Are registration and associated costs prohibiting you from attending the WACOSS Conference 2025? We understand that not everyone can afford to attend and the costs are particularly high for regional delegates.
We feel that is imperative that people directly affected by the issues discussed at the WACOSS Conference 2025 are in the room and contributing to the conversations both as panellists and participants. A rich and robust dialogue can only be achieved this way.
Applications for subsidies close at 4:00pm, Friday 11 April 2025. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis considering funding available and the number of applicants.
In recognition of the higher travel and accommodation costs faced by people from regional Western Australia to attend events in Perth, WACOSS is administering a Regional Support Subsidy to support the participation from regional Western Australia at the 2025 WACOSS Conference. This subsidy is only available if you register for the Full Registration (i.e. 2.5 days). You will not be reimbursed if you do not attend the Conference or register for a day registration. Please keep your receipts in order to be eligible for reimbursement.
This subsidy is available for small Community Sector organisations to provide subsidised registration to the staff of community sector organisations that are unfunded and or staffed solely by volunteers. This subsidy is only available if you register for the Full Registration (i.e. 2.5 days). You will not be reimbursed if you do not attend the Conference or register for a day registration. Please keep your receipts in order to be eligible for reimbursement.
WACOSS has established a bursary to support people who are out of regular paid work and / or receiving income support to attend the 2025 WACOSS Conference. This subsidy, once approved, will be applied up front. The approved applicant will need to pay $30 registration fee only (the difference of student rate).
Ngala kaaditj Noongar Wadjuk moort keyen kaadak nidja boodja – in the spirit of deepening relationship, we acknowledge Wadjuk Noongar people as the original custodians of the land our office is located. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Western Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past and present.
Australian award-winning patented inventor, Stefan Prandl is a thought leader in network cyber security. His previous speaking appearances range from international cyber conferences such as BlackHat Las Vegas to local Perth events like Cyber West and B-sides.
The Founder and current Chief Technology Officer at his network cyber security company, Hyprfire, his discovery of the Power Laws has been the foundation for Hyprfire’s network security solution, Firebug.
With 8 years teaching as a Curtin University Associate lecturer on computer sciences, he has since led workshops and demonstrations on the current state of cyber related topics. An active member of WA based cyber events, his efforts to grow local talent include sponsorship of Student of Cyber and Bsides, locally run events aimed at assisting interested students in the IT space. You can find his published cyber security papers are publicly available, as well as his podcast appearances.
Described by The Guardian as ‘the World’s First Minister for the Unborn’ and by The New Statesman as leading a Welsh plot to save the world, between 2016 and 2023 Sophie Howe was the first Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, the only role of its kind in the world. She held the Government to account on how their decisions affect future generations, influencing major policy reforms across Wales and has been a significant voice in other countries following suit including the United Nations who passed the world’s first Declaration on Future Generations in Sept 2024.
She now advises other countries and corporates on implementing long term governance, is a Future Governance Adviser at the School of International Futures, a Global Ambassador for the Wellbeing Economy Alliance and holds a number of Board and Academic advisory roles on human and planetary wellbeing.
Named as one of the UK’s Top 100 Changemakers and at number 5 in the BBC Women’s Power List, she is not afraid to call out the madness of short term decision making and is known for being a straight talking and inspirational advocate for those yet to be born.
Sisonke Msimang is the author of Always Another Country: A memoir of Exile and Home (Text, 2018). She is a South African writer, living in Perth, whose work focuses on gender, race, social justice and democracy.
Sisonke has been published in a range of publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Newsweek and Al Jazeera. She has also held fellowships at Yale University, the Aspen Institute, and she was the Ruth First Fellow at the University of Witswatersrand in Johannesburg in 2014.
Sisonke is currently based at the Centre for Stories, where she heads up the Oral Storytelling programme. She has stories with The Moth, and Porchlight, and given a TED talk on Storytelling, which was released in 2017.
Prior to turning her attention to writing and storytelling, Sisonke was the Executive Director of the South Africa operations of the Soros Foundations (known as the Open Society Foundations). In this capacity, Sisonke oversaw a team of one hundred professional staff, working across ten countries and managing four offices with an annual operating budget of $50 million (USD).
Before this Sisonke worked for the United Nations – based first in Pretoria, then managing a global programme in New York, and finally providing technical support on gender issues in the East and Southern Africa regional office of the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
Hot and dry – December to January
Hot with easterly winds – February to March
Cool and enjoyable – April to May
Wet and cold – June to July
Cold with less rain – August to September
Warming as the rains finish – October to November
2024 – Acrylic on canvas
Aligning with the theme of the 2025 WACOSS Conference, Innovating Together: Leaving No One Behind, Millie Penny depicts the heart of the Six Noongar Seasons into this vibrant canvas. Each hue reflects the unique life of its corresponding season and celebrates the deep connection between the Aboriginal People and the Land.
This painting honours the foundation of Noongar culture: the Six Seasons serve as a timeless anchor amid the ebb and flow of life – politics, policies, and values may shift, but seasons remain steadfast. Intricately woven through are the vital journeys Noongar people have undertaken for more than 65,000 years, and the important gatherings, listening and nurturing of relationships to ensure strong culture, land and heart.
They have drawn sustenance and wisdom from the cyclical rhythm. The Six Seasons are a life-giving force. A reminder of resilience and continuity that will endure long after we are gone.
As Millie’s first exploration into the Six Noongar Seasons, this work is a profound gift to WACOSS and to the conference, inviting us to reflect on our shared journey and commitment to growth.
Millie sought support from her grand-niece, Chloe Calyon, a talented artist in her own right, who contributed to the painting, design and symbols in this piece.
Hot and dry – December to January
Hot with easterly winds – February to March
Cool and enjoyable – April to May
Wet and cold – June to July
Cold with less rain – August to September
Warming as the rains finish – October to November