Platinum Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Supported by
Expo Program
8:30-9:30AM
Tea, Coffee & Stalls
Foyer and Exhibition space
9:30-9:40AM
Welcome to Country
Ballroom South + Centre
Robyn Collard
Lester Coyne has been actively involved in the Albany community for more than 64 years as a business owner, sportsman, musician and advocate for Aboriginal employment, education and training. He has played a significant role in supporting Aboriginal people into mainstream employment and contributing to Aboriginal health services, while also serving on numerous boards in both member and Chair roles.
Lester is a member of the Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation Albany 2026 Sub-Cultural Committee, where he provides cultural advice for the Albany 2026 program and contributes to several major community projects. A passionate advocate for his people and community, Lester remains deeply committed to Kinjarling (Albany), the “place of plenty,” where he has proudly raised his family.
9:45-9:55AM
Opening Address
Ballroom South + Centre
Minister Stephen Dawson
Stephen was born in Dublin and migrated to Australia in 1989 with his family.
In 2017, Stephen was elected as the Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council and was appointed as the Minister for Environment and Disability Services.
Following the 2025 election, Stephen was appointed the Minister for Regional Development; Ports; Science and Innovation, Medical Research and Minister for the Kimberley. He was also named Leader of the Legislative Council.
Stephen has also served as the Minister for Electoral Affairs, Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Volunteering before being appointed as Minister for Emergency Services; Innovation and the Digital Economy; Science; Medical Research and Minister Assisting the Minister for State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade in 2021.
10-10:30AM
Closing the digital divide for First Nations Australians: where we are and what comes next?
Ballroom South + Centre
Dot West OAM
Co-chair - First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group
Professor Lyndon Ormond-Parker
Co-chair - First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group
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. The co-chairs will also discuss
the Advisory Group’s priorities for the year ahead.
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.
Professor Lyndon Ormond-Parker is an Alyawarr man from the Barkly Tableland region of the Northern Territory. He is an expert in First Nations digital inclusion, cultural heritage and on-country learning, and serves as a research fellow for RMIT University’s ‘Mapping the Digital Gap’ Research Project. Lyndon also serves as deputy chair of the National Film and Sound Archive’s Indigenous Connections Committee, and as co-chair of the Return Reconcile Renew Archive Governance Board at the Australian National University.
10:30-11AM
Morning Tea, stalls & networking
Foyer and Exhibition Space
11AM-12:30PM
In Your Words: A Digital Storytelling Workshop
Ballroom South + Centre
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.
12:30-1:15PM
Lunch, stalls and networking
Foyer and Exhibition Space
1:15-2:45PM
1:15-1:30 | Presentation followed by Q&A
Ballroom South + Centre
Beyond Books: Expanding Digital Access Through Makerspaces
Darren Quinlivan
Team Leader Library - City of Canning
Kim Veale
Community Learning Specialist - City of Canning
City of Canning follows the UNESCO Learning Cities Framework which seeks to create lifelong learning opportunities for all and empower the community to reach its full potential. This includes a commitment to improving Digital Fluency, Innovation and Future Readiness.
The Why behind our Makerspace
How it came to life
Challenges to consider
Who benefits – a selection of case studies
Future of Makerspaces.
Darren is a Team Leader at Canning Libraries and oversees the libraries’ Technology Engagement and Library Systems teams. Since joining Canning Libraries in 2019 he has led key initiatives that strengthen the library’s digital capability offerings including the delivery of Digital Support sessions and refreshing the libraries Makerspace offering. He is passionate about enhancing digital confidence across the community and driving technology‑enabled services that make libraries more accessible, innovative, and future‑ready.
Kim is a qualified trainer who facilitates a wide range of digital literacy and community upskilling programs across Canning Libraries. She is passionate about designing and delivering impactful learning experiences that empower people to become more self-sufficient, gain meaningful employment, build strong social connections, and nurture their innate curiosity as lifelong learners.
1:15-1:45 | Workshop
Ballroom North
From Idea to App: Vibe Coding. Real Tools, Fast.
Anglicare WA, Digital Solutions Good Vibes Team
Sarah-James O'Toole - Systems Process Lead
Ken Lippiatt - Systems Support Officer
Rabin Ghimire - Systems Support Officer
A live demo showing how service providers and the public can turn a real problem into a simple working tool using AI assisted coding. Practical patterns, and the few guardrails that stop this turning into a mess
Sarah-James, Ken and Rabin are three of the brains (and calm nerves) behind Digital Solutions at Anglicare WA. Between them, they keep systems running, problems untangled, and ideas moving from “what if?” to “it works.” Whether it’s improving processes, supporting critical systems, or driving new initiatives, this trio combines practical know‑how with terrific teamwork and just enough humour to keep things interesting.
