ac.care staff have shared learning, experiences and insights from regional South Australia at the 2026 Anglicare Australia National Conference in Darwin.
Held on Larrakia Country from September 20-23, the conference brought together people from across the Anglicare Australia network under the theme Act Justly. Conversations explored social justice, First Nations leadership and self-determination, cultural safety, inclusion, wellbeing, and the role communities and organisations play in creating opportunities for people to thrive.
For ac.care, the conference provided an opportunity to share what we are learning through our work alongside regional communities while listening to and learning from the experiences of others across Australia.
Three presentations highlighted approaches being developed through ac.care’s work with communities across regional South Australia.
Community Services executive manager Emma Poole and Cultural Integrity and People executive manager Kirsty Barnett presented From Compliance to Practice Excellence, sharing ac.care’s journey to develop a plain-language, human rights-based approach to quality and safeguarding that connects accountability with everyday practice, learning and continuous improvement.
Senior Aboriginal Advisor Kathy Rigney and Community Development and Impact manager Rob Wright presented Living, Working and Walking Together, a training program developed and delivered by Aboriginal staff that encourages deeper reflection, accountability and action. The program explores topics including racism, privilege, racial profiling, child removal, intergenerational trauma and the ongoing impacts of colonisation, while centring First Nations strengths, leadership, resilience and cultural authority.
The program also received a commendation at the Anglicare Australia Awards, recognising the contribution of Aboriginal staff and others who have helped shape and deliver this learning across ac.care.
On the final day of the conference, Community Development worker Christine Kamau and Aboriginal Services and Community Partnerships manager Dorothy Kartinyeri presented Genuine Community Engagement and Partnership with Local Aboriginal Community. The session shared the journey of ac.care’s Communities for Children program in co-designing a framework for engagement and partnership with Aboriginal communities in the Murraylands. Grounded in relationship-building, listening, cultural humility and shared responsibility, the work reflects a commitment to walking together with communities and supporting local priorities.
Chief executive officer Shane Maddocks said the conference reinforced the importance of learning from communities, sharing knowledge and strengthening connections across the sector.
“The conference provided an opportunity to reflect on what we’re learning alongside regional communities and to learn from the experiences of others across the country,” he said.
“Many of the conversations focused on relationships, community voice and working in partnership. They reinforced the importance of listening, learning and continuing to improve how we support people and communities.”
ac.care thanks all staff who contributed their experiences and learning to these national conversations and congratulates Kathy Rigney, Rob Wright and everyone involved in Living, Working and Walking Together on the program’s recognition.
