WA Network of Alcohol & other Drug Agencies

14/10/2026

Registrations have been extended until Friday 16 October 2026 for the Aboriginal Alcohol and Other Drug Workers Forum 2026: Community First, taking place on 29-30 October 2026 at Pan Pacific Perth in Boorloo / Perth.

The Forum is free to attend for all Aboriginal alcohol and other drug workers.

The full program is now available and we’re excited to welcome MC Ingrid Cu***ng and Keynote Speaker Dr Stephanie Trust from Wunan Foundation, along with presenters from alcohol and other drug services across Western Australia.

Guided by the themes Listening, Yarning, and Working Our Ways, the Forum will provide a culturally safe space for workers and community members to connect, share knowledge, and strengthen culturally responsive approaches to reducing alcohol and other drug-related harms.

Alongside a Welcome to Country, cultural dancers and a smudging ceremony, the program will feature dedicated yarning circles and extended networking opportunities. These additions respond directly to feedback and recommendations from the 2023 Aboriginal Alcohol and Other Drug Worker Forum, creating more time for meaningful conversations, relationship building and shared learning among attendees.

The forum will highlight and support a strong, skilled Aboriginal workforce that continues to drive positive change across communities and regions.

07/10/2026

Thanks to David Shakespeare from Cyrenian House for sharing his pathway into the alcohol and other drug sector ahead of the Aboriginal Alcohol and Other Drug Workers Forum 2026: Community First.

David shares insights from his time in the sector, reflecting on the experiences, challenges and opportunities that have shaped his career.

He also discusses what continues to motivate him and the importance of supporting individuals, families and communities through his work.

This is the second instalment in a series of conversations with workers from across the alcohol and other drug sector.

The series will highlight the strengths, expertise and wisdom that workers bring to the drug sector. We’re grateful to David for sharing his story and look forward to sharing more voices and experiences in the coming weeks.

🗓️ Registrations and Bursaries 🗓️

Registrations for the Aboriginal Alcohol and Other Drug Workers Forum 2026: Community First, to be held 29 – 30 October in Boorloo / Perth are open until Wednesday 14 October 2026, with a second round of bursaries now open to support regional WA workers from not-for-profit organisations to attend.

The bursaries help to cover the travel and accommodation costs. The forum is free to attend for Aboriginal alcohol and other drug workers. Aboriginal community members and elders from WA's regions who are working to reduce alcohol and other drug related harm may also access bursaries with the support of a local not-for-profit organisation.

WANADA encourages workers and community members to apply so voices from across WA are well represented.

The Forum bursaries are proudly supported by Lotterywest.

02/10/2026

WANADA is proud to welcome Cyrenian House as a Sector Partner for the Aboriginal Alcohol and Other Drug Workers Forum 2026: Community First, taking place on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 October 2026 at the Pan Pacific Perth in Boorloo/Perth.

Guided by the themes Listening, Yarning, and Working our Ways, the Forum has been intentionally designed by the Aboriginal Reference Group to ensure local voices, experiences and ways of working inform presentations and discussions.

Cyrenian House's support as a Sector Partner reflects a shared commitment to community led practice and to building a strong, skilled Aboriginal workforce across WA.

Registrations close Wednesday 14 October 2026.

Registration is free for Aboriginal alcohol and other drug workers.

Travel bursaries are available for regional not-for-profit workers and community members.

30/09/2026

The Aboriginal Alcohol and Other Drug Workers Forum 2026: Community First will be held on 29-30 October at Pan Pacific Perth in Boorloo/Perth. Sign up by tomorrow, Thursday 1 October to select your complimentary polo shirt size. Registrations close 14 October 2026.

Guided by the themes Listening, Yarning and Working our Ways, the Forum will provide a culturally safe space for workers and community members to connect, share knowledge, and strengthen culturally responsive approaches to reducing alcohol and other drug-related harms.

MC Ingrid Cu***ng is locked in, and we're excited to welcome keynote speaker Dr Stephanie Trust from Wunan Foundation. A preview of the program is now available on the website.

The Forum will highlight and support a strong, skilled Aboriginal workforce that continues to drive positive change across communities and regions. The Forum is free for all Aboriginal alcohol and other drug workers.

For more information, please contact Roxanne Gervais at WANADA on (08) 6289 0750 or via [email protected].

