More than 280 educators come together to inspire practice development

“The education we offer our workforce today becomes the care we deliver tomorrow.”

This was the call to renewed reflection and commitment to our roles as educators from keynote speaker Shibs Sharpe at the Collaborative Centre's Workforce Development Forum, The Learning Workforce: Inspiring Practice Development in Mental Health.

Last week, more than 280 mental health and wellbeing educators from across Victoria, representing public mental health services, community organisations, government, research and Lived and Living Experience workforces, gathered to share ideas, build connections and explore the role education plays in supporting meaningful reform.

The forum highlighted the critical role educators play in shaping workforce culture, supporting practice change and building the capabilities needed for Victoria's future mental health and wellbeing system. Feedback reflected the value of creating a dedicated space for educators to come together, with one attendee describing it as

“The standard of presenters was incredible. Such a valuable event for educators to gather from across Victoria.”

Another participant described the day as

“a hopeful event, good energy. Focused on strengths not deficits.”

A highlight of the day was the keynote presentation from Shiobhan "Shibs" Sharpe, Acting Deputy Director, Consumer Lived Experience (RMH MHS) and Consumer Academic (Centre for Mental Health Nursing, University of Melbourne). Shibs is a proud Wulgurukaba and Gunggandji woman from Far North Queensland whose reflections on decolonising learning, culture and systems change resonated strongly with participants.

Feedback highlighted the impact of her keynote, with one attendee reflecting that "decolonising learning is incredibly important and possible" and describing how they left the forum with "hope and connection" and feeling inspired to continue learning and growing.

The day featured a range of practical and thought-provoking sessions focused on educator capability, evaluation, cultural responsiveness, storytelling, leadership and learning design. Sessions encouraged participants to consider how learning environments can support inclusion, challenge traditional approaches and strengthen workforce capability across the sector.

One participant highlighted the practical value of the Leading Without Authority session, saying it provided "a language and a map to a lot of disjointed things I instinctively knew."

The Collaborative Centre was also pleased to offer a dedicated sensory room throughout the day, which was exceptionally well received and provided a welcoming space for participants to pause, reflect and recharge.

A special thank you to the Collaborative Centre team who worked behind the scenes to make the forum possible. From program development and speaker engagement to logistics, communications and on-the-day delivery, the event was a true team effort. Their dedication, professionalism and attention to detail helped create a welcoming and engaging experience for attendees, speakers and partners alike.

We are grateful to everyone who attended, presented and contributed to making the forum such a successful day of learning, connection and inspiration, and look forward to continuing to support and strengthen the mental health and wellbeing educator workforce across Victoria.

Shiobhan "Shibs" Sharpe, Social and Emotional Wellbeing Consumer Lived Experience Lead (RMH MHS) and Consumer Academic (Centre for Mental Health Nursing, University of Melbourne). Credit: Matt Hrkac Photography.