What's New at EAPA Australia?

In August 2005 we conducted a seminar in NSW on the Proposed Industrial Relations Changes: What it means to you – What it means to your clients. This is a particularly topical subject in Australia at present in the wake of major IR changes. Brian Williamson, a lawyer in Sydney who specialises in workplace relations, gave us a most informative and challenging perspective.

In November 2005 our seminar Increasing Performance through Diversity was given by WorkLife Consultant, Wilma Stevens. Considered by many as a complex issue that is ‘too hard to handle’, Wilma demystified the concept of diversity and showed our members how it can and should be integrated into workplaces to improve productivity and general functioning.

A further PDH meeting was held in Melbourne on 1 December 2005 to discuss various issues relating to EAPA and the IR changes.

In Melbourne on 30 March 2006, we had a successful professional development seminar in Melbourne presented by David Collier on Allied Health Professionals’ Legislation. Mr Collier is the CEO/Registrar of the Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria and spoke of his role in ensuring the effective administration of the new Health Professions Registration Act 2005 for psychologists.

Our most recent seminar was very well attended. Guest speaker Professor Graeme Russell from the psychology department of Macquarie University gave an enlightening speech on Flexibility works… Or does it? Looking at the value of flexible working practices from all angles Russell initiated much discussion among members. One of the main ideas that arose from the seminar was that flexibility arrangements work best when agreed upon at a team level.

At the international level, Australian Chapter President Robin Smith participated in the District 5 Meeting in Philadelphia in October 2005 on the international roundtable, and also took part in the Program Planning for the 2006 Conference “Jamming with EAP: Embracing the Harmony”. Robin also wrote an article on Rethinking the Strict CISM Model, which was published in the Journal of Employee Assistance in April 2006. This article surveyed the use of the Critical Incident Stress Management model in Australia over the years and the current practices used in trauma management.

Robin’s continuous commitment to promoting and furthering knowledge of EAPs around the world resulted in her being awarded the EAPA Member of Year in October 2005 at the EAPA Conference in Philadelphia. With nearly 5,000 members Robin was extremely honoured to receive this Award.

Bruce Parry has been elected as a member of EAPA’s 2006 Nominations Committee which comprises 10 members. Under the new Bylaws the nominations committee has a significantly increased responsibility to voting members.

In the latest edition of EAPA’s E-News, the District Director, Stephanie Beer, commended the Australia Chapter of EAPA on the number of PDH Seminars conducted here, and announced she is interested in establishing a sister chapter in the UK or US for exchanging ideas and visiting.

All of the above work has promoted the profile of the Australian Chapter internationally, which President Robin Smith will ensure continues.

Please check the website for details on our next PDH seminar, which will be held in either August or September this year.

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