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We’re in the process of bringing together the best of the best for the 2024 agenda. Be the first to hear about the latest updates by registering your interest on the link below as the
2nd National Youth Justice Forum returns bigger & better with a fresh new look and dynamic line up of local and international speakers in 2024.
We understand that the content and topics covered in this forum can be uncomfortable or trigger trauma for some delegates. Therefore, we have arranged for healers to be available during the course of the event. They will be onsite for all four days to ensure our delegates’ wellbeing is a priority. If delegates wish to have a private counselling session, they can access the healing room at the event venue.
Health Services Manager
Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC)
Born and raised in Circular Head, Tasmania, Steve graduated from the University of Tasmania majoring in Clinical Exercise Physiology/Sports Science and has worked across multiple sectors including, community health, tertiary education, industrial health and sports high performance. This has included program management appointments with the Royal Flying Doctor Tasmania, University of Technology, Sydney and Rio Tinto. As a result of his work, Steve was awarded the coveted accolade of Exercise and Sports Science Australia’s (ESSA) 2017 Exercise Physiologist of the Year.
Now the Health Services Manager and Circular Head Aboriginal Corp. (CHAC), Steve is assisting in developing all their current health services and introducing new impactful community-based health programs while identifying current health service gaps and making them more accessible.
Clinical Spiritual Carer, Psychosocial Recovery Coach, Counsellor, Animateur, Poet
Ronia Haidar is a Psychosomatic educator with a background in Visual Arts, Anthropology, Clinical Spiritual Care and Narrative Counselling. She has been a lifelong seeker, enchanted by the embodied intersubjectivity of people within esoteric and exoteric spiritual traditions. Ronia has facilitated various groups concentrating on the interrelational dynamics and self-consciously applying intentional regard to cross-cultural engagement. Her past work has been centered on collecting grief stories within Palliative care and Mental health units. In the Digital realm, she has explored the therapeutic space and held meditative space for Syrian women affected by War trauma. She is currently undertaking her last year in a Masters Counselling program and writing poetry with various people around the globe.
Team Leader
Namatjira Haven
Colin is a Monaro Ngarigo man from Southeast of NSW, the Snowy Mountains region. He has worked and studied in Youth, Mental Health, and suicide, AOD (Alcohol and Other Drugs) for the past 14 years. He is currently working at Namatjira Haven D&A Healing Centre as the Team Leader. Colin is passionate about supporting men that come into our residential service to heal from harmful substance use and the impacts of trauma by using the above experiences and skills, working culturally with a strengths based and narrative approach.
Practice Lead Counselling and Mental Health
Wyndham City
As a psychotherapist, counsellor, and mental wellbeing leader with 15+ years of experience, Yusuf integrates scientific knowledge with ancient wisdom traditions. He values the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit in promoting holistic health. Yusuf’s background as a musician specialising in traditional Sufi music, particularly playing the Ney, enriches his practice, offering unique avenues for emotional expression and spiritual connection. Through this integrated approach, he facilitates healing and growth, supporting individuals towards resilience, balance, and vitality.
Karin is a Proud Taungurung / Darug Woman and a proud mother to four children, and grandmother to three (So Far). She was born in Melbourne on Wirrunjurri land and lived there until she was 12 years of age, then moved to live on the Billabong Creek at Culcairn on Wiradjuri land.
Karin has used art and narrative therapy traditional and contemporary knowledge to heal and serve her community in Albury Wodonga in the health field for the last 19 years. She is now a Qualified Art Therapist since 2018, and complemented study in narrative therapy and she is also qualified in both Art Therapy and Clinical Art Therapy.
Karin currently works in the Spiritual Emotional Wellbeing area based in the local community mental health service in Wodonga on Dhudhuoa Country for about 15years.
FCS Operations Manager
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
Dalan was born and raised New Zealand Māori and moved to Melbourne 24 years ago. He has been working at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) for the past 9 years. He is Operations Manager at Family Counselling Services, and a certified practicing counsellor registered with PACFFA. The principal focus as a Healer at this conference is to actively listen, validate and support individuals that feel the weight of any topics raised through the conference.
