Interactive workshop explores the role of dads in the First 2000 Days
The critical early years of a child’s life - often referred to as The First 2000 Days - are fundamental in shaping their long-term well-being.
Recognising this, Tresillian – one of Australia’s largest parenting services - is hosting an interactive workshop, Including Dads in The First 2000 Days, aimed at fostering father-inclusive practices within health and community services.
Scheduled for Friday, March 28, 2025, at the Tresillian Education Centre in Wollstonecraft, Sydney, the workshop will bring together professionals from diverse fields, including birthing, mental health, and child and family health, to explore practical solutions for integrating dads into early childhood development.
Research has consistently shown that engaged fathers contribute positively to their child’s cognitive, emotional, and social development. However, systemic barriers often prevent dads from being fully included in perinatal care, early education, and parenting support. This workshop will address these challenges, offering actionable insights into how services can better support fathers in their parenting journey.
The day will feature a blend of expert presentations, practical discussions, and networking opportunities, giving attendees the tools to bring about meaningful change in their own professional environments.
The day will include:
- A Systemic View of the Health Landscape – Exploring the broader context of early childhood and family services and how they can evolve to include fathers.
- Presentations of evidence-based solutions that are currently being implemented and what the findings show.
- Workplace Implementation Strategies – Encouraging participants to assess their own workplaces and identify ways to make them more inclusive of dads.
- Networking and Reflection – Providing opportunities for attendees to connect, share insights, and collaborate on future father-inclusive projects.
Expert Voices Leading the Conversation
The workshop will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers, each bringing unique expertise on parental engagement, relational trust, and early childhood well-being:
Dr Karen Wynter is a Senior Research Fellow at Monash University’s Centre for Women’s and Children’s Mental Health. Karen is one of Australia’s leading researchers in men’s transition to parenthood, including fathers’ mental health, relationships and experiences of engaging with health services.
Ben Rogers, Director of Health Professional Education at Movember. Ben has over a decade of clinical mental health experience, including a focus on supporting boys, men and fathers through life’s challenges.
Associate Professor Richard Fletcher, who leads the Fathers and Families Research program, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, at the University of Newcastle. He is Principal Investigator of the SMS4dads program for new and expecting fathers and SMS4DeadlyDads for Aboriginal fathers.
Craig (Bourkie) Hammond, who is currently working in communities throughout Australia as the SMS4DeadlyDads Indigenous Leader building on this work to deliver strengths-based messages and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fathers in health and education settings.
Izaak Lim, a child and adolescent psychiatrist working in a public perinatal and infant mental health service in Melbourne.
The event is open to professionals working in family health, early childhood development, and community services.
For more details and registration, visit the Tresillian Conference Program.
Registration prices:
- Early bird - $195 (for bookings up until 15th March)
- Full price - $240
- Virtual - $50