Australian and New Zealand Regional News By Carla Rogers

 

 

 

 

Welcome and Kia Ora

Welcome to Australian and New Zealand facilitators. You are part of an enthusiastic and motivated group of facilitators 'down under'. Read on to find out more about how you can get in touch with others and contribute to the facilitation networks in your area.

IAF Regional Co-ordinator

Carla Rogers is the IAF co-ordinator for the Australia and New Zealand region. She welcomes any questions or feedback that you may have about the IAF in the Australia and New Zealand region. Email Carla on carla.rogers@npws.nsw.gov.au. There is also a quarterly regional newsletter that is packed with information. Make sure that you get your email copy.

Australian Facilitator Network (AFN) Conference

See  www.afn2004.org.nz for details on AFN 2004, Wellington New Zealand

The AFN Conference 2004 'Adventures in Facilitation -- Journeys and Destinations' will be held in Wellington New Zealand, October 22 - 24 2004.

What do you think of when you hear the word "adventure"? For us it is the excitement of jumping into the unknown, the thrill of exploration, the courage needed to step out and let go. We realised that as facilitators, we are constantly on an adventure with every group we are part of. This adventure is both the being on a journey of continual unfolding and a series of destinations as we work with groups, increase our skills and practice our art.

The conference venue is Victoria University of Wellington's Student Union. Facilities, located on an adventurous hill above Wellington. The fee will be $400 - $450. Discounts will apply for early bird registrations and IAF membership, along with travel scholarships.

The AFN 2003 conference was a terrific success with nearly 100 people gathering from Australia, New Zealand and China to share ideas and passion. Photos and reports from the conference can be viewed at http://members.ozemail.com.au/~amonahan/

Planning is also underway for the 2005 conference in Perth, Western Australia (25-27 November).  To register your interest in updates please contact the steering committee via facilitatorCONF2005@iinet.net.au.  We hope that such a long lead time will enable fellow facilitators to organise holidays around the conference with family and friends and/or other professional engagements.  Our venue is at one of the colleges attached to the University of WA, and they are able to assist with extended accommodation needs – so start planning to enjoy the sun setting over the ocean!!

Australian Facilitator Networks

Here are the local networks and contact people in your area.

Melbourne

Occasional Facilitator’s Friday Nights – informal networking and enjoying the company of kindred spirits. Contact: Ed McKinley on on 03 9443 8500 or www.groupwork.com.au

Perth

Contact: Roberta Mead on rmead@cygnus.uwa.edu.au

Quarterly AFN-WA network sessions – focus guided by participants.  Contact: Colma Keating on 08 9354 9735 or afnWA@iinet.net.au

Sydney

The  Sydney Facilitators Network meets the first Monday of each month at Room 5.580 Level 5, Building 10, UTS, Jones Street, Ultimo (The old John Fairfax building, near corner Thomas Street). Look for the "Facilitators Network" signs in the building. Entry is by $5 donation.

Contact: Greg Jenkins on 9874 0418 and 0418 486 501 or Sharon McGann 9960 3700 and 0414 537 305.

New Zealand Facilitator Networks

Auckland

E-groups only at the moment. Contact: Stephen Thorpe on zenergy@xtra.co.nz orwww.zenergyglobal.com

Christchurch

All facilitators and those interested in facilitation are welcome to our quarterly gathering of facilitators in Christchurch. Our purpose is to develop the art and mastery of facilitation in Canterbury.  Our October 2004 gathering will be at the AFN Conference in Wellington, and then in Christchurch in February, May, and August (2005). 

Contact:  Helen Patterson  hp@paradise.net.nz  

Wellington

Contact: Leah Kininmonth kinrob@xtra.co.nz or leahkininmonth@momentum.co.nz

Dunedin

Meet informally. We are interested in meeting with other facilitators. Contact: Gabrielle Panckhurst on  connect@ihug.co.nz

Australasian Facilitators Network (AFN) E-group

There is an active AFN e-group for Australian and New Zealand facilitators. To join the AFN e-group email the moderator Bob Dick, bdick@scu.edu.au and provide some background information. The e-group is for facilitators only (no spam).