ARNA NEWSLETTER From National President As President for the last 3 and a half months I would like to acknowledge and thank those members of the National Committee who lef us during the year; Sara Alger (President), Lyn McBain (Treasurer) and David Parsons (Vice President). They have all contributed to ARNA National for some years and continue to contribute at Chapter level. I would also like to thank the other members of the National Committee who filled the casual vacancies and for the commitment of all ARNA National Committee members. There are a number of important issues and matters requiring significant input from the National Committee, including: Review of the ARNA Constitution and investigation of current Association legal requirements for operation nationally. Development of Standard Operating Procedures to ensure good governance and continuity Review of financial reporting methods and establishment of a Finance Working Group Upcoming completion of the PAMS Association Management Contract This year s National Conference: and Abstract Committees have worked hard to ensure a varied and interesting program. I would like to thank them and also the Keynote Speaker Kathryn McPherson, the invited speakers and other presenters. We had a record number of research papers (6) and first-time presenters (11), exemplifying key purposes of the conference. To provide information on cuttingedge and newly completed research which NOVEMBER - 2017 supports the growth and sharing of new knowledge and to provide an opportunity for the development of future leaders and recognition of rehabilitation clinicians. ARNA continues the prime function, of provision of educational activities, and support for scholarship and research. The work of local Chapters is invaluable in the provision of study days and enabling the sharing of expertise and knowledge. New guidelines for scholarship and research grants are on the ARNA website. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the University of Tasmania for ARNA members to have access to postgraduate study scholarships. JARNA has continued to be published through Cambridge Publishing, and I urge you to contribute by writing about your projects, service improvements and academic endeavors. In closing, I acknowledge and appreciate the support and dedication of the National Committee members, and also thank the Chapter Committees for their work at the local level, and the members of ARNA who care about rehabilitation nursing practice and their clients in need. Deidre Widdall ARNA President RN,GradCertStomalTherapyNurs, MClinRehab Nation Committee 2017 / 18
OUR NEW NATIONAL COMMITTEE President: Deidre Widdall Vice President: Murray Fisher Secretary: Kay Stevens Treasurer: Kerri Garrad Vice Treasurer: Patricia Dodds Committee Member: Sandra Lever Committee Member: Raywyn Buchanan Committee Member: Elizabeth Collins Committee Member: Kylie Wicks Committee Member: Erika Schlemmer Committee Member: Sue Andrusiow Editor in Chief JARNA: Julie Pryor Chapter Presidents SA/NT: Terry Wells WA: Stephanie Jones Qld: Alison New NSW/ACT: Gail Teale-Sinclair Vic/Tas: Brendan Bakes SA/NT CHAPTER NEWS Home of the 2017 National Conference October 12 13. The changing landscape for rehabilitation nursing; transitions, transformation and future directions. Lizzie Schreurs Prize 1 st Time Presenter Liz Jarvis with Brendan Bakes And the winners are - Book prize Esther Forbes with Kathryn McPherson and Terry Wells. And all those who attended Research Paper Prize Duncan McKechnie with Dr Julie Pryor While waiting for the official feedback I would like to say thank you to all who attended, our Sponsors and the organising committee.
