Derby Expo 2026
Expo Program
9:30-10:15AM
Registrations, Morning Tea and Networking
10:15-10:20AM
Acknowledgement of Country
10:20-10:30AM
Opening Address followed by Q&A
Zeina Jamaleddine
Executive Manager - WA Digital Inclusion Project
Zeina is the Executive Manager of the WA Digital Inclusion project and brings her background in public health, her passion for social justice, and her recognition of intersectionality into her work. Zeina believes that digital inclusion is not a technology matter, but a systemic human rights matter and that coordinated holistic and community centred approaches are what’s needed to bridge the digital divide.
10:35AM-12:30PM
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.
12:30-1:20PM
Lunch
1:20-2:30PM
Panel Discussion
Creating Lasting Impact: Collaborative Approaches to Digital Inclusion
Bharathi Pingali
Financial Counsellor/ Project Officer – FCAWA
Kaz Fitzpatrick
Coordinator - Anglicare WA
Elliot Sawers
Training and Partnerships Lead - WA Digital Inclusion Project
Digital inclusion is shaped by three key barriers: access, affordability, and digital ability. While these challenges often present differently across communities, particularly in regional and remote settings, addressing them effectively requires thoughtful design, strong partnerships, and a deep understanding of context.
This panel explores how collaboration across organisations and sectors can help respond to diverse community needs and create meaningful, lasting impact.
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.
Elliot has a background in training, partnerships and community engagement. As the Training and Partnerships Lead on the WA Digital Inclusion Project, he works at the intersection of digital equity and systemic change, supporting communities, government and the sector to close the digital divide through practical, strengths-based approaches. His work spans regional and remote WA, including the training Community Champions and the delivery of digital inclusion expos in communities from the Gascoyne to the Kimberley.
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.
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.