ACMHN's 38th Annual International Mental Health Nursing Conference

Darwin, 2nd to 5th October 2012

The 38th Annual International Mental Health Nursing Conference will be held in the first week of October 2012.

The theme reflects the cultural and social significance of fabrics in the region, for Indigenous Australians and for Asia Pacific cultures, as well as the historical significance of fabric (wool and cotton) for Australia.

The theme invites speakers and delegates to consider the significance of mental health and mental health nursing in the construction of individual and social narratives. 

Fabric is are both literally and figuratively part of every person's life from the new born baby's bunny rug to the funeral shroud.  Even in our modern world, where we often lose touch with the origins and manufacture of materials, the English language is rich in phrases and metaphors drawn from the world of fabric.

We catch shuttle services as we commute to and from work.  We're on tenterhooks to cotton on to the latest on the web – we're wrapt in it!  We may be dyed-in-the-wool optimists, but we all know a thing or two about the seamy side of life – and it's all part of life's rich tapestry.  Networking is a big part of our working lives, too.  Sometimes we lose the thread and our thoughts go wool-gathering; but whatever the situation a mental health nurse can always spin a good yarn! 

So many metaphors, so little time – we could spin this out forever!

The Darwin committee believe that our theme will provide opportunity for speakers to address a wide range of mental health issues, and give a wide range for sub-themes, which may include:

• Patterns of life
• Fabric and fabrication
• Weaving new fabrics
• Spinning yarns

We look forward to meeting and yarning with you in Darwin.

Key Dates

Abstracts open: Monday 23rd January 2012

Abstracts close: Sunday 13th May 2012

Notification to Authors: Monday 16th July 2012

Author Acceptances: Friday 27th July 2012

Draft Program available: Friday 3rd August 2012

Early Bird Registration Closes: Monday 27th August 2012

Abstracts

Individuals or organisations interested in presenting at the conference are invited to submit an abstract of no more than 250 words outlining the aim and content of their proposed paper, workshop or poster. A program will be developed, based on the process and review criteria below, that will provide a range of perspectives and address a number of key emerging themes.

For more information on themes, the submission process and guidelines, see the main Conference website.

Registration

Attention all Non Members: The price differential between member and non-member full registrations is the cost of an ACMHN membership for 12 months.

Membership of the College provides you with many benefits including subscription to the International Journal of Mental Health Nursing (IJMHN), the ACMHN 'news' magazine, e-bulletins, discounted access to online education, discounted access to all branch and regional conferences, opportunity to participate in special interest groups and in to have input into College submissions and much more.  

To join, go to www.acmhn.org/members-area/join-now.html

Registration will open soon

Registration Entitlements

The full registration/concession* fee includes:

• All sessions
• Welcome Reception and Oration
• Daily catering
• Satchel
• Program book

The day registration fee includes:

• Sessions on one day
• Daily catering
• Satchel
• Program book

Please note that it is essential for all participants including invited speakers, delegates and presenters to register.

'Early Bird' Registration
'Early' discount is available for registrations received prior to Monday 27th August 2012

Concession*
*Full-time students, carers, consumers and retirees. If applicable please email a copy of your current student ID or Centrelink carer evidence to AST Management.

Payments
Payment is required to confirm registration.  All delegates who register online will be sent a tax invoice, payment will be due within 14 days of issued invoice.

Refunds and Cancellation
A full refund will be made to all cancellations in writing received 6 weeks prior to the Conference minus a $125 Cancellation fee. Cancellations made between 6 and 4 weeks prior to the Conference will receive 50% refund.  After this date there will be no refunds made, substitute delegates will be accepted at a Fee of $20.00.

Sponsorship and Exhibition

Supporting the Conference will provide your organisation with a number of key benefits:

• Exposure to a qualified, relevant and influential audience before, during and after the event
• Networking opportunities during the conference to promote your organisation’s products and services directly to key decision makers
• Your organisation will be perceived to be a keen and vital supporter of Mental Health Nurses and Mental Health more broadly in Australia, and internationally
• Supporters of the conference will consolidate existing industry relationships and develop new ones
• Opportunities to network across your own specialty area
• Well priced sponsorship and exhibition opportunities
• Friendly and helpful conference organisers

Contact the Conference Secretariat for more information

The Secretariat, AST Management
PO Box 29 Nerang Gold Coast 4211 Qld Australia
Ph: 07 5502 2068 Fax: 07 5527 3298
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Destination: Darwin

Darwin has a relaxed outdoor lifestyle and enjoys warm weather all year round. Perched on a peninsula with sea on three sides, Darwin is an excellent base to explore the natural attractions of World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park, Litchfield and Nitmiluk National Parks, the Tiwi Islands and Arnhem Land.

Darwin was founded as Australia’s most northerly harbour port in 1869, and its population rapidly expanded after the discovery of gold at nearby Pine Creek in 1871. World War II put Darwin on the map as a major allied military base for troops fighting the Japanese in the Pacific.

Today travellers can see evidence of Darwin’s World War II history at a variety of preserved sites including ammunition bunkers, airstrips and oil tunnels in and around the city. Darwin again made world news when the city was rebuilt in the wake of Cyclone Tracy in 1974 - an event well documented at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

Its colourful history has contributed to Darwin’s cultural diversity - more than 50 nationalities make up its 100,000 population, including the area's traditional landowners, the Larrakia Aboriginal people. The cultural and culinary benefits of such a melting pot are best experienced at Darwin's weekly markets, variety of restaurants and through the annual calendar of festivals and other Darwin events.