General News
29 April, 2026
Keys to kiddies’ growth
LEADING experts on early child development descend on Cairns next month to speak at a long-running conference.
The conference has been held in Cairns every year since 2009 and a co-organiser, Shelley Turner of the Benevolent Society’s Cairns and Gordonvale Early Year centres, said it was no secret that the early years of a child’s life were important for shaping the person they would grow to be.
“Children and their families need to feel safe, connected and supported to be able to thrive,” she said.
“Throughout their lifetime, children and their families will come into contact with a variety of different services to support them on their journey.
“That is why our conference reaches across sectors to promote integration and collaboration between multiple disciplines that are touch points for families during the early years.
“If you work in education, health or social support services and are interested in collaborating and learning what others are doing in the early years space, then this conference is for you.”
Ms Turner said the conference, not only promoted the wellbeing of children and families by advancing collaboration and evidence-based practice, it provided a platform to reflect multiple perspectives to improve early childhood development.
“Over the years, this conference has attracted nationally-acclaimed keynote speakers and has provided valuable opportunities for professional development for delegates from throughout the Far North region working in the children and families space, to share knowledge and to network,” she said.
“The conference attracts service providers, volunteers and community members who work in the early years.
“This may include early childhood educators, teaching staff, family support workers, child and family health professionals and counsellors, community workers, managers, child protection workers and academics.”
Ms Turner said in 2009 Mission Australia, through the Australian Government-funded Communities for Children program, and Queensland Health financially funded the first Cairns Early Years Conference.
“Organisations now on the committee with Mission Australia include, James Cook University, The Benevolent Society, Queensland Health, Act for Kids, Wuchopperen Health Services and Queensland Government departments of education, families, seniors, disability services and child safety.”
The four key-note speakers are:
Anne Hollonds, the CEO of the Early Learning and Care Council of Australia (ELACCA). ELACCA members provide education and care to 360,000 children across Australia.
Associate Professor Dylan Cliff, a researcher and lecturer in the School of Education and Early Start at the University of Wollongong.
Associate Professor Campbell Paul, a consultant infant and child psychiatrist at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.
The conference is at the Cairns Convention Centre on 21 and 22 May.
