MacKillop Family Services

11/06/2026

At MacKillop Family Services, we are proud to share that The MacKillop Institute will host the Lead the Way 2026 conference.

This important event brings together leaders, practitioners, and changemakers who are committed to creating safer, stronger communities through trauma-informed practice.

Join us to hear from inspiring speakers, explore practical strategies, and connect with others who are passionate about driving meaningful change.

Find out more and register:
https://www.mackillopinstitute.org.au/Lead-the-Way-2026/

Let’s lead the way together.

05/06/2026

Today is World Environment Day - a reminder that every small action we take can make a big difference for our planet. From reducing waste and conserving water to supporting sustainable choices, each step matters.

Let’s work together to protect our environment, not just today but every day. 💚
Because there is no planet B.

🌱 What will you do today to make a positive impact?

https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/

World Environment Day is the United Nations day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment.

03/06/2026

We were proud to be part of the Community Connections and Services Expo, bringing together organisations and practitioners from across the Southern Metropolitan region to foster meaningful collaboration and shared purpose.

With 62 community service exhibitors and more than 300 practitioners and service representatives attending, the day created a vibrant environment for networking, knowledge sharing, and relationship building. It provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to connect face to face, exchange ideas, and strengthen partnerships that support local communities.

Through these connections, the expo helped to strengthen referral pathways, increase awareness of available services, and highlight the importance of working together. It reinforced that strong, connected networks play a vital role in delivering better outcomes for the people and communities they serve.

31/05/2026

Ever wondered what it’s really like to work in youth support?

Join MacKillop Family Services’ free webinar series and hear honest, real-world stories from professionals working with young people. In just one hour, you’ll gain insight into the challenges, the impact, and the moments that make this work so meaningful—and even have the chance to ask your own questions.

The next session, Life Story Work – A Child’s Journey, explores how storytelling can help young people understand their experiences and build a stronger sense of identity.

✨ Online | Free | Open to all

👉 Register now: https://www.mackillop.org.au/get-involved/volunteer/free-webinar

Sign up for MacKillop's free webinars offering real insights and true stories from professionals in the industry.

28/05/2026

We’re proud to share that MacKillop Education Waranara School has received national recognition for its innovative, trauma-informed design. 💚

A former factory has been transformed into a safe and welcoming learning environment where young people can reconnect with education, build confidence and find a sense of belonging.

This award is a celebration of what’s possible when spaces are designed with wellbeing at the centre, supporting students to feel secure, supported and ready to learn.

An award-winning redesign has turned a former factory into a trauma-informed school helping disengaged students reconnect with learning. The space…

28/05/2026

We were proud to attend Primex Field Days 2026, one of Australia’s leading agribusiness events bringing together communities, industry and innovation from across the Northern Rivers and beyond.

It was a fantastic opportunity for MacKillop to connect with regional communities, share the work we do, and engage with people passionate about strengthening the wellbeing of children, young people and families.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by for a chat. We loved hearing your stories and sharing ours. 💚

27/05/2026

27/05/2026

National Reconciliation Week invites us to go beyond standing on the sidelines. This year’s theme, All In, calls on each of us to engage in reconciliation as an everyday responsibility, shaped by how we think, act and connect.

Sovereignty speaks to dignity and the right to determine how we live together on this land. Forgiveness is not about forgetting the past, but about creating the possibility for a different future.

Reconciliation is not the responsibility of First Nations peoples alone. It belongs to all of us. It is reflected in how we listen, how we learn, how we honour truth, and how we choose to act each day.

Meeting one another “eye to eye” is not just an idea. It is a daily commitment to show up with humility, to stay open, and to keep doing the work, even when it feels uncomfortable.

https://www.reconciliation.org.au/

Reconciliation Australia’s vision is for a just, equitable and reconciled Australia.

26/05/2026

Join more than 1,000 leaders, educators and practitioners from across education, community services and mental health for two days of connection, learning and insight.

The MacKillop Institute’s Lead the Way Conference brings together keynote speakers, interactive workshops and meaningful networking, all focused on building safe, trauma-informed and thriving communities through collaboration, research and evidence-based practice.

Early bird tickets won’t be available for much longer, and once they are gone, they are gone. If you have been thinking about attending, this is the moment to act.

Do not miss the chance to be part of something meaningful and to save while you are at it.

Secure your spot today:
https://www.mackillopinstitute.org.au/conference-registration/

25/05/2026

National Sorry Day (National Day of Healing)

Today we acknowledge the strength and resilience of Stolen Generations survivors and reflect on the role we all play in supporting healing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and for our nation.

At MacKillop, many of the children, young people, families and communities we walk alongside are survivors of the Stolen Generations. We invite everyone to pause, reflect, and consider the significance of this day and its lasting impact across generations.

https://www.reconciliation.org.au/national-sorry-day-from-sorry-to-action/

National Sorry Day marks more than 150 years of policies that led to the forcible removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. First observed on 26 May 1998 following the Bringing Them Home Report, this day calls on all Australians to remember, learn, and act with respect.

At a time when racism and disrespect continue to be experienced in our communities, we stand in solidarity, committed to listening, acknowledging truth, and supporting healing.