Events

Novita Evolve conference 2025

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EVOLVE – embracing possibilities 

The EVOLVE conference returns in 2025 with an exciting lineup of keynote speakers and events, including an all-day marketplace to coincide with the event. This year’s theme is ’embracing possibilities’ which explores the power of different connections, collaborations and communities.

Join us on Monday 7 July 2025 to explore the latest thinking, research and practice in disability and therapy related topics to shape the future of therapy.

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Khadija Gbla

Keynote speaker

Differences in culture and background are simply that – differences. Not better or worse, simply different. Khadija Gbla is a cultural consultant and peer educator with unmatched ability to bridge the difference. Khadija provides advocacy, training, speaking on domestic and family violence, sexual health, racism, human rights, mental health, migrants and refugees and cultural diversity.

Born in Sierra Leone, Khadija Gbla spent her youth in Gambia before putting down roots in Australia. Now Executive Director of No FGM Australia, she advocates for protection and support for women and girls living with or at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM). She has advised on policy through the South Australian Government Minister’s Youth Council and has represented Australia at the Commonwealth Youth Forum and Australian and African Dialogue. Khadija has been recognized through numerous awards for her vision and leadership.

Khadija encourages people to challenge their understandings of the world around them, and to question the uncritical acceptance of stereotypes and assumptions that are made about unfamiliar cultures.

Dr Jacqui Barfoot

Keynote speakers

Dr. Jacqui Barfoot is an occupational therapist, researcher, and consultant with over 20 years of experience in early childhood intervention. She is passionate about relational approaches, focusing on strengthening parent-child interactions to support optimal developmental outcomes and empower families.
As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Jacqui’s research aligns OT practice with Australia’s National Early Childhood Best Practice Guidelines and NDIS recommendations. She developed the PAIR Model, a framework integrating child-focused strategies with parent-child interactions and provides training to early childhood therapists on its implementation.

Program

8:30am | Registration and Coffee |

9:00am | Welcome to Country |

 

9:15am
Embracing intersectional possibilities that spark joy
Kadija Gbla, Keynote Speaker

10:00am
Embracing Impossibilities
Matt Shilcock, Guest Presenter 

 

10:15am | Market Place and Morning Tea |

 

10:45am
Panel discussion – Possibilities embraced
Matt Shilcock, Brooke Wilson, Annie Goldsmith, and Sam Weavers.

11.30am
Optimising Developmental Outcomes for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Through a Relational Approach
Jacqui Barfoot, Keynote Speaker

 

12:30pm | Market Place and Lunch |

 

1:30pm
Session 1
Getting started with Switching
Annabelle Tilbrook (OT Clinical lead) & Louise Ganser (OT & Practice lead Assistive Technology)

Session 2
Embracing collaboration between allied health and education to improve outcomes for autistic students
Kate Mudge (OT, Statewide Inclusive Education Service (SEIS)) 

Session 3
Uncomplicating Leadership – A workshop exploring leadership qualities, including confidence, for emerging and aspiring leaders
Brooke Wilson (Brooke Wilson Counselling & Coaching)

 

2.30pm | Afternoon Tea |

 

2:50pm – 4.30pm
The below sessions contain multiple topics which are presented in 25min increments. You are welcome to change rooms for each time slot.

Session 4
2:50pm HIPPY and COPE – Community and therapy programs working together
Amy Tiivas (Clinical Lead SP), Cass Wills (Parent Engagement Program Coordinator)

3:15pm Cultural Connections and Community-Based Care: A Partnership Approach to Early Childhood Services in Broken Hill
Georgia Savage (Team Leader & OT), Harmony Knill (Clinical Lead SP), Erin Vale (AHA, Maari Ma), Telicia Briar (AHA, Maari Ma)

3:40pm From Consultation to Collaboration: SCERTS as a Pathway to Inclusive Practice in Catholic Education South Australia
Penny Miller (Lead Allied Health Professional (CILAH), Catholic Ed), Sarah Kennedy (Snr Speech – Language Pathologist (CILAH), Catholic Ed), Anna Chapple (Snr OT (CILAH), Catholic Ed)

4:05pm Supporting the Emotional Well-Being of Neurodivergent Youth in Regional Areas
Guy MacGillivray (Psychologist) & Michelle Beer (Clinical Lead Psychology)

 

Session 5
2:50pm AI for Allied Health Professionals: 20 Activity Ideas for the Therapy Room
Dr Jane Cocks (Psychologist)

3:15pm Exploring Opportunities for Bike Riding goals through seeking funding for E-Trikes and E-Bikes
Michelle Anesbury (OT, Assistive Technology Service)

3:40pm Beyond the Therapy Room: A Personal Perspective on Inclusion
Jet Johnson, an 18yo with cerebral palsy, shares reflections from Palsy Pranksters Present, a documentary he created with his twin brother. Blending humour and insight, Jet explores what’s possible when therapy meets real life—and young people lead the way. His candid perspective invites us to reflect on our own values, challenges, and hopes for truly inclusive practice.

