Brisbane 2001 Conference Details

The 4th National Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health conference was convened at the Carlton Crest Hotel, Brisbane, on the 28-31 March 2001. The theme of the conference was "Building Bridges: Promoting Mental Health for Families and Communities" and a very strong scientific program supported this theme with key international and national speakers, and participation from young people, carers and professionals from a wide range of backgrounds.

The conference was well attended with 358 full time delegates, 35 day only delegates, 7 presentation only speakers and 1 accompanying person attending the conference. Delegates were predominantly from Australia however a small contingent of workers from New Zealand attended and presented, and there were two international keynote speakers (UK, USA). Conference delegates represented a cross-section of occupational fields including adult and child/adolescent mental health, research, education, juvenile justice, welfare and private organisations. Consumers, carers and young people from around Australia were also well represented.

Careful financial management ensured that a small budget surplus was achieved. This allowed AICAFMHA to participate as co-sponsor of the 3rd International Conference on Child and Adolescent Mental Health held in Brisbane in 2002.

The organising committee was comprised as follows:

• Mr Philip Robinson (Chair), Division of Mental Health, Women's and Children's Hospital and Chair, Board of Directors, AICAFMHA
• Ms Karen Pirc (consumer representative), Consumer Advocate, Brisbane
• Ms Erica Lee, South Brisbane Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Brisbane
• Mr Tom O'Brien, South Brisbane Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Brisbane
• Ms Denisse Best, Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Royal Children's Hospital and District Health Service, Brisbane
• Dr Michael Beech, South Brisbane Child and Youth Mental Health Service
• Ms Anne MacMillan, Queensland Health, Brisbane
• Ms Sue Garvin, (conference support), AICAFMHA
• Ms Sue McAllister (conference support), AICAFMHA

The Scientific Committee was comprised as follows:

• Professor Barry Nurcombe (chair), Child Psychiatry, University of Queensland
• Mr Alistair Campbell, Oakrise CAMHS, Tasmania
• Dr Howard Cooper, Austin Repatriation and Medical Centre, Victoria
• Ms Karen Gullick, Princess Margaret Hospital, West Australia
• Mr Philip Robinson, Women's and Children's Hospital, South Australia
• Ms Karen Pirc, Consumer advocate, Queensland
• Dr Nick Kowalenko, Royal North Shore Hospital, New South Wales

Organisation of conference events was also supported by a consumer subcommittee and a youth subcommittee who were significantly involved in the organisation of the Youth Forum and the Youth Symposium.

Overall the conference was well received, with feedback also highlighting a number of areas for consideration when organising future conferences. The process of organising the conference as an incorporated body liable for the financial outcome has been a positive learning experience for AICAFMHA.

Selected papers from the 2001 Brisbane conference are available online.

Conference sponsor:     

Conference supporters:         

Last Modified: 04-02-2003 20:28:05