Kooyoora

10/06/2026

Kooyoora extends its warmest congratulations to Bishop Susan Wallace on her installation as the second female Māori Bishop.

This significant milestone is not only an important moment for the Church, but also a powerful reflection of the strength, leadership, and wisdom that Māori voices bring to faith communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

For Kooyoora, Bishop Susan’s installation is particularly meaningful because of her longstanding commitment to creating safe, respectful, and inclusive ministry environments. Her passion for safeguarding and her dedication to ensuring that all people can participate in church life free from harm aligns strongly with the values that guide our work every day.

During the installation celebrations, we were also inspired by reflections from the Archbishop Marinez Rosa dos Santos Bassotto of Brazil and the Amazon, who spoke of spirituality through the image of the Tree of Life – a vision of interconnectedness, growth, nourishment and care. The image reminds us that healthy communities, like healthy trees, flourish when their roots are strong, their branches are supported, and every part is valued and protected.

This resonates deeply with Kooyoora’s approach to safeguarding. Safe ministry is about more than policies and processes; it is about creating environments where people can grow, belong and thrive. Safeguarding strengthens the roots of our communities, ensuring that trust, dignity and wellbeing are nurtured so that future generations can flourish.

We have deeply appreciated Bishop Susan’s leadership, advocacy and unwavering focus on the wellbeing of children, young people and vulnerable people within communities. Her commitment to strengthening safe ministry practices continues to inspire those working across the safeguarding sector.

We wish Bishop Susan well as she begins this new chapter of leadership and ministry.

03/06/2026

Last month our CEO attended an OHS refresher course focused on violence and aggression in the workplace.

The training prompted important reflection on the realities many workers face — from verbal aggression, intimidation and threats directed toward staff, through to the broader impacts of violence and harmful behaviour experienced within our organisation and the communities we support.

In our work, we often engage with people and systems during times of distress, conflict and significant vulnerability. Ensuring staff are equipped with the skills, awareness and support to respond safely and professionally is essential.

The session also reinforced the importance of organisations taking proactive steps to create safer workplace cultures, strengthen prevention strategies, and support early intervention when risks emerge.

Thank you to the facilitators for creating space for practical learning, reflection and discussion around an issue that continues to affect workplaces and communities across Australia.

22/05/2026

We come across this picture recently and it is a strong reminder that speaking up about concerning behaviour can come at a real personal cost. People may fear backlash, exclusion, damage to relationships, career impacts, or being labelled as “difficult.” That risk is often even greater in workplaces or communities where toxic behaviour has become normalised.

But silence can allow harm to continue. Creating safer cultures means organisations must do more than encourage reporting — they must actively protect, support, and listen to those who raise concerns.

Psychological safety, strong leadership, fair processes, and accountability are essential. People should not have to choose between their wellbeing and doing the right thing.

Real culture change happens when speaking up is met with respect, care, and action — not punishment or isolation.

We know that harmful cultures don’t appear overnight — they grow when concerning behaviours are ignored, minimised, or accepted as “just the way things are.”

Speaking up can feel difficult, especially in environments where toxicity has become normalised. But creating safe, respectful organisations starts with people being willing and supported to raise concerns, ask questions, and value accountability.

Every conversation matters. Every action matters.
A culture of safety is built when people choose courage over silence.

Creating safer communities means challenging behaviours that harm trust, wellbeing, and inclusion — even when it’s uncomfortable.

17/05/2026

Today at Kooyoora we recognise IDAHOBIT Day — the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia.

This day is an important reminder that creating safe, respectful and inclusive communities is everyone’s responsibility. Inclusion, dignity and belonging are central to safeguarding, and we remain committed to environments where people feel seen, heard and safe to be themselves.

We stand alongside LGBTQIA+ communities and acknowledge the ongoing work needed to challenge discrimination, promote inclusion and support the wellbeing and safety of all people.

IDAHOBIT commemorates May 17, 1990. Now, millions of people globally go rainbow against the discrimination LGBTQIA+ people still face today.

