Wattle Tree Wellness

09/06/2026

I recently had the privilege of facilitating two workshops for staff from RAATSIC (Remote Area Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation).

RAATSIC works alongside children, young people and families across Far North Queensland, Cape York and the Gulf through their domestic and family violence, youth and family support programs.

The workshops, Holding the Work Without Losing Ourselves, focused on worker wellbeing and how we sustain ourselves and each other while working in complex and demanding environments.

The people who undertake this work in remote parts of Queensland carry significant responsibility and often support families through very challenging circumstances. Creating opportunities for reflection, connection and learning is an important part of sustaining skilled, thoughtful and compassionate work teams.

Thank you to everyone who participated so openly and generously in these conversations. It was a privilege to spend time learning alongside you. 💚

02/06/2026

This was such a great group to learn with … all bringing something interesting and unique, and just look at those smiling faces ☺️ Congratulations to everyone 👏

And a huge Thank you Inala Community House on reaching the milestone of 15 CROSSROADS programs and more than 230 practitioners trained. 💜

A huge congratulations to the participants of our most recent CROSSROADS program 👏

This marks the 15th CROSSROADS program delivered by Inala Community House, with more than 230 practitioners and natural helpers now upskilled to better support parents and carers with children impacted by domestic and family violence.

We’re incredibly proud to offer this valuable training and play a role in upskilling services and CHAA natural helpers💛

We’re also excited to share that our next CROSSROADS program will be delivered in Townsville!

To learn more about the program, visit our website https://ich.org.au/community/crossroads/ or contact our friendly team at [email protected] to be advised of upcoming Brisbane program dates.

02/06/2026

Nearly three decades into social work .. and still learning! 📚☕️

Tuesdays for the past few months have been spent in the AASW Advanced Supervision Training, deepening my understanding of supervision practice and learning alongside wonderful social workers from all across Australia.

Today’s session explored different supervision models, including my favourites: feminist, culturally informed, trauma-informed and strengths-based 🙌

I don’t think we ever stop learning in this profession, and that’s one of the things I love about it. 🌱

31/05/2026

📍 Townsville - 18 June 2026

Are you an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander worker supporting individuals, families, or communities?

Sue Kitchener and I will be facilitating a one-day Culturally Grounded Reflective Practice workshop in Townsville, and we'd love to see you there! 🧡

This will be a relaxed, safe space to reflect and connect with other workers who do similar work. Together we'll explore practical ways of using reflective practice in everyday roles, drawing on the Reflective Practice Toolkit developed by Workup Queensland

The day will have plenty of opportunity for shared learning, conversation, and connection.

If this sounds like something that would be valuable for you, your team, or your colleagues, please feel free to share it through your networks.

🔗 Register here:
https://events.humanitix.com/culturally-grounded-practice-for-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-workers-june-2026-townsville

We'd love to see you there. 🌿

Buy Tickets on Humanitix - Culturally Grounded Practice : For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers June 2026 (Townsville) hosted by WorkUP Queensland. DVNQ Townsville, 263 Ingham Rd, Garbutt QLD 4814, Australia. Thursday 18th June 2026. Find event information.

26/05/2026

Today, on National Sorry Day, I’m reflecting on the ongoing pain and loss caused by the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, communities, cultures and Countries.

I’m holding respect for Stolen Generations survivors and for the strength that exists within families and communities who continue to carry the impacts of these policies across generations.

As a person who works in social work and in educating others within the sector, I also believe this day asks us to reflect honestly on the role our jobs and systems have played in child removal and the harm that has followed. That history is not separate from the work we do now.

For me, Sorry Day is not only about acknowledging the past. It is also about listening, learning, truth-telling, and continuing to challenge the systems and practices that cause harm.

Every child deserves to grow up feeling safe, connected, loved, and grounded in family, culture, and community.

🖤💛❤️

23/05/2026

🌿 Last Chance to join ‘Connecting Conversations’ - Online This Thursday & Friday 🌿

This week I’ll be facilitating the final Connecting Conversations workshops for Complex Care.

If you work with young people who have experienced trauma, family violence, system involvement, or relational harm, this training is designed to support you in having the conversations many workers know are important… but can sometimes feel difficult to begin.

🌻 Together we explore ways to:
• introduce conversations about respectful relationships and safety
• talk with young people about s*x, consent, boundaries, empathy and self-regulation
• respond to harmful attitudes and behaviours without shame or panic
• build confidence as workers in exploring these topics

This training is grounded and practical and designed specifically for practitioners working directly with ‘at-risk’ young people.

Online 28 & 29 May 2026.

Book here:
https://events.humanitix.com/connecting-conversations-a-resource-for-youth-workers-online-may-2026-mjjsykg2

Workup Queensland

Buy Tickets on Humanitix - Connecting Conversations: A resource for youth workers (Online) - (May 2026) hosted by WorkUP Queensland. Online. Wednesday 27th May 2026. Find event information.

12/05/2026

I recently spent a lovely morning with the team at Northside Connect facilitating a session on Sustainable Practice.

We explored how trauma-facing work impacts people and teams, and practical ways to strengthen wellbeing, communication, and a healthy team culture.

So much thoughtful reflection and honest conversation in the room.

Thank you for having me 🌿🌻

08/05/2026

Yesterday I met with Alison Lee from HeartWorks and the team at WorkUp Queensland, alongside Aunty Sue Kitchener, for conversations about the development of a resource and training program for facilitating therapeutic group work with survivors of s*xual violence in Queensland.

Ali and I first worked together at Kids Helpline back in the late 1990’s (!!!) so it was really special to reconnect more than 20 years later through this work.

I’m grateful for the opportunity for Wattle Tree Wellness to play a small part in supporting the development of this resource and look forward to seeing where this work grows from here 🌱🌱🌱

06/05/2026

Today May 6 is National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day.

Today we remember and honour the lives that have been lost to domestic and family violence.

For many people working in this space, today also carries the weight of the stories, families and communities we have walked alongside over many years. Some names stay with us forever.

This work asks a great deal of workers, advocates, practitioners, survivors, families and communities. Today is a reminder of why the work matters, and why we must continue to speak out about violence, coercive control, safety and accountability.

Thinking today of those whose lives were taken too soon, and of the many people continuing to live with the impacts of violence every day.

🕯️

23/04/2026

Many great practitioners step into leadership… and quietly struggle.

Often, skilled and committed workers are recognised for their strengths and offered leadership opportunities, but not always given the training, support or resourcing needed to step into the role with confidence.

Suddenly the work changes.

You may be managing performance, having difficult conversations, giving feedback, navigating team dynamics, responding to organisational pressures, and holding much more information than you did before.

You may also be leading people who were once your peers, which can feel especially tricky.

Many new leaders quietly experience stress, self-doubt and exhaustion.

Being a strong practitioner and being a strong leader are connected skills, but they are not the same skills! Leadership needs support, reflection and space to learn.

If you’ve stepped into leadership and found it harder than expected, you are not alone.