News Page

Update  15/8/03

All materials that are released for public reference are now attached to the page.  For keynote materials, go to Home, and click the keynote speaker, and for the 1,000 flowers blooming, go to the 1,000 flowers page and choose the workshop you wish, and then download the material.

Update 24/7/03

Pictures are now on the site!  All extracts are being sought and will be posted by 15.8.03.  The reason for the delay is that the 'web master...' will be on Magnetic Island till that week.

Update  21.7.03

The conference is over, and we are in wind-down.  Currently compiling all the evaluative data, and emailing / writing to all presenters to ask for specific permission to post powerpoint / overheads / extracts to the page.  When we have this material, the page will be updated so that it may used as a resource, complete with pics and evaluation.  This may take a couple of weeks, and I (John) am going on hols for a couple of weeks so...

Thanks you to everyone for contributing so liberally of your time and energy!

Update  10.7.03

Registrations are coming in, and are now at 130.  This is very gratifying, and people are coming from many different places and backgrounds.  We are certainly aware that this conference has not been easy to get to, and people are showing significant interest in the program and proceedings.

The whales are also late in registering

The schedule has been changed a little, so please check it!

We have a video from Marianne Farkas, and will link up to her via phone after her presentation.

Update  2.7.03

Dr Matthew Yau has provided detail of his post conference workshop.

Update  27.6.03

Major news.  We are not able to have Cheryl Gagne, and we are most disappointed about that, but we have put together another package and we are very pleased that it will effectively deliver the 'rehabilitation' theme.

We have engaged Marianne Farkas, from Boston University, to present the keynote address.  It will be conducted via video conference from Boston.  We have also engaged Lara Williams from Alternatives Unlimited, near Boston to conduct the workshops, and work with us in the pre conference sessions.

Due to the lack of momentum that has occurred while we were filling this key role, we have decided to extend registrations by one week, to 4.7.03.

The 'flowers blooming' workshops have been extended to three, and 21 presentations will occur.  They are now posted to the page, and can be accessed via the schedule.

Update  20.6.03

We have received quite a number of 'Flowers' applications, and will be short listing next week and notifying presenters by 27.6.03.   Listing to be put on the schedule by 30.6.03.

Update  16.6.03

Very tough news!  Cheryl Gagne has had to withdraw from the conference, due to serious illness.  We have expressed our best wishes and sympathy to her, and wish her well.  Boston are currently reviewing who to send in her place.  They are treating this as a priority and will notify us asap.

This event has been very difficult for all of us, and we have been very much aware how many people have wanted to hear Cheryl.  We are hoping that people who have intended to come to the conference will continue to support it without her.

We will leave the schedule as is until we hear of who will be replacing Cheryl.

Update  3.6.03

Accommodation providers have offered packages!  A bus driver has offered to take ppl to the whales.  This will be 'on call,' as the whales choose their times, not the other way around!

Update  27.5.03

Aspire can now take credit card applications.  See new flyer and registration form.

VicHealth has approved sponsorship for the conference, as has the DHS Barwon South Western region.

Update 23.5.03 

Aspire is locating accommodation providers who are willing to be ‘friends of the conference.’  More to come on this, but we will have links to providers, and possibly a number of local eateries.   

Updates on the schedules included. 

Update  15 May 2003

Aspire will be able to take credit card payments in three weeks +, so please wait till then if this is how you wish to pay. (may not occur pre early bird)

We are having interest shown from South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland and New South Wales.