Network News - November

The close date for the Q3 DEX was 14th of October.

All forms collected between the 01 July, and 30 September 2025 are now overdue. If you still have forms from that time period that needs to go into ETO, please scan all completed forms and email them to ETOHIPPYSupport@bsl.org.au

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The Annual Financial Report for FY25 was due on 14 October 2025.

If your site has not yet submitted your report due to unforeseen circumstances, please contact HIPPY Australia immediately.

As a reminder, your report must be certified by both your Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent/Board member) and Chief Financial Officer (or equivalent), who is a member of CPA Australia, the Institute of Public Accountants, or the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.

If your CFO does not hold membership with one of these bodies, an Auditor's Opinion is required.

This information is reported directly to the Department of Social Services, and late submissions may result in formal warnings or breach notices.

For assistance with ETO submissions, please contact Manuel Solano directly ( manuel.solano@bsl.org.au ) OR ETO Support ( ETOHIPPYSupport@bsl.org.au )

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The HIPPY Sublicence and Funding Agreement 2026 was issued earlier this month. Please ensure you return your signed agreement by close of business, 24 November 2025.

Checklist:

• Review the agreement
• Sign and witness the agreement
• Submit your signed agreement by the deadline

New ACCOs need to set up their payment and send their invoice for Establishment Funding as per the instructions in the email.

For questions or support, reach out to HIPPY Australia.

The Australian Government is proposing significant reforms to how grants are administered to community sector organisations. These changes aim to streamline service delivery, reduce administrative burden, and improve outcomes for families, children, and young people.

This consultation is highly relevant to HIPPY Australia and our site provider partners. Whilst our HIPPY contract does not currently fall within the five existing programs that are proposed to be consolidated into a single national program, this reform could directly impact how HIPPY is funded and delivered in the future.

Minister Plibersek has emphasised the importance of creating a more flexible and outcomes-focused system that better supports families and children. A Discussion Paper outlining the proposed changes is now available on DSS Engage , along with an evidence summary , consultation summary , and a video message from the Minister .

We strongly encourage all HIPPY Provider network and stakeholders to participate in this consultation.

Ways to have your say:

• Make a submission to the Discussion Paper
• Complete a short online survey
• Attend a townhall session (multiple dates and locations available)

Submissions close 5 December 2025.

Visit DSS Engage to read more and contribute your feedback. If you have any questions about the consultation, please contact families@dss.gov.au

The Submission of the End of age 3 and Graduation journeys will need to be entered into ETO Prior to 31December 2025.

If your site has completed delivery, it’s recommended that you start collecting this information.

The July-December Line Manager Report and Coordinator Report are due on or before 14 January 2026.

Early submission before the cut-off date is welcome and can be started immediately.

Mauel is aware and will provide content

As part of HIPPY Australia's reporting requirements to the Department of Social Services, all HIPPY Providers are required to complete an Annual Statement of Safeguarding Compliance. This statement must be completed by your CEO (or an authorised delegate with written notification) and certifies that your organisation was compliant with its safeguarding obligations during the preceding year.

Further information about safeguarding obligations can be found in Sections 14 and 15 of your HIPPY Sublicence and Funding Agreement (2023-2025)

To successfully submit your organisation’s Annual Statement of Safeguarding Compliance you will need to:

• Gather the documentary evidence being requested in the form
• Read the Statement of Safeguarding Compliance
• Review and sign the Declaration of Safeguarding Compliance
• Submit both the documentary evidence and the completed declaration to HIPPYAustralia@bsl.org.au by Friday, 30 January 2026

The Annual Statement of Safeguarding Compliance form link was mailed to you, along with the completion Guide , and LMS (Learning Management System) Course Overview .

For questions, please contact HIPPYAustralia@bsl.org.au .

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A short reminder to sites that the deadline for submitting the Budget FY26 was 14 May 2025.

If you have not yet submitted your budget, please do so at your earliest convenience. If you need any assistance with the budget process, the HIPPY Australia inbox is available to provide guidance and answer your questions.

For those who require additional time, please reach out to your Site Advisor to discuss the possibility of an extension.

Your timely submission helps ensure the continued success and smooth operation of the HIPPY program across all sites.

