All In The Mind
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Sunday 24th May 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cardinia Cultural Centre
Registration is free of charge
Spaces are limited
** Please cancel your booking if you cannot attend **
Keynote Speaker
Craig Hamilton
One of Australia’s leading Mental Health Speakers
After being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in 2000,
Craig has travelled Australia as a speaker
In 2005 he became a Beyond Blue Ambassador
Craig has travelled Australia as a speaker
In 2005 he became a Beyond Blue Ambassador
Mental Health Advocate, Keynote Speaker and Author After being diagnosed withdepression and bipolar disorder in 2000 Craig has become one of Australia’s most high profile and sought-after speakers.
Craig covers topics on Mental Health Awareness, Lifestyle, Overcoming Adversity and creating a sustainable Work/Life Balance in his Keynotes.
He has made over 400 appearances around Australia as a Mental Health Speaker.
Craig’s journey with mental illness began in 2000 when, as a high-profile Sports Broadcaster for ABC Radio and on the eve of his most important career assignment,working on the Sydney Olympic Games, he experienced a major psychotic episode in public.
This that led to him being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Craig spent 12 days in hospital and once he recovered, set out to create awareness around mental health andto help break down the stigma that surround those that suffer from mental illness.
Today Craig leads a very busy and fulfilling life. He continues to follow his passion as a speaker and advocate in the mental health and wellbeing space. He has written two books, “Broken Open” and “A Better Life”.
In 2024 Craig’s story was turned into a documentary titled “The Promise” and available on Stan.
The Promise includes insights from leading researchers, experts, and notable Australianfigures to spark conversations and provoke thought around the critical issue of mental
health and suicide prevention.
In sharing his story and experiences Craig offers hope to others.
Discussion Panel
Craig Hamilton
Dr Dan
Dr Dan
Vanessa Wylie
Judy Hope
Session Speakers
Simon Flemming
BeyondBlue - A Lived Experience
Simon Flemming is a semi-retired father of three who has spent a great deal of his adult life studying the human condition through various channels to expand his personal knowledge, and to gain a better understanding of his own experience with anxiety and depression.
He is also involved with various social justice and community building groups.
Simon is a volunteer speaker for Beyond Blue, a national organisation that works to raise awareness about anxiety and depression, reduce the associated stigma and encourage people to get help.
He became a Beyond Blue speaker to share his lived experience with audiences as part of his commitment to encourage and offer hope to those whose lives have been affected by mental health conditions.
Simon’s interests include psychology, social justice, gardening, exploring nature, performing music with his band, classic motor vehicles, and enjoying quality time with family and friends.
Vanessa Wylie
Loneliness in Later Life:
Recognising It and Responding Well
Vanessa Wylie is a counsellor and relationship therapist. Her work focuses on connection, relationships, and mental health across the lifespan, including supporting older adults navigating loneliness, grief and major life transitions.
She has contributed to university-based research and well-being initiatives in aged care, with a particular interest in how connection, purpose and community protect mental health in later life. Vanessa brings a thoughtful, practical and evidence-informed perspective to conversations about reducing isolation and strengthening belonging in older adults and their families.
Dr Eleni Kavaliotis
From Tired to Thriving:
Practical Strategies to Unlock a Better Night’s Sleep
Brief biography: Dr Eleni Kavaliotis is a Research Fellow in the Sleep, Cognition, and Mood Laboratory at Monash University and a registered Psychologist at Emerald Psychology Practice. Her research focuses on developing and implementing accessible, evidence-informed sleep treatments that enhance cognitive, emotional, and functional outcomes across a range of health contexts. She currently leads a project designing a digital sleep program to improve access to preventive sleep health support for people living with cognitive impairment and their care partners.
Clinically, Eleni works with individuals across the lifespan experiencing a range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, insomnia, eating and body image issues, and adjustment to life changes or health conditions. She also uses her specialised training in sleep and circadian rhythm disorders to support sleep and mental health in the community. Eleni is committed to bridging the gap between scientific research and real-world practice to help individuals achieve better sleep and, in turn, better mental health.
Judy Hope
When medication is useful,
and when it's not
Associate Professor Judy Hope is a psychiatrist and researcher with expertise in mental health services. She is committed to research that underpins high quality service delivery and person centred psychopharmacological care. She is author of over 70 publications, including co-author of the NPS Antidepressant Switching guide and Antipsychotic Switching tool. Professor Hope’s psychopharmacology teaching has spanned all levels of medical education from local Universities to national forums.
Clinically, she has extensive experience across public and private settings and is recognised for her work with complex presentations. Prof Hope is Deputy Director of the Centre for Mental Health Education and Research at Delmont Hospital, heads the Mental Health Research Program at Eastern Health, and serves as a Deputy Editor of Australasian Psychiatry. For her commitment to her local community, she has been awarded a Whitehorse Volunteer Award and a Rotary Paul Harris Award.
Dassi Erlich
In Conversation:
Trauma, Survival and Rebuilding a Life
Dassi Erlich is an author, advocate and public speaker. Her story became widely known through the documentary "Surviving Malka Leifer", which follows the years-long legal process to extradite her former school principal from Israel to Australia to face charges relating to child sexual abuse.
Since then, Dassi has spoken publicly about the realities of trauma, the long path through the justice system, and the personal work involved in rebuilding a life after abuse. Her book 'in bad faith' reflects on these experiences, exploring memory, survival, identity and the complex process of healing.
