What a lovely group of Leisure and Lifestyle staff attended our Cairns workshop on the 29th of July and our Port Macquarie workshop on the 19th of August.
Taking Professional Development to Regional Areas means that you don’t have to travel as far as you may have had to, to receive vital information to assist you in your role. (One attendee at our Port Macquarie workshop still travelled 600Km’s to get there though!!)
See the Workshop reports below-
Coming up in the next few days and weeks- Book Early to avoid disappointment- are our Warrnambool Vic workshop on Monday the 5th of September and the Gold Coast, Qld workshop on the 16th of September- both are going to be a great opportunity to learn and touch base with others working in those parts of the world. Warrnambool will see DTA member Sandy Hindi discuss her new enthusiasm for improving the Lymphatic system through Bounce for Life! Our friends from VR Build will be there with the Virtual Reality technology to try out as well as Alzheimer’s Australia with information on strength based activities for people with Dementia. There is also a Pilates class (seated in a chair or on the floor- your choice) to try out. We will look at Mental Health in Older age before finishing up with some new Takeaway café’ activity ideas too takeaway.
Our Gold Coast workshop is jam packed with Sessions from the Quality Review Agency for all your Accreditation questions, information on Elder Abuse, Palliative care services, Art Therapy, SMILE and Sway fun DVD’s will be for sale ( $49.95), Better Questions- a must see presentation to enhance your assessment skills and a Special Takeaway café from Glenda Kubler on Secret Men’s Business. Check on line to register your place now!!
Remember if you’d like to present at a workshop on a topic you are interested in or passionate about you can gain all your PD points in one go! The Takeaway Café handout and short 10-minute presentation may be a nice way to ease yourself into presenting to your peers and also get you your PD points for the year- Enquire now by contacting me via email on stephania@diversionaltherapy.org.au ( We are always very happy to discuss your training needs and how we can make a DTA workshop work for you!- Call today!)
Register Now for our Conference Workshop on the 6th of October- remember you don’t need to attend Conference to attend this workshop and you will receive the third addition of our 2015-2016 Best Takeaway café ideas in the DTA published booklet. See you there.
Cairns QLD, Workshop
Cairns was balmy compared to the wintery feel engulfing the rest of the country and 18 people came from far and wide to get a dose of inspiration at the third workshop we have run in Cairns in three years. Anne Joyce from the Cairns & Hinterland Hospital & Health Service talked about Palliative Care giving information on local services available at the end of life (or when a disease is terminal) and how patient can access their care. Presentations on Laughter Yoga and Parkinson’s Disease were topped off by the Art Therapy session from IKON via a Webinar. Kay Gravell the newly appointed Director of IKON hosted an Art Therapy Session through the powers of modern technology, from Melbourne! She took the group though some basic art based activities and had us discussing the use of colour and shapes as a show of emotion and development. It was great to get together and share ideas, information, activities and the beautiful Far North Queensland Winter with some great members and a few newly signed up members. Welcome to the Association ladies!!.
Port Macquarie, NSW Workshop
This NSW workshop also saw the use of new technologies. Occupational Therapist Ruwani Siriwardene from Independent Living NSW showed us lots of inventions and adaptations to make life for some easier- real life hack. Laughter Yoga had us in stitches and the always interesting Dr Kirsten Roberson- Gillam had us discussing the metaphysical nature of the Brain and the mind and how these sometimes work against each other in terms of Parkinson’s Disease. Kirsten mentioned a book called “Tell me a Story: Sharing Stories to Enrich Your Child’s World” by Elaine Reese (2013) Oxford University Press. This looks at the power of recall and memory when reminiscence is done daily and experiences are recalled- children can even remember being born!! Gina Buber from SMILE and Sway sold some of her energetic and musical DVD’s giving another tool to those wanting to incorporate fun into their exercise program – and who doesn’t want to have fun as they exercise.
DTA WORKSHOP TOPICS AVAILABLE
DTA’s educational suite of workshops has recently expanded:
CST Workshop
DTA offer a one-day workshop on the successful implementation of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for people with mild to moderate dementia. Learn the system that has had proven benefits on cognition, social interaction and general wellbeing that is revolutionising the outcomes of dementia diagnosis. On completion you will have the tools to set up and run the initial and ongoing programs, accommodating the specific interests of your group, as well as how to measure and evaluate the outcomes. Ongoing support is available in the setting up and running of your group as needed. Contact enquiries@diversionaltherapy.org.au for more information.
Leisure and Lifestyle in Practice
An individualised workshop specifically formulated for your facility, staff and or client base. When your team needs direction we revisit the basics and build on their knowledge including assessment and communication skills, presentation, engagement and inclusion, evaluation of the program and a multitude of activity ideas that can inspire. Need a specific outcome addressed? A program of continuous improvement can be tailored to your needs. Contact DTA today to discuss designing a training session specifically for you.
Remember “The difference between a goal and a dream is a deadline.” -Steve Smith
Hope you meet all your deadlines!!
Steph Bejma
DTA National Education Coordinator
Proposed Workshop Dates 2016
16th September QLD-Gold Coast
12th November WA- Perth
22nd November NSW-Sydney/ North Ryde (on day of the AGM)
8th December TAS- Devonport
IMPORTANT: These proposed dates are subject to change depending on final arrangements.