The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) Victoria has wrapped up its highly anticipated Conference 2025, held on 22–23 August at Pullman Melbourne on the Park. Under the theme “Unlocking Potential, Inspiring Growth,” the two-day event pushed the boundaries of traditional leadership. Delegates discovered the leader within themselves, exploring strategies from authors, academics, and influential sector speakers on how to harness self-awareness to foster growth, collaboration, and meaningful change, for their teams, their services, and the children they nurture.
From the moment delegates arrived, the energy was palpable. The Exhibitor Hall was alive with activity, featuring a diverse range of organisations showcasing tools, resources and innovations designed to support services and educators. Delegates engaged with exhibitors throughout the day, collecting stamps for their Event Passport to go in the draw to win a luxury hamper, a prize that brought extra excitement to the experience.
Day One began with a powerful Welcome to Country from Uncle Shane Charles, whose heartfelt words and mesmerising Didgeridoo performance set a tone of connection, respect and cultural grounding for the entire conference. It was a moving start that reminded delegates of the deep history and knowledge that shapes the land on which we gather.
The morning continued with an inspiring keynote from Kemi Nekvapil, who challenged attendees to step into their influence and lead with courage and authenticity. Sessions with Catharine Hydon, Kerrie O’Neill, Uncle Shane Charles and Leanne Gibbs offered new perspectives on reflective practice, leadership pathways and embedding cultural learning. Breakout sessions allowed participants to dive deeper into specialist topics, while Menti question giveaways added a fun, interactive element that kept the learning engaging and collaborative.
The Department of Education provided valuable updates on policy and reform, Dr Katey De Gioia shared evidence-based approaches to leading change, and Dr Rachel Pollitt encouraged cultural responsiveness in practice. Neil Milton spoke about the power of vulnerability in leadership, while Sam Crawford guided delegates through More than breath, a mindful session that reminded us of the importance of self-care in the sector. The day concluded with Nicole Talarico’s powerful session on reframing child safety, leaving attendees with practical strategies to embed a culture of safety across all levels of their organisations.
That evening, the Gala Dinner was a vibrant celebration of connection, complete with entertainment from DJ Alana, Michael the Saxophonist, a dazzling Samba performance, and the spectacular Sapphire Dancers. Delegates networked, shared stories, and celebrated their dedication to the sector, with the atmosphere being one of gratitude, joy and inspiration.
Day Two began with fresh energy, as Megumi Miki reminded us of the strength in authenticity and the value of quiet influence. Dr Esme Bamblett shared profound insights into collective leadership through an Aboriginal lens, while Paul Mondo delivered critical sector updates and a look at what lies ahead. A dynamic panel discussion, led by Brooke Eerden and featuring Robyn Khoury, Georgina Haloulos, Sharleen Lancaster, and Carla Posenjak, provided a rich conversation about leadership, unlocking potential and driving meaningful change across diverse service settings.
Adrian Pattra inspired delegates with the Growing Garden of Greatness, and Kerrie O’Neill’s Alphabet of Potential reframed resistance as a vital part of leadership growth. Christie Boucher explored how risk education can empower both children and educators.
The conference concluded with a reflective session from Catharine Hydon, who beautifully wove together the key insights from across both days, encouraging delegates to take what they had learned and turn it into purposeful action in their workplace.
ACA Victoria President Tonii Tran said the conference embodied the spirit of growth and collaboration.
“The ACA Victoria Conference 2025 was more than a gathering, it was a call to action. A reminder that leadership is beyond a title, and that growth is not just professional development, but it’s about courage, authenticity, and the belief that together we shape a brighter future for early learning.”
None of this would have been possible without the support of our sponsors- ChildCare Super, MTA, Genesis Safety, Mana, Xap and Guild Insurance, whose commitment to the sector was evident at every turn. Their contributions, alongside the efforts of exhibitors, brought valuable tools and resources to the forefront, ensuring delegates left with fresh ideas and practical strategies to take back to their communities.
The 2025 Unlocking Potential, Inspiring Growth Conference has once again shown the power of coming together as a sector, sharing knowledge, celebrating achievements, and sparking new ideas. ACA Victoria remains committed to supporting ECEC Professionals at every level, providing opportunities for growth, connection, and excellence. Events like this reaffirm that when we invest in learning and collaboration, we strengthen not only our educators but the future of early childhood education across Victoria.
To view images from the event, click here.
For more information about the ACA Victoria 2025 Unlocking Potential, Inspiring Growth Conference or to learn more about upcoming events and initiatives, please visit https://vic.childcarealliance.org.au/
