SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELLBEING REGIONAL SUMMIT

Around 200 mental health workers, GPs, other health practitioners and leaders from across the far west and the state will gather next week for a first of its kind event for the region – Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation’s Social Emotional Wellbeing Regional Summit.

Maari Ma is hosting this landmark event at the Broken Hill Civic Centre which has been sold out, with five speakers showcasing Maari Ma’s Social Emotional Wellbeing Model of Practice.

Maari Ma CEO, Richard Weston said he is hopeful the Summit will provide powerful insights into Aboriginal social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) that has underpinned the development of Maari Ma's own SEWB Model of Practice.

“We are aiming to influence the way SEWB, mental health and healing services are delivered in our region and never before have we seen such a line-up of speakers in this area in the far west. “We will have presenting:

Professor Pat Dudgeon AM - Australia’s first Aboriginal psychologist and a leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing;

Professor Helen Milroy AM - Australia's first Indigenous doctor and who is now a highly regarded expert in child and adolescent psychiatry;

Jack Bulman - the founder and CEO of Mibbinbah Spirit Healing, an Indigenous-led health promotion charity focused on creating safe spaces and fostering healing;

Candice Butler - a social worker instrumental in the significant reforms that have occurred for child protection in Queensland and nationally;

Rowena Lawrie - the Director and Founder of Yamurrah - leading a professionally diverse collective of First Nations clinicians and trauma specialists.

“Each of the speakers brings a wealth of experience and knowledge about SEWB, mental health and healing - which are all key elements of Maari Ma's SEWB model.
“This will be high quality training and sharing of Aboriginal knowledge, aimed at improving the systemic delivery of culturally strong, trauma informed practice and responsive care for our local Aboriginal community” Mr Weston said.

The ticketed only Summit is being put on free of charge and is being held over two days – from April 22-23rd.

As well as keynote presentations, there will be workshops on trauma informed care, men’s healing, and children’s and young people’s wellbeing; and plenary sessions showcasing the work already being done by national and local Aboriginal leaders and practitioners.

ENDS: 14th April 2026.

Available for interview: Maari Ma CEO, Richard Weston 08 8082 9888