Principal Partner
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Platinum Conference Sponsor
The program
Day one
Member meetings only
MONDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2025
8.00am
Registration Opens - QT Canberra
9.15am - 3.00pm
CEO Roundtable – QT Canberra
10.30am - 12.00pm
Chairs Roundtable – QT Canberra
9.00am - 12.30pm
Roundtable and Community of Practice Meetings – QT Canberra
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CFO Roundtable
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Development and Assets Roundtable
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Operations Roundtable
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ESG & Compliance Community of Practice
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Digital Innovation, Systems & AI Community of Practice
12.30pm – 1.20pm
Networking Lunch and Trade Show Opens - QT Canberra
1.30pm – 4.15pm
Community of Practice Meetings – QT Canberra
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Disability Housing Community of Practice
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People and Culture & Workforce Community of Practice
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Marketing & Communications Community of Practice
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Community Development & Tenant Engagement Community of Practice
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Emerging Leaders and Rising Stars
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Non-Executive Directors & Chairs
Supported by
Sponsored by
5.45pm – 8.00pm
Welcome Cocktail Reception
National Portrait Gallery
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Minister for Homes, Homelessness and New Suburbs Yvette Berry, ACT
An ACH Exclusive: Super Kaylene Whiskey Exhibition
We’re thrilled to announce an exclusive conference experience for ACH delegates — a private viewing of Super Kaylene Whiskey, the newly announced summer exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. Celebrating one of Australia’s most exciting contemporary artists, Kaylene Whiskey, this vibrant and energetic showcase opens to the public on Saturday 15 November — and ACH attendees will enjoy a special after-hours experience during our conference. This optional pre-conference viewing will take place just before the Welcome Reception, from 5:45 pm to 6:30 pm. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore the exhibition in an intimate setting with fellow delegates.
Sponsored by
8.15pm - 11.00pm
Optional dinner at QT Capitol Bar & Grill
For further information on how to book dinner, click here.
Day two
TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2025
7.30am - 8.15am
Registration and Light Breakfast - QT Canberra
7.30am - 4.00pm
Trade Show - QT Canberra
8.20am - 8.25am
Conference opening from Australian Community Housing
SPEAKERS:
Mark Degotardi, CEO Australian Community Housing
8.25am - 8.50am
Delivering on Australia’s Housing Ambition
Director General of Housing, Treasury Ben Rimmer outlines the government’s ambitious housing agenda and explores the role Community Housing Providers play in delivering outcomes now and into the future
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SPEAKERS:
Ben Rimmer, Director General of Housing, Treasury
8.50am - 9.40am
Plenary - Industry Strategy Panel
Can we grow fast and stay true to our purpose? Join sector and government leaders as they unpack the new Industry Strategy and discuss how it will help deliver more homes while keeping tenants and community outcomes at the heart of our mission.
FACILITATOR:
Mark Degotardi, CEO Australian Community Housing
SPEAKERS:
Scott Langford, CEO, Housing Australia
Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz AM, Chair, National Housing Supply and Affordability Council
Laurie Leigh, CEO Bridge Housing
Sam O’Connor MP, Minister for Housing and Public Works and Minister for Youth, Queensland
Sponsored by
9.45am - 10.45am
Plenary - What Does the Future Look Like?
​Dr Ben Hamer will challenge perspectives on population, our home, the future of work, and the environment, equipping us to prepare for what’s next.
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FACILITATOR:
Mark Degotardi, CEO, Australian Community Housing
SPEAKER:
Dr Ben Hamer, Sociologist and Accredited Futurist
Sponsored by
10.45am - 11.15am
Morning Tea - Networking & Trade Show - QT Canberra
11.20am - 12.10pm
Session 1
Concurrent 1.1 – Policy, Governance and Strategy
Setting the Community Housing Federal Policy Agenda
CHPs require a meaningful seat at the table to shape the federal policy agenda, work with government and partners, and demonstrate value through outcomes, productivity gains and reduced public spending.
FACILITATOR:
Sarah Toohey, CEO, CHIA Victoria
SPEAKERS:
Holly Rankin, Executive Director, Sentiment Agency
Ian McDermott, Chief Executive, Peabody UK
Supported by
Concurrent 1.2 – Finance, Delivery and Innovation
Where Do We Want to Go? Vision into Tangible Targets
How CHPs turn vision into tangible targets and the organisational levers and capabilities required to deliver meaningful outcomes.
FACILITATOR:
Kristan Conlon, Chair, CHIA Queensland
SPEAKERS:
Lyndall Robertshaw, Interim Group Chief Executive Officer, Home in Place
Annabelle Daniel OAM, CEO, Women’s Community Shelters
Dee Walsh, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Mercy Housing Inc. US
Supported by
Concurrent 1.3 – People, Place and Practice
Evidence, Impact and Value
How the sector can demonstrate impact and value through evidence-based data, and leverage it to elevate their work.
