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2009 Conference

 

6 – 8 May 2009
Dockside, Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour, Sydney

Co-hosted by the Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC) and the Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies (NADA)

The Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies (NADA) and the Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC), the peak bodies for the drug and alcohol and mental health community sectors in NSW respectively, came together to present this ground breaking conference.

Approximately 600 delegates over three days were exposed to speakers, presentations and inteactive opportunities to look for the way forward in dealing with complex and diverse needs in the community, especially around the issues of mental health and drug and alcohol use.

In coming days we will be updating this website with more details including conference presentations and a summary of the outcomes.

Conference Presentations

Symposiums on current innovative, challenging and controversial topics were a feature of the conference:

  • Iatrogenic effects – what happens matters
  • Exploring criminal justice issues
  • Talking youth
  • Lifting the burden of smoking
  • Progress in the Improved Services Initiative
  • Do you do data darling? 
  • Sexual orientation reflections
  • Social and emotional health and wellbeing: Aboriginal issues
  • Talking change: Strengthening use of psychosocial therapies
  • Families and carers upfront
  • Leadership and organisational development
  • Where’s the commitment? Consumer participation and leadership in mental health and drug and alcohol
  • Researching community based approaches
  • Pathways out of homelessness
  • Understanding cultural diversity
  • Recovery oriented workforce development workshop
  • Creativity in recovery
  • Lived experience and peer support

Keynote Speakers

The Hon John Della Bosca - NSW Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast and Vice President of the Executive Council
John Mendoza - Chair, National Advisory Council on Mental Health
Tania Major - Young Australian of the Year 2007
Professor Margaret Hamilton - Chair, Multiple and Complex Needs Panel (Victoria) and University of Melbourne
David McGrath - Director, NSW Health Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Office
Jeff Cheverton - Executive Director, Queensland Alliance
Janet Meagher AM - PRA

Conference Venue

The conference venue was Dockside, Cockle Bay overlooking Sydney’s beautiful Darling Harbour on the edge of the CBD. The venue is a short walk from city buses, train (Town Hall), monorail and ferry (Darling Harbour/King St Wharf). Dockside is a function centre upstairs in the Cockle Bay Wharf complex on the eastern or city side of Darling Harbour.

Map and directions to venue

Conference Program

Program

Concurrent Sessions

The conference featured papers on a range of different topics relating to the conference theme and covering areas such as:

  • Bridging research into practice: The latest research and its practical applications.
  • Responding to need: Showcasing effective interventions, innovative approaches and practice wisdom across a range of services including: drug and alcohol; mental health; homelessness; women’s health; young people and the criminal justice system; gambling addiction; disability; aged care; childhood abuse; indigenous health; and housing.
  • Demonstrating effectiveness: Understanding how to use data to demonstrate and articulate outcomes for people accessing services.
  • Workforce development: Supporting organisations to have the right people, with the right skills and the right attitude, at the right time.
  • Organisational Development: Building capacity to manage change and be sustainable and relevant into the future.
  • Valuing the lived experience of consumers/clients and carers: Integrating consumer/client and carer perspectives into individual support and organisational development.
  • Collaboration without borders: Exploring the implications of working collaboratively with a range of partners across geographic and sector borders.

Contact Details

Edi Condack 02-9555 8388 ext 0 info@mhcc.org.au PO Box 668 Rozelle NSW 2039

Diary Dates

Applications for subsidies and assistance closed: 17 April 2009
Registrations closed: 24 April 2009
Conference: 6-8 May 2009

Conference Prices

Registration costs inclusive of GST:
Full registration   $500   ($450 for members of MHCC or NADA) 
Concession        $375  for those with student/healthcare card

Single Day          $180   ($150 for members of MHCC or NADA)
Concession        $125  for those with student/healthcare card

Refund Policy

Between 9 April and 24 April cancelled registrations will be accepted for a refund of the amount paid less $50 administration fee. After 24 April, no refunds will be given but registrations can be transfered to another person. 

Conference Documents

Indicative Program (as updated)
Conference Brochure (released February 2009)
Registration Form         
Notice of Conference and Call for Abstracts  (released October 2008)

Conference Sponsors

 

CSH Industry Skills Council