2026 Keynote Speakers
More speakers will be released soon!
“Connection: One Conversation at a Time”
– by Lael Stone
Join Lael Stone for this transformative keynote exploring how authentic connection begins with understanding our nervous system and creating genuine safety for ourselves and others.
Through interactive exercises and practical tools, participants will discover how to move beyond surface-level interactions to foster meaningful relationships.
Lael will guide you through understanding how we show up in conversations, the difference between listening to fix versus listening to hear, and how childhood imprints shape our capacity for connection.
This session combines nervous system science with the art of human connection, offering concrete strategies for creating safety, practising attunement, and building relationships grounded in authenticity
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Lael Stone is an educator, TEDx speaker, author, mother and parenting counsellor who has worked with families for over 20 years.
Her work as a birth educator, post-natal trauma counsellor, and parenting educator has seen her work with thousands of families consulting about newborns all the way to the teen years. She spent over 5 yrs in secondary schools working with teens around sexuality, wellbeing and relationships and her great aim is to empower parents to create connections and stronger relationships with their children.
She is the Creator of Woodline Primary School, an innovative new school based on emotional wellbeing and connection.
As well as sitting on a few advisory boards and consulting with organisations around emotional awareness and trauma-informed practices, she spends a great deal of time travelling around Australia as a sought-after public speaker.
Lael’s first book, ‘Raising Resilient and Compassionate Children‘ debuted on many best-selling lists and her second book, ‘Own Your Story’, is available now, focusing on healing our pasts so we can thrive in the future.
You can fi nd out more about her work on her website, Facebook and Instagram.
Interactive Facilitators
ECLD will culminate in an interactive final workshop where you will reflect on what you’ve learned and co-create a ready-to-implement programming or practice plan to take back to your services the very next work day!
Rosie Paine
- Noongar, Yamatji, Yilka, Wongutha Artist Founder of Rosie Made,
- Primary School Deputy Principal at Sheoak Grove Primary School, and
- First Nations Expert Reference Group Lead for AERO
With over 16 years of experience in education, Rosie is passionate about inclusive education and building culturally responsive school communities. She is a talented artist and has been creating art for many years. Rosie is also an advocate for indigenous culture and has shown her work at different events across Australia. She shares her art, stories and culture in ways that invite others to see, feel and connect.
As a proud Noongar woman and one of the workshop facilitators, Rosie will support you in bringing Aboriginal pedagogy to life through local Noongar culture and traditions. She will help you translate your newly gained First Nations perspectives, programming and practice ideas into a practical plan that fosters cultural responsiveness, inclusivity and meaningful steps towards reconciliation in your room and centre.
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Rosie Paine, whose Aboriginal name is Putjupa, is a Yilka (Wongutha), Noongar and Yamatji woman. She was born on Noongar Country and grew up in the remote communities of Cosmo Newberry and Laverton.
Rosie has over 16 years of experience in education, in various roles, including Principal Consultant (Aboriginal Education Teaching and Learning), classroom teacher and Deputy Principal.
Rosie has recently been invited to be a First Nations Expert Reference Group Lead for Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO). Rosie is passionate about inclusive education and building culturally responsive school communities.
Furthermore, Rosie is an artist. She shares her art, stories and culture in ways that invite others to see, feel and connect. Her art her recently become the new Australian Indigenous fabric collection of Office Line, which means her designs can be purchased next to the traditional paintings, as furniture.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Do you have a question about the ECLD Immersion Experience? Want to get involved? We would like to hear from you!