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SIGMAH tool
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ESG framework
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ACH data project with CHIA NSW
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FACILITATOR:
Adam West, Head of Business Services, CHIA New South Wales​
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SPEAKERS:
Bonnie Szymczak, Head of Impact, Haven Home Safe
​Charles Northcote, CEO, BlueCHP Limited
Supported by
12.15pm - 1.05pm
Session 2
Concurrent 2.1 – Policy, Governance and Strategy
Governance in a New Era: Strategy, Structure and Readiness
How to leverage governance and finance expertise to ensure organisations are ready to grow and deliver bold strategic outcomes.​
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FACILITATOR:
Sarah Toohey, CEO, CHIA Victoria
SPEAKERS:
Andrew Newman, Principal & MD, Clearview Advisory
Chris Bratchford, CB Advisory
Adela Smith , Partner, Gilbert & Tobin
Supported by
Concurrent 2.2 – Finance, Delivery and Innovation
One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Partnerships and Alternative Models
Exploring how CHPs can identify the right partners, pursue suitable growth initiatives, and leverage partnerships to deliver impact. Includes practical examples from organisations of different sizes and approaches.​​
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FACILITATOR:
Kristan Conlon, Chair, CHIA Queensland
SPEAKERS:
Jane West, CEO Bric Housing
Judy Tomas, General Manager Commercial, Contracts and Compliance Mission Australia Housing
Blake Reeves, Discipline Leader of Urban Design and Urban Planning at City Collective, US
Supported by
Concurrent 2.3 – People, Place and Practice
Tenants at the Heart of what we do: Innovation and Impact Across Service Models
A panel discussion exploring diverse tenant service models, highlighting innovation, tenant voice, and the real-world impact of housing programs.
FACILITATOR:
Caitlin McDowell, Acting CEO, CHIA New South Wales
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SPEAKER:
Jacquelyn Matthews, Tenant Engagement Officer, Unity
Christian-Paul Stenta, Head of Impact, Launch Housing
Kathryn Blake, Acting Manager, Research and Service Outcomes, Link Wentworth
Supported by
1.05pm - 2.00pm
Lunch - Networking & Trade Show - QT Canberra
2.05pm - 3.00pm
Workshops
Workshop 1 – Policy, Governance and Strategy
Making Strategy a Reality
Developing a roadmap and campaign to raise the sector’s profile and value proposition with government and the wider community.
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FACILITATORS:
Sarah Toohey, CEO, CHIA Victoria
Holly Rankin, Executive Director, Sentiment Agency
Supported by
Workshop 2 – Finance, Delivery and Innovation
Collective Initiatives: Boosting Independent Capability and Efficiency Across the Sector
Exploring how collective approaches can deliver operational efficiency, cost savings, and stronger sector-wide capability. Practical examples of aggregation and collaboration and the potential for national scalability.
FACILITATORS:
Kristan Conlon, Chair, CHIA Queensland
Gemma Pinnell, Principal, Right Lane Consulting
Supported by
Workshop 3 – People, Place and Practice
Measuring Tenant Outcome Models: Building Consistency Across the Sector
An interactive workshop on developing a consistent measure in reporting and practice, to define the CHP point of difference for Government.
FACILITATORS:
Adam West, Head of Business Services, CHIA New South Wales
Michelle Gegenhuber, SynergyMG
Rob Tyson, Polis Partners
Supported by
3.05pm - 3.25pm
Afternoon Tea - Networking & Trade Show - QT Canberra
Sponsored by
3.30pm - 4.15pm
Plenary - Blake Reeves: Placemaking and Urban Anthropology
A conversation about the future of placemaking, building together with communities and moving beyond community development.
SPEAKER:
Blake Reeves, Discipline Leader of Urban Design and Urban Planning at City Collective, US
6.15pm - 11.00pm
Australian Community Housing National Awards
Australian Parliament House - Great Hall
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The Australian Community Housing National Awards are the sector’s most prestigious annual celebration.
These awards recognise outstanding individuals, teams, programs, developments, and partnerships across the membership whose significant achievements have gone beyond expectations and have set new sector standards for excellence and innovation.
The Awards Dinner allows Members and invited guests to come together and celebrate the people and initiatives that have strengthened communities, improved lives, and driven sector-wide impact.
