Events
Step into an online cabaret of creativity, connection, and unapologetic disability pride at the CPActive ‘Creating for Change Cabaret. A free online event celebrating the power of art to spark advocacy, challenge systems, and bring people together.
In the lead up to Disability Pride Month, audiences are invited to do more than just watch the cabaret; you’ll become part of it. Through storytelling, conversation, music, visual art, and shared reflection, Creating for Change Cabaret transforms the online space into a vibrant collective experience led by proudly disabled artists, advocates, and emerging changemakers.
Hosted by comedian and musician Dean Nash, the evening explores how creativity can shift perspectives, build community, and drive disability rights forward. Dean will be joined by guests including award-winning disabled writer Laura Pettenuzzo, alongside up-and-coming leaders from the CPActive community sharing original works inspired by the theme “Creating for Change.”
Together, artists and audiences will explore what disability pride means, where the movement has come from, and how art can help shape a more accessible, inclusive future. Expect honest conversations, powerful performances, interactive moments, and the kind of collective energy that reminds us advocacy doesn’t only happen in boardrooms or protests; sometimes it happens in songs, paintings, poetry, dance floors, and messy beautiful online cabarets.
Whether you come to listen, reflect, celebrate, ask questions, or simply soak up the atmosphere, Creating for Change Cabaret is a space to gather in solidarity, amplify disabled voices, and imagine what’s possible when creativity and community collide.
Here is the link to join us at the Lived Experience Lab – Art as Resistance workshop to build your own piece of art:
Here is the link to submit your showcase/ art for the Creating for Change Cabaret: https://forms.office.com/r/LnkZZKT4pw
Join our Lived Experience Lab: Art as Resistance. A creative online workshop supporting people with disability to turn lived experience into powerful art, storytelling, and advocacy.
Hosted by CPActive Steering Committee member Lachie Moore with special guest, renowned disabled writer Laura Pettenuzzo, this interactive session will explore how disabled people have used creativity throughout history to challenge ableism, reclaim identity, and drive social change. Together, they’ll unpack how to shape your own experiences, perspectives, and disability pride into art that says something meaningful to the world.
What does resistance mean to you?
What does disability pride look like through your eyes?
There’s no “right” way to respond. Your art could be:
- a story or poem
• a comic
• a video
• a song
• craft
• a painting
• or any other creative form you choose
Participants will also have the opportunity to submit their creations to be showcased at CPActive’s Creating for Change Cabaret on 24 June 2026; a powerful online celebration of disability pride, art, storytelling, and advocacy led by disabled artists and changemakers.
Whether you’re a seasoned creative or someone who’s never made art before, this is a space to experiment, connect, and create boldly alongside community.
If you would like to register a piece of art for the Cabaret please use this link:
Tuesday 12 May 2026
4:30pm AEST
Online (link provided upon registration)
Curious about CPActive and how you can be part of a growing movement for change?
Join us for a relaxed and informative 40-minute online session hosted by the CPActive Steering Committee. This is your chance to learn more about CPActive; a community driven by people with lived experience of cerebral palsy and the Champion Network at the heart of it all.
CPActive is about connection, advocacy, and action. Through our Champion community, people with lived experience come together to share ideas, co-design initiatives, and lead campaigns and events that challenge ableism and create more inclusive communities. Champions are visionaries, storytellers, leaders, and changemakers… shaping the future, together.
Whether you’re exploring ways to get involved or just want to learn more, this session is a great place to start.
What we’ll cover:
- What is CPActive and what is the CPActive Champion Network
- Meet and greet with the CPActive Champion leaders
- FAQs about what we are working on and how you can get involved
- Open Q&A and networking
Come along, meet the team, and get a feel for what being part of CPActive could look like for you.
We can’t wait to connect with you and share what the Champion Network is all about.
23 June, 2026 | 11am (60 mins)
Join CPActive for the 2027 NSW Government Graduate Program Information Session
Co-hosted with the NSW Premier’s Department
Are you a person with disability who is thinking about starting your career in the public service? Join CPActive for a virtual information session to learn more about the 2027 NSW Government Graduate Program, one of the largest graduate employers in Australia.
You’ll hear from NSW Government staff about what it’s like to work in the public sector, what graduates do in the program, and the specific access adjustments and inclusion practices available to support you throughout the application process and your employment.
This session is designed to give you a clear understanding of the program and how you can be part of shaping the future of NSW.
