Our first Australian digital inclusion conference Digital Nation: Building a Connected, Capable, Confident Country, was held on 4th August 2021.
We brought our network together along with stakeholders and advocates to celebrate our shared successes, to look back at the challenges we’ve overcome, and look ahead at what still needs to be done as we continue to work towards a fully digitally included country.
The conference built on our Digital Nation resources, which paint the picture of who is digitally excluded in Australia and the factors that impact levels of digital inclusion. We highlighted the stories, experiences, and expertise of those doing the work on the ground plus insights from the latest research. We looked at what’s working and what’s not, and focused on what is required now and into the future to ensure Australia is a thriving digital nation – connected, capable, and confident – where no one is left behind
Meet our speakers
Helen Milner Group CEO, Good Things Foundation - Keynote Address
Julie Inman Grant eSafety Commissioner - Keynote Address
Jess Wilson Chief Executive Officer, Good Things Foundation Australia
Professor Michael Dezuanni Digital Media Research Centre, QUT
Tricia Pye National Director and Lead Trainer, The Tec Exec Australia
Wendy Field Head of Policy & Programs, The Smith Family
Sonya Moon Community Learning Coordinator, Libraries Tasmania
Natika Hawes-Wright Lead Digital Mentor - Be Connected Project, ASCCA
Sandra Elhelw-Wright CEO, Settlement Council of Australia
Derek Tink Community Advisor, Digital IQ
Carlos Encina Manager, NSW SLASA (NSW Spanish and Latin American Association)
Anthony McCosker Assoc Prof of Media & Communications, Swinburne University
Dr Wayne Hawkins Director of Inclusion, ACCAN
Corina Dutlow Lead Digital Mentor, Australian-Filipino Community Services
Dr Melinda Choy GP & Academic Lecturer, Australian National University
Mark Pearce CEO, Volunteering Australia
Hung Doan Executive Officer and Program Manager, Indochinese Elderly Refugees Association (IERA)
Stuart Bastock Head of Training, Macquarie Community College
Jack Growden Founder & CEO, LiteHaus International
Dennis Stokes CEO, First Nations Media Australia
Meet our facilitators
Meet the members of the Good Things Foundation team facilitating the Conference.
Liz Jones Head of Collaborative Projects
Cassandra Strakosch Head of Communications & Engagement
Bridget Rowe-Sykes Head of Network
Tom Grant Network Development Manager
Dannielle Meredith Community Learning & Development Manager
Jo Cavanagh OAM Chair of Board, Good Things Foundation Australia
Keynote speakers
Helen Milner OBE
Group CEO, Good Things Foundation
Helen Milner will bring her experience leading significant, impactful digital inclusion initiatives in the UK and Australia to present a keynote address - 'Creating Digital Nations: Now and in the future'.
Julie Inman Grant
eSafety Commissioner
Julie Inman Grant is Australia’s eSafety Commissioner. In this role, Julie leads the world’s first government regulatory agency committed to keeping its citizens safer online.