Rotary Club of Runaway Bay Inc

ARH Early Psychosis Symposium

The Rotary Club of Runaway Bay, District 9640, has set a precedent in holding, arguably, the first Mental Health Early Psychosis Symposium for the medical fraternity in Surfers Paradise on 16 June, 2011.

When keynote speaker Professor Pat McGorrie OAM, Australian of the Year 2010, accepted the invitation to participate, the event was assured of success. Some 300 doctors, consumers and allied health workers crowded into the main ball room of the QT International hotel and were held spell bound during Professor McGorrie’s address on Early Psychosis. Earlier the day was introduced by Joy Gillett OAM, the Chief Executive Officer of Australian Rotary Health (ARH). Joy took advantage of the captive audience to promote her organization and encourage the audience to apply for research grants from ARH.

Rotarians from Runaway Bay together with prominent community personnel spent the best part of a year planning the event following up on a suggestion by Dr Kathryn Turner, Deputy Director of Psychiatry Gold Coast, that there was a need for gathering together the various organizations working in the field of Early Psychosis.

An impressive group of speakers were on hand to follow Professor McGorrie, including Dr Gretchen Hitchins (Role of the GP in Early Psychosis Patients), Dr James Scott (Does Childhood Trauma Cause Psychosis – A Review of Evidence), Dr Geoff Waghorn (The Importance of Vocational Rehabilitation in First Episode Psychosis), Stephen Underwood (Asperger’s Syndrome in Adolescence – Differentiating the Symptoms in Early Psychosis) and Angel Carasco (Family Therapy and Early Psychosis).

Participants were provided with lunch and afternoon tea in the ballroom foyer which housed trade displays, giving the opportunities for further interaction. The Gold Coast Mental Health Service, Headspace, Gold Coast Drug Council, FSG Australia, HealtheCare and Australian Rotary Health mounted displays which were well patronised.

One participant summed up her experiences on the day – “I particularly enjoyed Professor McGorry's session, finding him an engaging and inspirational speaker, and particularly admiring his emphasis on practical help for clients after diagnosis. I was also appreciative of having gained a better understanding of Early Psychosis Intervention and other referral agencies on the Gold Coast, which I knew of, but now have a better understanding of the services they provide.” Nicole Hughes, Senior Consultant, Foundations Child & Family Support Ltd. Moving Forward Parenting Orders Program.

A major ‘find’ for the Rotary Club of Runaway Bay Community Health Committee has been the CORAL Group - a consumer reference group which provides feedback to the Gold Coast Early Psychosis Team. Members of CORAL introduced the speakers and presented them with gifts following presentations. Amanda did a particularly great job as MC for the proceedings.

Keynote Speaker	Professor Pat McGorry (Australian of the Year 2010)

Other Speakers include	Dr Gretchen Hitchins – Role of the GP

	Dr James Scott – Trauma

	Dr Geoff Waghorn – Vocational Rehabilitation

	Dr Stephen Underwood – Asperger’s

	Dr Angel Carasco – Family Therapy

Sponsors	Trade Displays

Rotary Club of Runaway Bay Inc	Headspace

Queensland Health	Family support Group

Australian Rotary Health	Rotary Club of Runaway Bay

Christine Smith MP	Palm Beach- Currumbin Private Hosp.

Family Support Group	Early Psychosis Service

Palm Beach Currumbin Private Hospital	Queensland Health

AstraZeneca Drug Company