Big Tent turns 34: Cairnmillar scales support in early childhood across Victoria with new programs
School-based group therapy to begin in Dandenong from 2026; culturally relevant delivery co-designed with First Nations leadership
The Cairnmillar Institute has marked 34 years of its Big Tent program with a showcase event in Melbourne, highlighting more than three decades of impact transforming the lives of vulnerable children and families. The event also celebrated three book launches and set out an ambitious expansion plan, including school-based group therapy in Dandenong from 2026, adapting delivery in partnership with First Nations leadership, and scaling access nationally through digital professional development.
Launched in 1991, Big Tent strengthens the early childhood workforce through training, supervision and reflective practice for frontline professionals such as Preschool Field Officers. These professionals are often the first to identify distress or developmental vulnerability in children and are crucial in linking families with support services. Delivered free of charge, the program has reached communities across metropolitan Melbourne as well as regional areas including Warrnambool, Mildura, Bendigo, Wallan, Warragul, the La Trobe Valley, Wimmera, Maroondah, Frankston, Mornington Peninsula, Port Phillip, Stonington, Glen Eira, Bayside, Maribyrnong & City of Melbourne LGAs, Southern Mallee, Whittlesea, East Gippsland and Wellington Shires.
Talking about the program and its importance, Professor Kathryn von Treuer, CEO and Provost of The Cairnmillar Institute, said “Every time we equip one early childhood professional, their impact multiplies across an entire community. That means stronger parent–child relationships, healthier development, and a fairer start for children who need it most.”
The need for these services is clear. In 2022–23, there were more than 501,000 reports of child welfare concerns in Australia, with over 45,400 substantiated cases (AIHW, Child Protection Australia 2022–23). At school entry, one in five Australian children is identified as developmentally vulnerable in at least one area of development (AEDC, National Report 2021). Research also shows that strong family connections in childhood are linked to greater adult wellbeing across levels of adversity.
Dr Imogene Smith, Lecturer, Clinical Psychologist and Big Tent facilitator, explained “Big Tent wraps around the child–family–kindergarten system by supporting the professionals who support our most vulnerable children. The group is a safe, practical space to sharpen judgement, share wisdom and protect worker wellbeing.” Facilitation integrates Contextual Modular Therapy with psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, existential and family-systems approaches. Evaluations show participants report lower perceived stress, reduced secondary traumatic stress and greater confidence in supporting families facing complex situations.
“A young child’s brain is exquisitely sensitive to experience. Early experiences lay the foundation for everything that follows. Prevention and early intervention are the most effective and the most economic approaches,” said Professor Frank Oberklaid AM, Chief Patron of The Cairnmillar Institute.
Outlining the next phase of Big Tent, Dr Archana Kaur, Director of Clinical Services at Cairnmillar, said “These initiatives extend Big Tent’s reach so that every child, no matter where they live, can benefit from the care and skill of a strong, supported early childhood workforce. Our future includes school-based group therapy for primary-aged children and their caregivers beginning in Greater Dandenong schools from 2026, culturally relevant adaptation through co-design with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholar Fairlie Morgan and extending access nationwide through digital delivery and remote conferencing. Cairnmillar’s expanded Dandenong clinic, opened in July 2024, will also provide low-cost access to group programs and family-centred interventions.”
Event Highlights
The 34th anniversary showcase opened with a Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country from Emeritus Professor John Catford, Council Chair of The Cairnmillar Institute, and featured keynote addresses from Professor Frank Oberklaid AM and Dr Imogene Smith, alongside case-based insights from frontline practitioners. The event also launched three books: The Talking Therapies – What’s It All About by Adjunct Professor Coral Brown, Being Down and Getting Up by Richard Siegersma, and Where Love Lives by Dr Theo Naidoo.
Cairnmillar relies on the generosity of donors and partners to deliver Big Tent free of charge to communities. Donations directly fund prevention and early-intervention services for children, parents and caregivers, and enable professional training that multiplies impact across entire communities.