The HIPPY Australia National Office (HANO) has submitted the 2025 Annual review of the HIPPY Recruitment and Retention strategy to the Department of Social Services (DSS). This annual review fulfills our contractual reporting obligations and reflects our commitment to transparency, continuous improvement, and evidence-based practice.

The report highlights strong recruitment and retention outcomes across the network, despite challenges including rising living costs, workforce shortages, and service transitions. It showcases the creative, community-led solutions developed by Site Providers and the strategies that have contributed to these results.

Built on Your Efforts

The report's achievements are built on the tireless work of HIPPY Providers across Australia, who have strengthened community partnerships, delivered flexible and culturally responsive program models, supported families through tailored engagement strategies, and shared best practices through Communities of Practice and targeted coaching. Your insights, data, and reflections have been invaluable.

Navigating Challenges Together

We acknowledge the challenges faced by Site Providers seeking to recruit and retain families: rising living costs, workforce shortages, and service transitions. The creative, community-led solutions developed in response is commendable. Your ability to adapt and innovate in the face of these barriers demonstrates the resilience and dedication that define the HIPPY network.

Your commitment to supporting families, adapting to change, and championing HIPPY continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and communities across Australia. This report captures not just data and outcomes, but the collective impact of your work on the ground.

A summary of key findings from the report will be shared with the network in the coming weeks.

HIPPY Australia’s transition project to strengthen self-determination and sustainability at First Nations focussed HIPPY sites by exploring local communities’ interest in having an ACCO deliver HIPPY has been moving ahead this month. Fourteen sites are now at the handover stage where the current providers are working with new providers to support a smooth handover in the new year. A further five sites are expected to move into the handover stage in the coming weeks.

Key to these collaborative relationships is the Commitment to handover with Dadirri (deep listening) and Ganma (two-way learning) where the organisations and HIPPY Australia work together to outline a shared understanding of how the transition looks practically, committing to agreed mutual expectations and responsibilities and building transparent and trusting relationships. This approach is proving successful in supporting transitions and making sure that families’ experience of the program and their understanding of what is happening is prioritised.

A special pre-service Coordinator training is currently in development for new ACCO providers. A face-to-face training session has been tentatively planned for November, preparing new providers to start delivering HIPPY in 2026.

Graduation season is in full swing, and your stories and celebrations are inspiring! Your graduation story is media-ready, and we encourage you to use these resources to share your success independently:

• Speaking Points Fact Sheet - Key talking points for you, Tutors, and families when engaging with MPs and media
• Media Pitch Template - For approaching local media outlets
• Media Release Template - Ready-to-customize for your event

Remember to keep us updated throughout your media outreach and share any coverage so we can celebrate with the network!

If you’d like help crafting your pitch or identifying story angles, please email HIPPYAustralia@bsl.org.au to connect with the team.

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Thank you to everyone who has shared graduation highlights. Your photos and stories reflect how each HIPPY celebration is unique. We’re impressed by the creative approach to Graduation, whether it’s including special guests or tailoring events to your local community. We look forward to catching stories of Sites with upcoming Graduations.

To capture and showcase the diversity of HIPPY, we’re building “Our HIPPY, Our Community”, a collection of real examples of how sites adapt the program for their families. These stories will be shared on both our website and socials to highlight your innovation, help with advocacy, and inspire others.

What does “flexing” look like?

Flexing doesn’t have to be complicated. It could be a small change that makes the biggest difference in your program. It might be:

• Using a different title for Tutor or Role Play that suits your families
• Choosing local terms for Gathering
• Adjusting delivery or including cultural activities

Share your story, big or small, by

• Uploading your stories and media here: Our HIPPY Our Community Form , OR
• Emailing photos/videos to: hippyaustralia.com.au

A quick writing guide is available to get you started for sharing stories.

Thank you for showing how HIPPY meets your community’s needs, let’s keep telling these important stories together!

Curriculum distribution is on schedule, and we look forward to sharing a detailed update in our final newsletter before Christmas.

