Network News - October

For more information about our next webinar Disability Awareness - Perceptions and Rebuilding Inclusion, and the link to join, please visit the HIPPY Training in June section of this newsletter.

We recently emailed an invitation to you, to participate in an Inclusion Survey asking you to share with us how you support your families and the inclusive practices you have implemented. We would love to capture, and learn from, these efforts.

Take the survey here (open until COB Friday, 20 June 2025).

For more information about incorporating inclusive practices to support families and children with disabilities and/or learning delays, please visit the National Office Updates section of this newsletter (“Site Survey - Incorporating inclusive practices”).

Questions?

Please email your questions to Paula Rowe prowe@bsl.org.au

The number of severe weather events and disasters (such as floods, bushfires and cyclones) has increased significantly in recent years, affecting families and communities as well as increasing pressure on practitioners, frontline workers and volunteers.

For more information about joining the AIFS (Australian Institute of Family Studies) Wellbeing for workers supporting children and families after a disaster webinar, and the link to register your participation, please visit the HIPPY Training in June section of this newsletter.

Coordinator and Line Manager reports for the January-June 2025 period due by 14 July.

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 reflects our commitment to transparency, continuous improvement, and evidence-based practice across the HIPPY network.

Built on Your Efforts

The report's achievements are built on the tireless efforts of HIPPY Providers across Australia, who have:

• Strengthened community partnerships and referral pathways

• Delivered flexible, culturally responsive program models

• Supported families through tailored engagement strategies

• Shared best practices across the network through Communities of Practice and targeted coaching

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—and commend the creative, community-led solutions developed in response. Your ability to adapt and innovate in the face of these barriers demonstrates the resilience and dedication that defines the HIPPY network.

Thank You

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.

SNAICC is offering travel subsidies to help eligible Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) attend SNAICC '25 in Brisbane.

Each eligible organisation may nominate one person to receive a subsidy: $1,100 (inc. GST) for attendees from Australian capital cities (excluding Brisbane), or $2,200 (inc. GST) for those from regional or remote areas.

Priority is given to organisations with representatives presenting at the conference, with remaining subsidies allocated on a first come, first served basis. To apply, indicate your interest during registration or update your existing registration. Only one subsidy is available per organisation.

Click here to read more & register

The 2024 Tutor Outcomes report presents the below range of positive impacts experienced by Tutors:

• 52% of respondents indicated that they had gained employed upon exiting the HIPPY program
• 37% of respondents continued to work within their host site, with 10% of respondents continuing to work within the HIPPY program in some capacity
• 63% of respondents reported feeling 'very confident' after their time at HIPPY with 73% identifying as First Nations and 68% identifying as Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
• 58% of respondents indicated that they were studying or planning to study.

The Quality, Performance and Administration team supports HIPPY sites across a range of areas, including Safeguarding Compliance, LMS Canvas, and ETO technical support. To help us maintain this support, please keep up to date with communications from the HIPPY Australia National Office.

A quick reminder: always upload safeguarding checks directly to ETO rather than emailing them to the ETO Support inbox. Uploading to ETO is the most secure way to share sensitive information and helps protect your staff’s privacy.

For sites onboarding new HIPPY staff, please remember that uploading Staff Demographic Information to ETO is essential. This process provides HIPPY Australia with valuable statistical data to support ongoing program improvements and ensures compliance with privacy requirements.

Each new staff member must also sign the Staff Privacy Acknowledgement form before starting in their role.
Please enter this information into ETO once the staff member is approved, or upload the completed form using the ‘Add a new staff member’ Touchpoint in ETO.

Enrolment Journeys are a key part of understanding how HIPPY families progress through the program and provide a foundational benchmark for each family. This information is also a requirement for DSS reporting.

Currently, some sites are not submitting the Enrolment Journey as part of the enrolment process in ETO.
Please ensure you complete and submit these forms along with enrolment information whenever you enrol a new family into ETO.

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.

We’re proud to spotlight HIPPY Campbelltown, where Tutor Simmee (Hui Sim Li) and Coordinator Ann Tibbles have shared a wonderful resource their community children have loved. “The current weather is a learning opportunity for kids,” they say, encouraging families to explore the ABC Kids resource on rain and weather, including Play School’s engaging ‘Rain, Hail or Shine’ activities.

You can find the resource materials here , & linked learning material here: Play School's Rain, Hail or Shine - ABC Kids .

Children are natural observers, and for young learners, the weather is a captivating subject. The dynamic nature of the weather provides a rich, tangible source to fuel their curiosity. From sunny skies to gentle rain, it's something they experience firsthand every day, helping them make sense of the world around them, and connecting them directly to the environment around them.

