Conference Speakers

Catharine Hydon

Catharine Hydon is the Director and Principal Consultant at Hydon Consulting. Over the last 10 years she has worked at a range of organisations and governments to understand and articulate quality and inspire change. With a Masters in early childhood education, Catharine has extensive experience in the early childhood sector beginning as a teacher in a kindergarten program in the northern suburbs of Melbourne to lead roles in a range of services and projects for children and their families.

Catharine draws on her experience and ongoing practice research to consider how theory connects and informs practice.  Specialising in early childhood practice and pedagogy, quality improvement, policy and governance, the delivery of integrated services to engage vulnerable children and their families.

Catharine’s involvement in the early childhood sector is an important part of her commitment to the outcomes for children.  She is a long-time member of Early Childhood Australia (ECA), regular contributor in ECA publications and has just completed 7 years as the Co-chair of the Reconciliation Advisory Group. Catharine is a Board Member of the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority and the Early Years-10 Curriculum and Assessment Committee for the VCAA as well as a second-tier reviewer for ACECQA.

Catharine is a dynamic speaker and collaborative facilitator and is skilled at engaging professionals in reflective dialogue and creative conversations.

Qualifications: Dip Teaching (Early Childhood); MEd (Early Childhood Education)

Louise Dorrat

Louise has worked in the early year’s profession for over 30 years in a variety of roles including extensive experience in managing early years’ services and assisting in the establishment of the first Bush Kinder. Louise has a Master of Education and has taught the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at a number of universities in Victoria. She is contracted by Governments, Not for Profit and Private Organisations to deliver key notes, workshops and webinars across Australia and internationally. Louise’s background in theatre results in presentations that are at once engaging and informative.

MEd, BTeach, Dip SSc

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    Traditional Custodians

    We respect and acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Land. We pay respect to the Elders past and present for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Australia’s First Peoples. We acknowledge there are also other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who live, work in and contribute to the cultural heritage.