Attendees at the SEWB State Gathering. Image: QAIHC
Culture was front and centre at the QAIHC Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) State Gathering 2025 in June, with SEWB workforce coming together to celebrate the role of culture in keeping mob strong, connected, and supported.
Held from 17-18 June at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Brisbane, the event, themed Yarning to Heal, provided an opportunity for people working in SEWB to share, connect and strengthen their response to mental health in their communities.
The keynote address was provided by Professor Pat Dudgeon and Tegan Schefe, both from the University of Western Australia (UWA), who gave insightful and engaging presentations on the grounding of SEWB principles to Indigenous mental health and wellbeing. Professor Dudgeon also talked about the model of place-based trials in Western Australia, which focused on community-led models and matching workforce models.
The event’s Master of Ceremonies was Cairns Regional Councillor Trevor Tim who helped guide discussions across the two days. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from a variety of frontline services, with the threads of culture and trust as key success factors.
QAIHC Social Health Programs Manager Tiana Lea said the event had been “healing.”
“The Gathering has felt like a group hug for the soul,” she said.
“Yes, we have our challenges in Community but coming together in this space strengthens us to go back with motivation, resources, and words that have been so generously shared throughout the gathering.
“Community must lead the way for our mob. Everyone at the Gathering has show how they are doing exactly that.”
