Australasian Psychiatry 22(4)
Congress 2014 a success
RANZCP President, Dr Murray Patton at Congress with Psychiatry Interest Forum (PIF) members Nick Scali, Binu Jayawardena, and Anthony Hew (from left to right) Congress Convenor, Associate Professor Sophie Davison, welcoming delegates
Keynote speakers at Congress opened by the Western Australian Minister for Mental Health, the Honourable Helen Morton. Delegates at Congress Over 1000 delegates attended the College’s annual Congress in Perth from 11 to 15 May, which was 412
Several events of importance were held during Congress, including the annual College Ceremony, where the College’s newest Fellows and advanced training certificate recipients were formally congratulated. A
variety of awards was presented to acknowledge outstanding achievements and contributions to psychiatry, the community and the College, and to recognise excellence in psychiatric research and training or encourage new and emerging researchers. In his Presidential Address, Dr Murray Patton reflected on themes
College Affairs
of identity, history and change. He spoke of the importance of family, culture and connections in gaining an understanding of a person, and challenged the audience to think broadly about their clinical interactions as well as the future and identity of the profession. The Asia Pacific mental health symposium, chaired by the College’s immediate past President, Dr Maria Tomasic, further developed the College’s partnerships and collaborations with our neighbours from across the Asia Pacific region.
College President Dr Murray Patton and past President Dr Maria Tomasic with members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Committee
RANZCP Board at the AGM
Congress brought together experts and international keynote speakers in a wide range of areas, to discuss cutting-edge research and evidencebased treatments in psychiatry. Delegates heard from international keynote speakers Jim van Os, Professor of Psychiatric Epidemiology from the Netherlands, and Dr Tom Calma AO, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention and mental health advocate. From the United Kingdom came keynote speakers Professor Mary Target, Dr Wai Chen, Professor Ricardo Araya and Chris Oliver, Professor of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Congress ended on a strong note with two stimulating keynote presentations from leading Australian psychiatrists Dr Nick O’Connor, who delivered the RANZCP’s Margaret Tobin Oration, and Professor Osvaldo De Almeida, recipient of the 2014 RANZCP Senior Research Award. The rich scientific programme included symposia on a wide variety of topics, including indigenous mental health, adult, child and adolescent psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, psychotherapy, old age, leadership and management, neuropsychiatry and social and cultural psychiatry. Several College Faculties, Sections and Special Interest Groups held their general meetings during Congress and members had a further opportunity to catch up at the group dinners afterwards.
Congress Gala Dinner
Delegates joined several networking lunches and events for groups such as the Early Career Psychiatrists 413
Australasian Psychiatry 22(4)
Special Interest Group, the Private Practitioners Network Special Interest Group and Overseas trained psychiatrists. An event was also held for Western Australian members of the College’s Psychiatry Interest Forum, which involves medical students and doctors interested in psychiatry and mental health. Regional psychiatrist at Kimberley Mental Health Service, Associate Professor Siva Bala, spoke at the event on ‘The Wild West, rural and remote psychiatry’. Dr Patton launched the RANZCP’s Reconciliation Action Plan 2014– 2016, which addresses issues impacting on the achievement of good mental health outcomes for
414
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. At the College’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday afternoon, members received and considered reports of the Board via presentations from Board Directors, as well as the annual financial reports and the auditor’s report. The highlight of the Congress’s social programme was the traditional Gala Dinner held on Wednesday evening at Fraser’s Restaurant in Kings Park. About 250 people attended the dinner and enjoyed some great company and good food as well as music by band LA Gold.
