The 5th Financial Inclusion Conference

Building resilience in a cost of living crisis

Over the last ten years, Australia has been significantly impacted by natural disasters including floods, bushfires and global pandemic. Our communities are in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, further degrading people’s financial resilience.

The NSW Financial Inclusion Network sees the continued importance of promoting international and local perspectives, current research and innovative practices that build a wellbeing economy. The conference will focus on the following themes to support this:

• Access for all.
• Financial and economic abuse.
• Engaging and supporting young people.
• The role of place-based service delivery.

Over 2 days, the conference will draw on expertise within the sector to:

• Expand conversation around financial resilience.
• Showcase current research findings.
• Celebrate innovative practice, projects and government initiatives.
• Highlight real data and experiences facing our communities at this time.
• Run skills development workshops for:
• Financial counsellors (attracts CPD points).
• Housing and homelessness workers, youth workers and other community sector workers.

The 5th Financial Inclusion Conference – building financial resilience in a cost of living crisis is for workers and services that support people who are financially vulnerable or affected by cost of living pressures. This is a great opportunity to connect with a community of practice invested in a positive financial future for all Australians.

Managers, coordinators, workers and volunteers engaged in community support, advocacy, or directly with clients will benefit from attending this conference, such as:

• Financial counsellors
• NILs No Interest Loans providers
• Place-based support services
• Housing and homelessness services
• Youth services
• Parenting and family support services
• Mental health and wellbeing services
• Education, training and student support
• Domestic, family or sexual violence services
• Community legal practices
• Financial services
• Services supporting older people

Up to 4.5 CPD points can be accrued by financial counsellors attending this conference.

Mantra on Salt Beach, Kingscliff

Hosted at Mantra on Salt Beach in beautiful Kingscliff, just a 15 minute drive from Gold Coast International Airport, the conference will bring expert knowledge into Northern NSW and place a focus on the regional experiences of financial inclusion.

Conference delegates are entitled to discounted accommodation at Mantra on Salt Beach. After registering, delegates will receive an email containing a discount voucher code for use when booking.

The 5th Financial Inclusion Conference gala dinner will take place from 6pm at Peppers Resort on Tuesday 18 March 2025, next door to Mantra on Salt Beach. Dinner registration is separate to conference attendance and can be completed via our Humanitix page here.

Pre-dinner drinks

From 6-7pm, enjoy informal drinks around the pool at Peppers Cove Bar.

Gala dinner

From 7pm, dinner in Peppers Ballroom will include a three course meal with a selection of beer, wine and sparkles. Live entertainment and dancing  will be courtesy of local musical legend Jason and the Smyths.

Jason and the Smyths

Jason McGregor’s appeal draws inspiration from artists such as Stevie Wonder, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran and James Morrison. His musical prowess is widely recognised, having toured with Adam Brand, Amy Sheppard and Lee Kernaghan. He has won the People’s Choice award at Gold Coast Music Awards, and three categories at Australian Songwriter Awards. Jason’s growing repertoire encompasses a wide variety of styles, including soul, rock, jazz, contemporary and dance.

To entertain our gala dinner guests, Jason will perform a variety of popular upbeat classics and original hits with his exceptional four-piece ensemble, Jason and the Smyths.

Dinner dress code

Dress code – cocktail. To make our evening more interesting, we invite dinner guests to dress according to the theme Recycled for a sustainable future – it’s time reclaim that old suit or dress that’s been hiding in the back of your wardrobe for years. Or perhaps put together a second-hand ensemble that is oh so op-shop chic!

Register for the 5th Financial Inclusion Conference now via our Humanitix page here.

Refunds

Registration cancellations and fee refunds will be considered on a case by case basis. If you would like to cancel your registration and receive a fee refund, please email financialinclusion@nrcg.org.au including your order number.

This conference is produced by Northern Rivers Community Gateway, in partnership with the Financial Counsellors’ Association of NSW and the NSW Financial Inclusion Network. All 3 organisations are not-for-profit and dedicated to improving outcomes for disadvantaged people.

The NSW Financial Inclusion Network was formed in 2015 by Northern Rivers Community Gateway, as a policy think tank, engaging the community sector, government and peak organisations for the purpose of working towards a more financially inclusive future for NSW.