👉 Register now: https://wanada.org.au/conferences/aboriginal-alcohol-and-other-drug-workers-forum-2026-community-first/

25/09/2026

WANADA is proud to welcome Burnet Institute as a Sector Partner for the Aboriginal Alcohol and Other Drug Workers Forum 2026: Community First, taking place on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 October 2026 at the Pan Pacific Perth in Boorloo/Perth.

Guided by the themes Listening, Yarning, and Working our Ways, the Forum has been intentionally designed by the Aboriginal Reference Group to ensure local voices, experiences and ways of working inform presentations and discussions.

Burnet Institute's support as a Sector Partner reflects a shared commitment to community led practice and to building a strong, skilled Aboriginal workforce across WA.

18/09/2026

WANADA is proud to welcome Yorgum Healing Services as a Sector Partner for the Aboriginal Alcohol and Other Drug Workers Forum 2026: Community First, taking place on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 October 2026 at the Pan Pacific Perth in Boorloo/Perth.

Guided by the themes Listening, Yarning, and Working our Ways, the Forum has been intentionally designed by the Aboriginal Reference Group to ensure local voices, experiences and ways of working inform presentations and discussions.

Yorgum Healing Services' support as a Sector Partner reflects a shared commitment to community led practice and to building a strong, skilled Aboriginal workforce across WA.

11/09/2026

WANADA is proud to welcome Palmerston Association as a Sector Partner for the Aboriginal Alcohol and Other Drug Workers Forum 2026: Community First, taking place on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 October 2026 at the Pan Pacific Perth (Boorloo/Perth).

Guided by the themes Listening, Yarning, and Working our Ways, the Forum has been intentionally designed by the Reference Group to ensure local voices, experiences and ways of working inform presentations and discussions.

Palmerston's support as a Sector Partner reflects a shared commitment to community led practice and to building a strong, skilled Aboriginal workforce across WA.

08/09/2026

Thanks to Bronwyn Dillon from Wungening Aboriginal Corporation for sharing her pathway into the alcohol and other drug sector, ahead of the 2026 Aboriginal Alcohol and other Drug Workers Forum: Community First.

Bronwyn talks about her experiences as an Aboriginal worker and some of the rewarding aspects of her work with the Wungening team in the first in a series of conversations with Aboriginal alcohol and other drug Workers.

The series will show the strengths, expertise and wisdom Aboriginal workers bring to the sector. We’re grateful to Bronwyn for sharing her story and are looking forward to sharing more voices in the coming weeks.

🗓️ Registrations and Bursaries 🗓️

Registrations for the Aboriginal Alcohol and Other Drug Workers Forum 2026: Community First, to be held 29 – 30 October in Boorloo / Perth are open until Wednesday 14 October 2026, with a second round of bursaries now open to support regional WA workers from not-for-profit organisations to attend.

The bursaries help to cover the travel and accommodation costs. The forum is free to attend for Aboriginal alcohol and other drug workers.

Aboriginal community members and elders from WA's regions who are working to reduce alcohol and other drug related harm may also access bursaries with the support of a local not-for-profit organisation.

WANADA encourages workers and community members to apply so voices from across WA are well represented.

The Forum bursaries are proudly supported by Lotterywest.

Hear from Wungening Aboriginal Corporation Coordinator Bronwyn Dillon

31/08/2026

International Overdose Awareness Day has now brought people together to remember those we’ve lost and to take action to save lives for 25 years.

Overdose affects people of all ages and communities across Australia. According to the latest Penington Institute Overdose Snapshot Report, Western Australia experienced a 7.3% increase in unintentional drug-induced deaths from 2023 to 2024 (from 259 to 278 deaths).

2024 was Australia’s deadliest year on record, with 2,596 drug‑induced deaths. WA, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia all recorded their highest unintentional overdose deaths since 2001.

'25 Years On. Still Needed' is the 2026 International Overdose Awareness Day theme.

We encourage people to learn more about overdose, what can be done to prevent it, and how a greater focus on harm reduction measures can make a difference.

20/08/2026

WANADA is proud to welcome Wungening Aboriginal Corporation as the Presenting Partner for the Aboriginal Alcohol and Other Drug Workers Forum 2026: Community First, taking place on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 October 2026 at the Pan Pacific Perth (Boorloo/Perth).

Guided by the themes Listening, Yarning, and Working our Ways, the Forum has been intentionally designed by the Reference Group to ensure local voices, experiences and ways of working inform presentations and discussions.

Wungening’s support as Presenting Partner reflects a shared commitment to community led practice and to building a strong, skilled Aboriginal workforce across WA.