You would know, Australia's varied and intricate weather systems are understood differently by First Nations peoples across the country. Their deep ecological knowledge often results in seasonal calendars that go beyond the four European seasons, defining 2, 4, 6, or even 8 distinct periods based on precise environmental indicators. This resource gives more details: Indigenous Culture - Indigenous Weather Knowledge - Bureau of Meteorology

Thank you, HIPPY Campbelltown, for sharing your innovative approach and helping our network connect learning to the world outside the window!

Toneea Watson, HIPPY Coordinator at Robinvale District Health Services, recently organised a special event for families in the 3 and 4-year-old program.

On 29 April, HIPPY Robinvale welcomed emergency services including the Euston RFS, Ambulance Victoria, and Victoria Police for a memorable community gathering.

Children enthusiastically explored emergency vehicles, asked questions, and learned about the important work of firefighters, paramedics, and police officers.

The event also included hands-on first aid activities, with children practising bandaging and CPR under the guidance of paramedics.

The police car was a particular favourite, especially when one curious child discovered the siren button!

A highlight for many was the chance to use the fire hose, with even HIPPY Mentors joining in the fun.

RDHS catering provided a nutritious lunch, enjoyed by all.

Given the overwhelmingly positive feedback from families, this event will become an annual tradition at HIPPY Robinvale.

Perceptions and Rebuilding Inclusion

Disability awareness is more than just understanding, it’s about transforming the way we see, speak about, and support people with disability. At its core, this initiative challenges outdated and limiting beliefs, encouraging a shift from deficit-based thinking to a more inclusive, empowering perspective.

Through this introductory webinar, Eldon Lim, BSL Accessibility Lead, will explore:

• Deficit Views of Disability - Unpacking the harmful assumption that disability is a problem to be fixed, rather than a natural part of human diversity.
• Ableism - Recognising and addressing the systemic discrimination and social prejudice that marginalise people with disability.
• Equality, Inclusion, and Adjustments - Understanding the crucial differences between these terms and why true inclusion goes beyond treating everyone the same.

Use this link to join the webinar (Calendar invitations to follow shortly)

DATE: 19 June 2025
TIME: 1:00 -1:45 pm AEST

Time zone note:
The times above are in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST, UTC+10), which applies to ACT, NSW, QLD, TAS, and VIC. Corresponding start times for other regions:

• South Australia (ACST): 12:30 pm
• Northern Territory (ACST, no daylight saving): 11:30 am
• Western Australia (AWST): 11:00 am

Severe weather events like bushfires, floods, and cyclones are becoming more frequent, impacting families, communities, and the workers who support them. Research shows that practitioners and support workers are at greater risk of burnout, vicarious trauma, and compassion fatigue, especially if they’ve also experienced the disaster themselves.

Supporting worker wellbeing is essential for both staff and the families they help, and it requires a shared approach from organisations and individuals alike. This webinar will explore practical strategies for managers and practitioners to promote wellbeing and resilience in disaster-affected settings.

This webinar will give you:

• insight into how to adopt a child-centred and family-focused approach to worker wellbeing
• tips for recognising some of the ways disasters can impact workers’ mental health
• strategies to protect the wellbeing of child and family workers and their families
• a better understanding of some organisational practices that you can use to support workers’ wellbeing.

This webinar will be of interest to anyone who works with infants, children and families, including frontline workers and their managers.

Date & time

• Wednesday 25 June 2025, 1:00 - 2:00 PM (AEST) OR Find your time zone

Register or find out more

• CLICK To Register > Registration
• VISIT to find out more > Wellbeing for workers supporting children and families after a disaster | Australian Institute of Family Studies

National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) runs from 27 May to 3 June. This year’s theme is ‘Bridging Now to Next’ which urges everyone to look ahead and continue the push forward, guided by past lessons.

The Australian High Court delivered the Mabo decision on 3 June 1992, providing legal recognition that Indigenous people have a special relationship with the land.

This decision paved the way for land rights known as native title. Mabo Day celebrates the life of activist Eddie Koiki Mabo.

Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, commemorates the faith of Ibrahim (Abraham).

It is celebrated with prayers, gatherings, and sharing food with those in need.

The Barunga Statement was presented to Prime Minister Bob Hawke at the Barunga Festival.

This statement called for Indigenous rights, including self-determination, land rights, and an end to discrimination.

Refugee Week is celebrated around the country. It celebrates the resilience and contributions of refugees in Australia, fostering understanding and inclusion.

20 June is World Refugee Day. It provides an opportunity for everyone to come together to learn about their experiences and celebrate their strength & courage.

National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week held annually in early July, is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements.

It is an opportunity to recognise Indigenous Australians’ contributions to our country and society.

This year’s theme is ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud’.