Program

Vital Support: A Community Sector Funding and Workforce Conference

Tuesday, 21 October 2025 | Adelaide Convention Centre 

9:30am

SACOSS Welcome

9:35am

Welcome to Country

9:40am

The Importance of the NFP Community Services Sector

Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson, Governor of South Australia

9:50am

Give Credit Campaign Celebration

Dr Catherine Earl, CEO, SACOSS
Hamilton Calder, CEO, Volunteering SA&NT
David Panter, CEO, Minda Inc

10:10am

SACOSS Indexation Report Launch

Dr Greg Ogle, Senior Policy and Research Analyst, SACOSS

10:25am

Morning Tea

10:50am

Pay What It Takes

Kay Burton, Founder, SA Philanthropy Network

11:30am

State Parliament Panel

Hon. Katrine Hildyard MP, Minister for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence
Hon. Vincent Tarzia MP, Shadow Minister for Workforce and Population Growth

12:10pm

Portable Long Service Leave Update
Danielle Elston, Presiding Officer, SA Portable Long Service Leave Board

12:20pm

Lunch

1:10pm

Parallel sessions
Funding – Sustainability and Unexpended Funds

David Panter, CEO, Minda Inc.
Stacey Thomas, CEO, The Wyatt Trust
Sandy Pitcher, Chief Executive, Department for Human Services
Prof. David Gilchrist, Director, UWA Centre for Public Value (via pre-recorded video)
Cara Varian, CEO, NCOSS 

AI in the Workforce

Jane Mussared, Board Member, SACOSS 
Sean Hill, Campaigns and Organising Coordinator, SA Unions 
Pankaj Chhalotre, Head of Connecting Up, Infoxchange
Lyndsey Jackson, Co-Founder, WeCollaborate
Peter Lewis, Director, Essential Media (via pre-corded video)

2:00pm

Government Procurement Showcase
Jody King, Director Procurement Solutions, Procurement SA, Department of Treasury and Finance
Elizabeth Chmielewski, Chief Procurement Officer, Department of Human Services
Rachel Bell, Principal Adviser Strategic Procurement Projects, Department for Correctional Services
Leonie Miller, Senior Officer, Multicultural Affairs, Department of the Premier and Cabinet
Workforce Planning

Catherine Earl, CEO, SACOSS
Juanita Pope, CEO, VCOSS
Cara Varian, CEO, NCOSS
Bronwyn Tilbury, Industry and Impact Lead, TASCOSS (via video link)

2:45pm

Afternoon Tea

3:10pm

Valuing Lived Experience in the Paid Workforce

Ellie Hodges, CE and Founder, LELAN
Molly Springhall, Program Manager, Lived Experience Workforce Program, Mental Health Coalition of South Australia
Deb Buckskin, Senior Advisor Aboriginal Services, Baptist Care SA
Helen Sheppard, CEO, UnitingCare Wesley Bowden

3:40pm

Early Intervention Investment Framework

Juanita Pope, CEO, VCOSS

3:50pm

Federal Reforms: Supports and Regulation – What is Happening and What is Coming

Dr Greg Ogle, Senior Policy and Research Analyst, SACOSS 
Sue Woodward AM, Commissioner, Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission
Rob Sturrock, Program Director – Community Services, ACOSS

4:20pm

Conference Summary

4:30pm

Conference concludes

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MICHELE WACHLA

Michele is an accomplished social services professional with a dual background in Social Work and Business, bringing over 18 years of experience to her work. She has developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within Regional, Rural, and Remote (RRR) environments, particularly in South Australia. Michele is a recognised leader, known for her expertise in designing and implementing place-based initiatives that address the complexities of RRR communities. Her work is underpinned by strategic planning, effective resourcing, and a strong focus on policy review and advocacy to ensure that services remain relevant, equitable, and sustainable. Michele’s commitment to community-centred approaches drives meaningful outcomes, nurturing resilience, and growth across regional South Australia.

KHATIJA THOMAS

DAVE ADAMSON

Dave moved to Australia following a 30-year academic career in the UK. He has since worked in the Community Housing sector and authored the 2016 Towards a National Housing Strategy, and helped to establish the Everybody’s Home campaign. He also researches the interface between poverty and climate change and actively supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He has worked with government at all levels and has experience of policy development and evaluation. He is co-author of Sustainable Places: Addressing Social Inequality and Environmental Crisis (2022, Routledge). In his spare time he plays and builds guitars.

ROHAN FEEGRADE

Rohan is an experienced and forward-thinking CEO, senior executive and board director with demonstrated expertise across the not-for-profit, private and government sectors. Currently CEO of Lutheran Care, he has proven record for creating substantial organisational, stakeholder and client value, and has extensive experience in strategically positioning organisations for transformational change and growth within the health, disability, education and community service sectors. Rohan is a socially responsible professional, genuinely passionate about creating opportunities for people who live with disadvantage and disability, always acting ethically to serve those he works with and for.

JANE MUSSARED

Jane has worked in for purpose and government health and human service settings throughout her career. In June 2024 she returned to SA and joined the Maggie Beer Foundation as CEO following 20 months based in Canberra as an Advisor to the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care. Previously she was Chief Executive of COTA SA and before that an executive of ACH Group. Jane served on a range of boards and committees prior to moving to Canberra, including the SACOSS Policy Council until 2022, as chair of the South Australian Circus Centre and as a non-Executive Director with the Maggie Beer Foundation.

NANCY PENNA

Nancy has than 30 years of experience in South Australian community services, and a a unique understanding of the political and social landscape and the issues and opportunities facing South Australia. Currently responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of AnglicareSA’s community services portfolio, she has previously held executive roles in government within child protection and disability, with her executive experience underpinned by her earlier career as a social worker in child protection and youth justice. She is also Chair of the Child and Family Focus South Australia (CAFFSA) Board and most recently on the Housing Security for Older Women Taskforce.

NICOLE CHAPLIN

Nicole is a dedicated and experienced youth support professional, specialising in solutions for disadvantaged young people in South Australia. As CEO of St John’s Youth Services, she oversees innovative programs like youth110 and Foyer Port Adelaide. With over thirty years in the community sector, Nicole has built extensive networks and her expertise spans governance, service delivery, policy development, and partnerships. Recognised with the 2018 AHI Inspirational Leader Award, Nicole is an active participant in housing and homelessness networks. She holds leadership roles in various organisations, including Anglicare Australia’s National Reconciliation Network.

EMMA CROSBY

Emma is a chartered Accountant with more than 15 years experience as a board member, finance and business professional, strategic advisor and company secretary. She has strong values and a passion for enabling and leading organisations to meet its operational and strategic direction through long-term financial sustainability, operational efficiency, innovation, leadership, transformation and partnerships. As Treasurer and Board member at SACOSS, she is committed to successfully leading and making a purposeful impact to the organisation and its stakeholders.

David PANTER

David has worked in health and social care for almost 45 years, over half of which has been as a Chief Executive. In the UK he initially worked in the NHS and more latterly in local government, where he was Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove City Council. In 2004 David was recruited to the South Australian public health system for over 10 years leading reforms including the development of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital. From 2015-2022 David was the Chief Executive of not-for-profit aged care provider ECH. At the end of January 2022 David became the Chief Executive at Minda, SA’s largest provider of services to people living with an intellectual disability.