7 September 2022
Clockwise from top left: Speaking with NSW members at the Sydney event; Di with PACFA Qld Leadership Group Convenor Maree Armansin; Di speaking to Victorian Branch members in Melbourne; CPD co-presenter at the Perth event, Ethics Committee Chair Doug Aberle; PACFA SA Leadership Group Convenor Pat Bradley; at home in Hobart with the PACFA TAS members.
PACFA President Dr Di Stow has concluded a series of roadshow and networking events at PACFA branches across the country in June, July and August, saying the visits were 'an absolute pleasure and a privilege'.
'I was delighted to meet with members I first met well over a decade ago, and to meet new members, and to meet student members. It was very much a joyful and rich roadshow experience, and exciting too for members to get together and catch-up,' Di said.
'It was very satisfying to witness PACFA’s Branches working so well, and so effectively, in the hands of enthusiastic, well-organised Leadership Groups, passionate about supporting PACFA and the counselling, psychotherapy, and Indigenous Healing Practices profession.'
PACFA had come a long way since its inception, Di said.
'Having spent 12 years on the Board, the visits presented a great opportunity to reflect with members on significant milestones such as the establishment of ARCAP in 2011, PACFA’s restructure in 2015, the establishment of the College of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Practices (CATSIHP) in 2019, our digital badges in 2021 — Registered Clinical Counsellor, Registered Clinical Psychotherapist, and Certified Practising Counsellor, and our (now successful) application for full membership of the Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA), 2022.
'It was interesting and stimulating to highlight and discuss our lobbying activities for recognition over the last 6 years, some of which include representing the profession on the MBS taskforce for eating disorders, the MBS taskforce on Medicare, the Productivity Commission, the Workforce Strategy Taskforce, and presenting to the Select Committee on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.
PACFA is an excellent member organisation. I saw that in the faces of members and heard that reflected in their conversation.'
The tour caps off 12 extraordinary years on PACFA’s Board before Di takes on an ex-officio role advising the next President after Board elections in October.
Di’s tour included five live events from her home branch in Hobart, to Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, and one virtual get-together for ACT Branch members, each giving her the opportunity to conduct meet-and-greets with members from across Australia.
As well as giving Di the opportunity to reflect on the changes that have occurred in the counselling and psychotherapy profession—and the changes to PACFA—through her tenure on the Board, the events offered members an opportunity to meet and network with their fellow branch members.