Darren Smith
Chief Executive Officer
Aboriginal Housing Victoria
Darren Smith is a proud palawa man from Lutruwita or Trowunna. Darren has lived, worked, and played in Naarm on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations for over 30 years. He currently serves as the CEO of Aboriginal Housing Victoria and Chair of the Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Forum in Victoria. With a strong academic foundation, Darren holds an Executive Master of Public Administration, a Bachelor of Laws, and a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil). His leadership and expertise in public administration, law, and engineering drive his commitment to improving housing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Darren's role at Aboriginal Housing Victoria reflects his dedication to advancing culturally informed, sustainable housing solutions across the sector.
SESSIONS
Day 1
12:05
Panel: Learning from great advocacy
Session Moderator: Kate Colvin, Chief Executive Officer, Homelessness Australia
Home Stretch Campaign
Paul McDonald, Chief Executive Officer, Anglicare Victoria
Home Time Campaign
Shorna Moore, Head of Policy, Advocacy and Government Relations, Melbourne City Mission
Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Forum
Darren Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Aboriginal Housing Victoria
Everybody’s Home Campaign
Sofie Wainwright, Senior Consultant, Horton Advisory
Day 2
9:40
Panel: New Directions for Community Controlled Homelessness Responses
Looking to an Aboriginal led homelessness system
Understanding place-based self-determined solutions to end First Nations homelessness
Moderator: Zachariah Matysek, Chief Executive Officer, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Association (NATSIHA)
Darren Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Aboriginal Housing Victoria
Tina Ugle, Managing Director, Noognar Mia Mia