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Welcoming HIPPY International: A global conversation at BSL

Published
3 November 2025

This week, BSL Head Office was buzzing with energy, ideas, and shared purpose as we welcomed a group of remarkable international guests. Leaders from HIPPY International and partner organisations across the globe joined us in Fitzroy for a week of connection, collaboration, and celebration.

Five HIPPY panellists sit at a long table during a HIPPY conference session on inclusion, with a presentation screen and banners behind them.
Five international HIPPY leaders sit on a panel discussing global inclusion and storytelling. The session takes place in a wood-floored room with HIPPY banners and a screen showing a world map.

   
Global network, shared vision

At the heart of HIPPY is the belief that every child deserves the best start in life. HIPPY supports and empowers parents as their child's first and most important teacher. Children’s earliest and most powerful love of learning comes from their family.

This belief transcends borders, cultures, and communities. Across our international HIPPY network, we are united by a shared commitment to equity in early learning—recognising the strength, diversity, and wisdom that families bring to their children’s education, sense of belonging and connection to culture.

We were honoured to host:

  • Benny Feifel, CEO, HIPPY International
  • Dr Miriam Westheimer, Chief Program Officer, HIPPY International
  • Yvette Sievers, National Director HIPPY, Great Potentials (New Zealand)
  • Marc Veale, CEO, Great Potentials (New Zealand)
  • Yusra Qadir, Chief Programs & Advocacy Officer, Mothers Matter (Canada)
  • María José Valenzuela Silva, Executive Director, CMPC Foundation (Chile)

Gathering in Father Tuckers’ Hall at BSL, the delegation shared with the HIPPY Australia network a wealth of experience and insights from their work supporting families and communities in their respective countries.

More than 80 network members joined the hybrid event: from our Western Australian colleagues logging in at 6:30 am to those who travelled to Melbourne to participate in person. Together, we enjoyed a truly global dialogue spanning Australia, Canada, Chile, and New Zealand. Delegates shared program insights, discussed challenges and successes, and responded thoughtfully to questions from the Australian network — making this exchange rich and inspiring. 

   
More than just a meeting

This event was more than a meeting – it was an opportunity to reflect on our collective achievements and to imagine what’s possible when we continue to learn from one another.
   

Adults sit attentively in a community room during a HIPPY presentation, with a banner and educational materials displayed behind them.
Adults attend a HIPPY session at Father Tucker’s Hall in Fitzroy, focused on family-based learning. A banner with phrases like “fun and free activities” and a handwritten “love” adds warmth to the informal setting.

   
One of the most powerful moments of the week was the storytelling session, where international delegates heard firsthand from those whose lives have been transformed by HIPPY. These stories brought the program’s impact to life in a deeply personal and moving way.

From HIPPY Alice Springs, a 17-year-old former participant shared how the program shaped her early learning and inspired her career path:

“I started HIPPY in 2011 when I was 3 to4 [years old]... It’s a fun program. It's fun for everyone involved. Because of the program, it inspired me to work with children. I now work in a school as a special needs assistant. My goal is to work with Indigenous students and close the gap in education.”

From HIPPY Ashmont, a Coordinator shared a powerful reflection on the deeper purpose behind the program:

“For me, HIPPY is more than a job or a program. It’s a movement grounded in equity, dignity and hope… There is something so powerful to see how HIPPY is adapted for different cultures.”

A parent and Tutor from HIPPY Geelong reflected on how the program supported her during a difficult time, strengthening her relationship with her child and giving her practical tools to build confidence and connection:

“I was the lowest I had been in my life. And then I found HIPPY. And it made the biggest difference and made my relationship with my son so much better. 3C’s! Who would have thought 3Cs* would make things so much better.”

*In HIPPY, the 3Cs stand for Confirm, Complete, Correct: a simple approach that helps children feel supported in their learning.

These personal stories and insights offered a powerful reminder of why HIPPY matters. They grounded the week’s discussions in lived experience, showing how the program fosters resilience, nurtures aspirations, and strengthens families.

   
A global movement for systems reform

Another highlight of the week was the session, HIPPY Around the World: a celebration of language, global voices and community stories. Led by Head of HIPPY Australia, Clare Seddon, the session brought together international leaders and Australian HIPPY Coordinators in a dynamic exchange of ideas. The panel explored the importance of connection across cultures, the role of research in program delivery, and the shared impact of HIPPY in communities worldwide.
   

A panel discussion in a community setting with six HIPPY panellists seated at a long table, facing an audience, and a presentation projected on a screen behind them.
A global HIPPY panel of six speakers presents at Father Tucker’s Hall, with attendees seated in rows. The setup includes a presentation screen, HIPPY banners, and a table with papers and coffee cups, creating a collaborative atmosphere.

Discussions touched on the evolution of leadership within HIPPY, with reflections on the powerful journey of parents becoming Tutors. Supported employment as HIPPY Tutors extends beyond paid work; it supports building individual capability, work ready skills, and builds personal confidence. Some Tutors continue to upskill in the Early Years sector and go on to become HIPPY Coordinators. Others shared insights into curriculum development, the importance of cultural inclusion - such as the integration of Māori culture and perspectives in New Zealand, and insights into how government funding structures have helped expand HIPPY’s reach in Canada and Chile.

A collaborative Q+A session rounded out the event, with Coordinators and leaders exchanging cross-cultural insights and exploring how HIPPY continues to adapt and thrive in diverse contexts. The session was a testament to the strength of the global HIPPY network and the collective wisdom that emerges when we come together.

A group of ten people standing together on a covered wooden deck, posing for a photo with trees and a bright blue sky in the background.
Ten HIPPY and Brotherhood of St. Laurence staff stand together on a sunny deck surrounded by greenery. The relaxed outdoor setting marks the end of site visits, with casual dress and a friendly vibe.

Reflecting on this visit from HIPPY colleagues, we’re reminded that while our contexts may differ, our goals are deeply aligned. Together, we’re building a world where every family feels supported, every child feels seen, and every community has the tools to thrive.

BSL and HIPPY acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land and waterways on which our organisations operate. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, and present.

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