#SIITR26 program
Who, where, what and when (2026)
. With so much impacting regional Australia this year it’s time to tackle the theme of change head on. Our theme this year will be ‘regions in transition’.
The theme will show up in our panels, through workshops and even in creative performances.
We look forward to seeing you in Stanthorpe QLD joining a conversation on transition and how it shows up in the regions.
Day 1: The system in transition
Regional Australia is not declining it is changing. And the nature of that change is complex, multidirectional, and often poorly understood by the systems designed to support communities through it. Day one is about facing that head on.
On day 1 we provide a learning space for regionally based changemakers and investors to come together and explore ways to create real and sustainable change in the regions.
Day 2: Transaction to transformation
Regional communities are rarely short of ideas or commitment. What’s harder to build are the underlying conditions that make sustained change possible: shared clarity, genuine connection, real capability, purposeful collaboration, and the confidence to advocate. Those conditions aren’t built in systems. They’re built in people.
Day 2 is about developing skills and networks to move your work in the regions forward.
Day 3: Choosing your focus
Today insight becomes action. It’s time to choose your focus, find your allies, and commit to the specific changes you’ll carry home.
Whether you’re working across a national network, driving change in one of the five focus areas, or needing space to integrate before the drive home, today is about leaving with something concrete.
We are currently curating a range of mini-summits enabling delegates to unpack their learning with like-minded cohorts. Delegates will create their own mini-summit or can join a curated one.
- 50+ Speakers
- Workshops
- Master Classes
- Pitchfest
- Social Events
Day 1 - Wednesday, 2nd September
Registration from 8am conference will commence at 9am sharp
Venue: Stanthorpe Civic Centre
09:00
Welcome to Country
Welcome
Official welcome from the Stanthorpe community
Official opening
Kerry Grace and Dr. Chad Renando
09:30
The story of the system. How transition is understood, funded and felt (Part 1)
The complexity of response
Responding to need in regional communities, particularly as things change isn’t simple pull one lever and three others move. This panel hears from government and philanthropy about the genuine difficulty of designing responses to change at scale, and what it takes to balance competing priorities, limited resources, and communities with very different needs.
Panel moderator: Benny Callaghan
Panellists:
- Fiona Maxwell, CEO, John Villiers Trust
- Meg Price, Head of Rural Horizons, FRRR
- (final speaker to be confirmed)
10:20
The story of the system. How transition is understood, funded and felt (Part 2)
On the ground
Communities spend enormous energy keeping the system fed. From the reporting to the acquittals, the applications, the compliance. This panel hears from practitioners about what regional transition actually feels like on the ground, and what would happen if that energy could be redirected toward the work itself.
Panel moderator: Benny Callaghan
Panellists:
- Jenny Briscoe-Hough, CEO, Tender Funerals;
- Angela Cochrane, CEO, The Future Care Project
- Dave Parker, National Director, Frontier Services
11:10
Morning Tea - Time for a short break
11:50
2026 Ready Communities National Regional Challenges
In May 2026 we asked people across Regional Australia to contribute to a series of National Regional Challenges.
The Challenges were influenced by our work in the Host community, Stanthorpe and then contributed to by changemakers, organisations and communities across the nation. In this workshop we’ll learn more about how each of the challenges show up in regional transition, this will lead us into our Impact Labs.
- Liveability: How does your region solve its own housing problem?
- Local economy: How does your region keep its money working locally? Ashley Watt, Why Leave Town.
- Cultural Practices: How does your region tell a story that belongs to everyone?
- Intergenerational connection: How do your region’s generations learn from each another to build something stronger?
- Sustainability: How does your region keep tourists coming even when the water is running low?
- Community contribution: How does your region keep its volunteer heart strong? Featuring Des Schroder from Grafton Jacaranda Festival.
12:40
Break for Lunch - experience a range of local produce and meet your SIITR26 community at this interactive lunch experience.
14:15
Impact labs
Join the lab that aligns with your work or passion.
In each lab we will discuss the context of the identified challenge and set a range of national targets which will be activated after SIITR26.
Liveability
How does your region solve its own housing problem?
Local Economy
How does your region keep its money working locally?
Community Contribution
How does your region keep its volunteer heart strong?
Cultural Practices
How does your region tell a story that belongs to everyone?
Intergenerational Connection
How do your region's generations learn from each another to build something stronger?
Sustainability
How does your region keep tourists coming even when the water is running low?
16:00
Afternoon tea
16:30
SIITR National Pitchfest
The SIITR National Pitchfest is a popular feature of the annual SIITR event schedule.
At SIITR26 the Pitchfest will feature one pitchee from each of our National Regional Challenges.
18:00
Welcome event
Networking time
Join us for canapes and a cool drink, network with colleagues and unpack day one.
VENUE: Stanthorpe Civic Centre (our main conference venue)
Entertainment at our welcome event will be provided by local artists Nine Year Sister. And a special surprise local collaboration.
