Stepping Stones Cairns - Family Drug Support
2026-08-01 09:30 - 2026-08-09 16:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | Cairns Cruising Yacht Squardron, 42-48 Tingira St, Cairns City, QLD, 4870, Australia
Click here to view download flyer.

Australian Winter School 2026 - Risky Business: IYKYK
2026-08-19 - 2026-08-21 | Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Southbank, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
About Winter School

The Australian Winter School has built a reputation over more than 30 years for delivering a high quality program of the latest developments in emerging issues and the latest developments in harm reduction and the treatment of alcohol and other drug (AOD) related problems.
This national forum supports workers, clinicians and policy makers in the sector to develop skills and knowledge in responding to and treating alcohol and drug-related issues.
The conference is run over three days and features pre-conference workshops, keynote speakers, breakout presentations and panel discussions to explore ideas and provide delegates with the tips, tools and solutions to:
• build capacity around implementing evidence informed practice
• examine the key components of successful and effective alcohol and other drugs harm reduction and treatment interventions
• develop an understanding of the latest innovations, good practice and continuous improvement
• discuss ways to influence policy and the important role of research and evaluation
Presentations address practice, policy and treatment areas, as well as population trends, early intervention and prevention and the issue of co-morbidity. The content provides professional development for alcohol and other drug workers, clinicians and policy makers to support their knowledge and understanding of contemporary practice.
The theme for the 2026 Australian Winter School AOD Conference is ‘Risky Business: IYKYK’.
Picking up on the current vibe of 90’s nostalgia, we are highlighting the inherently risky business of the AOD sector across research, policy, treatment and harm reduction relating to alcohol and other drugs (if you know, you know).
​With a focus on innovative practice and new ideas, the conference will have something for everyone.
​Our workforce – increasing skills, knowledge, and collaboration potential while gaining greater awareness of trends and issues to develop your practice and career potential.
​External partners – connecting and sharing with health and other professionals whose work intersects with the AOD treatment space.
​The community – exchanging views and experiences on how the AOD sector has been and is responsive to challenges and needs to identify opportunities that enhance recovery experiences for people and their families.
​The conference will be held at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 19 to 21 August 2026. Please note that pre-conference workshops will be held on 19 August, followed by the two-day Winter School Conference on 20-21 August.
Click here to register.
​Australian Winter School is presented by the Queensland Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies (QNADA).

Australian Winter School 2026 - Preconference Workshops
2026-08-19 09:00 - 15:00 | Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Southbank, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
FREE Pre-conference workshops are now open!!!
QNADA is proud to present two full day preconference workshops for the Australian Winter School 2026.
Resisting Collusion & Motivating Change: Working with men who use intimate partner violence – Facilitated by Ada Conroy and Kelly Finch
This workshop is designed for practitioners who may come across men who use intimate partner violence in the course of their work, and who are seeking to strengthen their practice, contribute to change, and enhance victim-survivor safety.
For more details regarding the workshop and registration, click here.
Introduction to Harm reduction – Facilitated by QuIVAA
This training session equips healthcare workers with practical knowledge and skills to support individuals who use substances through a harm reduction lens. Participants will explore core harm reduction principles and gain an overview of major drug categories, including their general effects, associated risks, and evidence-based strategies to reduce harm.
For more details regarding the workshop and registration, click here.
Please note:
This preconference workshop is available to QNADA member services.
If you are not a QNADA member service and are interested in attending, you are welcome to email in**@*******rg.au to join the waitlist. If places remain available, they may be offered to non-members.

After Dark: Digital storytelling evening with QuIVAA
2026-08-20 19:00 - 23:00 | The Loft, 100 Boundary St, West End QLD, Brisbane, QLD, 4101
After Dark: Digital storytelling evening with QuIVAA
“You might know her? You may or may not know her story, but may her story spark change.”
For too long, women who use drugs have been hit with the double trope of being both ‘too much’ and ‘not enough’. Join us for an intimate event showcasing the QuIVAA / QNADA Narcofeminist Storyshare project, led by the Carolina Survivor’s Union.
The evening features a collection of short films – reclaimed narratives that disrupt stigmatising tropes through a process a process of narrative disruption.Through conversation and collective imagination, a series of short films offers a glimpse into a project grounded in harm reduction, gender justice and lived – living experience leadership.
Register via this link to attend.

Lives Lived Well: Identifying and Responding to Gambling Harm (Free Webinar)
2026-08-28 10:00 - 12:00 | QLD
Do you or your colleagues work with people who maybe experiencing gambling harm? Would you like to learn more about identifying it?
This workshop is scheduled in AEST. Please adjust for your timezone as daylight savings will affect your strat time.
Do you or your colleagues work with individuals who may be experiencing gambling harm?
This workshop is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to effectively identify and address gambling-related impacts with people seeking help, across community, health, mental health, and alcohol and other drug (AOD) services.
Why This Workshop Matters
Around 1 in 5 people seeking AOD treatment will experience high-risk gambling.
Gambling harm often goes unnoticed in service settings, even though research shows a strong link between gambling, alcohol, and drug use. Because clients may not openly disclose gambling concerns, early identification is crucial for providing holistic care and improving treatment outcomes.
What You Will Learn:

Recognising Gambling Harm: Learn to identify the subtle signs and indicators of gambling harm, even when it is not the primary reason for help-seeking.
Effective Screening: Use tools such as the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) and embed them into your existing assessment processes.
Starting the Conversation: Build confidence in asking about gambling in a supportive, non-judgemental way.
Harm Reduction and Support Pathways: Explore updated intervention strategies and referral pathways to provide tailored support to clients experiencing gambling harm.

Key updates:

Current Research: Informed by the analyses of LLW data, this session provides real-time insights into treatment-seeking client profiles, risk indicators, and the intersection of gambling with alcohol and other drug use.
Focus on Emotional Coping: Examines the role of emotional coping and other underlying factors in shaping gambling pattern.
Using Motivational Interviewing to Explore Gambling: Practical advice on using Motivational Interviewing skills to deepen conversations about gambling.
Updated brief intervention strategies and referral options to better support help seekers in health, mental health, and community service sectors

Who Should Attend: This workshop is perfect for professionals in health, mental health, and community services who want to ensure they are identifying and addressing gambling harm in their clients—particularly when gambling issues may be overshadowed by other presenting problems.
Workshop Format: The session will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams, providing an interactive platform for learning and engaging with both experts and peers. You’ll leave with practical tools to implement gambling harm screening and interventions in your daily practice.
Date & Time: Friday 28th August at 10:00am AEST (Please adjust for your timezone)
For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact Richie Wilson at Lives Lived Well via email: ri***********@****************rg.au
Join us to build the skills needed to recognise, and maximise the opportunities you have, to reduce gambling harm.