HIPPY Australia recently invited CEOs and/or their nominated delegates to participate in a consultation discussion about the future of HIPPY and our upcoming proposal to the Department of Social Services (DSS). This was an important opportunity to share insights and gather feedback on the directions we are considering as part of our advocacy and funding strategy. During the session, we outlined key challenges and opportunities, including:

• Funding Sustainability: Current DSS agreements run until June 2027, but rising costs have made it increasingly difficult for providers to deliver contractual outcomes within existing budgets

• Policy Reform Alignment: We explored how HIPPY can align with major reforms such as the Early Years Strategy 2024-2034, National Family & Children Investment Strategy, Safe & Supported Framework, Thriving Kids initiatives, and Closing the Gap commitments

• Future Positioning and Innovations: Proposed ideas include:
  • Strengthening HIPPY as the core of locally responsive, integrated early years supports.
    
  • Introducing roles like community connectors to link families with services.
    
  • Workforce development through “earn while you learn” models for tutors.
    
  • Enhanced inclusion for children with developmental delays and disabilities.
    
  • Flexible innovation funding and national Communities of Practice
  • For First Nations ACCO-led sites: establishing a provider network to support cultural governance and leadership

We also heard that Coordinators are eager to provide input and help shape and strengthen the future of HIPPY across the country. Please rest assured that the Coordinator voice is very important to HIPPY Australia and know that our initial thinking for the DSS proposal has very much already been informed by:

• Feedback from Line Manager Reports and Coordinator Reports
• Insights from Coordinator Communities of Practice
• Conversations during site visits across Australia
• Suggestions provided by coordinators and line managers via the HIPPY Australia inbox hippyaustralia@bsl.org.au

Next steps include:

• Finalizing sub-licences and funding agreements for 2026
• Preparing a comprehensive federal funding proposal for submission to DSS
• Continuing advocacy to secure sustainable funding and support integrated early years services
• We will also be providing additional information sessions for new ACCOs as they join the network over the next months

Stay tuned for how you can get further involved in advocacy in 2026!!

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a national safety recall flagging certain coloured sand products, commonly used for children’s activities, as potentially containing asbestos.

The affected products include:

• Kadink Sand (1.3kg)
• Educational Colours - Rainbow Sand (1.3kg)
• Creatistics - Coloured Sand (1kg)
  These products were sold at various retailers, including Officeworks, Educating Kids, Modern Teaching Aids, and Zart Art, between January 1, 2020, and October 31, 2025.

All Providers must immediately check if any recalled sand products are in use at HIPPY Sites and ensure safe disposal following ACCC guidelines .

Thank you for ensuring your HIPPY premises are compliant and safe for children and staff.

Seen our stall at SNAICC 2025? Read the full set of postcard stories and find out more about community leadership and voices by clicking on the link below.

https://hippyaustralia.bsl.org.au/snaicc-2025/

‘Staying Brave’ Anglicare conference
Learnings from the transition of HIPPY to First Nations providers

In September, First Nations leaders from ac.care, Anglicare WA, and HIPPY Australia (BSL) facilitated a workshop at the annual Anglicare Australia Conference. The session was co-designed by the three organisations and focused on sharing real experiences, resources, and practical lessons from the HIPPY ACCO Transition and the transition of power to community control.

The workshop centred on three areas: the principles and lessons learned so far, supporting providers to reflect on their own readiness for transition, and connecting this work to Closing the Gap priorities and the role each organisation plays. The session included a yarning circle where participants discussed the ‘why’ behind transition, self-determination, and the importance of local, community-led approaches.

Link to the resource page shared at the workshop: https://hippyaustralia.bsl.org.au/resources-anglicare2025/

Presenters 

Annie Kent
First Nations Advisor, HIPPY Australia, Brotherhood of St. Laurence

Dorothy Kartinyeri
Manager of Aboriginal Services and Community Partnerships, ac.care 

Jarred Wall
General Manager of Aboriginal Service Development Anglicare WA

We want to hear from you!

The Brotherhood of St. Laurence have been paying close attention to the incredible work happening across the HIPPY network this year. They want to promote the national program even further and are looking for a handful of people who would be interested in sharing their HIPPY story.

They are especially keen to hear stories about the Tutor journey.
If you started as a HIPPY parent, became a Tutor, or have a powerful story to share, we would love to hear from you.

If you’re interested or have any questions, please email hippy.australia@bsl.org.au

Submit a HIPPY story through our Story Form: https://wkf.ms/3VJiabr

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We received an update from SNAICC that the Australian Government’s Department of Education has announced that changes to Child Care Subsidy (CCS) hours are set to start in 2026.

