The Supporting Communities Forum (Forum) is a critical advisory board to the WA Government, which supports the development of strong, collaborative relationships between Government and the community services sector to address complex challenges and emerging issues. The community services sector is a key Government partner in the delivery of services and a significant contributor to economic growth, employment and community wellbeing, particularly for vulnerable Western Australians.
In March 2024, a new two-year term of the Supporting Communities Forum was formally endorsed by Government, with its term ending on 31 December 2025.
More information on the Forum is provided in the sections below.
Meeting Schedule
Show more| Meeting dates | Deadline - Submissions due to Secretariat |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, 23 April 2024 | 5:00pm Friday, 12 April 2024 |
| Wednesday, 19 June 2024 | 5:00pm Wednesday, 5 June 2024 |
| Wednesday, 4 September 2024 | 5:00pm Wednesday, 21 August 2024 |
| Wednesday, 27 November 2024 | 5:00pm Wednesday, 13 November 2024 |
| Wednesday, 9 April 2025 | 5:00pm Wednesday, 26 March 2025 |
| Wednesday, 18 June 2025 | 5:00pm Wednesday, 4 June 2025 |
| Wednesday, 10 September 2025 | 5:00pm Wednesday, 27 August 2025 |
| Wednesday, 19 November 2025 | 5:00pm Wednesday, 5 November 2025 |
Submissions are to be emailed to the Supporting Communities Forum Secretariat at SCF@dpc.wa.gov.au.
Meeting papers will be circulated to Forum members a week before each meeting.
For more information or questions, please contact the Forum Secretariat at SCF@dpc.wa.gov.au
Communiques and Papers
Show moreCommunique and Meeting Notes are released following each quarterly meeting of the Supporting Communities Forum.
2024 Communiques
2024 Meeting Notes
Forum Priorities and Workplan
Show moreDuring its two-year term until 31 December 2025, the Supporting Communities Forum will advise and focus on three key work priorities, which are:
- Implementation of the National Principles in Child Safe Organisations
- Application of the Carers Recognition Act 2004 in Western Australia
- Implementation of the State Commissioning Strategy for Community Services
Additionally, and within the context of its Terms of Reference, the Forum will continue building on established relationships with the Aboriginal Advisory Council of WA (AACWA) and the Ministerial Multicultural Advisory Council, to advise on key policy reform initiatives and ensure the interests of Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse people and communities are appropriately addressed.
Working Groups
Show moreAll working groups established to deliver on a Forum priority are co-chaired by a community and Government sector member of the Supporting Communities Forum.
Forum working group membership comprises Forum members and co-opted participants. Co-opted participants may be asked to join as a working group member by the working group Co-Chairs, Forum Co-Chairs or members on a voluntary basis because of their specialist knowledge, skills and expertise relevant to a working group project.
Working groups will meet as required, and working group co-chairs will provide updates at each Forum meeting.
Priority 1: Implementation of the National Principles in Child Safe Organisations
The priority Terms of Reference (once finalised) will outline the objectives, questions and deliverables for the Child Safe Organisations Working Group to address.
Working Group Co-Chairs
Sandy McKiernan – CEO, Youth Council of WA (YACWA).
Dr. Shirley Bowen – Director General, Department of Health (until 29 July 2024).
Mike Rowe – Director General, Department of Communities (effective 30 July 2024).
Working Group Secretariat
Phillipa Wenn – Senior Policy Officer, Department of Communities.
Progress updates will be provided following each quarterly Forum. For more information, please contact the Supporting Communities Forum Secretariat at SCF@dpc.wa.gov.au.
Shaded names show current Supporting Communities Forum members, or representatives of current Supporting Communities Forum members.
Working Group Member | Organisation |
| Matt Fulton | WA Institute of Sport (WAIS) |
| Vicki-Tree Stephens | Youth Involvement Council Inc. |
| Dr. Pauline Roberts | Edith Cowan University |
| James Christian | Council of Aboriginal Services WA |
| Mark Glasson | Anglicare WA |
| Caron Irwin | Department of Communities |
| Audrey Lee | Department of Communities |
| Lexie Morton | Department of Health |
| Kait McNamara | Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries |
| Dawn Fitzgerald | Office of the Commissioner for Children and Young People |
| Dr Kelsie Prabawa-Sear | Nature Play WA |
| Chris Twomey | Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS) |
| Leanne Barron | Starick |
| Daniel Toher | Youth Focus |
| Troy Kirkham | SportWest |
| Lyn Millett | Australian Childhood Foundation |
| Tricia Murray | Consultant |
| Rowena Mouda | Ngunga Group Women’s Aboriginal Corporation, Derby Early Years Partnership |
| Laurel Sellers | Ngunga Group Women’s Aboriginal Corporation, Derby Early Years Partnership |
| Andrea Creado | Yorgum Healing Services |
| Dr. Rebecca Braham | Shooting Stars |
| Chris Kane | WA Primary Health Alliance |
| Kim Gates | Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA) |
Priority 2: Application of the Carers Recognition Act 2004 in Western Australia
The priority Terms of Reference (once finalised) will outline the key objectives, questions and deliverables for the Carers Working Group to address.
Working Group Co-Chairs
Jo Sadler – CEO, WANSLEA
Maureen Lewis – Commissioner, Mental Health Commission
Working Group Secretariat
Adelaide Follington – Principal Policy Officer, Women and Carers, Strategy and Partnerships, Department of Communities
Progress updates will be provided following each quarterly Forum. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact the Supporting Communities Forum Secretariat at SCF@dpc.wa.gov.au.
Shaded names show current Supporting Communities Forum members, or representatives of current Supporting Communities Forum members.
Working Group Member | Organisation |
| Wendy Rose | Kin Disability Advocacy |
| James Christian | Council of Aboriginal Services Western Australia (CASWA) |
| Tim Grey-Smith | Community Employers WA |
| Emma Jarvis | Palmerston Association |
| Kelda Opperman | Zonta House Refuge Association Inc. |
| Kylie Maj | Department of Justice |
| Caron Irwin | Department of Communities |
| Annie Young | Moorditj Koort |
| Richard Newman | Carers WA |
| Carrie Clark | Kiind |
Priority 3: Implementation of the State Commissioning Strategy for Community Services
Note: This priority of the Forum will be progressed by an existing cross-sector working group led by the Department of Finance and as part of implementing the Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy and State Commissioning Strategy for Community Services.
Progress updates will be provided at each quarterly Forum meeting. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact the Supporting Communities Forum Secretariat at SCF@dpc.wa.gov.au.
Current Forum Membership
Show moreThe Forum is Co-Chaired by Mr Dan Minchin, Chief Executive Officer of Chorus Australia Ltd., and Ms Lanie Chopping, Director General of the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. The Deputy Chairperson is Ms Sandy McKiernan, Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Affairs Council of WA.
Membership consists of 10 Directors General and Commissioners from Government agencies, and 16 senior leaders from the community services sector.