Day 2 - Thursday, 3rd September
Registration from 8am conference will commence at 9am sharp
09:00
Welcome to Day 2
09:15
Beyond silver bullets
How change really lands in the regions
Social enterprise – community foundation – co-operative – community ownership…Any idea has potential to create lasting change in the regions. But it’s not magic. Learn from practitioners what it’s really like on the ground.
Panellists:
Claire Torkington, Ability Enterprises
Ashley Watt, Why Leave Town
10:20
Infrastructure for change
Infrastructure for change
What are the structures that support change in regional communities? Explore some of the most effective across the regions.
Panel moderator:
Zoe Eather, Futurist
Panellists:
Lou Conway, CEO, Country Universities Centre
Annabel Cussen, Community Foundations Australia
Louise Judge, Chinchilla Community Centre
11:20
Morning Tea
12:00
Mystery tours and 'working' lunch
We are hitting the road. This year our breakout sessions are delivered across two sessions. We can now announce this super exciting component of the event.
At this point the delegation will split into two groups, and then rotate. Both will experience Part 1 and Part 2.
Granite Belt Tour - Group 1
We are very excited to announce that our delegates will travel on the Southern Downs Explorer - yes! A steam train. To continue workshops on board the train from Stanthorpe to Ballandean.
Group 1 will eat lunch on the train and on arrival at the station will be whisked away to a Ballandean based vineyard where they will join Group 2 for their chosen workshop.
The group will then be bused back to Stanthorpe arriving at the Civic Centre at approx. 430pm.
Granite Belt Tour - Group 2
Group 2 will be bused to Ballandean and will have lunch at one of several local venues. They will then take the bus to local vineyards where they will be met by Group 1. Following the workshops they will board the Southern Downs Explorer and return to Stanthorpe.
HOW EXCITING IS THIS!!!!
13:30
Breakout Sessions (everyone together)
Sustaining the change
Learn from others who are creating change in the regions. You will have your choice of one workshop - difficult, we know. In 2026 we will do our best to record all workshops and make connecting with the speakers easier via a day 3 networking session.
Systems and place based change
Place-based change is a popular conversation of the moment. But what is it really? How does it work? And how can it apply to your community?
Data for social impact
Impact measurement, data, grant writing, business planning - all tools required in the humble changemakers toolkit. Where do you start? This workshop will introduce you to a range of people who provide information, advice and support for regional practitioners. Bring along your best questions and move into action mode.
Funding social impact
Grants are not the only way to fund social change. But what else is there and how does it work? Join this workshop to learn more about ESG, philanthropy and community foundations.
Engaging key stakeholders
Big shift doesn't happen by accident. It takes great comms, a lot of tenacity and a little bit of magic. But what can you, as a changemaker do to get connected and to not only make, but maintain key networks to drive the change you'd like to create?
News from the bush
With more and more newspapers folding how can we get the message out from the regions? Join our panel to hear some creative ideas, and learn more about what you can do to get your message across.
Creative change
As regions undergo economic and social transition, artists and creative practitioners are playing a growing role in shaping community identity, resilience, and renewal. This workshop draws on real-world case studies to explore how creative industries can drive meaningful change in places navigating significant shifts.
Sustaining the change
We've all seen it - that magic moment when the right stakeholders are around the table, everyone is on the same page about the shift. Resources are flowing and the collaboration is happening. But then, it suddenly disappears. What does it take to sustain change?
1500
Return to Stanthorpe
Return to Stanthorope in allocated groups
18:00
Conference Gala Dinner - Abracadbra
Transport from Stanthorpe provided
Our 2026 dinner theme was chosen by last year’s best dressed Leonie Pankhurst and Renee King.
ABRCADABRA.
Long before it was a magic trick, abracadabra meant something far more powerful I will create as I speak. The idea that what we name, we can build. That saying something out loud is the first act of making it real.
You’ve spent two days sitting with some hard truths about transition in regional Australia. Tonight we ask: what if you could magic the transition you want? What if the change your community needs is already in the room, waiting to be named?
Come dressed as the magic you believe in. Come as the change you’re calling into being. Come ready to say it out loud because that’s where it starts.
What will you create as you speak?
22:30
Home time
Day 3 - Friday, 4th September
Registration from 830am, conference will commence at 910am sharp
09:30
Welcome
On day 3 we will welcome a broader local cohort. Our program, hosted by and at Stanthorpe State High School will expand to incorporate a range of mini-summits and focused workshops across our National Regional Challenge themes.
Delegates may also choose wellness activities (yes, this includes local vineyard visits) at different points through the day.
10:00
Networking
Facilitated networking session
10:45
Forums
We have designed a range of forums to enable likeminded cohorts to come together, make the most of the skills in the room and to unpack the SIITR26 learning in an actionable way. Planned forums include:
- Youth
- Economic development
- Place-based research
- Place-based practice
11:30
Morning Tea
Continue Forums
12:30
Lunch break
Continue Forums
