STREAM HIGHLIGHTS

The now traditional streaming of the Congress continues in 2006 with the stream coordinators putting together stimulating speakers to contribute to the various themes and sub-streams to the program. The organising committee will continue to refine the program and place updates on the website. Highlights include:

CHILD AND ADOLESCENT
Childhood is one of the most important periods for development of a well functioning emotional compass. In this stream the focus will be on the early childhood period in
socioemotional development. The local branch of the faculty is honored by the visit of A/Professor Bert Powell and that he is contributing to the stream program with workshop activities as well as his keynote address. Other highlights include the session by Dr Louise Newman Director of the New South Wales Institute of Psychiatry and a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with expertise in the area of infancy and early childhood development that will focus on her research into early attachment relationships with infants and the promotion of emotional competence. Session on the Perinatal Psychiatry and Children of Parents with Mental Illness will also feature.

PSYCHIATRY OF OLD AGE
The Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry is excited about the program it has for those with an interest in this area. In conjuction with the Board of Research, the stream program includes a session showcasing speakers including Professor Daniel O’Connor, Associate Professor Gerard Byrne, Dr Jeff Looi, Professor Osvaldo Almeida and Associate Professor Nicola Lautenschlager. There will also be a panel session on Competency Assessment chaired by Professor Sergio Starkstein.

Professor David O’Connor
Monash University

Associate Professor Gerard Byrne
Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital and University of Queensland

ADDICTION
The Section of Addiction Psychiatry is delighted that Dr Jonathan Chick, who has made a signifi cant contribution to the fi eld of addiction psychiatry over many years, will present
a plenary session and will also run an interactive session on Motivational Interviewing later in Congress.This will be followed by a session on relapse prevention and management by Prof Steve Allsop who has over 25 years experience in the drug field.The emphasis will be on clinicians at all levels gaining information which will assist in clinical practice.

Professor Steve Allsop
Professor and Director of the National Drug Research Institute

CONSULTATION LIAISON

Professor Saxby Pridmore
Clinical Professor, University of Tasmania, and PICU, Royal Hobart
Hospital Tasmania, Australia

CONSUMER AND CARERS

‘Everyone has rights, what about mental health consumers?’

A consumer perspective on the mental health debate The RANZCP’s Board of Community Relations has arranged this important consumer forum to discuss the involvement of consumers in addressing Australia’s mental health needs. A panel of experts including consumer representatives will outline their views on what the future holds for consumers in the light of the Not For Service: Experiences of Injustice and Despair in Mental Health Care in Australia report.

FORENSIC

Sandy Simpson
Assoc Prof Sandy Simpson is the Clinical Director of the Auckland Regional Psychiatry Service [since 2001] and Honorary Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Auckland [since 2005]. His major clinical and research interests are in rehabilitation of forensic psychiatric patients, epidemiology of homicide and infanticide, and psychiatric morbidity amongst prisoners. He has over 60 refereed publications, book chapters and monographs. He has performed consultant work with a variety of governmental agencies and in criminal medicolegal activities. He is involved with post graduate teaching in forensic mental health issues, and is a member of the Board of Directors of both the International Association of Psychiatry and Law, and the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services. He is Chair of the Subcommittee for Advanced Training in Forensic Psychiatry, RANZCP.

PSYCHOTHERAPY
The Section of Psychotherapy hosts Dr Jeremy Holmes who will contribute to the psychotherapy stream with his insights in working with people with Borderline Personality Disorder and this will be further explored in sessions focusing on local interventions with this patient group.

RURAL PSYCHIATRY
The Rural Special Interest Group will be hosting a symposium highlighting teaching and training in rural areas, with invited speakers from across Australia and New Zealand and a keynote presentation by Professor Ernest Hunter. Remote area services will also feature in a number of rural-themed presentations throughout Congress, covering topics such as visiting services, air transport of psychiatric patients and the challenges of
providing care in isolated regions.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

RANZCP ART EXHIBITION

“Emotional Wellbeing”
Sunday 28 May – Thursday 1 June 2006

Hosted by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, the 41st Congress is having an art exhibition as part of this years congress in Perth.

To be held at the Perth Convention Centre from the 28th May – 1st June 2006, the exhibition is open to artists/people living with mental illness and people who are caring for people with a mental illness. Although it is not essential for work submitted to refl ect the theme of the Congress, special consideration maybe given to this aspect of the work.

Artwork may be in any medium, including drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics and photography. 3D work must not exceed 25kgs. Application forms can be requested by contacting Chris Williams on (08) 9430 2414 or by emailing gallery@dadaawa.asn.au. Entries close 31st March.

Prizes:
$4000 Grand Prize (open to consumers and carers)
$2000 Consumer Prize
$1000 Consumer Runner Up Prize

Opportunities for organisations to sponsor this exciting art exhibition or other aspects of the Congress are available. If you would like to discuss these opportunities please contact Shona Kellock, The Meeting Planners on either phone: (03) 9417 0888 or email: exhibition@meetingplanners.com.au

IN CONVERSATION WITH HELEN GARNER
Wednesday 31 May 1330 – 1500

Since her first novel, Monkey Grip, appeared in 1977, Helen Garner has published several more works of fiction, notably The Children’s Bach, Postcards from Surfers and Cosmo Cosmolino. More recently she has become known for her wide-ranging essays and
journalism, now collected as True Stories and The Feel of Steel. In 1995 a national debate was provoked by The First Stone, her examination of a Melbourne University
sexual harassment scandal. Her latest book is also non-fiction: Joe Cinque’s Consolation, an account of a 1997 murder case in Canberra. She lives in Melbourne.

Helen will be “ïn conversation” about herself and her writing with Professor Sidney Bloch. Thereafter, she will take questions from the audience. Given her brilliant insights into many aspects of the human condition, the session promises to be thought-provoking and engaging. It would be especially worthwhile to anticipate the occasion by reading Consolation and Stone.