From 5 January 2026, all CCS eligible families can get at least 72 hours of subsidised childcare per fortnight. Families can get 100 hours of subsidised childcare each fortnight for each child if they:

• are caring for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child
• have more than 48 hours each fortnight of recognised participation
• have an exemption or experience exceptional circumstances
• receive Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS), child wellbeing, temporary financial hardship, or grandparent payments.

Please note:

• Families must still pay a gap fee, except in certain circumstances
• Families are not guaranteed a place with a provider. Families will still need to secure a place with their chosen child care service

Providers and services:

Find out more on the 3-day guarantee page , or call Child Care Subsidy Provider Helpdesk 1300 667 276 or via email: ccshelpdesk@education.gov.au

What to communicate with Families:

To find out more and lodge a claim, visit the Services Australia website: Changes if you get family payments , or find more information via the following links, to

• find out more about CCS
• find out more about the changes
• lodge a claim . If you can’t claim online, you can call the Centrelink families line .

Looking ahead to 2026, we’re starting to plan the Events calendar and would love your input. Each year, Sites attend and promote HIPPY at various conferences, creating valuable opportunities to connect, advocate, and share our program’s impact.

To help us support your efforts, please share any upcoming events or conferences where you plan to participate, whether you’re attending, holding a booth, or presenting. Let us know your topic and goals so we can help maximise HIPPY’s presence.

Some key conferences on our radar for 2026 include:

• ECA National Conference 2026: (30 September-3 October, Melbourne)Ideal for national policy and advocacy updates
• 3rd National PRECI Conference 2026: (Registrations open October 2025, early bird deadline March 2026)Ideal for professionals in early childhood intervention and inclusion
• Early Years Conference 2026: (21-22 May, Cairns)Perfect for cross-sector collaboration and community-focused practice
• C&K Conference 2026: (25 July, Brisbane)Inspires educators with creativity, play, and arts-based approaches

We’re working to build a state-wise conference list to showcase and support Sites’ participation. Please get in touch with your upcoming plans so we can collaborate early for a strong HIPPY presence.

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HIPPY Australia has launched revised Safeguarding training modules on the Learning Management System (LMS), designed to better support different roles across our community. These modules have been developed ahead of the 2025 Annual Statement of Safeguarding Compliance (ASOSC) to meet statutory requirements tied to the HIPPY Sub-licence and funding agreement.

Two Training Pathways are:

• Safeguarding and Your HIPPY Sublicence: Required annual training for Line Managers and Coordinators
• Safeguarding Fundamentals: Mandatory for Tutors in their first year, with annual refreshers, complementing your site’s own safeguarding training. This module is also assigned for reference to administration staff

Recording Training

Please use the ETO function to accurately record the status of training completion for all staff at your site. To monitor progress, the LMS Course Overview outlines:

• Who needs to complete each module
• When training completion is required
• How often refreshers are to be completed

Important Notification

During the module rollout, some users received multiple enrollment notifications due to a default platform setting. We apologise for any confusion this caused. You can disable these notifications by following the Step Wise Guide to Using Canvas Notifications , now available in the LMS under the same name.

Questions?

For assistance, contact us anytime at hippyaustralia@bsl.org.au .

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We are excited to announce the launch of the First Nations Language Toolkit (Toolkit), now available on the HIPPY LMS Library (under the Manuals and Guides section).

This important resource marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to celebrating and strengthening First Nations language and culture within the HIPPY program.

This resource marks a significant milestone in our commitment to celebrating and strengthening First Nations language and culture within HIPPY. Developed with guidance from First Nations-owned Elephant in the Room Consulting (EITRC). The support of EITRC has helped shape a resource that is practical, culturally responsive, and grounded in respect for the knowledge and voices of First Nations people and communities. The Toolkit is practical, culturally responsive, and reflects the diversity of language practices across our network.

We also wish to acknowledge that the Toolkit was informed by insights from site Coordinators, Tutors, and community members. The Toolkit reflects the diversity and richness of language practices across our network.

The Toolkit offers ideas, practical tools, and examples to help HIPPY sites engage with their local languages, strengthen community connections, and enhance inclusion for all families.

Access the Toolkit via the HIPPY LMS Library and explore how it can support your work with families and communities.