Alongside her writing and advocacy, Dassi is the Program Director at Pathways Melbourne, contributing to programs that aim to strengthen safety and support for vulnerable young people in the community.
Lisa Palmer
Trauma and Recovery
Clinical Social Worker
Keystone Counselling & Consulting
Lisa is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) and Supervisor with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), and Clinical Counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association. She has a Masters of Social Work, B. Social Science (Counselling and Mediation) and post Grad in Child, Adolescent & Family Mental Health.
She currently works in private practice and is the owner of Keystone Counselling and Consulting. For the past 23 years she has worked as a clinician providing counselling and treatment intervention for children, adolescents and adults with a range of mental health presentations with a special interest in treating trauma.
Nikki Burgess
'Beyond Words:
How Play Heals Trauma
and
Nurtures Childhood Wellbeing
'With over 30 years of experience working alongside children and families across Australia and New Zealand, Nikki brings a wealth of knowledge, compassion, and dedication to her practice.
Nikki is a registered counsellor with specialist training across a broad range of therapeutic modalities, including early childhood education, play therapy, filial therapy, Interplay (family) play therapy, and Synergetic Play Therapy. She is currently deepening her practice through the study of Jungian-based Sandplay Therapy.
When she's not in the therapy room, Nikki is at home with her four wonderful children, a devoted partner, and a characterful Kelpie who keeps life interesting.
Inga Moine & Felicia Huijbregts
Understanding Men's Mental Health
Inga Moine
A registered counsellor with more than a decade of experience across the community sector, including a strong focus on mental health, counselling, and psychosocial support, Inga brings a holistic and culturally aware approach to her work. Originally from Belgium, and having also lived in Singapore and Malaysia, she brings strong cultural awareness, adaptability, and an inclusive perspective to the way she supports others. Her work across a range of community settings has also given her a deep understanding of the challenges people face when navigating complex systems.
Currently in her final year of the Master of Social Work at RMIT University, Inga is passionate about trauma-informed practice, social justice, and addressing systemic gaps in support, particularly for men. Known for the passion, compassion, and authenticity she brings to her work, she is deeply driven to create and advocate for spaces where people feel safe, respected, and supported. Her work is grounded in reducing isolation, challenging stigma, and strengthening connection within the community.
Inga is also the co-founder of The Men’s Hub in Boronia, a community program developed in partnership with the Rotary Club of Boronia, where she helps create a safe, welcoming, and judgment-free space for men aged 18+ to connect, talk openly, and access support. She is deeply committed to closing service gaps and strengthening community-led mental health support.
Felecia Huijbregts
A registered nurse with 25 years of broad clinical experience, including 10 years specialising in mental health, Felecia has extensive expertise in behaviours of concern and the implementation of positive behaviour support strategies.
Known for her kindness and compassion, Felecia believes that offering unconditional support and truly being present is central to helping people discover who they are. She combines her clinical insight with a strong commitment to person-centred care, aiming to create meaningful change and promote long-term wellbeing for individuals with complex behavioural needs.
Felecia is also the co-founder of The Men’s Hub, where she brings her experience and passion to creating a safe, supportive space for men to connect and access the help they need.
Dr Dan
Dr Dan is a specialist with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, having graduated with Honors from Monash University.
As a practice owner, he is deeply committed to ensuring positive patient outcomes. For over 25 years, Dr Dan has been involved with Monash University and the education of Medical Students, providing an engaging experience in medicine. We now do in practice research to improve patient outcomes which is our focus with medical education.
Dr Dan's practice is an RACGP Accredited Training Practice enabling training, supervision and mentoring of FRACGP Registrars. This allows him to foster passionate and well skilled general practitioners.
He has had the privilege of working with the EMPHN on multiple projects, both in the past and present. These include Covid testing, Embedding Eye Health Preventative Care into Primary Care, Improving CST Screening in General Practice and the Fracture and Stone Diversion Pathways.
Dr Dan is also part of the EMPHN CareSynergy Project, the EMPHN Audit and Feedback Project and the South Eastern Public Health Unit Regional Expert Advisory Group in Monash Health.
Additionally, Dr Dan serves on the subcommittee of the Eastern Palliative Care Clinical Governance Committee.
In 2025 he was awarded the Rotary Club of Monbulk and District Australia Day 2025 Citizenship and Community Service Award. Something he is very proud of. Dr Dan is passionate about all facets of general practice and about improving patient and population outcomes.
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Thank You to our Sponsors
The Emerald Psychology Practice is an established community based Psychology and Counselling service with clinics in Emerald and Rowville. We provide comprehensive therapeutic services in a safe and comfortable environment. We work with children, adolescents, couples and families. Our Psychologists and Counsellors have a range of skills and expertise so you can be sure that we can support your mental health needs. The Emerald Psychology Practice promotes and values a respectful and client-centered approach and understands the challenges people face when experiencing everyday struggles.
We specialise in large scale apartment developments and commercial projects such as aged care facilities, shopping centres and schools. Our complete package services allow us to implement and manage entire development projects from start to end, providing a full service partnership for developers and builders.
Our business focus is to employ and support quality people who will grow with our business, ensuring genuine personalisation of service to ensure we meet and exceed our clients expectations on every project.
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