To download material from the various Conference presentations, please visit the Program page
President's Thankyou
On behalf of WACOSS and the Conference Committee, thank you for your part in making the 2008 WACOSS State Conference: Communities at Work – a Showcase of STARS, an outstanding success.We began with our Networking Day on Wednesday May 30th at the Sheraton Perth Hotel. This was, as it has been in the past, a great chance for people to catch up with friends old and new, and share their ideas on the challenges facing our sector.
On Thursday 1st May, we gathered for Breakfast at Supreme Court Gardens, and then colourfully marched to the Sheraton. The Conference itself began with introductions from MC Verity James, followed by an official opening from the Hon. Sue Ellery, Minister for Child Protection; Communities; Women’s Interests and Volunteering. We were then treated to an inspiring and challenging keynote address from Professor Robert Watts that really set the tone for the two days ahead.
Delegates attended various concurrent sessions during the day, with many delegates also choosing to watch a wonderful lunchtime performance from the Yirra Yaakin theatre Company. Our afternoon keynote address from Jason Clarke showed us some new ways of thinking. This was definitely one of the highlights of the Conference. Day one concluded with a thought-provoking panel discussion about aligning the NGO sector with Government, discussing the ongoing challenges facing not-for-profits and NGOs and the viability of these organisations.
The Social Cocktail function that evening was a great way to end the day, with guests treated to a special performance from the Madjitil Moorna choir.
Day two was opened by the Hon Robyn McSweeney, before Professor Colleen Hayward enthralled the group with a thought-provoking address. More concurrent sessions followed, before Dr. Sarah Maddison eloquently discussed Rebuilding Our Democracy.
The final Panel discussion addressing the same topic brought the Conference to a close. This panel, consisting of Disability Advocate Kerry Allen-Zinner, Unions WA's Dave Robinson, Giz Watson MLC and Sarah, robustly debated issues relating to advocacy and the role we all play in making sure the voice of civil society is heard, across all sectors of the community.
It would not have been possible to have the Conference without the generous support of our sponsors. The WACOSS Conference is a unique event - providing the largest gathering of social service practitioners and policy-makers of its kind from across Western Australia. The 2008 Showcase of STARS theme denotes communities Striving, Thriving, Aligning, Reviving and Surviving, and brought together around 300 participants, and more than 70 speakers to discuss these themes.
My thanks again to everyone who took part, you all contributed to making the 2008 Conference one to remember.
Chris Hall
WACOSS President
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