Hi everyone,
Well the September Conference is just around the corner and the buzz is it is going to be the best one ever!
There are two workshops being run on the Thursday 18th of September before the Conference so if you are attending the Conference why not sign up for a workshop too!
The Workshop format before the conference has been a new inclusion in recent years at DTA’s National conferences, with members taking an extra day to gain further Professional Development by attending. (Many attended last year’s laughter Boss Training workshop with the late Dr Peter Spritzer at the pre-Conference workshop).
Attending the workshop before the conference means making the most of the conference environment and the diversity of members and non-members that come along from around the nation and the world. Where else can you enjoy learning and sharing your workplace adventures with people who understand exactly what you do, coming from as far away as Japan, New Zealand and all other parts of Australia?
This year’s workshops are addressing some of the most practical aspects that Diversional Therapist and Leisure staff are facing in their roles: acquiring some of the skills and knowledge to run meaningful and therapeutic Art and Music activities and the ever present need for different and interesting activities to include in your programs.
When we put together our monthly programs we are addressing the leisure and health needs of our participants. Art and Music are part of most people’s lives and yet we are often unaware of the therapeutic aspects that a love for music and art can have. We know we like a certain painting or a song however we may not be aware of the positive affect that just seeing that art work or hearing a meaningful piece of music can have on our overall physical and mental health and what about when we are actually creating that art or that music ourselves?
Our two presenters for the Music and Art Therapy workshop are two of the best in their field and it is in the contexts of the Conference that we as an association are able to provide these high profile presenters to learn from.
Dr Loretta Quinn is a Registered Music Therapist and Registered Nurse, with a unique and extensive understanding of the needs of people with dementia, and their professional and primary carers, she is a great supporter of DTA and understands what we do. This half day session will leave you with a practical and realistic application of music as a therapy for people with dementia as well as in your general activity groups. Music can make the heart sing and even if you don’t have a musical bone in your body this session will have you humming a few bars.
Glenda Needs has used the Arts therapeutically for almost 15 years. She holds many qualifications including Masters of Disability, BA in Drama and English, Graduate Diploma of Creative Arts Therapy, Graduate Certificate in Neuroscience and has an extensive background in multimodal Arts Therapy. Glenda comes from the IKON Institute being the largest provider of Art Therapy training in Australia and through this session will help you to discover your inner artist while giving you the opportunity to grow your skills on a practical level.
We still have available places for this workshop and encourage your attendance at this amazing educational and practical opportunity if you have not as yet signed up.
The Takeaway Café Activity workshop is almost full. At this workshop we are launching a resource booklet of inspirational, practical and diverse activities that members have presented at the different workshops around the country. This booklet will also be available to Conference attendees.
So even with the countdown on to the Conference I am still working on your state workshops, with further workshops planned still this year for Victoria, Western Australia and the Sydney workshop on the day of the Annual General Meeting of the Association in November.
If you are still wanting a workshop near you this year and think you can get the numbers to attend I am always willing to discuss your needs and work at getting the education to you.
So much to do and such exciting times!
So I’ll leave you with a quote from another funny man we lost in this last month: “Why do they call it rush hour if nothing moves?” Robin Williams
‘Til next time,
Steph