Conference

The annual CANH Strengthening Local Communities Conference provides an opportunity for individuals working across the community and government sectors to come together to learn, share experiences and gather ideas. It is recognised as South Australia's leading community development conference.

2010 CANH Conference

CANH 2010 Conference "Strengthening Local Communities... Agents of Change" South Australia's leading community development conference is being held on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 May at Glandore Community Centre, 25 Naldera Street Glandore. The coach tour on Wednesday 26 May will be heading south.

The conference will explore change from an individual to a global perspective focusing on how community centres act as catalysts for strengthening individuals, their families and communities and ultimately, as catalysts for social change.

The conference working party has been meeting since last August to develop an impressive program with excellent presenters to inform, challenge and inspire you. These include Dr Lynn Arnold CEO of Anglicare, Jim Cavaye one of Australia's leading community development educators and James Koch, State Manager of Proteus Leadership Centre (who you may remember from the Leadership session at The Monastery).

This is just a "taster" of what's in store, with many more excellent presenters confirmed. The full program will be available early in March. Subsidies for country and outer metropolitan volunteers will again be available with funding through Community Benefit SA. There will also be an early bird discount rate and a special rate for volunteers.

Just remember to keep these dates marked in your diary!

2009 CANH Conference

The 2009 CANH Strengthening Local Communities Conference - the 14th annual conference organised by CANH, was held from 27 - 29 May, 2009 at the Parks Community Centre, Angle Park.

'Engaging all Ages' was the theme of the conference which attracted over 120 delegates from across South Australia. The program featured a range of keynote speakers and workshop presenters who shared their knowledge, experience and stories on a range of topics relating to the theme.

These topics included:

  • social inclusion
  • mental health first aid
  • building stronger networks
  • change management
  • social activism
  • engagement in physical activity
  • risk management
  • strategic leadership
  • nutrition
  • RPL and gap training
  • engaging the disengaged; and
  • laughter therapy.

On the Thursday night of the conference the CANH Inaugural Awards Dinner was held at the Graduates Restaurant, TAFESA Regency Campus. The dinner was well attended with 100 guests celebrating the Graduate and Honorary Member Awards.

Warwick Cheatle, Manager, ACE and Community Partnerships Unit, DFEEST presented certificates to 21 graduates who had achieved either a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, a Diploma of Community Services, or an Advanced Diploma of Community Services Management.

Lynette Pugh, Director, Community Connect Branch, Department for Families and Communities presented two CANH Honorary Memberships to Maralyn Blake and Rosemary Rodrigues in recognition of the great contribution they have made to the work of Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centres and to the State Association, CANH over many years.

Quotes from conference delegates

Some of the statements conference delegates made about the 2009 CANH Strengthening Communities Conference were:

  • 'Inspirational'
  • 'Gained a better knowledge of my surrounding community organisations
  • 'A very worthwhile conference - renewed my energy
  • 'Keynote speakers were excellent - inspired me'
  • 'Motivational'
  • 'I enjoyed the full two days - learnt heaps'
  • 'I thought it was brilliant - I had a hard time choosing seminars
  • 'Best ever conference, best coach tour, really enjoyable, relaxed pace with lots of information'
  • 'I have a greater insight, a greater shared vision, I feel more supported in the work I do'
  • 'Dinner great - that will be me up there next year'
  • 'I am so inspired and have learnt a lot I want to put in practice'; and
  • 'Very impressive and informative. Glad I didn't miss out. Will recommend conference next year'.