Lady Gowrie Qld 2026 Early Childhood Conference

Keynote 

Topic: Reconnecting to the Joy of the Early Years

Presenter: Leanne Hughes

This keynote acknowledges the realities of work, while pivoting the focus back to the “heart work.” We explore how to find the small, transformative moments that make an educator’s role the “safest place” in a child’s life.

 

Workshop Sessions

 

Topic: An invitation to create a particular place for joy in early childhood education.

Presenter: Caroline Fewster

Places of joy can open our hearts to the feeling of connection. Creating time and space for joy can lead to greater overall wellbeing.

This presentation highlights:

• Stories of children’s perspectives of joy
• The significance of joy in early childhood education studies
• The potentiality of materials for eliciting joy
• Creating memories of joyful encounters.

 

 

Topic: Reignite & Re-imagine: Child-Led Digital Documentation

Presenter: Rachel Minns

This hands-on workshop invites educators to rediscover and reignite their commitment to purposeful, childcentred documentation in the digital age. Participants will explore how iPad can empower children to actively document their own thinking and creativity, reimagining documentation as a thoughtful, participatory process.

Using an iPhone or iPad, educators will trial simple, practical tools such as Camera, Markup and Pages, and learn strategies to scaffold children’s digital capabilities while upholding their rights and dignity. This session supports a shared commitment to documentation practices that honour children’s voices and strengthen their role as active meaning-makers in early learning environments.

 

Topic: RE-Igniting & RE-Positioning Visual Arts Expression as a Human Right 

 

Presenter: Dr Gai Lindsay

This interactive workshop invites educators to RE•IGNITE (or ignite for the first time) a passion for visual arts in early childhood education. Grounded in Reggio Emilia principles and the UNCRC’s Articles 13 and 31, we’ll explore the arts as a human right and a language of learning. Participants will reflect on their use of visual arts methods, examining the intentionality behind curriculum choices. Through active REFLECTION, we’ll RE-THINK planning strategies and RE-POSITION the arts on a continuum of experience; moving beyond event-focused production lines toward authentic, child-led exploration within flourishing communities of learners.

 

 

Topic: Navigating Change: Wellbeing Strategies for Personal and Professional Transitions

 

Presenter: Tracy Cooper

 

Navigating Change: Wellbeing Strategies for Personal and Professional Transitions. Change is a constant in our lives. If we want to survive - let alone thrive - embracing change is the key. Whether you’re experiencing change through your work or navigating shifts in your personal life, staying focused and balanced is the key to riding the change wave with confidence. Tracy will explore the emotions that change can trigger and how to stay in control while strengthening your wellbeing along the way. She will share the “secret sauce” for successful change - the powerful connection between having a clear purpose, building the right habits, and harnessing the power of consistency.