Having a Say Conference this year was amazing!
The report from the last conference (HaS 2024) is now available.
HaS-2024-Conference-Report
Go to the new HaS 2025 webpage – click here
Having a Say 2025 First Notice – download here
Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for presentations and performances at Having a Say (HaS) conference 2025
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BELOW is information from 2024
HaS 2024 flyer – download
Having a Say (HaS) Conference Information Booklet for all the info on the conference, including parking, venues, disco etc.
HaS NEWS
The Full Program is now available
HaS 2024 Preliminary Program – updated version now available. download
PARKING
You can find parking spots here: Central Geelong parking map
This year we do not have access to the Deakin Uni Carpark, so please allow time for dropping off people at the front of Deakin Uni (next to the pedestrian crossing) and then go to find a park.
During morning registration we will have volunteers at the drop off to stay with your group if needed or for exhibitors to drop off materials.
All day parking can be found on street or in multi-storey carparks.
We would recommend using public transport if you can.
A map and details of both on street and large multi-storey carparks is available via this link:
https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/parking/article/item/8cb86481f530eba.aspx
Finding a Disabled Carpark:
https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/parking/article/
Registration has closed on the 19th of January
If you need an extension to get your registration in, just email [email protected]
To register go to the online booking site HaS conference Reg’n
All the information about who and what, is on the booking site and in the Terms & Conditions download
**** How to use your NDIS funds for attending HaS.
NOTES:
- You will be able to book and receive an Invoice or pay straight away online.
- If you need an Invoice for each individual you should register each person separately and then they will have their own invoice to send to Plan Managers
- Registration Fees are outlined in the Terms & Conditions (download)
- the NDIS Item number to use to claim from your Plan is in the Terms & Conditions
- if you need assistance with booking please email [email protected] or contact us
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Accommodation options for HaS Conference
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Places still available in Having a Say’s Got Talent (HGT)
Having a Say’s Got Talent (HGT) – Entry Form is now available
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EOI (Expressions of Interest) are now closed.
However, we will consider late EOI to fill cancellations in the program.
Late EOI – especially for performances!!
Our Choice Expo
VISITORS
The public is welcome to come and visit the Expo for free between 9.30am – 3.30pm on February 5th and 6th.
The preliminary (there will be a final version with all orgs) is now available to help visitors plan their visit to the expo. Exhibitors list
EXHIBITORS
Limited places are available for exhibitors at HaS in the Our Choice Expo – only 100 places. The expo will be held on both days of the conference. Download Exhibitors Information Sheet
REGISTRATION: Exhibitors can now register online for the Expo via the online Humanitix booking platform.
More information email Christine if have questions at [email protected] or phone 0475 698 884
Visitors Guide is now available here
PLEASE advertise the Expo to your participants and families Expo Flyer – download
COME & TRY ACTIVITIES
Competitions
Having a Say’s Got Talent
Red Faces is back in 2024 with a new name, the Having a Say’s Got Talent.
- only 20 people can Audition on Monday 5th February 2024
- the winners of each category will perform during the Closing Ceremony Tues. 6th Feb. at 3.15pm – 4.15pm
Having a Say’s Got Talent (HGT) – Entry Form is now available
Art Competition
Thanks to the sponsorship of the Victorian Senior Practitioner, the HaS Art Competition will be on again.
All the details are on Entry Form
Original artworks (no photos) will need to be received by VALID by 22nd of December 2023.
More Information
If you have any questions at this time, you can contact Christine on 0475 698 884 or email [email protected]
SPONSORS
- Come and Try Activities
- Having a Say’s Got Talent
- Art Competition
- Printing of the Program
- Volunteer Support
- Conference DVD
VALID conducts the Having a Say conference on a break-even basis, that is, to covers direct costs only.
Sponsors Booklet download here
Thanks to ALL our 2024 Sponsors
VDWC – Disco and Dinner Sponsor
HaS:2024 DETAILS
Conference Dates and Times
• Monday 10.30am to 4.00pm
• Tuesday 9.30am to 4.15pm
The Conference Dinner and Disco Tues. 6th February 2024 from 6.45pm to 10.30pm
Conference Theme – The Future is Ours!
Venues
1. Conference main venue is located at Costa Hall, Deakin University, Waterfront Campus, Gheringhap Street, Geelong.
2. Dinner and Chat is at Wah Wah Gee Restaurant, on the Pier, Geelong.
3. Disco is at the The Pier Geelong, located on Cunningham Pier, Western Beach Foreshore Road, Geelong.
Having a Say (HaS) Conference Information Booklet for all the info on the conference.
ABOUT Having a Say Conferenc
The Having a Say conference is the largest conference for people with disabilities within Australia where people can find their voice, to speak up, to be heard and to be respected. This is the conference where people listen to each other, not just to the speakers on stage. This is the conference where people respect each other’s views and opinions, and celebrate their common cause. The aim of the conference is to empower people with a disability with the opportunity to ‘have a say’ about issues that affect their lives and to celebrate ability and achievement.
People enjoy coming to the conference for a range of reasons. Some are keen advocates for people with disability and want to debate about issues, others find the whole environment empowering and some just want to have fun! Many people come to the conference to have a say, such as open microphone to present or perform. We often get comments on the Evaluation Forms saying things like “It was great I felt important because everyone listened to what I said”.
There is always be a need for people to get together to share experiences and to celebrate achievements. The inaugural Having a Say Conference, held in Maryborough in 2000, was attended by 190 people and the enthusiasm generated each year has inspired the conference to grow. There are now over 1,000 participants from across Australia, and often from the international community, attending the conference each year.
The conference gets fantastic support from local disability services, the Local Reference Committee, City of Greater Geelong, Tourism Greater Geelong and Bellarine and local Geelong businesses.
Download the Having a Say Conference 2023 Report here
VOLUNTEERING at Having a Say
The Having a Say conference attracts hundreds of delegates from across Australia and overseas and we are looking for volunteers to support participants with different activities at the conference.
The conference is a place where people with disability can speak up and have their voice heard, be respected and empowered and it’s a lot of fun!
What are the benefits of volunteering?
- See the achievements of people with disability
- Certificate of appreciation
- Letter of Reference
- Learn about inclusion
- Be inspired and have lots of fun
- Make new friends
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at HaS, then:
- have a read of the Volunteer Information Booklet and
- then fill out pages 7 and 8
- if you need a new Police Check you will also need to complete pages 10 & 11 of this booklet and
- return it to [email protected]
Please note that all volunteers are required to have a current Police Certificate and proof of double COVID vaccination. Please send your COVID vaccination certificate with your Volunteer Application. NOTE: VALID is a disability service and the government has made it mandatory for all staff and volunteers of disability services to be vaccinated for COVID.
If you already have a current ‘Worker Registration’ with either the NDIS Commission or VDWC (Victorian Disability Worker Commission) then send us proof of this and that’s all we need.
If you aren’t a ‘registered worker’ you will need to send us a current Police Check Certificate with your Volunteer application. If your Police Check is out of date (i.e. dated before 7th February 2021) then VALID will pay for ‘volunteer’ Police Check for you – fill our pages 10 and 11 of the Volunteer Information Booklet to request VALID to do this for you.
Having a Say Feedback
Your feedback is important, it helps us to make the conference better.