#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 offer three ways to participate in today’s program: Wellness activities, focus area themed workshops or your own mini-summit.Â
- 50+ Speakers
- Workshops
- Master Classes
- Pitchfest
- Social Events
Day 1 - Wednesday, 2nd September
Registration from 8am conference will commence at 9am sharp
08:45
Welcome to Country
Welcome
Official welcome from the Stanthorpe community
Official opening
SIITR26 Advisory Team member
09:40
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.
10:25
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.
11:10
Morning Tea - Time for a short break
11:40
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?Â
- 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?
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.
Entertainment at our welcome event will be provided by local artists Nine Year Sister.
Day 2 - Thursday, 3rd September
Registration from 8am conference will commence at 9am sharp
09:00
Welcome to Day 2
09:15
The human side of change (Part 1)
The complexity of response
Those who fund and design support for regional communities carry a genuine responsibility and a genuine challenge. How do you invest in people and places in ways that build something lasting rather than something dependent? This panel hears from funders and system custodians about what it takes to support regional communities through change in ways that go beyond the transactional.
10:20
The human side of change (Part 2)
From the ground
Community workers and practitioners spend enormous energy keeping the system fed while trying to do the work that actually matters. This panel hears from people working directly with regional communities about what genuine, non-transactional support looks like in practice and what becomes possible when it exists.
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. You will have some choices to make and more information will be provided via email to ticket holders (some SIITR news just has to stay in house).
Mystery tour - Part 1
Get ready for an adventure through the Granite Belt. Where to? Delegates will find out first via email.
13:30
Breakout Sessions (everyone together)
Learn from others who are working and investing in regional communities.
Systems and place based change
Featuring three speakers to be announced
The business of social impact
Featuring three speakers to be announced
Funding social impact
Featuring three speakers to be announced
1500
Mystery tours (Round 2)
Mystery tour – Part 2
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
Choice of three streams
Stream 1: Wellness activities
Stream 2: Mini-summits
Stream 3: Focus area streams
- Sustainability
- Cultural practices
- Liveability
- Community contribution
- Intergenerational connection
- Local economy
11:30
Morning Tea
Continue streams
12:30
Lunch break
Continue streams