1:35-2:45 | Presentations followed by a panel discussion.
Ballroom South + Centre
NIT Connect - Connecting Students, Technology & Community
Katarina Zerzan
Trainer and Assessor - National Institute of Technology
NIT Connect helps students gain experience in real-life scenarios while developing transferable skills such as initiative, leadership, teamwork, adaptability, relationship building, communication, and problem-solving.
Through this program, students and alumni have the opportunity to volunteer and gain practical experience by delivering technology-focused workshops and building knowledge and empowerment among elderly people and high school students.
Katarina Zerzan is an experienced Project and Program Manager. She is known for her strengths in networking, proactivity, organization, empathy, and facilitation. A natural connector, Katarina excels at building collaborative relationships and fostering strong professional networks.
WA Community Resource Centres
Aaron Johnston
Program Manager - Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development
Across Western Australia, Community Resource Centres are helping communities navigate an increasingly digital world. In this session, Aaron shares how CRCs support digital access, skills, and confidence, particularly for people who might otherwise be left behind. Through real‑world examples, the session will showcase the impact of community‑led digital inclusion and the important role CRCs play in building connected, resilient communities.
Aaron Johnston is the Program Manager for the Community Resource Centre (CRC) Program at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, leading a team that supports 101 CRCs across Western Australia. He has lived, worked, and travelled throughout the state, from the Kimberley to the Great Southern, building a deep understanding of the strengths and challenges of regional and remote communities. He brings a grounded, regional lens to decision-making and is passionate about supporting sustainable, community-led outcomes.
Protecting your Community – Cyber Security Essentials
Cecily Rawlinson
Director - CyberWest Hub
Cybersecurity is essential for digital inclusion because people will only participate confidently online when their personal information is protected, especially as 68% of breaches stem from human error such as phishing. Non‑profits are increasingly targeted—cyberattacks rose 30% year over year—yet they often lack the resources to defend themselves. A single breach can cost a nonprofit up to $2 million and severely damage trust with donors and vulnerable communities. Ultimately, strong cybersecurity safeguards not just systems, but the people and missions nonprofits exist to serve.
Cecily is a human-centred design practitioner and is passionate about using design thinking to unlock the creative potential of stakeholders and unlikely innovators. She led the CIVICUS team that facilitated the co-design and establishment of 7 regional innovation hubs around the world, launching the Innovation for Change network in 2015. Working with Innovation for Change allowed Cecily to hone her innovation skills and to witness firsthand the global demand for cyber security awareness and training.
Prior to joining CIVICUS, Cecily began her career at the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and worked at DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance.
Generation Connect - Bridging generations through technology
Sheena Edwards
Switched on Seniors
An intergenerational project from Switched on Seniors. High school students become Tech Buddies to a grandparent or an older neighbour – helping them with simple tech skills. Switched on Seniors supports older people to build confidence using smartphones, and tablets through a peer led “guide on the side approach” in a friendly group environment.
Sheena Edwards is a champion of digital literacy for older adults, founding Switched On Seniors to empower seniors with essential technology skills 13 years ago. Honoured as WA Senior of the Year 2020, she also led her organization to win the 2024 WA Age-Friendly Business Award, the WAITTA Digital Inclusion Award also in 2024 and the Alike Transformative Impact Award in 2025. Currently Switched on Seniors groups in WA help over 100 older adults every week in groups run almost entirely by volunteers.
Panel Discussion: Ensuring Resilient Communities
This panel will be facilitated by Michelle Otterman.
Michelle Otterman
Facilitator
Michelle Otterman is a Principal Policy Officer at the WA Office of Digital Government, working across digital inclusion and digital transformation to support the delivery of accessible, user-centred services. She partners across government and the community sector to reduce barriers to access, affordability and digital ability, supporting more resilient, connected communities.
1:50-2:25 | Workshop
Ballroom North
The New Digital Divide: AI & Algorithmic Equity
Ramon Wenzel
PhD, Manager - Social Ventures Australia
Artificial intelligence offers both unprecedented challenges and opportunities for society and the social sector. This session translates complex, technology-driven trends into scenarios that affect people and for purpose-organisation alike. We will explore what is happening now, what is coming next, and how your organisation can develop a principled approach to the future of digital inclusion.