What you’ll hear about:
- An overview of the Graduate Program and its five streams
- The application and selection process
- The types of meaningful work graduates contribute to across NSW
- Real insights from current NSW Government staff
- The access adjustments and inclusive practices available throughout recruitment and employment
The NSW Premier’s Department is partnering with CPActive to create more accessible and inclusive pathways into public service careers for people with disability. This is your opportunity to explore what’s possible and start your journey toward a career in public service.
Key dates:
Applications open: 17 June 2026
Applications close: 15 July 2026
Find more information and application details here:
https://iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/employment-programs/graduate-program
Not a graduate yourself? Please share this opportunity with graduates in your network; let’s make sure people with disability don’t miss the chance to access inclusive career pathways with the NSW Public Service.
Wednesday 11 March
10:00 – 10:30am (AEDT)
Online
Join us for a 30-minute online information session to learn more about the CPActive Young Changemakers; a 12 week, online, self paced, leadership and advocacy program designed by and for young people with cerebral palsy.
This session is hosted by the CPActive Young Changemakers Working Group, our incredible alumni who continue to co-design and evolve the program to ensure it reflects lived experience, community priorities, and real-world impact.
What we’ll cover:
- The Young Changemaker Journey – what to expect, what you’ll learn, and where it can take you
- How the program builds confidence, advocacy skills, and community leadership
- Young Changemaker stories from alumni
- Live Q&A – bring your questions!
Whether you’re curious about applying, supporting someone to apply, or simply want to learn more about how young leaders with cerebral palsy are driving change – we’d love to see you there.
We are still confirming the time and date for our Lived Experience Lab – but you can still make your voice heard with our survey!
Complete the survey by clicking this link.
With the South Australian state election just around the corner in March 2026, CPActive is inviting our community (people with CP and allies) from across the state to come together, connect, and talk about what matters most to people with CP.
What is CPActive?
CPActive is a campaigning platform run by a community of people with cerebral palsy, for people with cerebral palsy. We’re here to make sure our issues are heard, and our priorities are front and centre when decisions are being made by politicians.
In New South Wales, we harnessed our community’s collective power to create more inclusive school to work pathways for students with disability with our Blaze the Trail campaign. We have seen major changes to education policies happen because of the power of our movement, and the impact of the stories told by so many people.
This win came directly from the experiences and passion for change of people with CP locally in NSW. It proved that when we work together, we can achieve big change.
Now, it’s South Australia’s turn.
We know there’s no shortage of issues that need fixing, but change starts with you.
That’s why our survey is your chance to:
- Share the barriers you face in education, employment, and everyday participation.
- Tell us what change you want to see in your community.
- Help CPActive set campaign priorities that reflect the real needs of South Australians in the lead up to the SA State election.
We need our community power, so whether you’re an experienced campaigner, or this is your first time being part of collective advocacy, we want you at the table.
Together, we can build a movement for change in South Australia and make our voices heard.
In the lead up to World Cerebral Palsy Day, join CPActive for a powerful online Town Hall as we celebrate 80 years of Cerebral Palsy Alliance and more than eight decades of disability advocacy! This special event will honour the trailblazing advocates who have paved the way for inclusion, rights, and change for disabled people.
Through Stories That Made Us, special guests will share their powerful advocacy experiences in an interactive and engaging format, reflecting on how far we’ve come and the challenges still ahead. Together, we’ll celebrate our wins, acknowledge ongoing barriers, and explore the future of disability advocacy.
Join CPActive for this special event where we honour the work done by the advocates who have come before us. Hear from our community leaders such as Hannah Diviney and Elly Desmarchelier, plus many more who are striving for change. Join us to listen to powerful stories and be a part of the change.
Join CPActive as we present the 2026 NSW Government Graduate Program information session, co-hosted with the NSW Premiers Department.
This virtual event is focused at showcasing the 2026 NSW Government Graduate Program, giving you the opportunity to find out more about starting your career with Australia’s biggest employer.
You’ll hear from NSW Government staff about what it’s like to work in the public sector, what graduates do in the program, and the specific access adjustments and inclusion practices available to support you throughout the application process and your employment.
Learn about how the NSW Graduate Program works, including:
- Information about the program and the 5 streams
- The application and selection process
- The types of work you could be involved with that contribute to the future state of NSW
- Access and inclusion practices of the NSW Public Service
The Premier’s Department is working with CPActive to support accessible and inclusive pathways to careers in the public sector for people with disability. This is your chance to find out more and start your career in public service in 2026.