The SA/NT Committee 2017-18 President: Terry Wells Secretary: Natalie Thackray Treasurer: Justin Prendergast Ordinary member: Denys Spencer Helen Kraf Anija Mathew Merilou Dellow Merridy Carter Amanda Fitzgerald Terry Wells SA/NT Chapter President NSW/ACT Chapter NEWS Extract from ARNA 2016/17 Annual Report We have one more study day to finish off this year to be held on 10th November at Batemans Bay Soldiers Club. All are welcome to attend. Register online or contact Phillip Au (Chapter Secretary) at phillip.au@gmail.com. Our goal is to hold these events annually, tailored to the needs of the local area. Another event is planned for western NSW keep an eye out on the website. NSW/ACT Committee 2017-2018 President: Gail Teale-Sinclair Vice President: Andrew Murray Secretary: Phillip Au Treasurer: Julie Pryor Laynie Hall Pullin (Sydney) Mark Ryan (Canberra) Sarah Potter (Albury) Anne Renshaw (Sydney) Jason Mook (Moruya) Jason Thomas (Toronto) Gail Teale-Sinclair NSW/ACT President ADVERTISING / SPONSORSHIP If anyone would like to sponsor or advertise in the newsletter, contact arna@arna.com.au QUEENSLAND Chapter NEWS Extract from ARNA 2016/17 Annual Report Credit due and thanks to the hardworking ARNAQ Committee, we have had a very productive and busy year. I am pleased to report on behalf of the ARNAQ Committee that in response to member feedback for more local workshops organising professional development activities has been our top priority. We have one last Study Day planned for this year at the Redcliffe Hospital on November 4th, and the details and registration link are available on the ARNA events website. There will be more planning for future activities, and the ARNAQ committee values all ideas for presenters or topics, so we would love to hear from you. Queensland Committee 2017/18 President: Alison New Vice President: Carolyn Wilson Secretary: Shaun Matthews Treasurer: Kerrie Garrad Karen Ashford (Townsville) Pauline Blaney (Fraser Coast) Fanuel Garayi (Brisbane) Alison New Q President
VIC/TAS Chapter NEWS Extract from ARNA 2016/17 Annual Report Thank you to all those local members and committee who worked so hard to put on very good days within their services. It is a lot of work but also a very rewarding experience. We are well into planning for 2018 study days so if anyone wants to consider taking on the challenge please let us know. ARNA will provide as much support as possible to services who are interested. Vic/Tas committee 2017/18 President: Brendan Bakes Vice President: Sara Alger Secretary: Marie Vasquez Assistant Secretary: Gail Collins Treasurer: Lyn McBain Assistant Treasurer: Trisha Dodds Nurmala Kumar Patrick Small Lisa Street Raewyn Buchanan Brendan Bakes Vic/Tas President EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS ARNA National and Chapters have Education Scholarships to provide financial assistance to ARNA members to participate in relevant education programs and international, national or local conferences and symposia. Applicants need to have been a financial member for a minimum of two consecutive years prior to scholarship application. The closing dates for scholarship applications are 31st March and 31st August each year. The details and Application Guidelines are available on the website. www.arna.com.au PLEASE take advantage of this opportunity. JARNA JOY Are you enjoying your JARNA? As the official Journal of the Australasian Rehabilitation Nurses Association (ARNA), JARNA seeks to enhance this expanding knowledge base through the publication of information pertaining to rehabilitation nursing. An equally important purpose of JARNA is to facilitate the development of ARNA members as writers for publication by providing constructive feedback to authors. Prospective authors are asked to follow the guidelines (available at www.arna.com.au and the links to JARNA when compiling a manuscript they wish to submit for consideration for publication. WA Chapter NEWS The WA Chapter held it s Second Annual General Meeting on the 18th of August at the WA Chapter Study Day in Fremantle. All positions on the committee were up for reelection. The chapter committee aims to develop networks, share knowledge and resources, build capacity within our chapter and develop great working relationships throughout Western Australia, to enhance the development
of nurses working in rehabilitation settings across our large state. The committee continues to maintain a great working relationship with the Training Centre in Subacute Care WA (TRACS WA), and stakeholders such as the Stroke Foundation WA and other providers of health related products/services, through trade displays at the Study Day. We look forward to further development with key stakeholders. WA Committee 2017/18 President: Stephanie Jones Vice President: Erika Schlemmer Secretary: Anthea Crawford Assistant Secretary: Christopher Tan Treasurer: Diane Hull Assistant Treasurer: Susan Finlay Nema Maddocks Sandra Denison Susan Kellet Tara Ruang Natalie Shepherd Gail Miller would like to highlight please send it to us. secretary@arna.com.au SAVE THE DATE 2018 National Conference October 18 th and 19 th Fairmont Resort Leura Blue Mountains Stephanie Jones WA President ARNA RESEARCH GRANT RECIPIANT Angela Davenport has been awarded a $5,000 grant for her reseach into - Nursingś contribution to Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation in an Aotearoa New Zealand Rehabilitation Unit using a critical realist approach For Furthewr information on ARNAś Research Grants please go to the ARNA Website SERVICE PROFILE or PERSON PROFILE We are seeking input from members for this section. If you would like to share information on your service or a person in your service whom you
OPPORTUNITY The University of Tasmania and ARNA have partnered together to offer Postgraduate Nursing Courses on a scholarship basis to ARNA members. This means you can study a Graduate Certificate in Nursing or a Graduate Diploma in Nursing, specialising in Rehabilitation Nursing, and receive a full scholarship for your study. Applications are now open until December 2017 to begin study in Semester 1 (February) 2018, for more information or to apply, visit www.utas.edu.au/health/arna