Australian Winter School Conference

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Brisbane, QLD
Australian Winter School Conference

19-21 August 2026 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. Register here: https://bit.ly/4rEYO5i

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.

Australian Winter School is presented by the Queensland Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies (QNADA).

28/08/2026

🎤 Speaker Spotlight: Emma Kill and Aimee Schoeman

Emma Kill, CEO of QuIVAA and Aimee Schoeman, a social worker, peer worker and harm reduction advocate at QuIVAA, explored the importance of recognising Lived and Living Experience as expertise in their presentation, “Whose knowledge counts? From risk to rights: reimagining expertise, power, and Lived and Living Experience in Queensland’s alcohol and other drug sector.”

Redefining who has knowledge renegotiates power and changes the way systems work. Experience doesn’t immediately become expertise. It takes deliberate choices supported by peer led organisations.

Thank you, Emma & Aimee for sharing your insights and contributing to the important conversations at Australian Winter School 2026.

25/08/2026

🎉The QNADA Outstanding Contribution Awards were an opportunity to acknowledge great people working in the AOD sector across QLD.

Congratulations to Emily Cooper, winner of a Harm Reduction Worker award!

As a harm reduction worker, Emily has made a significant and lasting impact on the lives of people who use drugs and those who have experienced incarceration. Over the past three years, she has delivered the PeerQnect phone line, providing compassionate, non-judgemental support to countless individuals seeking connection, information, and assistance. Through her commitment to harm reduction principles, she has empowered people to access services, reduce risk, and navigate complex systems with dignity and respect.

Emily has also led innovative research on ODTP using photovoice, ensuring that the lived experiences of people accessing treatment are heard and used to inform meaningful policy and practice improvements.

25/08/2026

🎉The QNADA Outstanding Contribution Awards were an opportunity to acknowledge great people working in the AOD sector across QLD.

Congratulations to Anoushka Dowling, winner of a Treatment Worker award!

Anoushka Dowling is a registered psychologist with years of experience in domestic and family violence (DFV).

Anoushka’s work spans direct therapeutic support, program design, and sector education. Prior to completing her psychological study, she had worked as a men's behaviour change facilitator for 6 years. Recognising a need for specialised psychological support for men who use violence, she went on to work withing a complex mental health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) space where she has been able to create early intervention programs for men using violence, integrating group work with individual therapy to address the individual AOD and mental health related contributing factors to their abusive behaviour.

This work has also deepened her passion and expertise working women who have experienced domestic and sexual violence, addressing complex trauma through tailored therapeutic approaches to support healing.

25/08/2026

🎉The QNADA Outstanding Contribution Awards were an opportunity to acknowledge great people working in the AOD sector across QLD.

Congratulations to Shennae Neal, winner of a First Nations Worker award!

Proudly walking in the footsteps of her ancestors, Shennae is a dedicated community leader and cultural connector, grounded in her Yidinji, Djabugay, Kuku Djungan and Gunggandji Gurubana heritage. Her work reflects a deep commitment to service, community and cultural integrity.

As Senior Care Coordinator at YETI, Shennae supports young people through culturally safe, trauma-informed and empowering practices. She is also a leader of YETI's Just North program, a state-significant initiative strengthening the capacity of the AOD workforce and allied services to respond to volatile substance use (VSU) and AOD use among at-risk and vulnerable young people.

Through her work, Shennae delivers VSU training, supports workforce development, strengthens interagency responses, contributes to data collection and research, and helps develop resources and initiatives for services supporting young people affected by VSU and other drug use across Queensland.

Shennae also co-MCs YETI's biennial Shared Stories conference, bringing together youth AOD workers from across Far North Queensland to share knowledge, build skills and strengthen the sector. Her passion and leadership continue to inspire and support hundreds of youth AOD practitioners across the region.

25/08/2026

The QNADA Outstanding Contribution Awards were an opportunity to acknowledge great people working in the AOD sector across QLD.

Congratulations to Puljevic, winner of a Researcher Award!

Cheneal is a global leader in AOD and harm reduction research, with more than 100 publications and an impressive body of work focused on reducing harms associated with illicit to***co and drug use and improving access to drug checking services.

Her research has had a significant real-world impact on public health, informing Queensland Health's response to to***co-related harms, contributing to innovative approaches to reducing drug-related harms at festivals, and supporting work with marginalised and highly stigmatised communities, including people in prison and post-release.

Beyond her research, Cheneal has made a valuable contribution to workforce development in Queensland, mentoring more than 35 undergraduate and postgraduate students, placement students and research assistants who will contribute to the future of the AOD and public health sectors.

