Wednesday 24 June – Thursday 25 June 2026
Hilton Convention Centre, Tarndanya | Adelaide, Kaurna Country
Pre-conference Workshops
Optional conference workshops will be held in addition to the conference program. They will take place on the morning of Tuesday 23 June for an additional fee, the day before the conference.
Workshop 1
Campaigning and advocacy for frontline organisations
When: 9am-12pm, June 23
Cost: $200
Capacity: 24 people only
Hosted by the Justice Reform Initiative
People working in, and with, frontline service delivery organisations are important voices when it comes to informing the public conversation about the failure of incarceration and alternative solutions. Community sector practitioners and people with lived experience have deep expertise about failing systems and know what works when it comes to breaking entrenched cycles of justice system involvement.
However, there are often barriers and constraints when it comes to participating in advocacy work. This workshop will explore these barriers and provide strategies and tips for enhancing your advocacy impact.
Who is the workshop for?
People and organisations that are funded to support people day to day, but are keen to elevate this expertise into bigger picture systems change and advocacy,
People and organisations undertaking campaigning and advocacy who want to develop additional skills and build confidence, and
People with lived experience of incarceration who want to translate their expertise into effective advocacy.
The workshop will explore:
Strategies for effective advocacy and campaigning for frontline or advocacy organisations,
The barriers and challenges for advocacy and campaigning (funding requirements, limited resources and limited expertise),
Government and parliamentary processes, and how to engage with them,
Political engagement- how to get, prep and run a political meeting,
Working with other stakeholders for effective campaigning,
Translating lived and/or frontline expertise into effective storytelling for advocacy, and
Tips and learnings from the experiences and expertise of workshop participants.
Workshop 2
Media skills for change makers
When: 9am-12pm, June 23
Cost: $300
Capacity: 12 people only
Hosted by Jon Faine AM and the Justice Reform Initiative
Change makers need more than passion- they need the ability to communicate with confidence, clarity and influence. This workshop builds practical media skills for people working to shift systems, shape public conversations and elevate community‑led solutions.
Participants will learn how to craft compelling messages, handle interviews, and engage with various forms of media in ways that amplify impact. Across an interactive, hands‑on session, we will explore how to translate complex issues into simple, but powerful messaging.
Whether you’re fronting a campaign, supporting community spokespeople, or strengthening your organisation’s public voice, this workshop equips you with the tools to step into media opportunities with confidence and shape the story on your own terms.
Who is the workshop for?
Any service provider, campaigner or advocate who is interested in developing their media skills and confidence.
The workshop will explore:
Why a media strategy is essential for service delivery, campaign and advocacy organisations,
How to identify, create and leverage opportunities for your messaging,
Unlocking the power of lived experience storytelling,
Common media pitfalls and how to avoid them, and
The experiences and lessons learned by participants.
About Jon Faine AM: Jon Faine is a prominent Australian broadcaster, lawyer, writer and advocate. He is best known for hosting the ABC Radio Melbourne morning show for over 20 years. Jon is recognised for his sharp interviewing style, probing debate and ability to tackle complex social and political issues. Jon’s extensive media experience and insightful and generous style will empower attendees to confidently influence public debate about complex issues.