Welcome to the 2025 Legal Aid NSW Child Representation Conference
Date: Thursday, 6 November 2025
Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney
Join us for a milestone event as we celebrate 50 years of advocacy for children and young people in the legal system. This year’s conference brings together child representatives and allied professionals for a day of learning, reflection, and connection.
Our program features leading voices in child representation, engaging sessions, and opportunities to share experiences and insights. Whether you’re a seasoned child representative or new to the field, you’ll find inspiration and practical tools to support your work.
Stay for the celebration!
Following the conference, we invite you to our special event: “50 Years of Advocacy: A Celebration of Child Representatives.”
Enjoy an evening of networking, stories, and recognition of the vital work of child representatives over the past five decades.
Explore More
Full Day Program: 9.00am – 4.30pm (registration commences at 8.15am)
Evening Celebration '50 Years of Advocacy: A Celebration of Child Representatives': 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Program Highlights
Keynote Address | Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts
We’re delighted to confirm our keynote speaker, Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts, the inaugural Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People. Vanessa brings lived experience of the out-of-home care system and is a widely respected lawyer, writer and storyteller. She is currently completing her PHD at University of Technology Sydney, focusing on decolonising child protection systems for First Nations peoples.
Keynote Address | Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts
We’re delighted to confirm our keynote speaker, Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts, the inaugural Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People. Vanessa brings lived experience of the out-of-home care system and is a widely respected lawyer, writer and storyteller. She is currently completing her PHD at University of Technology Sydney, focusing on decolonising child protection systems for First Nations peoples.
Following her keynote, Vanessa will join Fabi Fugazza, best-selling author of Born to be (Unconsciously) Biased and Banishing Bias: How to Make Better Business Decisions, academic, Co-CEO and lawyer, alongside other esteemed guests for a panel discussion on Unconscious Bias.
Panel Session | Challenging the Status Quo: Child Representation in 2025 and Beyond
What does meaningful child representation look like in 2025? And what should it look like in the years ahead?
Join Judge Lioumis (Div 2, FCFCOA), Anne Hollonds (National Children’s Commissioner) and other distinguished guests as they explore how children’s voices are being heard in legal proceedings today and how practices are evolving across systems. From Judges meeting directly with children to the concept of direct representation, this session will challenge assumptions and spark ideas for the future of child advocacy.
Additional Highlights
Care Stream Sessions
The Role of the Child Representative in Unexplained Injury Cases
Carer Assessments in Care Proceedings: What Child Representatives Need to Know
Family Stream Sessions
Unacceptable Risk: Where are we after Isles & Nelissen?
Family Therapy on Trial: What’s the Diagnosis