16/05/2026

Kooyoora was pleased to attend the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Gippsland, where we had the opportunity to speak breifly about the critical role safeguarding plays across faith communities.

Our presentation focused on the importance of strong screening and assessment processes, and how the responsible collection, management and sharing of information is an essential part of creating safer organisations and communities.

We also shared the privacy and cyber security measures Kooyoora has in place to protect sensitive information, recognising that trust, confidentiality and secure systems are fundamental to effective safeguarding practice.

Thank you to the Diocese for the opportunity to contribute to these important conversations and for the ongoing commitment to strengthening safe cultures across communities.
The Anglican Diocese of Gippsland

13/05/2026

This week, Kooyoora was proud to attend the Pathways to Prevention Conference in Adelaide, hosted by Safety Australia

Our Investigator and Capacity Builder, Kim Porter, took part in a panel discussion exploring the importance of working across response, early intervention, and prevention of harm. The discussion highlighted the importance of connection and coordination across the service system, while also centring the voices and experiences of people with lived experience.

The conference created an important space for shared learning, collaboration, and conversations about strengthening prevention-focused approaches to safer communities.

Acknowledging some photos from Jones at Hills to Adelaide Photography

05/05/2026

On the road to Bendigo this week, we had the privilege of spending time with a remarkable group of Elders — the Deadly Grannies.

We listened to their stories and learnt more about the ways they care for, support and strengthen one another and their communities. What we witnessed was powerful: friendship, fierce women coming together, sharing stories of strength, resilience, connection and joy.

We also had the opportunity to record some yarns from Elders reflecting on their experiences in the 2025 Walkabout — stories that carry truth, wisdom and deep community spirit.

Thank you to the Deadly Grannies for your generosity, honesty and laughter. Amazing people doing important work in community. Shannon Smith

Keep an eye out for our upcoming newsletter during National Reconciliation Week, where we’ll share more from this special visit.

Thanks to Angie Muccillo for caputring these moments so carefully.

24/04/2026

Big weeks like this remind us why the work matters.

Our team came together in person (New Zealand, Australian, metro and regional teams) connecting, reflecting, and aligning on what’s ahead. There’s something powerful about being in the same room, sharing insights, challenges, and a collective commitment to safeguarding.

Alongside this, we progressed accreditation work, holding ourselves to the highest standards and continuing to strengthen the quality and integrity of what we deliver.

We also spent two full days in a focused, in-person contract meeting. These conversations went beyond contractual conversations. They created space to ask bigger questions about the systems we work within—what’s working, what’s not, prevention, care for people and where meaningful change is possible. Micro practicle steps and big picture projections.

What stood out most this week was the depth of thinking and the willingness to engage with complexity. Real change doesn’t come from quick fixes, it comes from sustained effort, honest reflection, and collaboration. Brene Brown would say “stay akward, stay brave, stay kind!”

Grateful for a team that shows up, leans in, and continues to push for safer, stronger systems.

And now home....

16/04/2026

Kooyoora is delighted to be presenting at such an important conference.

4 weeks until Pathways to Prevention. With the Royal Commission calling for a coordinated statewide strategy, this forum highlights the prevention work already underway, elevates sector voices, and helps shape the future of safer communities across the state. Register now: https://lnkd.in/gmcUUJQM #...

11/04/2026

Today, we recognise the celebration of Orthodox Easter with our Orthodox communities.

A time rich in meaning, Orthodox Easter speaks to renewal, hope, and the triumph of light over darkness. It reminds us of the power of illumination—of truth, of hope, and of connection.

At Kooyoora, our name means “light on the mountain.” This symbolism resonates deeply today. Just as the Easter light spreads from one to another, we are reminded of our shared responsibility to bring light into spaces where it is needed most; through integrity, safeguarding, and compassion.

We stand alongside you in reflecting on the enduring power of light to guide, protect, and unite.

Wishing all who celebrate a peaceful and meaningful Orthodox Easter.