We have heard feedback that new Coordinators often experience delays in receiving ETO training after starting their roles. In response, the Learning & Development Team and Quality, Performance, & Admin Team have collaborated to develop a new LMS module covering key ETO functionality.

The new module covers:

• ETO navigation
• Data entry
• ETO Reports

All new Coordinators and Line Managers will be automatically enrolled in this course. For current staff who are already comfortable with ETO, the course is an opt-in.

If you would like access to this new course for any reason, please contact the ETO Helpdesk at HIPPYAustraliaETOSupport@bsl.org.au , and we will enrol you.

The ETO User Manual is valuable for both newcomers and experienced staff looking to refresh their knowledge. It is available on the LMS under ETO Forms and Information , or via this link: HIPPY ETO Manual .

We’re pleased to announce that the 2026 enrolment form and guide, along with the updated staff exit form, are now available on the LMS.

Over the past 12 months, the ETO Support team has received valuable feedback, which we've used to revise these documents. The updates are designed to better support sites in meeting their reporting obligations.

We strongly encourage staff to review the revised Enrolment Form Guide, especially when working with families to complete the enrolment form. This resource is incredibly helpful and will assist coordinators in understanding what’s required when beginning to build relationships with families.

The 2026 Enrolment form has been finalised and is now available on the LMS, under ETO Forms and Information . There is now an accompanying resource that is both linked on the Enrolment form and available separately on the LMS called the Enrolment form guide .

As 2025 draws to a close and many sites begin wrapping up delivery, please remember that families ending their HIPPY journey need to be exited from ETO. Refer to the ETO User Manual for guidance or contact us via etohippysupport@bsl.org.au for assistance.

Graduation Policy Reminder

All Age 4 families still active in October can now GRADUATE. As announced last year, graduation is no longer based on the number of packs completed, but on families remaining active and engaged in October of their final year (if they haven't already graduated).

All Age 4 families leaving HIPPY after October are to be marked as Graduated, not Early Exited. Even if a Graduation Journey is not completed. We still encourage you to ensure every family completes a Graduation Journey where possible.

Graduation Journeys are a key part of celebrating achievement and progress through the program.

IS this information also a requirement for DSS reporting??

Whilst we’re still waiting on all the data to come in for 2025, we thought we’d focus on how families are tracking across the network in a few of the key outcome areas so far for both Age 3 and Age 4 families.

• 75% of children showed an improvement in their interest in reading or looking at books.
• 56% of children showed an improvement in the skills they need to start school.
• 38% of children showed an increase in how far they could count.
• 32% of children showed an improvement in their capacity to engage in imaginary play

Q: The recent HIPPY bulletin seems to indicate a new requirement to allocate at least $13,000 per year for Tutor professional development. Is this accurate?

A:

No, this requirement is not new. Allocating funds (up to $13,000 per year) for Tutor professional development has long been an aspect of HIPPY’s operational expectations and is outlined in the HIPPY Operations Guide. This funding supports Tutors’ training and growth and contributes to HIPPY's success in building skills and opportunities for participating families. The figure is also reflected in the Annual Financial Reporting template, as well as other network communications.

Q: Are we to go ahead with enrolling Age 3 families for 2026. We do have a waiting list ready to start enrolling for 26/27 as well as employing 2 tutors?
If DSS decides to withdraw funding for HIPPY at end of 2026, then the Age 3 will not be funded into 2027 for Age 4?

A:

We appreciate that the lack of certainty about an ongoing HIPPY contract post FY27 may create some uncertainty for site providers, particularly in relation to recruiting families for the 3-year-old cohort in 2026, those children who would be due to complete their 4-year-old program in 2027.

Please be reassured that we are working closely with DSS and hope to negotiate a new contract.

While we understand that the current situation is not ideal, we are committed further engagement with the government to achieve the end result that children commencing in 2026 will be able to complete their 4-year-old program in 2027 with a new contract.

Thank you again for your ongoing commitment and support.

Q: The current requirement for HIPPY Tutor supervision is 30 minutes per week or 1 hour per fortnight. Time constraints can affect the quality of supervision. Would HIPPY Australia consider adjusting the minimum requirement to 1 hour per month for formal supervision, acknowledging that informal check-ins and day-to-day support remain ongoing?

A:

This is an insightful suggestion regarding Tutor supervision.

