ACCYPN 2026 - Pre-Conference Masterclasses

Masterclass 1: World Café Planetary Health

Facilitated by Professor Maria Mackay

Children and young people are growing up in a time of profound planetary change, presenting unique and escalating challenges for their health and wellbeing. This interactive workshop, led by Professor of Nursing and accredited Wayapa Wuurrk Practitioner Maria Mackay, invites participants to explore the principles of planetary health through creative, reflective, and relational practices. Grounded in nursing perspectives that recognise the deep interconnection between human health and the natural systems that sustain life, the workshop positions planetary health as central to child‑ and young person‑centred care, professional responsibility, and ethical practice. Informed by Indigenous knowledges, participants will be invited to reflect on their own relationship with the 14 elements of Mother Earth. Through arts‑based, narrative, and imaginative activities, participants will explore what it means to care with, for, and alongside children and young people in the context of environmental change, foregrounding children’s rights, voices, hope, and intergenerational social justice.

Through guided creative exploration, discussion, and collective sense‑making, participants will be supported to:

• Deepen their understanding of planetary health as a key determinant of children and young people’s health and wellbeing

• Reflect on their professional role in mitigating harm, supporting adaptation, and advocating for sustainable and equitable futures

• Explore future‑focused, strengths‑based approaches to care that centre hope, connection, and planetary empathy

Consider practical ways creativity can be used across education, clinical practice, leadership, and advocacy with children, young people, and families

Professor Maria Mackay

Professor Maria Mackay has an extensive clinical background in paediatric nursing and midwifery, which deeply informs her approach to practice, education and leadership. She is a passionate educator and researcher whose teaching philosophy challenges traditional healthcare education by foregrounding the art alongside the science of nursing practice, with a strong commitment to culturally safe, person‑centred care. Maria integrates Indigenous knowledges and ways of knowing into pre‑registration nursing curricula, embedding planetary health, relationality, and respect for Country within health professional education. Her scholarly work focuses on culturally responsive and transformational learning that prepares future practitioners to respond ethically to the health needs of individuals, families, and communities.

Masterclass 2: Youth Psychological Assessment workshop

Mental ill-health is the leading cause of disease burden amongst young people, with rates of diagnosis, severity, and related adverse outcomes continually increasing. Socioeconomic pressures are a major contributor to adolescent mental illness, and with increasing cost of living pressures, rising rates of loneliness, and global conflict expected to continue, the burden of mental illness amongst young people is unlikely to decline in coming years. Additionally, with youth being a critical phase of emotional and cognitive development, untreated mental illness in youth has the potential to have lifelong impacts, both in terms of enduring disease and cognitive functioning.

Early recognition of emerging mental illness is a core skill that is essential for nurses working with adolescents and young adults, and is imperative for facilitating early intervention and improving the young person’s quality of life. This masterclass will equip nurses with the skills and tools to assess a young person’s psychosocial wellbeing, screen for symptoms of common mental disorders, and best practice nursing interventions to support young people with signs of mental ill-health.

The masterclass will cover:

• Rates of youth mental illness

• Social determinants of health and their impact on youth health

• Completing a youth psychosocial assessment

• Assessing mental-health related risks

• When to refer to specialist supports

Facilitated by Charley Brunton and Charlie Bowes

Charley Brunton

Since beginning their nursing career in 2012, Charley has focused on improving outcomes for marginalised children and young people. They are currently a Senior Care Coordinator with the Check-In Program at Frontyard Youth Services, supporting young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness with complex mental health needs. Previously, they worked at the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Complex Care Hub as a Clinical Nurse Consultant and Clinical Data Champion. With qualifications in child health, nutrition, public health, and youth mental health, they bring a holistic, evidence-based approach. As a transgender clinician, their lived experience deeply informs their inclusive, affirming practice.

Masterclass 3: Writing for Publication and Becoming a Peer Reviewer 

Facilitated by A/Professor Elizabeth Forster and A/Professor Esther Adama

This masterclass is designed for children and young people’s nurses who want to build confidence and capability in academic writing and peer review. Whether you are new to publishing or looking to strengthen your scholarly impact, this session will provide practical guidance on turning your ideas, projects, and clinical insights into publishable manuscripts.

Delivered by Associate Professor Elizabeth Forster, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Children & Young People’s Health, and Professor Ally Hutton, ACCYPN Board Member, the masterclass will demystify the publication process, outline what journals are looking for, and explore how peer reviewing can support professional development and leadership in nursing.

Participants will gain insider insights, practical tips, and strategies to contribute meaningfully to the evidence base for children and young people’s health.

Associate Professor Elizabeth Forster FACCYPN

Dr Elizabeth Forster is an Associate Professor and Program Director of Postgraduate Nursing and Infection Prevention and Control in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Program Advisor for Paediatric Nursing. Her research focuses on paediatric nursing, paediatric pain, end-of-life care, positive psychology, and teaching and learning.

Elizabeth is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Children & Young People’s Health (JCYPH), the only national journal dedicated to children and young people’s health across acute and community contexts. She is also editor of several Australian paediatric nursing texts, including Paediatric Nursing in Australia: Principles for Practice and Paediatric Nursing Skills for Australian Nurses, and Paediatric Nursing in Australia and New Zealand, which was released in 2022.

A/Professor Esther Adama

Associate Professor Esther Adama is Associate Head of Nursing Discipline at Federation University Australia and Associate Editor of the Journal of Children & Young People’s Health (JCYPH). With a background in neonatal and paediatric nursing, and clinical and academic leadership, her research focuses on child and family health, with a particular interest in father-inclusive practice across acute and community healthcare settings. She has led and collaborated on research projects in partnership with universities, hospitals and community organisations, generating evidence to enhance family-centred care and father-inclusive care. Her research spans neonatal and paediatric nursing, family engagement in healthcare and the health and wellbeing of children and families

Masterclass 4: Milk Matters

Facilitated by Dr. Sharon Perella

The workshop will be presented by Dr Sharon Perrella RN RM IBCLC from The University of Western Australia's Centre for Human Lactation Research and Translation. Sharon developed a passion for supporting breastfeeding families through her education and extensive experience in paediatrics, midwifery, neonatal nursing, and child, adolescent and family health nursing.  Join this interactive workshop to extend your knowledge of the magic of human milk - why it matters to infant health and development, as well as maternal lifelong health, and the environment.  Gain valuable insights into the biopsychosocial factors that influence breastfeeding, and skills in counselling and supporting the dyad when faced with breastfeeding challenges or health complications.  Whether you work in a hospital, clinic or community setting, the workshop will renew your inspiration and confidence in supporting the breastfeeding dyad.

Sharon Perrella is a Research Fellow with the Centre for Human Lactation Research and Translation, and the Geddes Hartmann Human Lactation Research Group at The University of Western Australia. With qualifications and a clinical background in paediatrics,  midwifery, neonatal intensive care, and child, adolescent and family health nursing, Sharon has a special interest in the establishment of breastfeeding and milk production. Her current work focuses on the identification and management of women at risk of early breastfeeding cessation, and the implementation of evidence-based strategies to support the breastfeeding dyad.