April 2004

Communities conference goes from strength to strength

Building stronger communities through greater support for community-inspired innovation, values and courageous leadership will be the theme of a major national conference to be held in June.

The Communities in Control 2004—Revolution in Community: Why? How?—Now! conference will be held at Moonee Valley Racecourse on June 7 and 8.

The event follows last year’s inaugural Communities in Control conference which attracted more than 1,300 people from across the community spectrum—one of the largest gatherings of its type.

Those attending this year’s conference will hear a number of national and international speakers talk about tackling the challenges facing communities.

The international speakers and 2004 Pratt Fellows are:

• University of California Berkeley Centre for Community Wellness Executive Director Shelley Martin, who will outline practical, locally-inspired outcomes that improve community wellbeing;

• City of Liverpool CEO David Henshaw, who will speak about how true community involvement in tackling major issues transforms local government areas.

Other speakers include:

• Westpac Bank Business and Consumer Banking Group Executive Mike Pratt;

• Deputy Victorian Premier and Minister for Victorian Communities John Thwaites;

• Federal Minister for Family and Community Services Kay Patterson;

• Best selling researcher and author of Well and Good: How We Feel and Why! and National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australia National University Fellow Richard Eckersley;

• Director of the leading think tank, the Australia Institute at the Australian National University Dr Clive Hamilton;

• Australia’s foremost social research commentator and author Hugh MacKay;

• Chief Commissioner of Police in Victoria Christine Nixon;

• Broadcaster and commentator Phillip Adams;

• CEO of the City of Brisbane Jude Munro;

• Australia and New Zealand School of Government Foundation Director Professor Allan Fels;

• Bank of Ideas Director Peter Kenyon;

• 2004 Young Australian of the Year Hugh Evans.

The conference also features practical workshops and a hypothetical debate led by Executive Director of the St James Ethics Centre in Sydney Dr Simon Longstaff.

The conference is convened by Our Community and Catholic Social Services.

‘Last year was about the work of community groups and their needs being acknowledged,’ said Chief Executive of Our Community Dr Rhonda Galbally.

‘This year we are concentrating on how to turn that talk into effective action.’

‘The community sector is the way forward,’ said Fr Joe Caddy of Catholic Social Services.

Fr Caddy is also chair of National Catholic Welfare Australia.

‘This conference will hopefully demonstrate why as well as provide some innovation and inspiration.’

• For more information visit www.ourcommunity.com.au/conferencebrochure2004 , email service@ourcommunity.com.au or call 9320 6800.