2026 VIC State Conference - Program and Speakers

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

Focused on leadership, real-world decision-making and human-centred care, the program highlights how providers, frontline teams and advocates navigate complexity, risk and reform while supporting older Australians.

Purpose

Supporting providers to deliver safe, compliant and rights-based care in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment. The program explores the practical realities of implementing the new Aged Care Act, meeting quality and safety expectations, managing risk, and embedding consumer choice and dignity into everyday practice.

Progress

Helping providers navigate financial sustainability and structural reform as the sector adapts to new funding settings. Sessions focus on liquidity, business model resilience, and collaborative approaches to scale, alongside insights into broader system pressures and future demand.

Victoria State Conference Program
Tuesday 19 May \| Pre-event workshop
9am - 5pm	Registration open
10am - 4.30pm	Leveraging Governance – Meet the Moment Workshop (optional) Cynthia Payne, Managing Director & Founder \| Strategy, Governance & CEO Excellence, Anchor Excellence This comprehensive 5-hour workshop is specifically designed for Directors and Senior Executives of Registered Providers in the aged care sector. Focusing on the pivotal role of the governing body, the session will provide a detailed, practical understanding of navigating the Conditions and Obligations of the Aged Care Act. Facilitated by Cynthia Payne, attendees will gain confidence in essential risk management issues and prepare for successful Registration Renewal. Key Workshop Elements: Unpacking the Aged Care Act – The Governing Body’s Lens This session will unpack the legislative requirements, focusing specifically on the obligations placed upon the governing body. Understanding the Conditions and Obligations of the Aged Care Act. Defining the governing body’s ultimate responsibility and accountability. Facilitated discussion on practical application of new requirements (ie implications for your board workplan and delegations). Rights-Aligned Risk Appetite and Governance Boards must establish a risk appetite that prioritises the rights and well-being of individuals. Building a ‘rights-aligned’ risk appetite statement. Tools for assessing and embedding consumer rights into organisational risk culture. Case studies on effective risk management practices. Key Risks Arising from the New Act and Board Oversight Identifying and managing the significant new and emerging risks under the revised Aged Care Act. Analysis of key risk domains (e.g., quality of care, financial viability, governance failure). Establishing effective monitoring and reporting mechanisms for the board. The board’s role in driving a positive safety and quality culture. Registration Renewal Readiness The governing body plays a pivotal role in the Registration Renewal process. Governing body’s responsibilities and actions required for Registration Renewal. Practical strategies for working with executive teams to meet Standards and Act obligations. Open Q&A
Workshop Schedule
10am - 10.15am	Welcome, Introductions, and Workshop Objectives
10.15am - 11.30am	Session 1: Unpacking the Aged Care Act (Conditions and Obligations) - The Governing Body's Lens
11.30am - 11:45am	Morning Tea Break and Networking
11.45am - 1pm	Session 2: Rights-Aligned Risk Appetite and Governance
1pm - 2pm	Lunch Break and Networking
2pm - 3.15pm	Session 3: Key Risks Arising from the New Act and Board Oversight
3.15pm - 3.30pm	Afternoon Tea Break and Networking
3.30pm - 4.30pm	Session 4: Registration Renewal Readiness - The Board and Executive Team Role and what to expect