Ramon Wenzel, PhD, is a strategic consulting leader at Social Ventures Australia, where he helps drive AI uplift. With a background spanning research, analytics, strategy and social impact, he specialises in translating complex technology into practical, human-centred action. Ramon brings a strong interest in digital inclusion, responsible AI, and how community organisations can build confidence, capability and fairness in a rapidly changing world.
2:30-2:45 | Presentation followed by Q&A
Ballroom North
AI for Good
Tia Sandhu
Program Impact & Design Manager - Good Things Australia
This interactive presentation will explore the intersection of AI literacy and digital inclusion. Good Things Australia will share insights from their AI for Good program that empowers migrant and refugee women to use AI safely and confidently, and highlight practical strategies to support people with low English literacy or digital confidence to use AI.
Tia Sandhu is the Program Impact & Design Manager at Good Things Australia, an innovative social change organisation that supports a thriving national digital inclusion network of 4000 community organisations. She is responsible for the social impact measurement of all Good Things’ programs and initiatives, and is passionate about using data to tell the stories of community work.
2:45-3:15PM
Afternoon Tea and stalls
Foyer and Exhibition Space
3:15-4:15PM
Towards an Equitable Digital Future: AI, Inclusion and Community Impact
Ballroom South + Centre
Adya Goswami
AI Literacy Program Manager - National AI Centre
Tia Sandhu
Program Impact & Design Manager - Good Things Australia
Tim Sondalini
Innovation Lead - WA Data Science Innovation Hub (WADSIH)
Ric Benjamin
Senior Manager - Infoxchange
AI offers powerful opportunities for improving community wellbeing — but only if its benefits are shared equitably. This discussion brings a focus to the intersection of AI, digital inclusion, and social equity, examining how technology can enhance access to services while avoiding unintended harms. The session emphasises practical, ethical, and community‑led approaches to ensuring AI supports a more inclusive digital future for every Western Australian.
Adya Goswami is the AI Literacy Program Manager at the National AI Centre, working from Larrakia country. She sits within the Responsible AI & Literacy Practices team. Her work focuses on delivering on the National AI Plan by building AI skills and responsible AI practices across not-for-profits, small to medium enterprises, and First Nations businesses. She is currently shaping the Centre’s First Nations strategy, delivering practical programs to build AI fluency. Adya is passionate about translating policy into tangible action and education as a lever for building human agency. Prior to the National AI Centre, Adya worked at Forte, a social enterprise that runs employment programs for people experiencing barriers to employment and as a teacher in the Northern Territory.
Tia Sandhu is the Program Impact & Design Manager at Good Things Australia, an innovative social change organisation that supports a thriving national digital inclusion network of 4000 community organisations. She is responsible for the social impact measurement of all Good Things’ programs and initiatives, and is passionate about using data to tell the stories of community work. Tia holds a BA in Community Development, and has 10+ years experience in manager roles across non-for-profit organisations within Community, Recreation, Youth and Digital Inclusion portfolios.
Tim Sondalini is the Innovation Lead at the WA Data Science Innovation Hub (WADSIH), a State Government / Curtin University initiative that aims to ensure WA remains at the forefront of the digital revolution by increasing the uptake, education, training and awareness of data science. Tim specialises in building communities to explore how new technologies can improve citizen experiences and public sector decision making. He leads WADSIH’s Hackathon Program that connects government agencies with data scientists and technologists.
Ric has been involved in the community sector for 30+ years as a volunteer, volunteer board member, mentor and CEO of Foodbank Victoria from 2010-2013, joining Infoxchange in 2017 as a Senior Manager. He is a passionate advocate for Digital Inclusion so that everyone can benefit from Digital Technology, and more recently has seen the potential of AI to help communities in new and exciting ways, but it also very aware of the barriers to this potential given the Digital Inclusion dispartiy across the country.
As part of his work at Infoxchange, Ric regularly advises community organisations on their adoption of technology, and how they can use it to enhance community outcomes. Ric is also actively involved a range of working groups with a focus on data sovereignty, cyber protection and the adoption/usage of AI.
Stallholders
Legal Aid WA
Legal Aid WA provides legal assistance services across Western Australia and the Indian Ocean Territories. We serve the broader community by providing information and legal advice with a focus on the prevention and early resolution of legal problems.