The HIPPY Operations Guide recommends formal supervision of either 30 minutes weekly or 1 hour fortnightly. While informal, day-to-day supervision is valuable, the Compliance Checklist (Requirement 13) sets this schedule to ensure timely support and strong family engagement.

Formal supervision provides dedicated space for:

• Addressing program challenges (e.g. retention, complex family needs)
• Supporting reflective practice and professional growth
• Ensuring accountability for pack delivery and responsibilities
• Reviewing P2P goals
• Providing feedback on supervised visits

This does not replace informal supervision but establishes a baseline for meaningful, development-focused conversations.

Given that many Coordinators and Tutors work part-time, scheduling can be challenging. A minimum of 1 hour per month, alongside frequent informal support, may help maintain quality without adding administrative burden.

This supports Tutor confidence and aligns with Outcome Area 3, which prioritizes capacity building through reflective supervision. However, monthly supervision may reduce timely responses to emerging challenges. Retaining current options allows flexibility while upholding program standards and Tutor well-being.

Please reach out to your Site Advisor or Line Manager to discuss what works best in your context and ensure supervision remains a priority.

A query was raised regarding Tutors’ salaries mentioned in the recent compliance bulletin post: Compliance Bulletin_August2025 | HIPPY Australia

Q: According to the Sub-licence agreement, Tutors should maintain a ratio of 0.4 FTE per 15 families. Allocations above this require discussion and approval.

Is there a possible conflict with the operations guide, which states: Allocate the Tutor(s) gross salary based on the FTE or work hours per year. This should be a minimum of 15 hours per week, equating to 0.4 FTE.

Can we please have more clarification regarding the “Allocations above this require discussion and approval” – most coordinators stated they understood that the Tutors were required to be employed for 15 hours a week minimum but did not know that anything above this FTE required approval.

A:

To clarify the statement: “Allocations above this require discussion and approval”, this refers specifically to the family caseload ratio, not the minimum employment requirement of 0.4 FTE (15 hours per week).

The Sub-licence Agreement requires a ratio of 0.4 FTE per 15 families. This means a Tutor employed at 0.4 FTE should manage no more than 15 families.

If a provider intends to increase a Tutor’s caseload beyond 15 families, which would typically require increasing their FTE above 0.4, this must be discussed with the Site Advisor. In some cases, an Adaptation Request may also be required.

This process ensures that any increase in FTE and caseload is appropriate, sustainable, and aligned with program fidelity and Tutor support.

In summary:

• Tutors must be employed for a minimum of 0.4 FTE (15 hours/week)
• Approval is only required when increasing the caseload beyond 15 families, which may necessitate a corresponding increase in FTE
  

Hannah Healy, HIPPY Broome's Coordinator at Nyamba Buru Yawuru, shares that a standout moment from Wanggarrallangga Ngan-ga HIPPY Jamurr in Term 3, was hosting a vibrant community event at NBY to celebrate National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day (NATSICD). She writes:

"This year's SNAICC theme, Little Footsteps, Big Future, celebrates the special journey children take as they grow, surrounded by culture, supported by community, and connected to country.

The day brought together a wonderful mix of families: children from St Mary's School, Jalygurr Daycare, Our Mob, and Broome Youth Family Hub playgroups, plus many regular and new HIPPY families. The atmosphere was full of joy as children explored activity after activity: making fairy bread, creating animal tracks in the sand tray, cuddling soft Australian animals, checking out the police vehicle, playing with fire hoses, and taking special rides in the fire truck, all while showing off their vibrant face paint, sparkly tattoos, new police hats, and sticker badges.

A surprise visit from the BRAMS Kids Club mascots brought even more smiles and high fives, just in time for everyone to gather for a delicious morning tea."

Hannah observes, "These collaborations and incredible contributions from across community services, educators, families, and cultural groups serve as a powerful reminder: when we place children at the centre and connect through culture, community, and care, we nurture a foundation of belonging, confidence, and possibility."

She closes with how it was a privilege to witness the community come together this way, and a joy to play a part in bringing 'little footsteps' forward toward 'big futures.'

Gala mabu (Thank you)!