Cheneal has also played an important role in advancing drug checking services in Queensland and internationally. Through her volunteer work with The Loop Australia, she has contributed to drug checking initiatives in Queensland, Victoria, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, including personally leading research and work at the Bowen Hills and Gold Coast drug checking sites.

25/08/2026

🎉 The QNADA Outstanding Contribution Awards were an opportunity to acknowledge great people working in the AOD sector across QLD.

Congratulations to Nikki Parry, winner of a Harm Reduction Worker award!

Nikki has been a strong advocate and fierce leader for the community of people who use drugs, championing harm reduction and the rights of those who are too often marginalised. Through her unwavering commitment, she has made a profound difference in the lives of countless individuals, empowering people with compassion, dignity, and practical support, saving many lives in the process. Her leadership in challenging stigma has transformed systems and influenced the way services, organisations, and communities engage with people who use drugs.

Nikki's work has helped shift attitudes toward more person-centred, evidence-based, and inclusive approaches, leaving a lasting impact on both individuals and the broader harm sector.

25/08/2026

🎤 Speaker Spotlight: Benjamin Riordan

Benjamin Riordan, Research Fellow at the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research (CAPR), provided a fascinating closing plenary at Australian Winter School 2026.

In his presentation, “Substance Use and the Modern Media Environment,” Benjamin explored how our increasingly connected media environment, from smartphones and streaming platforms to social media, is shaping the way we encounter substance-related content.

Drawing on his ongoing research, he examined how common substance-related content is across modern media, the potential impact of exposure on substance use, and what this could mean for prevention and early intervention. Alcohol and substance use content is common on social media, as well as in movies and music. The normalisation of use and positive framing of use, particularly by influencers counters our traditional prevention approaches.

Thank you, Benjamin, for sharing your research and insights and contributing to the conversations at Australian Winter School 2026.

21/08/2026

🎤 Speaker Spotlight: Dr Cheneal Puljevic

We were pleased to hear from Dr Cheneal Puljevic, Senior Research Fellow at the School of Public Health at The University of Queensland, at Australian Winter School 2026.

In her plenary, “Understanding consumer demand for illicitly traded to***co products,” Dr Puljevic shared findings from two complementary studies exploring how people navigate Australia's evolving illicit to***co market and what influences their purchasing decisions.

Drawing on survey data from people who smoke in public places across Brisbane and interviews with illicit to***co consumers across four Australian states, the presentation explored the role of availability, price, social normalisation, perceptions of product quality and attitudes towards government regulation.

Cheneal’s soon to be published research suggests the reasons why people prefer illicit to***co products is more complicated than price.

Thank you, Dr Puljevic, for sharing your research and insights and contributing to the important conversations at Australian Winter School 2026.

21/08/2026

🎤Keynote Spotlight: Dr James Martin

Reflecting on the conference theme Risky Business in his plenary “Nicotine: The latest escalation of Australia’s war on drugs,” Dr Martin explored the rapid growth of Australia’s illicit ni****ne market and the broader implications of increasing restrictions on the legal supply of ni****ne products.

Drawing on his extensive research into illicit markets, drug policing and Australia’s illicit ni****ne market, Dr Martin examined the scale and drivers of the market, the role of organised crime, and the growing government response through law enforcement.

So what do we do? Reduce to***co excise to reduce the regulatory push towards the illicit to***co market and legalise vapes with a priority of moving smokers to less harmful va**ng products.

Thank you, Dr Martin, for sharing your research and insights and contributing to the important conversations at Australian Winter School 2026.

21/08/2026

Panel Discussion from Australian Winter School 2026: Wholistic Responses to Family and Domestic Violence

The panel explored the intersection between family and domestic violence (DFV) and alcohol and other drug use, highlighting the important role AOD services can play in recognising and responding to people experiencing violence and people who use violence.

The panel also challenged common myths around AOD use and DFV and explored how AOD services are well placed to provide holistic, trauma-informed and person-centred support to people experiencing violence, as well as resisting collusion and maintaining accountability in providing treatmen to people who use violence.

The panel agreed that AOD services could support staff to do more to understand the more subtle signs of violence, and the normalisation of violence in many Women’s experience.

A big thank you to our panellists:

Raja Clay – QNADA (panel facilitator)
Anoushka Dowling – Lives Lived Well
Natalie B – DVConnect
Thelma Yeatman – Gindaja
Peta Steedman – CQID

Thank you for sharing your expertise, experiences and perspectives, and for contributing to such an important conversation at Australian Winter School 2026.

Address

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Brisbane, QLD
4101

Website

http://www.winterschool.org.au/

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