The 2026 NSW Government Graduate Program is open to applications from the 11 June until 9 July 2025. See the NSW Government website for more details and how to apply.
Not a graduate but know someone who is? Please share this invite and make sure all graduates with disability get the chance to learn about accessible and inclusive pathways to employment with the NSW Public Service at this CPActive event.
You can read about the program in more detail here: https://cpactive.org.au/calling-all-graduates-apply-today-for-the-2026-nsw-government-graduate-program/
CPActive is hosting an exclusive online Lived Experience Lab—Your Right to Vote—designed to empower people with cerebral palsy and similar disabilities to make informed decisions at the ballot box this upcoming federal election. This interactive forum will cover everything from voting rights and enrolment to understanding the policies and commitments of different parties on disability inclusion.
With special guest speakers and expert insights, we’ll break down key election issues, discuss the power of the disability vote, and provide practical steps to ensure your voice is heard.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be informed, engaged, and ready to vote with confidence!
Who is this event for?
CPActive Lived Experience Labs are a space for people with CP and similar disabilities and their family members to come together as a community, share their experiences and raise the issues that matter to them. These events are a place you can connect with others and amplify your voice for change.
This Mental Health month, CPActive, in collaboration with Sydney Childrens Hospital Network (SCHN) and CPA Research Institute, are hosting a Lived Experience Lab to connect and support our advocacy community.
This free, online, one hour community event is not to be missed for anyone with CP (or similar disability), family members or carers.
This Lived Experience Lab has been co-designed with our CPActive Champions as advocacy burnout and mental health have been identified as areas of priority for our community.
What can I expect from this Lived Experience Lab?
This will be an interactive, online event to connect and collaborate with your community. You will hear stories from experienced mental health practitioners and other advocacy leaders who have lived experience of CP about their strategies to maintain positive mental health.
CPActive Steering Committee want to open a discussion about the challenges that people with physical disability face when getting support for mental health challenges and present strategies and pathways that will support wellness for our community.
This will be an interactive event with plenty of opportunities for your input, including open discussion, breakout rooms and other interactive features.
Who is this event for?
CPActive Lived Experience Labs are a space for people with CP and similar disabilities, their family members and carers to come together as a community, share their experiences and raise the issues that matter to them.
This event is focussing on wellness and mental health and will cover topics to support positive mental health habits and reduce advocacy burnout.
Who will we hear from at this event?
Thea Keane is a counsellor with over 27 years of experience supporting people with a range of mental health difficulties. Thea was also born with cerebral palsy, and has first-hand experience of what it is like to navigate a predominately able-bodied world with a disability. It has been a journey of highs and lows. Thea believes that this personal experience heightens her ability to work with those experiencing disability.
Venessa Crane is a Research Partner with The Sydney Children’s Hospital Network working with the Feelings Program team to develop a research project aimed at better understanding the mental health support needs of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. Venessa has had cerebral palsy all her life, and is also a wheelchair user. Venessa has a background in office skills, IT and welfare, but is currently a full time artist and also works in theatre.
The CPActive Steering committee will also be part of the discussion, always there to listen and learn from our community.
Want to learn more about Mental Heath Month?
Check out the website: Lets Talk About It | Mental Health Month (wayahead.org.au)
Read some more here:
“Let’s Talk About It” emphasies the significance of open dialogue and communication regarding mental health across various platforms and settings. The theme’s “Talk” aspect highlights the importance of inclusive discussions, considering diverse needs and utilising different mediums for conversation. Meanwhile, the “It” component, is open-ended, allowing individuals to choose the topics they want to discuss. This could encompass conversations of lived experience stories, navigating mental health systems, or seeking resources and support. By embracing this flexibility, we empower people to engage in discussions that are meaningful and relevant to their own experiences. Whether it’s sharing coping strategies, advocating for better access to mental health care, or simply lending a listening ear, the “It” component encourages a wide range of conversations that promote understanding and support of mental health.
“Let’s Talk About It” further highlights the importance of connecting with others, as supported by research showing how relationships with family, friends, and broader community connections can support one’s well-being. Engaging in conversations about mental health and sharing lived experience stories with supportive individuals can improve psychological well-being and overall wellness. Through collective unity and compassion, we create environments where individuals feel empowered to openly discuss mental health, find reassurance, and seek support.