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Program overview


Aged Care Futures: People, Purpose and Progress 

The conference theme highlights where the sector is heading and what providers need to focus on next. You will gain insights into workforce, quality care and the innovations shaping tomorrow’s services.  

People

Centers on the workforce and empowering the next generation through strong career pathways and capability building. We will focus on attracting talent, growing skills and developing future leaders.

Purpose

Focuses on supporting aged care providers to deliver sustainable, high-quality services, ensuring safety and meaningful outcomes while adapting to funding changes and post-reform requirements.

Progress

Explore innovation and new models of care, showing how providers can adapt, improve operations and remain resilient as the sector changes.

SA State Conference Program

Wednesday 22 April

8am - 9pm

Registration Open

9am - 9.10am

Welcome and Opening
Shannon Sanderson, State Manager SA, Ageing Australia

9.10am - 9.15am

Welcome to Country
Robert Taylor, Senior Kaurna Man and Cultural Custodian

9.15am - 9.30am

Ministerial Address

9.30am - 9.35am

Gold Sponsor Address
Rebecca Anasson, Business Relationship Manager, HESTA

9.35am - 10.05am

Ageing Australia CEO Address
Tom Symondson, CEO, Ageing Australia

10.05am - 10.35am

Beyond Compliance: Partnering for Quality and Trust Under the New Aged Care Act
Representative from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

10.35am - 11.05am

Morning Tea and Networking

11.10am - 11.50am

Panel Discussion
Strengthening System Pathways for Long Stay Older Patients in Acute Care

This panel examines the growing system pressures driving long hospital stays for older people. It will explore barriers in hospital to aged care transitions, workforce and capacity constraints, and highlight practical local innovations that improve flow while prioritising consumer experience.
Jeanette Walters, Executive Director of Integrated Care Systems, SA Government
Jane Pickering, Chief Executive, Eldercare Australia

Chris Hampton, Head of State & Territory Government Relations, Ageing Australia
Miranda Starke, Chief Executive, COTA SA
Moderator: Shannon Sanderson, State Manager SA, Ageing Australia

11.50am - 12.20pm

Community Based Care, Where to Now for CHSP?
Roald Versteeg, Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer, Ageing Australia

12.20pm - 12.50pm

Future Workforce: Building a Workforce Ready for What's Next
Kelly Geister, Executive Manager - Residential Services, Resthaven 

12.50pm - 1.50pm

Lunch and Networking

1.50pm - 2.10pm

ACH Group Leadership Framework
Cher Lopresti, Executive Manager People, Culture & Safety, ACH Group

2.10pm - 2.30pm

Innovating Aged Care in SA: Practical Solutions for a Changing Sector
Ivan Zrinscak, Service Excellence Officer, St Basil's Homes

2.30pm - 2.50pm

ECH’s Innovation Framework in Action: A Case Study in Customer-Centred Experimentation
ECH’s Innovation Framework embeds a culture of customer centred experimentation, empowering frontline insight, cross department collaboration and leadership support to turn ideas into impact. Designed to help us move fast with confidence, it creates clear pathways for testing, learning and scaling what works to meet the evolving needs of our customers.

Alan Morrison, Chief Executive, ECH

2.50pm - 3.20pm

Afternoon Tea and Networking

3.20pm - 3.50pm

Update on Legislation, Growth and Opportunity in Retirement Living

Mark Prosser, Director Retirement Living & Seniors Housing, Ageing Australia

3.50pm - 4.20pm

Understanding and Adapting to Funding Changes Under the New Aged Care Act
Stuart Hutcheon, Managing Partner, StewartBrown

4.20pm - 5pm

Closing Keynote
Founder of CTRL Group and Ironclad ID, Futurist, Entrepreneur and ex-hacker, Bastien is dedicated to inspiring everyone to appreciate security as  it becomes an essential part of our lives as we move into a hyper digitised world. Being paid by the largest organisations in the world to breach systems and people he has a unique insight into the access achievable and the corporate and personal damage that can be enacted.
Bastien Treptel, Ex Criminal Hacker, Founder of CTRL:Cyber

5pm - 5.10pm

Closing Remarks and Reflections
Shannon Sanderson, State Manager SA, Ageing Australia

5.10pm - 6.10pm

Networking Hour
Unwind after a full day of conference and continue the conversation. Connect with peers, speakers and industry partners in a relaxed setting. Share insights, spark new ideas and build valuable relationships before the day wraps up.

Disclaimer: Please note that this conference program is subject to revisions and updates. While every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy, changes may
occur prior to the event. Attendees are encouraged to regularly check for updates on the conference website. Thank you for your understanding.