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Dress code: Corporate/Cocktail
Keynote Speaker: Josh Burns MP Special Envoy for Social Housing and Homelessness
MC: Cam Sullings
Platinum Awards Sponsor
11.00pm - midnight
After Dinner Sidebar Catch-ups - QT Capitol Bar & Grill
Day three
WEDNESDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2025
7.30am - 3.00pm
Trade Show Opens - QT Canberra
7.40am - 8.30am
Recovery Breakfast - QT Canberra
Sponsored by
7.40am – 8.30am
Morning Plenary - Housing 2028: The Independent Agenda
Independent MPs are amplifying community voices in national housing debates, pushing for evidence-based solutions, and holding government accountable.
FACILITATOR:
Nick Lucchinelli, Director, Horton Advisory
SPEAKERS:
Senator David Pocock (Independent, ACT)
Dr Helen Haines MP (Independent, Indi)
Allegra Spender MP (Independent, Wentworth)
Kate Chaney MP (Independent, Curtin)
Sponsored by
9.00am – 10.00am
Plenary - Global Lessons from the UK and US
Insights from international housing experts: policy, scale and diversification.
FACILITATOR:
Stacey Northover, Executive General Manager, Housing Services, Believe Housing Australia
SPEAKERS:
Ian McDermott, Chief Executive, Peabody UK
Dee Walsh, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Mercy Housing Inc. US
Sponsored by
10.00am - 10.30am
Morning Tea - QT Canberra
10.35am - 11.25am
Session 3
Concurrent 3.1 – Policy, Governance and Strategy
One System, Many States: A Path to National Housing Regulation
Achieving National Regulation and what’s required to support sector growth.
FACILITATOR:
Jason Perdriau, Deputy CEO, CHIA Victoria
SPEAKERS:
Nicola Lemon , National Social and Affordable Housing Lead Partner, KPMG
Debi Marriott-Lavery, Group CEO, SGCH
Lee Monik, Chief Governance Officer, Community Housing Limited
Supported by
Concurrent 3.2 – Finance, Delivery and Innovation
CHP-led Build to Rent: Dream or Deliverable?
This session explores how CHPs can lead Build to Rent (BTR) projects to drive social and affordable supply, sustainability, and mission-aligned returns.​​
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FACILITATOR:
Julie Saunders, CEO, CHIA Queensland
SPEAKERS:
Steph Harper, National Director, Living Sectors, CBRE
Salman Choudhry, CFA, Director of Commercial Transactions, Housing Choices Australia
Leonie King, CEO, City West Housing
Supported by
Concurrent 3.3 – People, Place and Practice
Designing Housing with Community: Bringing People on the Journey
With housing demand intensifying, stronger community integration is essential. Ensuring housing solutions are embraced through stronger community interaction and engagement.​
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FACILITATOR:
Caitlin McDowell, Acting CEO, CHIA NSW
SPEAKERS:
Paul Coe, CEO, Birribee Housing
Robyn Evans, COO, Community & Housing, BaptistCare
Jonathan O'Brien, Lead organiser, YIMBY Melbourne
Supported by
11.30am - 12.20pm
Session 4
Concurrent 4.1 – Policy, Governance and Strategy
AI: Where Is It Having Useful Impact?
Australia is at a critical and formative point in its transition to a generative AI enabled economy. What challenges and opportunities does this create for CHPs.​​
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FACILITATOR:
Jason Perdriau, Deputy CEO, CHIA Victoria
SPEAKER:
Dr. Ryan Payne, Senior Lecturer - Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Marketing, Faculty of Business, Government & Law, University of Canberra
Supported by
Concurrent 4.2 – Finance, Delivery and Innovation
Designing for Pace and Place: Inner vs Outer City Delivery Models
Discussion how development models, locations, and construction approaches affect the pace and quality of housing delivery. Speakers will discuss trade-offs, challenges, and innovations in achieving density while creating vibrant, sustainable and equitable communities.
FACILITATOR:
Sarah Buckeridge, Co-Managing Principal, Hayball
SPEAKERS:
Sarah Buckeridge, Co-Managing Principal, Hayball
Sam Gribble, General Manager, EveryOne, a division of Metricon
Paul Lakey, Chair, Foundation Housing
Kris Daff, Managing Director, Assemble
Supported by
Concurrent 4.3 – People, Place and Practice
Innovations Transforming the CHP Sector and Impact
Highlighting three case studies of sector best practice, highlighting innovation and effective approaches.
Participants will learn from practical examples that can be applied within their own organisations.​​
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FACILITATOR:
Caitlin McDowell, Acting CEO, CHIA NSW
SPEAKERS:
Bec Wolley, Community Programs Manager, Loreto Community Housing
Greg Locke, Executive Manager, Social Housing
David O’Halloran, Support Pathways Team, Evolve Housing
Jan Berriman, CEO, HousingFirst
Supported by