Allied Health Assistant (AHA) Day 2026
Date
Wednesday, 11 November 2026
Time
9:00am – 4:30pm AEDT
Location
Online / Virtual
Leading from Where You Are: The Power of Everyday Leadership
Leadership isn’t defined by title or position; it’s demonstrated through everyday actions. Allied Health Assistants lead by supporting others, driving small but meaningful improvements, and contributing to safe, effective care. Whether guiding students, sharing knowledge, or influencing how work is done, AHAs demonstrate leadership in the everyday moments that matter. By stepping up, speaking up, and taking ownership within their role, AHAs help to shape a stronger workforce and better outcomes for the people and communities they support.
Join us this year as we showcase the everyday leadership demonstrated by AHAs across Australia and New Zealand. Please see below for further information about our event or to submit an abstract:
- View the Preliminary Program
- Registrations now OPEN via Eventbrite
- Read more about our keynote speakers below
Opening Keynote
We are excited to announce our first keynote speaker for AHA Day 2026, Kate Austin.
Kate is the Founder & CEO of Pinchapoo – a cheeky start-up turned leading national NFP organisation founded on the idea of pinching hotel toiletries for those in need. Kate lives by the belief that having access to personal hygiene products is a basic human right and one that’s essential tophysical and mental well-being – working tirelessly to fight one of the greatest social issues facing 1 in 3 Australians – HYGIENE POVERTY.
The grass roots charity has successfully transformed its simple modern day ‘Robin Hood’ concept into a movement that now works alongside more than 3500+ organisations and government institutions in support of the disadvantaged and has proudly supplied in excess of 17 MILLION products to men, women and children around Australia in its 17 years of operation. Pinchapoo is now proudly the largest NFP distributor of personal hygiene products nationally and each year rescues and repurposes in excess of 2000+ tonnes of landfill destined self care industry waste.
Kate is an award-winning and engaging international speaker, recent inductee onto the women’s honour roll, social justice warrior, entrepreneur, mental health advocate and energetic visionary who certainly has a story to tell about the place and time in her life where Pinchapoo was born. Her inspiring journey creating change is both unconventional and inspirational.
Closing Keynote
We are excited to announce our closing keynote speaker for AHA Day 2026, Brooke Hanson OLY OAM.
Brooke is an Olympic gold and silver medallist, world champion swimmer, media presenter, master of ceremonies and one of Australia’s most recognised voices in sport and leadership.
Throughout an extraordinary career, Brooke has demonstrated the dedication, resilience and determination required to perform at the highest level on the world stage. Her achievements in the pool, including Olympic and World Championship success, have made her an inspiring role model for people across Australia.
In recognition of her contributions both in and beyond sport, Brooke was named the 2025 Gold Coast Wellness Warrior Woman of the Year. Today, she shares the lessons learned from elite competition, helping audiences explore how to navigate challenges, maintain wellbeing, build resilience and perform at their best in both their professional and personal lives.
In her keynote, Do It. Don’t Quit., Brooke takes audiences inside the defining moments of her Olympic journey, sharing the setbacks, pressures and decisions that shaped her career. Through honest storytelling and practical insights, she explores themes of resilience, perseverance, accountability and sustainable high performance.
AHA Day attendees can expect an engaging and uplifting session that will leave them with renewed motivation, practical strategies for overcoming challenges, and a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through persistence and belief in yourself.
For further information or enquiries, please contact us at MonashHealthAHADay@monashhealth.org