We understand that the content and topics covered in this forum can be uncomfortable or trigger trauma for some delegates. Therefore, we have arranged for healers to be available during the course of the event. They will be onsite for all four days to ensure our delegates’ wellbeing is a priority. If delegates wish to have a private counselling session, they can access the healing room at the event venue.
Health Services Manager
Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC)
Born and raised in Circular Head, Tasmania, Steve graduated from the University of Tasmania majoring in Clinical Exercise Physiology/Sports Science and has worked across multiple sectors including, community health, tertiary education, industrial health and sports high performance. This has included program management appointments with the Royal Flying Doctor Tasmania, University of Technology, Sydney and Rio Tinto. As a result of his work, Steve was awarded the coveted accolade of Exercise and Sports Science Australia’s (ESSA) 2017 Exercise Physiologist of the Year.
Now the Health Services Manager and Circular Head Aboriginal Corp. (CHAC), Steve is assisting in developing all their current health services and introducing new impactful community-based health programs while identifying current health service gaps and making them more accessible.
Clinical Spiritual Carer, Psychosocial Recovery Coach, Counsellor, Animateur, Poet
Ronia Haidar is a Psychosomatic educator with a background in Visual Arts, Anthropology, Clinical Spiritual Care and Narrative Counselling. She has been a lifelong seeker, enchanted by the embodied intersubjectivity of people within esoteric and exoteric spiritual traditions. Ronia has facilitated various groups concentrating on the interrelational dynamics and self-consciously applying intentional regard to cross-cultural engagement. Her past work has been centered on collecting grief stories within Palliative care and Mental health units. In the Digital realm, she has explored the therapeutic space and held meditative space for Syrian women affected by War trauma. She is currently undertaking her last year in a Masters Counselling program and writing poetry with various people around the globe.
Team Leader
Namatjira Haven
Colin is a Monaro Ngarigo man from Southeast of NSW, the Snowy Mountains region. He has worked and studied in Youth, Mental Health, and suicide, AOD (Alcohol and Other Drugs) for the past 14 years. He is currently working at Namatjira Haven D&A Healing Centre as the Team Leader. Colin is passionate about supporting men that come into our residential service to heal from harmful substance use and the impacts of trauma by using the above experiences and skills, working culturally with a strengths based and narrative approach.
Practice Lead Counselling and Mental Health
Wyndham City
As a psychotherapist, counsellor, and mental wellbeing leader with 15+ years of experience, Yusuf integrates scientific knowledge with ancient wisdom traditions. He values the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit in promoting holistic health. Yusuf’s background as a musician specialising in traditional Sufi music, particularly playing the Ney, enriches his practice, offering unique avenues for emotional expression and spiritual connection. Through this integrated approach, he facilitates healing and growth, supporting individuals towards resilience, balance, and vitality.
Karin is a Proud Taungurung / Darug Woman and a proud mother to four children, and grandmother to three (So Far). She was born in Melbourne on Wirrunjurri land and lived there until she was 12 years of age, then moved to live on the Billabong Creek at Culcairn on Wiradjuri land.
Karin has used art and narrative therapy traditional and contemporary knowledge to heal and serve her community in Albury Wodonga in the health field for the last 19 years. She is now a Qualified Art Therapist since 2018, and complemented study in narrative therapy and she is also qualified in both Art Therapy and Clinical Art Therapy.
Karin currently works in the Spiritual Emotional Wellbeing area based in the local community mental health service in Wodonga on Dhudhuoa Country for about 15years.
FCS Operations Manager
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
Dalan was born and raised New Zealand Māori and moved to Melbourne 24 years ago. He has been working at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) for the past 9 years. He is Operations Manager at Family Counselling Services, and a certified practicing counsellor registered with PACFFA. The principal focus as a Healer at this conference is to actively listen, validate and support individuals that feel the weight of any topics raised through the conference.
