Missing Australia Network Symposium

The Missing Australia Network Symposium: A Gathering of Voices for Families of Missing Persons

The Missing Australia Network Working Group warmly invites you to the inaugural Symposium for Families of Missing Persons—an event dedicated to uniting families and friends who share the profound experience of having a missing loved one. We understand the heartbreak, the uncertainty, and the longing, and we are committed to providing a space where you can find comfort, connection, and purpose.

This Symposium is a unique opportunity for families to come together in a safe, compassionate, and informal environment. Here, you are encouraged to share your truths, voice your concerns, and express your lived experiences. Most importantly, your input will help shape the discussions and drive the change we all seek.

Important Information:

• The Symposium is open only to families and friends of missing persons.
• Please note: Due to the sensitive nature of the discussions, which may include adult themes, it is not recommended for children to attend. However, children are welcome if a parent or guardian believes it is appropriate for them to be present.

Why Attend?

The Symposium is more than just an event—it’s a chance to join a supportive community where your voice truly matters. This gathering is designed for you, by you. Your insights and perspectives are essential in shaping future reforms and ensuring that the journey for families like yours becomes one of advocacy, support, and meaningful action.

Together, we will work toward:

• Building a stronger, more unified support network for families and friends of missing persons.
• Ensuring that families’ experiences drive critical conversations about search prioritisation and the timely activation of missing person investigations.
• Fostering a space for learning and collaboration, with the ultimate aim of creating One Agency dedicated to consistency in search efforts and family advocacy.

What to Expect

During the event, you'll have the opportunity to participate in a variety of workshops and sessions designed to foster understanding, healing, and connection. With a diverse range of workshops offered throughout the day, you can engage with different topics and perspectives. The Symposium is structured to ensure that your voice is heard and valued.

This is your chance to:

• Tell your story in a supportive space.
• Connect with others who truly understand the complex emotions of living with a missing loved one.
• Participate in driving change that affects how missing person cases are handled, from search operations to family support services.

Together, we can advocate for consistency, compassion, and reform in the way missing person cases are managed. This is not just an event—it’s the beginning of a movement for change.

Join us at the Missing Australia Network Symposium, where your voice will play a pivotal role in shaping a more supportive future for all those touched by missingness.

"Together we can make a difference"

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Please be advised that Sunday, 24th November will be dedicated to a meet-and-greet event at Search Dogs Sydney's Training Academy in Rossmore.

Please note: that no workshops will be conducted on this day. This will not be an online event.

A complimentary BBQ breakfast will be provided. Come and meet the dogs, see the drone in action and have more informal conversations.

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