In closing the event, the Congress Convenor, Associate Professor Sophie Davison, said, ‘I hope you’ve all enjoyed the Congress as much as I have, and that you all go away stimulated and interested, and with things to reflect on that will help you in your journey in psychiatry and in helping your patients’. The College looks forward to welcoming delegates again at its next Congress, which will be held in Brisbane from 3 to 7 May 2015. Other photos from Congress can be viewed online at www.ranzcp.org/ Congress2014Photos
Congress 2014 a success
RANZCP President, Dr Murray Patton at Congress with Psychiatry Interest Forum (PIF) members Nick Scali, Binu Jayawardena, and Anthony Hew (from left to right) Congress Convenor, Associate Professor Sophie Davison, welcoming delegates
Keynote speakers at Congress opened by the Western Australian Minister for Mental Health, the Honourable Helen Morton. Delegates at Congress Over 1000 delegates attended the College’s annual Congress in Perth from 11 to 15 May, which was 412
Several events of importance were held during Congress, including the annual College Ceremony, where the College’s newest Fellows and advanced training certificate recipients were formally congratulated. A
variety of awards was presented to acknowledge outstanding achievements and contributions to psychiatry, the community and the College, and to recognise excellence in psychiatric research and training or encourage new and emerging researchers. In his Presidential Address, Dr Murray Patton reflected on themes
College Affairs
of identity, history and change. He spoke of the importance of family, culture and connections in gaining an understanding of a person, and challenged the audience to think broadly about their clinical interactions as well as the future and identity of the profession. The Asia Pacific mental health symposium, chaired by the College’s immediate past President, Dr Maria Tomasic, further developed the College’s partnerships and collaborations with our neighbours from across the Asia Pacific region.
College President Dr Murray Patton and past President Dr Maria Tomasic with members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Committee
RANZCP Board at the AGM
Congress brought together experts and international keynote speakers in a wide range of areas, to discuss cutting-edge research and evidencebased treatments in psychiatry. Delegates heard from international keynote speakers Jim van Os, Professor of Psychiatric Epidemiology from the Netherlands, and Dr Tom Calma AO, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention and mental health advocate. From the United Kingdom came keynote speakers Professor Mary Target, Dr Wai Chen, Professor Ricardo Araya and Chris Oliver, Professor of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Congress ended on a strong note with two stimulating keynote presentations from leading Australian psychiatrists Dr Nick O’Connor, who delivered the RANZCP’s Margaret Tobin Oration, and Professor Osvaldo De Almeida, recipient of the 2014 RANZCP Senior Research Award. The rich scientific programme included symposia on a wide variety of topics, including indigenous mental health, adult, child and adolescent psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, psychotherapy, old age, leadership and management, neuropsychiatry and social and cultural psychiatry. Several College Faculties, Sections and Special Interest Groups held their general meetings during Congress and members had a further opportunity to catch up at the group dinners afterwards.
Congress Gala Dinner
Delegates joined several networking lunches and events for groups such as the Early Career Psychiatrists 413
Australasian Psychiatry 22(4)
Special Interest Group, the Private Practitioners Network Special Interest Group and Overseas trained psychiatrists. An event was also held for Western Australian members of the College’s Psychiatry Interest Forum, which involves medical students and doctors interested in psychiatry and mental health. Regional psychiatrist at Kimberley Mental Health Service, Associate Professor Siva Bala, spoke at the event on ‘The Wild West, rural and remote psychiatry’. Dr Patton launched the RANZCP’s Reconciliation Action Plan 2014– 2016, which addresses issues impacting on the achievement of good mental health outcomes for
414
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. At the College’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday afternoon, members received and considered reports of the Board via presentations from Board Directors, as well as the annual financial reports and the auditor’s report. The highlight of the Congress’s social programme was the traditional Gala Dinner held on Wednesday evening at Fraser’s Restaurant in Kings Park. About 250 people attended the dinner and enjoyed some great company and good food as well as music by band LA Gold.
In closing the event, the Congress Convenor, Associate Professor Sophie Davison, said, ‘I hope you’ve all enjoyed the Congress as much as I have, and that you all go away stimulated and interested, and with things to reflect on that will help you in your journey in psychiatry and in helping your patients’. The College looks forward to welcoming delegates again at its next Congress, which will be held in Brisbane from 3 to 7 May 2015. Other photos from Congress can be viewed online at www.ranzcp.org/ Congress2014Photos