Victoria State Conference Program
Wednesday 20 May \| Day 1 conference and exhibition
8am - 5pm	Registration open
8am - 4pm	Trade exhibition open
9am - 9.10am	Welcome and Opening of Conference Danni Campbell-Manley, State Manager VIC-TAS, Ageing Australia
9.10am - 9.15am	Welcome to Country Elder Annette Xiberras, Wurundjeri
9.20am - 9.30am	Ministerial Address Ingrid Stitt, Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs
9.30am - 10am	Ageing Australia CEO Address Tom Symondson, CEO, Ageing Australia
10am - 10.35am	Morning Tea and Networking
10.40am - 11.20am	Sector Panel: Six Months On – How is the Sector Tracking Under the New Aged Care Act? This panel takes a candid look at implementation in practice - what’s delivering results, what challenges persist, and where efforts should be directed next. It offers a balanced discussion grounded in the sector’s current realities. Faye Spiteri OAM, CEO, Fronditha Care Paula Gibb, CEO, Prom Country Aged Care Debra Nicholl, CEO, Elder Rights Australia Anita Courtney, Principal, Russell Kennedy Moderator: Tom Symondson, CEO, Ageing Australia
11.20am - 11.50am	Safe, Quality Care for Every Older Australian: The Commission’s Roadmap for 2026 and Beyond Forward-looking address on the Commission’s strategic priorities, upcoming initiatives, and expectations for the sector. Rob Ghali, Assistant Commissioner, Compliance and Enforcement, Aged Care Quality And Safety Commission
11.50am - 12.20pm	Financial Landscape Understanding and adapting to funding changes under the New Aged Care Act Stuart Hutcheon, Managing Partner, StewartBrown
12.20pm - 1.30pm	Lunch and Networking
1.35pm - 2.05pm	Liquidity Under Reform - From Compliance to Financial Sustainability Darrell Price, National Head of Health & Aged Care, Grant Thornton
2.05pm – 2.35pm	Scale Without Merging - Collaborative Models for Financial Sustainability Amber Cartwright, Senior Director, Ansell Strategic
2.35pm – 3.15pm	Building Strong and Sustainable Business Plans in Aged Care Darrell Price, National Head of Health & Aged Care, Grant Thornton Amber Cartwright, Senior Director, Ansell Strategic Solomon Miller, Principal, Russell Kennedy Moderator: Roald Versteeg, Chief Policy & Advocacy Officer, Ageing Australia
3.15pm – 3.45pm	Afternoon Tea and Networking
3.45pm – 4.25pm	2026 Victorian Senior Australian of the Year Bryan Lipmann AM, Recipient of the Victorian Senior Australian of the Year
4.25pm – 4.35pm	Day Wrap Up and Closing Danni Campbell-Manley, State Manager VIC-TAS, Ageing Australia Mick Reid, Independent Chair, Ageing Australia
6.30pm - 7pm	Pre-dinner drinks
7pm - 11pm	Conference Dinner sponsored by HESTA Wrap up day one by joining fellow delegates at the conference dinner, an evening of great food, engaging company and entertainment.

Victoria State Conference Program
Thursday 21 May \| Day 2 conference and exhibition
8am - 5pm	Registration open
8am - 2pm	Trade exhibition open
9am - 9.05am	Opening Remarks and Welcome Back Danni Campbell-Manley, State Manager VIC-TAS, Ageing Australia
9.05am – 9.35am	Real Incidents, Real Decisions - Insights from First Responders for Aged Care Chris Lee, Community Portfolio Manager, Victoria Police Centre Con Matsamakis, Acting Senior Sergeant, Victoria Police Anita Harraway, Senior Sergeant, Victoria Police
9.35am – 10.05am	Managing Evacuation - A Provider Case Study from Victoria’s Fires Katherine Burton, CEO, Abound Communities Tim Nelson, Executive Manager, Marketing, Philanthropy and Stakeholder Engagement Narelle Kent, Executive Manager, Quality, Risk and Compliance
10.05am – 10.45am	Enabling Choice and Decision Making in a Rights-Based Aged Care System Phillip Goulding, General Manager Residential Aged Care, Wintringham Ben Rogers, CEO, COTA Victoria Victor Harcourt, Principal, Russell Kennedy Birgit Goetz, CEO, Martin Luther Homes Moderator: Belinda Allen, Chief Member Experience Officer, Ageing Australia
10.45am – 11.15am	Morning Tea and Networking
11.20am – 11.50am	Responding to a Cyber Crisis - Provider Insights from a Data Breach In this session, you will learn about what really happens during a breach and ransom request, how to respond and manage under pressure and lessons learned and forward-looking perspectives. Allyson Warrington, CEO and Company Secretary, Community Based Support Co presenters: Craig Triffitt, Executive Manager Service Delivery, Community Based Support Erin Wise, Executive Manager Corporate Services, Community Based Support
11.50am – 12.20pm	Wage Underpayment - Managing Risk and Strengthening Practice
12.20pm – 1.30pm	Lunch and Networking
1.35pm – 2.05pm	Managing Risk While Enabling Choice - A Clinical Governance Approach Carla Beheram, Practice Lead - Risk Advisory, Anchor Excellence
2.05pm – 2.35pm	Update on Legislation, Growth and Opportunity in Retirement Living Mark Prosser, Director Retirement Living & Seniors Housing, Ageing Australia
2.35pm – 3.25pm	Closing Keynote Inspirational closing keynote by a respected trauma specialists and a world authority on emergency medicine, crisis leadership, and human performance under pressure. Dr Bill Griggs AM ASM (Retd)
3.25pm - 3.30pm	Conference Close Danni Campbell-Manley, State Manager VIC-TAS, Ageing Australia
3.30pm - 5pm	Networking drinks and canapes 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.

People

Purpose

Progress

Tuesday 19 May | Pre-event workshop

Workshop Schedule

Wednesday 20 May | Day 1 conference and exhibition

Thursday 21 May | Day 2 conference and exhibition