The Sector to host new ECEC Workforce and Wellbeing Forum as event focus broadens

The Sector, Australia’s largest early childhood education and care (ECEC) publishing platform, has confirmed it will host its inaugural ECEC Workforce and Wellbeing Forum, the second event in its Connect+ series, in Melbourne on 17 July 2025. 

This intimate and fully curated full-day gathering will bring together ECEC professionals from across a wide range of settings, including those operating in not-for-profit and community spaces, respected policy voices and seasoned leaders, to share their experience, knowledge and insights on topics focused on workforce and wellbeing. 

“As the early learning sector’s most trusted news voice we are repeatedly exposed to stories and anecdotes that profile the workforce and wellbeing challenges and successes currently playing out at organisations across the country,” said Jason Roberts, Founder and CEO of Sector Publishing.

“Against that backdrop, we felt it would be incredibly valuable to convene a gathering that not only unpacks some of the most pressing issues unfolding in the sector, but also provides an opportunity to uncover and explore what best practice looks like and to celebrate the very real successes already occurring.”

“We are pleased to be partnering with two of the country’s leading advocates and drivers of early learning excellence, namely the Department of Education Victoria and Goodstart Early Learning, and we are also grateful for the unwavering support of our key moderators Anthony Semann and Catharine Hydon, all of whom will be playing important roles on the day.” 

Focussing on issues that matter to leaders and professionals active in the ECEC space

Scheduled to be held on Thursday 17 July 2025 in the Bourke Room at The Hotel Windsor in Melbourne, the ECEC Workforce and Wellbeing Forum will provide attendees with access to some of Australia’s leading voices in a comfortable, non-corporate setting. 

Built around four themed sessions, each hosted by a respected sector leader and supported by experienced panellists, every session will include an extended Q&A session, ensuring delegates can engage deeply with the content and speakers while gaining insights that support a deeper understanding of workforce and wellbeing issues.

“We have worked hard to position the event in a way that will cater for the needs of an audience that is hungry for insights to better improve their understanding of managing workforce and wellbeing priorities in their organisations,” Mr Roberts added. 

“For example, we often field questions from our readers such as: “What does best practice look like when designing team wellbeing programs?”, “How can organisations not just attract talent but retain it?” and “What’s happening with the worker retention payment, will it be extended?” 

“These are just a few examples of the questions we will be exploring on what is set to be a fantastic day.”

A jam-packed program anchored by some of ECEC’s most important voices 

With an enviable network of trusted partners across the ECEC sector and growing experience in delivering high-quality events, The Sector has leveraged its strengths to create a program and team of participants that will facilitate a first-class experience for all attendees. 

Session 1: ECEC Workforce Policy Environment – Exploring the past, present and future

Hosted by Jason Roberts, Founder and CEO of Sector Publishing, the opening session will explore how ECEC workforce policy is evolving towards a more educator-centric mix of legislation. It will also cover key areas such as Tuition Fee-Free TAFE, skilled migration pathways and how the ECEC landscape might develop during Labor’s second term. 

Session 2: Educator Wellbeing – The power of wellbeing programs in ECEC settings

Hosted by Anthony Semann, founding partner of Semann and Slattery, the second session will feature early learning providers with proven track records in delivering leading team wellbeing programs. Anthony’s deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in this area will ensure a discussion that informs and empowers.

Session 3: Attraction and Retention – How do you build, and keep, your dream team

Hosted by Catharine Hydon of Hydon Consulting, this session will delve into the mechanics of building and retaining a dream team. Topics will include workplace culture, recruitment strategies, capability alignment, expectation setting and how to approach challenging conversations. Catharine’s extensive sector experience will ensure no stone is left unturned.

Session 4: Fireside Chat – In conversation with an ECEC champion – Myra Geddes

To wrap up the forum, Fiona Alston, The Sector’s editor, will sit down with Myra Geddes, the founding Social Impact General Manager at Goodstart Early Learning. Myra, who is also a qualified teacher and former senior policy adviser at both state and federal levels, will share her leadership journey, reflections and views on where the ECEC sector is headed.

The forum will conclude with networking drinks hosted by The Sector, giving attendees the opportunity to exchange ideas, deepen professional relationships and continue the conversation beyond the day’s sessions.

To learn more about the forum, click here.

To register, click here or contact Anna Boshell at [email protected]