Financial Counsellor’s Association of WA
FCAWA is the peak body and supports all financial counsellors and financial capability workers in WA ensuring best practice by providing access to professional development, information, resources, and relevant casework support.
Switched on Seniors
Empowering Seniors in a Digital World
Mission Australia
Mission Australia is a national non‑denominational Christian charity that has supported Australians for more than 165 years, providing services in homelessness, housing, families, youth, mental health, disability, employment and community strengthening.
Nbn
NBN Co is a wholly owned Commonwealth company, responsible for operating and continuing to expand and upgrade the nbn® network in line with Government expectations.
NBN is focused on providing fast, reliable and affordable connectivity via wholesale broadband services that help connect Australians to essential services, education and employment opportunities as well as supporting economic growth and improving digital inclusion.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
The Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development work with 101 Community Resource Centres across regional and remote Western Australia who are helping communities navigate an increasingly digital world. Community Resource Centres support digital access, skills, and confidence, particularly for people who might otherwise be left behind.
Read Write Now
Since 1977, Read Write Now has been helping adult Western Australians who want to improve their lives by providing literacy and numeracy support. Read Write Now offers free one-on-one tutoring for adults who want to improve their reading, writing, maths, study or basic computer skills.
Linkwest
Linkwest is a trusted peak association representing place-based members across Western Australia. These include neighbourhood, family, learning, and community resource centres, which are spaces where people connect, learn, and grow, and are collectively known Neighbourhood and Community Resource Centres. Linkwest provides training, support, resources, advocacy, and grants to help these centres build stronger, healthier communities that are connected, ensure growth and allow for new learning opportunities.
CyberWest Hub
CyberWest Hub is Western Australia’s central force for advancing cybersecurity. We are committed to strengthening the state’s cyber industry, developing a future-ready workforce, and raising cyber awareness across all sectors of the economy.
Hello Initiative
Hello Initiative is a social impact innovation agency dedicated to serving young people and communities involved in the criminal justice system in Western Australia. Our biggest and longest-running project, The Mobile Support Program (MSP), connects young people engaged in the WA criminal legal system with recycled and refurbished smartphones.
North Metropolitan TAFE General Education
North Metropolitan TAFE’s General Education programs support learners to build essential digital, literacy, numeracy and employability skills, creating strong foundations for further study, work and community participation.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES)
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services’ Community Preparedness Directorate works with communities across Western Australia to build preparedness for emergencies through inclusive, accessible information and practical planning tools that support people before, during and after emergencies.
Consumers of Mental Health WA
As the Peak Body for Mental Health Consumers in WA, we strengthen and advance the voice, leadership and expertise of people with lived experience of mental health challenges, guided by values of kindness, respect, integrity, social justice, connection and courage. Through advocacy, education, research and peer leadership, we work together as a lived experience community to amplify voices and drive meaningful, sustainable change.
Uniting WA
Uniting WA is a community services organisation of the Uniting Church WA, supporting people across Perth and the Great Southern by walking alongside individuals experiencing vulnerability and fostering inclusive, connected communities. Guided by our foundation of creating a just world, we celebrate diversity and act with impact to ensure everyone is valued, heard, and supported.
Umbrella Multicultural Community Care
Umbrella Multicultural Community Care is a non-for-profit aged care organisation specialising in providing at home services to keep multicultural, multilingual and LGBTIQA+ seniors living independently at home. We also offer Care finder, outreach projects, community workshops and the Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme.
Anglicare WA and Technology for Ageing and Disability WA (TADWA)
Anglicare WA and TADWA work in partnership to improve digital inclusion by getting safe, affordable devices into the hands of people who would otherwise go without. Together, we focus on practical access to technology as a foundation for connection, participation, and opportunity.
Kalitech Aboriginal Corporation
Kalitech Aboriginal Corporation is a Western Australian-owned and operated organisation dedicated to delivering innovative communications and technology solutions to remote and regional communities. With a strong focus on digital inclusion, Kalitech designs, manufactures, and deploys fit-for-purpose solutions that enables reliable connectivity in some of Australia’s most challenging environments.
Our core capability lies in bridging the digital divide, supporting mining operations, government agencies, and essential service providers with scalable, high-performance communication systems. From Starlink enabled portable connectivity solutions and Rapid Satellite Pod deployments, to custom-built trailers and hardcase systems, Kalitech ensures critical services remain connected, operational, and safe.
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.