Kathleen Scott's journey with HIPPY Cairns South began in 2019 when she was a mum at home with her young daughter, Olivia. Under the guidance of Taritah, who first enrolled them into the program, and later with support from Eliza, Lorna, Joanna, and Jerome from HIPPY Australia, Kathleen was offered the chance to become a HIPPY Tutor, a role that gave her confidence, purpose, and a genuine passion for helping families learn together.

"That experience opened new doors for me: after HIPPY, I moved into full-time roles in HR, then Finance, and now work as an Operations Coordinator; and have now published a storybook called 'Olivia - The Narwhal's Brave Adventure to the Great Barrier Reef'.

The values and skills I learned through HIPPY, patience, communication, and connection, continue to influence everything I do."

Olivia also completed HIPPY Northside, making it a truly special journey for both of them. Earlier this year, the family moved to Cambodia where Kathleen's husband supports children and teens rescued from sex trafficking. Working remotely, Kathleen found time to complete a children's book written under Olivia's name and inspired by their HIPPY roots.

The story follows a curious narwhal traveling to the Great Barrier Reef. It's a rhyming picture book for children aged 2-8, celebrating curiosity, friendship, and real places in Cairns.

It's their way of giving something back, a story that began with HIPPY and grew into something much bigger.

On Thursday 9 October, HIPPY Eastlakes held their October Holiday Event, ‘A Splash of Colour Fun Run’. Families gathered on the school play field to enjoy connection over lunch, craft, games and a super fun colour run.

Smiles were big and energy was high as a tribe of HIPPY families ran through waves of water hoses, sprinklers, and colours. White t-shirts quickly transformed into rainbows of bright colours. Children also enjoyed ball skill activities, parachute play, and craft activities including decorating rainbow frisbees. Families relaxed over a picnic lunch, chatting and connecting with other HIPPY families. Overall, 10 families attended with 30 children, with most bringing along older and younger siblings.

It was heartwarming to see the friendships that have developed over the year, particularly one little girl in the Age 3 program who experiences incredible shyness. She was so excited to reunite with her HIPPY friend and do the colour run together.

‘it was so nice to take all my children to something so fun, we rarely can afford to take our children out’. This was amazing!’ HIPPY Parent

HIPPY Broken Hill has developed a fantastic partnership with their local South Football Club. Last year, the Club offered the clubhouse to host HIPPY Graduation and cooked and served meals for all the families. This year, they're providing the venue again and offering volunteers to help with catering.

Through this initiative, Coordinator Krista and Line Manager Michelle have built strong relationships with the club, a meaningful connection in a town where AFL runs deep in the community.

Last year's Graduation was held at the Broken Hill South Football Club for the first time, creating a night to remember. The team celebrated 30 proud 4-year-old graduates, surrounded by their families, friends, and wonderful volunteers from the Club. Around 100 people came together to share in the occasion, making it one of their most successful graduations ever. On a scorching 40-degree summer evening, everyone enjoyed a hearty meal of chicken or beef schnitzels, chips, fresh salads, and plenty of soft drinks. The generosity of the Club, who donated the venue, food, and their time, made the evening extra special.

"Partnering with the local football club offers more than just a great venue. It helps build strong community ties and shows our children the value of teamwork, friendship, and belonging. AFL runs deep in the community of Broken Hill, so by engaging with the Club, our children see firsthand how sport and community spirit can bring people together."

This year's Graduation will be held at the South Football Club again.

While they'll be hiring the venue and food at a reduced rate this time, the Club has kindly offered to provide their volunteers again, along with another delicious meal. This collaboration between Maarima and the Club builds community engagement, with families learning more about their local club, and the footy club learning about the range of early childhood and parenting programs at Maarima. These experiences not only celebrate achievements today but also plant seeds for confidence, resilience, and community connection in the future.

HIPPY Orange Coordinator Sally Thomas supported a wonderful initiative through the Marang Dhali Eating Well Program, with HIPPY families participating in six sessions facilitated by a previous Tutor. Through this partnership, Sally helped two Tutors become trainers in this healthy food program designed for First Nations families.

Marang Dhali, a Wiradjuri phrase meaning "Eating Well", is delivered by NSW Health's Western NSW Local Health District Aboriginal Health Promotion Team. The program trains Aboriginal Health Workers to deliver cooking and nutrition workshops in their local communities.

