Broome Expo 2026
Expo Program
9:30-10:15AM
Registrations, Morning Tea and Stalls
10:15-10:25AM
Welcome to Country
Aunty Dianne Appleby
10:30-11:00AM
Opening Address
Closing the digital divide for First Nations Australians: where we are and what comes next?
Neil Turner
First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group, Expert Panel Member
Hear how the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group is working with government, industry and the not-for-profit sector to achieve Target 17 and bridge the digital divide for First Nations Australians and communities.
The presentation will outline the principles underpinning the Advisory Group’s work, progress to date, and spotlight the ongoing challenges of digital access, affordability and digital ability.
Ms Dot West OAM is a Noongar woman from the southwest of Western Australia. Dot was a member of the SBS Board from 2012 to 2022 and has worked in the media industry since 1987. She has extensive experience across media and broadcasting sector, and is a strong advocate for digital inclusion for First Nations people. Dot has also served on numerous other boards, including as the Inaugural Vice Chairperson of NITV, Screenwest, and as Chair of First Nations Media Australia.
11:00AM-12:00PM
Panel Discussion
Local Solutions, Lasting Impact: Digital Inclusion in Regional WA
Gareth Parcel
Money Support Hub Coordinator - Broome Circle
Bharathi Pingali
Financial Counsellor/ Project Officer – FCAWA
Kaz Fitzpatrick
Coordinator - Anglicare WA
No two communities experience digital exclusion in the same way, so what does it take to design solutions that truly reflect local needs? This panel explores the importance of place-based approaches to digital inclusion in regional and remote Western Australia. The discussion will unpack the challenges, share lessons learned, and identify opportunities to strengthen community-led innovation.
I am the Money Support Hub Coordinator and a Financial Counsellor with Broome CIRCLE, delivering financial wellbeing services across Broome and remote West Kimberley communities. My work focuses on supporting people experiencing financial hardship, with a strong emphasis on First Nations engagement, outreach and collaboration. I am passionate about improving digital inclusion and ensuring regional and remote communities can access the services, information and opportunities that many Australians take for granted.
Bharathi is a qualified Financial Counsellor with extensive experience in community education and is deeply passionate about empowering communities through financial literacy and wellbeing.
She is committed to creating inclusive spaces, strengthening community connections, and supporting individuals to access the services they need to feel empowered and thrive.
Kaz Fitzpatrick is a counsellor and supervisor who loves supporting people to feel heard, understood, and empowered. Based in Broome, Kaz combines professional knowledge with a down-to-earth, compassionate approach to help others thrive.
12:00-12:45PM
Lunch
12:45-2:00PM
Workshop
In Your Words: A digital storytelling workshop
Raff Di Bartolomeo
Principal Consultant - Two Roads
This interactive workshop will encourage participants to reflect on their digital experiences – moments of connection, frustration, learning, or exclusion. By using simple tools and techniques, participants will be supported to create stories that share their experiences, connect with others and advocate for the needs of their communities. Participants will be invited to contribute to a collection of stories from across WA that will create a rich and diverse understanding of how digital access and barriers shapes their lives.
Raff has more than 20 years’ experience in the community services and mental health sectors and began his career as a registered psychologist. He has held senior leadership roles in design and strategy and had operational responsibility for mental health, suicide prevention, drug and alcohol, and youth services. He is passionate about working alongside communities to design services and outcomes that meet their needs, including establishing two headspace Centres, a metro‑wide suicide prevention program, and the co‑design of five Medicare Mental Health Centres across Australia. He is committed to elevating community voices and storytelling so people can better influence the decisions that affect their lives.
2:05-2:30PM
Connecting Community – The Role of Libraries in a Digital World
Alison Morris
Library Coordinator - Broome Public Library, Shire of Broome
A look at Pillar 2 of the WA Public Libraries Strategy and how public libraries strengthen communities by improving digital access and capability. This presentation draws on Broome Public Library’s frontline experience helping residents navigate devices, the internet and essential online services.
Alison Morris has worked in libraries for more than 20 years. As the Library Coordinator at Broome Public Library, she leads a team dedicated to supporting the community’s access to information, technology and lifelong learning. Working on a front line of digital inclusion, they see daily the challenges many people face in accessing the internet, devices and the skills needed to navigate essential online services. The team is committed to ensuring that everyone in Broome—regardless of age, background or digital confidence—can participate fully in an increasingly online world.
2:30-3:00PM
Afternoon Tea
Stallholders
Anglicare WA
Anglicare WA is a leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to creating a just and fair Western Australia. We are committed to supporting individuals and families in need, advocating for policy change, and fostering inclusive communities. Our work is guided by our values of compassion, inclusion, and innovation. By partnering with government, businesses, and the community, we strive to empower those facing challenges and build a brighter future for all.
Broome CIRCLE
Broome CIRCLE is a community-based not-for-profit organisation supporting Kimberley communities for over 40 years. Through the Money Support Hub, we provide free and confidential financial counselling, financial capability, tax help and community support services across Broome and remote communities. We work alongside First Nations communities and partner organisations to improve access to services, strengthen financial wellbeing and create positive community outcomes.
Broome CRC
Broome CRC offers access to technology and digital services, as well as technology, digital and on-line support. We help people access and negotiate on-line services, and assist with technology problems and issues relating to digital accounts.
As people increasingly use their phones for all aspects of their lives, troubleshooting and education relating to personal digital devices has become an important part of what we do.
We offer basic services such as computer access, printing and scanning etc, we assist with and host videoconferencing and have a meeting room for hire. We also host and invigilate exams.
Broome Public Library
Broome Public Library is a welcoming community space offering access to books, resources and programs for all ages. Serving the diverse Broome community, the library supports learning, creativity and connection, and provides a friendly environment where people can explore interests, discover new ideas and engage with local services.
Financial Counsellors’ Association of WA
FCAWA is the peak body and voice of financial counselling in WA. We advocate for financial wellbeing and promote excellence in the sector to achieve our goals of financially resilient communities and reduced hardship for all.
We provide financial counsellors with training, resources, events and professional support so they can deliver free, independent and confidential help to people facing financial hardship. We also advocate for systemic change, working with government, regulators, and agencies to make financial systems fairer and more compassionate.
Independent reviews show every $1 invested in financial counselling saves around $4 in avoided social costs (such as homelessness, health, and justice).
As the driver of frontline impact and systemic change, FCAWA is a high-value, high-influence partner for government, agencies, and the community.
North Regional TAFE
North Regional TAFE is a leading training provider servicing the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, offering practical, job‑ready training. We offer Foundation Skills, including language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills, to support learners in building confidence for further study or employment. With strong community connections and flexible learning options, North Regional TAFE helps students take the next step toward their goals.
WA Council of Social Service (WACOSS)
The Western Australian Council of Social Service is the peak body for the WA community service sector and drives social change with communities through collective action and policy formulation, strengthening community services and influencing decision makers to ensure justice and equity.
WA Digital Inclusion Project
The WA Digital Inclusion Project (WADIP) aims to improve digital inclusion across WA by engaging with digitally excluded people to understand their needs and the barriers they face, and collaborating across the community services sector to roll out targeted and broad reaching initiatives.