VCOSS Community Sector Summit

Reimagine what’s possible

Thank you for joining us at the VCOSS Community Sector Summit at Melbourne Town Hall. This page will help you with the logistics of the day.

8.45am Registration – early arrival recommended
9.30am Welcome
Introduction from MC Wren Rapture and Welcome to Country with Perry Wandin.
9.40am Opening remarks from Juanita Pope and HESTA.
10am A vision for Victoria
Hear directly from our major political leaders on their vision for the future of Victoria and its communities, as well as the people and organisations that support them.
Hon. Jacinta Allan MP in conversation with Juanita Pope.
Brad Battin MP in conversation with Juanita Pope.
11am Morning tea
11.20am Purpose, power and hope in uncertain times
A panel discussion exploring the big issues, current debates and emerging trends facing Victoria's community sector, and how we can make sure we're working together to best meet the needs of the people and communities at the heart of our collective work.
Dr Alison Roberts, Sarah Davies AM, Dr Jill Gallagher AO, Ahmed Hassan OAM and Margherita Coppolino, facilitated by Prof Jo Barraket AM.
12.30pm The politics of empathy
Two of Victoria's leading commentators on demographic trends and public communications share their analysis on the key issues and battlegrounds for next year’s state election.
Kos Samaras and Tony Barry in conversation with Deborah Fewster.
1.10pm Lunch
2pm Manifesting our future
Join with colleagues across four sector-spanning streams to workshop what we want to see and how we’ll influence system change towards a Victoria free of poverty and disadvantage.
  • Equity across generations, geographies and genders with Bill Mithen
  • Trust, safety and community cohesion with Ilo Diaz
  • Essentials for everyone with Erin Turner
  • An innovative, well-resourced community sector with Noel Lim
3.40pm Afternoon break
4pm Let's get s*** done
Be inspired by Wren Rapture, then get down to business on advocacy strategies and tactics.
4.45pm Are you ready for it…?
What comes next with Juanita Pope and a special closing performance.

We’re hoping to get a diversity of thought in each breakout, so the session you are assigned to may not be the one that is most closely aligned to your job or organisation. Your breakout session is listed on your name badge. The locations of each breakout are:

Hoddle Room: Trust, safety and community cohesion with Ilo Diaz
Condell Room: Essentials for everyone with Erin Turner
Main Hall: Equity across generations, geographies and genders with Bill Mathen
Collins Room: An innovative, well-resourced community sector with Noel Lim


During parts of the event, you’ll have an opportunity to ask questions to some of our panelists.

Ask a question to Hon. Jacinta Allan MP

Ask a question to Brad Battin MP

Ask a question to Kos or Tony

A quiet room is available to anyone who needs to step away from the Summit temporarily. The quiet room is located near the top of the main entrance, where the staircase ends. Please ask a VCOSS staff member if you need help to access it.

VCOSS acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country, and we pay respect to Elders and Ancestors. Our business is conducted on sovereign, unceded Aboriginal land. The VCOSS offices are located on Wurundjeri Woiwurrung land in central Naarm.