 

Session 6
2:50pm Emerging Technologies: Functional Electrical Stim (FES), Neuromodulation and Footwear Options
Rebecca Kelly (Lead Orthotics & Prosthetics)

3:15pm Biomechanical Considerations for Orthotic prescriptions
Allie Bisas (Orthotist & Prosthetist)

3:40pm SASI Para Unit: Building a Pathway Towards Paralympic Sport
Jed Altschwager (Paralympian & Para Sport TID and Transition Coach South Australian Sports Institute) & Emily Petricola (Paralympian & Para Unit Lead South Australian Sports Institute)

4:05pm Growing Older with CP – Life Beyond Spasticity Care
Dr Jessica Smith (Rehabilitation Physician, Clinical Lead – CARE Ability)

 

4:30pm | Networking |

EVOLVE marketplace

The EVOLVE marketplace experience is designed to provide sellers with disability an opportunity to showcase their products and services. We have a number of stallholders who will sell products and goods including arts and crafts, jewellery, scrunchies, dog treats and accessories.

Maddie Made – Maddie attends CBO Community Hub. She creates Polymer Clay Jewellery, Key Rings and Lanyards.

Goblin Crafts – Sarah designs and crafts accessories with a focus of accessibility for people with hand strength and dexterity issues, ADHD and Autism.

Little Miss Ava Chanel – At just 12 years old, Ava’s passion for fashion and her boundless creativity have inspired a unique line of girls’ bathers & active wear fashion.

Bowwow Bikies Bakery – Vegan friendly and gluten free doggie bikkies for fussy doggos. All our products are handmade and oven baked.

Mirrored Hearts – Handmade scrunchies. Handmade silicone beaded products including keychains, lanyards, diffusers, pens, makeup brushes, wristlets, clawclips and more!

Rebecca’s Sewn Solutions – I enjoy sewing items that help make people’s lives easier. Shopping bags, make-up pouchs, key-chain purse, playing card holders and more.

Wisteria Designs – Millie is an Artist, creating Fan art, keychains and stickers.

Bits and Bobs – A small group of Novita West Croydon Hub clients worked with Support Workers Tanya De Bono and Kelly Garlick creating Jewellery, Art and Craft pieces specially for EVOLVE.

Sassy Scrunchies – Young entrepreneur Tegan creates handmade products such as bags, scrunchies, bookmarks, beaded bracelets, badge making, and resin keyrings, earrings and hair clips.

Dog Treats – Novita client Taliyah is baking homemade Dog treats.

Unique Jacky – Unique Jacky designs, makes and sells sensory toys called Thingys, who aim to spread happiness. She also sells sensory toys like scented playdough and keyrings. She has published a children’s book called Focus Ace.

Custom Made by Leah – Leah and her son create 3D Jewellery and Fidget toys.

Beeing Proud – Beeing Proud! My life with Autism, written and illustrated by Sam Bateman. This is the perfect book for teaching people of all ages that being autistic can be a fun and beautiful thing.

Olivers Choice – Olliver Mills is an Artist and Poet. He uses specially designed equipment, and in collaboration with poetry and art teachers, his works offer a written and visual expression of how he sees the world.

Kano’s Art – Kane attend CBO Community programs and is a talented artist.

Travis Richardson – Travis Richardson is an aspiring illustrator and writer. His stories, comics and people sketches are all tied with the interest of the human condition and his experiences learning from his Autism, communication skills and the importance of finding your purpose in life.

Book your spot now!

At Novita, we’re proud of our Therapy Learning Program and are always looking for opportunities to share and learn together for the benefit of our clients and the local community. We have released a limited number of tickets for external attendees to purchase and attend our EVOLVE conference.

The EVOLVE conference will provide education and information around great practice, while participants hear from a range of voices and share different perspectives.

Tickets

Early bird pricing (limited time only):
$170.00 (non-students)
$95.00 (students)

Regular pricing:
$220.00 (non-students)
$110.00 (students)

Group Bookings:
Organisation or group ticket pricing enquiries can be emailed to [email protected]

 

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from the best in the industry and connect with like-minded professionals. We look forward to seeing you there!

For any further questions email [email protected]

Buy Tickets

 

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