Gippsland is home to one of the most dedicated and longstanding family violence partnerships in Victoria, however the region continues to face significant challenges in addressing family violence.
This forum will focus on the intergenerational impacts of family violence that are increasingly evident in our communities, and will provide an opportunity to bring together leaders across sectors — including specialist services, Victoria Police, Child Protection, Courts, local councils, political representatives, and business leaders — to drive meaningful change.
The event will include:
- Presentation and Q&A with Dr. Vince Hurley
- A panel discussion with sector representatives and local voices
- An opportunity for audience Q&A and open dialogue – send us your questions at checkout
The event is for local:
- Leaders and Decision Makers
- Politicians
- Council Members
- Practitioners and Family Violence Support Services
- Media Representatives
Join the Waitlist
Get to know Dr. Vince Hurley!
Vince Hurley (PhD) is a university lecturer and one of Australia’s leading academics specialising on the contemporary role of the police and policing within criminological theories. He also lectures on Crisis Management and Disaster Relief.
Before joining the Department of Security Studies and Criminology at Macquarie University Vince spent 29 years as an operational police officer in the New South Wales Police Force achieving the rank of Detective Superintendent.
Whilst in the NSW Police Force he was seconded to the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet engineering statewide crime reduction policy and then implementing the same specialising in reducing the prevalence of domestic violence. Because of this work he was awarded a number of national and State awards by Australian Institute of Criminology and NSW Parliament.
He was Police Hostage Negotiator for 8 years and investigated cocaine importation and trafficking into NSW and nationally for 5 years. He worked both in uniform ‘street policing’ at Mount Druitt, Penrith, St. Marys and Blacktown. He was also a Detective at Mount Druitt and Penrith investigating local serious crimes of domestic homicides, sexual assaults and serious (non-sexual) assaults, home invasions and local drug distribution, amongst other local crimes.
As an experienced industry practitioner, Vince key strength is being able to demonstrate the pragmatic role of the police and policing to academic theory. His area of specialisation the implications of financialisation on policing practice, domestic violence, crisis management, hostage negotiation and police use of force.
Vince’s PhD was into the Financialisation of Policing in the UK from 2010 – 2020. He drew on the theoretical work of Foucault, O’Malley, Freud, North, Dean and neoliberalism (Thatcherism).
- The financialisation of policing
- Police use of force – lethal and/or less than lethal in police shootings and use of tasers
- Suicide by Cop
- Policing domestic violence
- Policing mental health.
- Police hostage negotiations
- Drugs and drug crime, domestic and transnational
- Police pursuits
- Defund the police
In the Media
Vince has given over 110 media interviews on domestic violence, hostage negotiations and various organised crime types, police policy and procedure. All have appeared online and on mainstream media outlines both nationally and international.
Vince’s appearance on the ABC program Q&A on the 2nd May 2024 gained 17 million views across various social media platforms on domestic violence after his rebuke of Federal and State politicians on violence against women.
Presentations
Vince has presented to over 3,000 high school students in Years 10 – 12 on violence against women, coercive control and urban myths around domestic violence. Further he has presented to Government Ministers and various Government Departments and at NGO conferences across Australia on violence against women.
He has been the Keynote speaker at national NGO conferences, academic, private and public sector forums on violence against women. He has also published a number of articles in The Conversation around police, policing and crime
Vince has given evidence to;
The NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the crimes of assault.
The Federal Government Standing Committee on Law Enforcement in the link between organised crime and COVID.
Meet the Panellists
Dr. Vince Hurley
Dr. Vince Hurley is one of Australia leading policing and criminological academics specialising on the contemporary role of the police and policing.
Vince is a university lecturer at Macquarie University and public speaker, after a long career in the police force.
Kate Graham - CEO Gippsland Women's Health
Kate was appointed as CEO of Gippsland Women’s Health in March 2021 following an impressive career within community health, the social services sector, acute health and aged care across Gippsland, metro Melbourne, South Australia and Queensland. Kate is a Registered Nurse and Registered Psychiatric Nurse and holds post graduate qualifications in Strategic Human Resource Management and maintains her professional learning through the Australian Institute of Management and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Kate has held previous executive leadership roles, as CEO at Neerim Health for over 3 years, Windana Drug and Alcohol recovery for over 5 years and Latrobe Community Health Services that have assisted in developing her skills and experience in leadership and business administration whilst maintaining a primary focus on evidence informed and best practice outcomes.
Over the years, Kate has consolidated and enhanced her executive leadership skills with a focus on improving organisational governance, cultivating partnerships and generating opportunities that benefit rural and regional communities. Kate’s aim has always been to work to improve service access, delivery and outcomes within rural and regional communities. Kate’s leadership experience within the health and community services sector has also encompassed navigating and managing major critical events including the COVID-19 pandemic and catastrophic bushfires.
Kate has a long-term commitment to progressing gender equality and eliminating violence against women and children. Kate is committed to increasing women’s leadership and decision making, improving women’s health outcomes through health promotion and is committed to working across all sectors and community.
Kate is currently the Deputy Chair of the Victorian Women’s Health Services Network and was previously the Chair of the Gippsland Family Violence.
Dan Poyton - CEO GippSport
Dan Poynton is an accomplished leader in sports and community development, currently serving as the executive officer of GippSport, a Director of Regional Sport Victoria and the Gippsland Community Foundation & Gippsland Youth Spaces.
Dan passionately champions initiatives that enhance community participation and inclusivity in sport. His expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and delivering innovative programs that address socio-economic and geographical challenges in regional areas is integral to his advocacy for grassroots sport.
Dan’s work has driven significant progress in building healthier, more connected communities and is vital to fostering partnerships that promote long-term sustainability and impact.
Rod Findlay - Detective Senior Sergeant, Victoria Police
Rod is the Detective Senior Sergeant of Victoria Police, within the ED5 Family Violence Investigation Unit.
Tania Hancock - Quantum Support Services
Tania is the Manager for HOF implementation & Practice Innovation at Quantum Support Services and is passionate about building and maintaining positive relationships and connections in families.
Tania has a Graduate Certificate in Developmental Trauma and Diplomas in Community Services, Mental Health Alcohol and other Drugs.
As the founder of the Adolescent Building Connections program developed and delivered by Quantum Support Services Tania has been working in the AVITH space for over 8 years and brings over 10 years of experience working with across family violence youth and family services as well as in the Care Services Sector.
Do you have a question for Dr. Vince or for the panel?
Scan the QR code or click the link above to send us your questions. Time is limited, however we will do what we can to ensure all questions are answered.
Event Partners
GFVA would like to thank the Wellington Shire Council for their support in holding our Family Violence in Gippsland: Leadership Forum for 16 Days of Activism 2025.