Much like HIPPY, it uses an "action learning approach" where participants learn through practice. Over 4-6 cooking sessions, participants prepare meals, cook together, and yarn about safe food storage, food handling, reading food labels, modifying recipes, and cooking for and with children.

Sally advocated for HIPPY Orange Aboriginal HIPPY Mentor Alana to participate in the Marang Dhali Facilitator training, recognizing it as an opportunity to support career development while meeting the expressed interest of Aboriginal HIPPY parents who wanted to come together on Fridays to cook and share meals.

"Through P2P and supervision discussions, we identified Alana's wish to develop her group facilitation skills, access training for career development, and build community with her families. I encouraged her to deliver a program with six HIPPY Aboriginal participants, which involved building confidence in her facilitation skills and project management."

Alana completed her Marang Dhali Facilitator training in October 2023, which included traveling to Dubbo for a full day's training and follow-up support in March 2024. With support from her HIPPY colleagues who volunteered their time to help with preparation and child supervision, Alana successfully delivered six sessions between October and December 2024 with six families participating.

The Coordinator secured support from their Provider Organisation to budget for staffing costs and program resources, enabling families to share the joy of preparing, cooking, and eating together, building relationships in the process.

In 2025, Alana gained employment with a local ACCO and is now utilizing her Marang Dhali Eating Well facilitator skills to support program implementation in her current workplace.

This process paved the way for current HIPPY Mentor Anna to participate in the Marang Dhali training, continuing the commitment to support implementation of the program in the local community.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the International HIPPY Visit Event on Tuesday, 28 October.

Your engagement made each session rich with insight, questions, and genuine connection.

We're pleased to share that recordings from all three sessions are now available on the LMS:

Resources:

• Session 1 Recording: Bringing local language and data to life within your community
• Session 2 Recording: HIPPY around the world with HIPPY International Delegates
• Session 3 Recording: In their own voice - Stories from across the Network

Presentation slides and additional resources, including Language Toolkit launch materials and HIPPY International resources, will be shared shortly.

For questions, please reach out to the HIPPY Australia inbox.

On the note of unpacking the event, we invite you to please take 5 minutes to share your feedback . This helps us improve future planning and organising of webinars and events.

Hearing the word autism for the first time can stir many emotions: confusion, relief, even fear about what comes next. But you don’t have to have all the answers right away.

Join Autism Awareness Australia CEO Nicole Rogerson and Claire Birrell, Head of Early Intervention at Learning for Life, for a free webinar designed to help families understand what early intervention really means and how to take confident, informed steps forward.

We’ll explore:

• What early intervention actually involves and why timing matters
• How to choose supports that suit your child’s strengths and needs
• Common myths and misconceptions (and what the evidence really says)
• Practical advice on getting started, from NDIS pathways to everyday strategies

This warm, supportive session will help you feel reassured, empowered, and ready to move forward with clarity and confidence.

When: Thursday, 27 November 2025
Time: 12:00 pm (AEDT)

This on-demand webinar explores how organisations can build more culturally safe workplaces with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.

Presenters: Leigh Brown, Sarah Decrea, Eddie Moore and Kira Duggan

This webinar will help you:

• develop a better understanding of what cultural safety is and the importance and value of having culturally safe workplaces
• gain insight into the barriers and enablers to building a culturally safe workplace
• develop insight into how practitioners, service providers and organisations can build culturally safe workplaces

Frequently Asked Questions: https://aifs.gov.au/accessibility/webinar-faqs
Webinar on demand booking link
AIFS webinar recording library

This day marks the start of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign to raise awareness and mobilize action to end violence against women and girls. It's an important opportunity to stand in solidarity with survivors and advocate for safe, respectful communities for all.

This United Nations observance promotes the rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities in all areas of society. It's a day to celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities and raise awareness about inclusion, accessibility, and removing barriers in our communities and workplaces.

Wishing all our HIPPY families, Coordinators, Tutors, and partners a joyful and restful Christmas. May this time bring warmth, connection, and celebration with loved ones.

As we close out 2025, we reflect with gratitude on the achievements across the HIPPY network and look forward to another year of learning, connection, and growth in 2026.

Across the network, HIPPY sites are celebrating the incredible achievements of our graduating Year 4 families. These milestone moments recognize the dedication of children, parents, Tutors, and Coordinators who have journeyed together through the HIPPY program. Congratulations to all our graduates!