NPW 2009 event reports

In 2009 there were over 900 NPW events, ranging from the workplace morning teas and library and shopping centre stands to public forums and social get-togethers to celebrate the profession. We thank 2009 event organisers for providing stories and images for this section.

Victor Harbour, SA

Escaping the "old century" temperature of Adelaide, psychologists in South Australia met and competed in the inaugural National Psychology Week "Torrens Cup", hosted at Torrens House in picturesque Victor Harbor.

Simon Canny
APS South Australian Branch

The inaugural National Psychology Week "Torrens Cup"

Marsden Park, NSW

As part of National Psychology Week, Dr Gurprit Ganda MAPS made a presentation on the topic "Think Well - Be Well" on 8 Nov 2009 at the church of Universal Brotherhood Mission in Marsden Park, NSW. The presentation was well attended by members of the mission. Beginning with the background of National Psychology Week Dr Ganda covered in detail a few of the main problems addressed by psychologists including depression, anxiety and stress. She explained the symptoms, causes, coping strategies and common therapeutic interventions for these problems. Before concluding Dr Ganda presented results of the survey carried out by APS last year on major causes of mental irritants for Australians. When the presentation was completed a Q&A session was held to address the queries of the audience.

Dr Gurprit Ganda
Church of Universal Brotherhood Mission

NPW presentation at Universal Brotherhood Mission

Lane Cove, NSW

McKesson Asia-Pacific is a large call centre that provides health and allied health telephone services to clients all over Australia. Below is a photo from their NPW celebrations. Activities included a demonstration on how to access information from the APS website and a lucky dip to distribute the contents of the APS promotional pack. Apparently the goodies were very well received and there was a minor riot amongst those who wished to get the very handy jumbo fridge clips!

Kathy Pearce
McKesson Asia-Pacific

McKesson Asia-Pacific celebrations

Adelaide, SA

Jason Sargent held a National Psychology Week presentation at his workplace - the Australian Taxation Office in the TPALS business line at the Leadership group meeting.

During the presentation Jason highlighted the need for management to ensure good mental health in the workplace and provided the team leaders with the bags that the APS supplied.

The presentation went very well and fitted in with the work-life-balance policy that the ATO ascribe to.

Jason Sargent
APS Student Member

Jason Sargent at the ATO

Mackay, Qld

A morning tea was held by the Blue River Health Service psychology team in Mackay. There are eight psychologists in the team and six of them were actually available to share some time with the other allied health staff, administration staff and some of the staff from Pioneer Valley Hospital where they are based. The team were particularly proud of their smiley face biscuits!

Kathy Piper
Blue River Health Service

Blue River Health Service smiley biscuits

Perth, WA

Methodist Ladies College celebrated NPW with a spectacular display in the library window.

Sue Shaw
Methodist Ladies College

Methodist Ladies College students outside their library

Brisbane, Qld

To commemorate the sixth year of National Psychology Week, clinical psychologist Judith Locke offered ‘Seven minutes with a psychologist' to people visiting Toowong Shopping Centre in Brisbane. The free seven minute sessions provided the opportunity for people to ask questions about a range of issues they may have been facing alone. The short sessions allowed enough time for someone to ask the question they had been afraid to ask friends or family, and determine whether they would benefit from further sessions with a psychologist. The event was a great success and demonstrated that there are an enormous number of people who need some psychological assistance to cope with issues, but have not availed themselves of psychological services and professionals available to help them improve their life. 

Judith Locke
Toowong

Judith Locke, clinical psychologist, Toowong

Cootamundra, NSW

The before and after photos below from Cootamundra TAFE proved how popular the NPW merchandise was with the students!

Frances Jomantas
TAFE NSW Riverina Institute, Cootamundra Campus

Before and after morning tea at Cootamundra TAFE

Townsville, QLD

Townsville Health Service District held a full day conference and fair to celebrate National Psychology Week 2009.

Jo Stitt
Queensland Health

Townsville Health Service District's NPW celebrations

Parkville, VIC

The Royal Children's Hospital National Psychology Week celebrations included a Feelings Quiz for Kids.

Natasha Dean
The Royal Children's Hospital

NPW at The Royal Children's Hospital

Maroochydore, QLD

Disability Services at the Department of Communities held an afternoon tea with a quick personality test and a trivia quiz with a prize for the most correct answers and for the least correct answers. The office was decorated with balloons, posters and details on the afternoon tea. The majority of the office attended and enjoyed the quizzes and the food! 

Ingrid Hawkins
Disability Services, Department of Communities

A spectacular NPW cake at Disability Services, Department of Communities

Adelaide, SA

The NPW display in the Gus Fraenkel Medical Library at Flinder University.

Catherine Brady
Flinders University

Display at Gus Fraenkel Medical Library

Caulfield, VIC

The psychology department at Caulfield Hospital had a display outside the Psychology Department, including information about some interesting psychology-related books and visual illusions. There was a tip sheets on a range of topics including Ageing Positively, Depression and Anxiety, and a brain teaser quiz.

Dr Jane V Khoo
Psychology Services

Display outside psychology department at Caulfield Hospital

Kogarah, NSW 

Wendy Bailey organised a public display at Kogarah library on Monday 9 November. She wasn't expecting so many people to show interest! She felt that this made her time worthwhile as she informed them about what psychologists do and answered their questions.

Wendy personally enjoyed the event, it made her feel useful as she served the community. Big hits were the magnets, canvas bags and beach balls!

Wendy J Bailey
Clinical psychologist

Public display at Kogarah library

Tusmore, SA

Display at Burnside Library.

Joanne Ielasi

Display at Burnside Library

Rydalmere and Westmead, NSW

DADHC Metro Residences held morning teas and seminars to promote psychology services during NPW.

Katie Hill
Metro Residences
Ageing, Disability and Home Care
Department of Human Services NSW

Metro Residences morning tea