaide and Brisbane.

These sessions featured First Nations leaders as co-facilitators, ensuring culturally safe learning environments. We thank Dorothy Kartinyeri and Aunty Kym Harrison for their leadership and knowledge. The next PSCT session occurs later this month on Noongar Country (Perth).

Non-First Nations Network:

HIPPY Australia completed the latest round of Preservice Coordinator Training (PSCT) over 5 sessions in March.

This was a targeted digital-only delivery catering to a smaller cohort. This adaptive model ensured all new staff received essential onboarding while maintaining training viability.

Service Continuity and Local Adaptations

On Thursday, 2 April, the National Office distributed formal guidance to the Network regarding service continuity during natural disasters and ongoing fuel supply pressures.
We recognise that local conditions vary, and we fully support sites in implementing flexible, site-led responses.

Sites should continue to prioritise organisational direction and local community context to ensure safe and appropriate delivery.

The Network does not require formal approval for reasonable adaptations; however, it must keep Site Advisors informed of significant changes. This transparency ensures the National Office can offer informed support as conditions evolve.

A detailed list of Service Disruption FAQs accompanied this communication and is now available for reference on the HIPPY Australia Support Portal.

Please email HIPPYAustralia@bsl.org.au with any additional questions or local insights.

LMS Updates

Updated Tutor training timelines

The National Office has extended the completion timeframe for mandatory online (LMS) Tutor training. This change acknowledges the increased workload for Tutors and Coordinators during the commencement of the HIPPY year.

Module deadlines are now staggered as follows: Safeguarding (2 weeks), Cultural Awareness (6 weeks), and all others (8 weeks).

Details of the updated timeframe are available here .

ETO Updates

Site Payment System Issues

Following the implementation of a new BSL system for processing Purchase Orders, we are aware that some Sites have experienced delays in receiving their Jan-Jun funding and supplementation payments.

While most payments have been successfully processed, a small number of invoices submitted recently have been caught in a system lag. We are working closely with the ICT team to rectify this.

Action Required: If you have yet to receive your scheduled payment, please log a ticket via the new HIPPY Support Portal immediately so we can escalate the follow-up with Finance.

ETO 101 Module and Resource Updates

Coordinators must ensure they are using the 2026 Data Collection Guide and the most recent ETO forms available on the LMS.

Additionally, the ETO 101 LMS course is now rolling out to established Coordinators and Line Managers. While the system automatically enrols new staff, current staff can request early enrolment by messaging ETO HIPPY Support

ETO Reporting Improvements

The National Office is updating ETO Reports to include direct links to the ETO User Guide. These links will take you to the specific page required to influence each report, ensuring easier data management for the 2026 cohort.

Final Actions: 2024 and 2026 Cohorts

Finalise 2024 Families: If you have not yet completed the 'Leave HIPPY' process (Section 7.7.2), do so immediately. The ETO Helpdesk will formally graduate these Families shortly.

Transition Age 3 to Age 4: Coordinators must collect and enter an End of Age 3 Journey form before a family receives their first Age 4 pack.

Active Status Reminder: Remember that Families exiting before March delivery do not count as an 'Early Exit'. Ensure all new enrolments are entered on ETO to support accurate Priority of Access (PoA) planning with your Site Advisor.

For support, contact ETOHIPPYSupport@bsl.org.au

HIPPY Training Opportunities

MoneyMinded Coach Training

Batch 1 of the MoneyMinded Coach training is complete. Participants are now moving into the accreditation phase.

To achieve formal accreditation and access to the full suite of physical and digital resources, participants must complete three hours of online pre-work and attend both scheduled sessions.

Batch 2 Session details:

Date: Monday, 27 April and Wednesday, 29 April 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (AEST)

Please note that the format for the batch 2 sessions is via ZOOM.

We emailed all registered Batch 2 participants to confirm their bookings in April.

Everyone enrolled in this batch will receive their pre-work instructions and calendar invitations next week.

If you previously accepted a calendar invitation but have not yet completed the formal registration, please check your email for the required registration link to secure your place.

Days of Recognition

At HIPPY, we recognise and celebrate a variety of important dates, including some cultural and religious observances that reflect our commitment to inclusivity, family, and cultural diversity.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page for posts to like, share, and tag!

05 APR - Anniversary of the Bringing Them Home Report

This April marks 29 years since the Bringing Them Home report was tabled in Federal Parliament on 5 April 1997.

The report was the result of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families. It documented the systemic experiences of the Stolen Generations and the resulting longitudinal impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The report documented the systemic experiences of the Stolen Generations and the longitudinal impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities. Its 54 recommendations continue to provide a foundational framework for child safety and healing across the sector today.

25 APR - ANZAC Day

On Saturday 25 April 2026, the Australian War Memorial will mark the 111th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings and commemorate all Australians who have served in times of peace and war.

9 May - Mother's Day (Australia)

The Mother’s Day date in Australia is the second Sunday of May each year. Australia is credited with having started the tradition of giving gifts on Mother's Day: in 1924, Sydney resident Janet Heyden launched a campaign to collect gifts for lonely, aged mothers.

12-18 May: National Families Week

Theme: Every Family, Everywhere | 11–17 May 2026

Led by Families Australia, National Families Week recognises the vital role Families play in our lives and the broader community. This annual celebration encourages Families to connect with friends, extended kin, and the wider community through shared activities.

Sites are encouraged to share their stories and photos with the National Office for the June newsletter.