LA President reports 2025
December 2025
The New South Wales Operating Theatre Association (NSW OTA) has had a busy couple of months, hosting education events across our state and in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Our members have learnt about a variety of topics, including communicating in crisis, lived experience of an actual theatre fire, robotic lobectomies, orthopaedics and battlefield trauma, and how sustainability and lower uterine segment Caesarian section (LUCS) have a common thread of gentleness.The NSW OTA Executive have once again been out and about, attending perioperative education events and supporting our colleagues in other states by attending conferences. Head over to our website and check out the latest edition of our newsletter, SuiteTalk, to read the conference report. A reminder that if you are inspired by these reports, don't forgot that the NSW OTA has scholarships on offer, and we can help with funding to get you to the conference of your choice (conditions apply). Our office was very busy in the lead up to Perioperative Nurses Week, putting together and sending out care packages to those hospitals who have registered. Perioperative Nurses Week is a great time to celebrate the great impact that we, as perioperative nurses, have in the world of health care. We are the unsung heroes of surgery – ensuring the seamless orchestration of procedures and ensuring the wellbeing of those who pass through our doors. For those who missed it, the NSW OTA hosted a terrific webinar last month on the importance of language – the language we use with our patients, and how it can affect patient outcomes. The webinar, ‘Pain assessment and language’ is available to view on our website, as well as many of the previous webinars that we have hosted.
Alison Schofield NSW OTA President |
PO Box 212 Croydon NSW 2132 T: 02 9799 9835 W: www.ota.org.au
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We also had a theatre-themed bake-off. The outstandingly fantastic entries (pictured, below) were a colonoscope and bowel, and teratomas – which were delicious!
Kate Conlan NTPNA President
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The end of the year is almost upon us! The South Australian Perioperative Nurses Association (SAPNA) held its state conference in September titled ‘Navigating excellence: Engage, explore enhance’. The speakers were well received and feedback was great. It was wonderful to welcome delegates from New South Wales and Victoria. Perioperative Nurses Week 2025 was celebrated with social media posts showing the different ways our hospitals celebrated. We have held our last education session for the year. Now the committee will hold the annual strategic planning day to look at the needs and interests of our members in 2026. We thank the outgoing committee members for their expertise and generous time given, and welcome the new members. On behalf of our members and committee, SAPNA wishes all our colleagues in other states and territories a wonderful festive season and productive 2026.
Nikki Rowlands SAPNA President |
PO Box 38 Highgate SA 5063
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As we welcome the warmer months here in Victoria, the Victorian Perioperative Nurses Group (VPNG) is pleased to share an overview of our recent activities and upcoming initiatives. Strategic planning day We also look forward to continuing our strong collaborative relationships with ACORN and all local associations. Together, we aim to advance initiatives that enhance perioperative care nationwide. These priorities and shared values will be reflected in our updated strategic plan, to be released soon. Save the date Grants and scholarships Latest podcast episode Christmas message We hope you find time to recharge, connect with loved ones and celebrate your achievements. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to delivering safe, high-quality perioperative care. Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a restorative break.
Michelle Hibberson VPNG President
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PO Box 593
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September 2025
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The Northern Territory Perioperative Nurses Association (NTPNA) was proud to host its state conference in Darwin on the 15 and 16 of August. This year’s conference brought together perioperative nurses from across the territory and beyond, creating a vibrant space for education, networking and professional growth. The program was diverse and engaging, featuring:
The conference also provided valuable opportunities for connection, with attendees enjoying the vibrancy of the Darwin Festival and concluding the event with a sunset cruise and dinner together.
We are also pleased to announce the Phyllis Davis Scholarship, which will enable the successful applicant to attend the ACORN 2026 conference in Brisbane next year. Stay tuned for further details on how to apply. Sincerely Kate Conlan NTPNA President |
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SAPNA has been busy preparing for our state conference to be held later this month. We have worked hard to lock in some amazing speakers and interactive sessions. Tickets are still available so head to our website, www.sapna.org.au – we would love to see you there!
Nikki Rowlands SAPNA President |
PO Box 38 Highgate SA 5063
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As we look forward to the arrival of spring, here in Victoria, the Victorian Perioperative Nurses Group (VPNG) is pleased to share recent updates, highlights from our latest events and exciting opportunities ahead.
👋State conference
VPNG proudly hosted its biennial state conference at the Pullman Albert Park on 8 and 9 August. The event featured a rich educational program covering perioperative care, leadership and broader healthcare topics. Attendees also enjoyed engaging competitions and raffle draws.
🙏 Thank you
We extend our heartfelt thanks to platinum sponsor, Medtronic; gold sponsor, BD, and all our valued trade partners. Your generous support helped us deliver a dynamic and inspiring conference with a diverse line-up of speakers.
📅 Save the date
Our next major event will be the Country Conference, held in Ballarat on Saturday 8 August 2026.
Education and scholarships
The Education subcommittee is finalising the Introduction to perioperative nursing course, scheduled for 10 and 11 October 2025 at Epworth Richmond. This course is ideal for nurses with less than six months of perioperative experience and offers foundational insights into the specialty.
💰 Scholarship applications close 30 September
Applications are now being accepted for the Mary Barry Medtronic Education Grant and the Marea Fennell Scholarship. Submit your application before the closing date.
🎧 Latest podcast
Our newest podcast explores the topic of surgical plume in the OR – a not-to-be-missed topic for all perioperative professionals. Listen on your preferred platform. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon/Audible.
👑 Leadership transition
The VPGN Annual General Meeting, held during the state conference, marked a significant leadership transition. Karolin King concluded her term as VPNG president. I am honoured to step into the role for the next two years. Indra Doresamy joins the executive team as honorary secretary.
Acknowledgements
We bid a fond farewell to two exceptional committee members: Elyse Coffey and Kate Mitchell. Elyse, a former VPNG president, has been a pillar of support and leadership within the committee. Elyse and Kate were the creative force behind the VPNG Podcast, known for its educational, engaging and humorous content. Their contributions have left a lasting impact, and they will be deeply missed. We wish them every success in their future endeavours.
Warm regards
Michelle Hibberson
Michelle Hibberson
VPNG President
June 2025
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Greetings from the sunny state of Queensland. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Simone Ohlin who has recently decided to step away from the position of president. Simone remains as an ACORN Queensland committee member and continues to strongly support our committee. Over the years, Simone’s energy, passion and hard work has been instrumental in the continuing success of ACORN Queensland in our pursuit of supporting perioperative nurses to improve the safety and quality of the care they provide. Since our Annual General Meeting, in October last year, two other members have stepped down from the committee. I would like to thank Ness Schenk for the amazing work she has dedicated to our conference and as trade lead. I would also like to thank Aine Coutinho for her time on the committee and wish her all the best in her new and exciting work ventures. I thank the current committee for providing me with support as the new ACORN Queensland president. We have a strong team of dedicated and passionate volunteers who work so hard to support our members through providing educational and networking opportunities all year round. Justine Vost has been ACORN Queensland Director and I thank her for her passion and commitment to ACORN and ACORN Queensland. Kathy Herrick remains as our secretary and supports Meg Nicholson in her role as education lead, on the Education subcommittee, with organising and delivering our regional education days. Feedback from these events has been incredibly positive. Nicole Dunne is our current treasurer and another crucial member of our executive committee. Nicole also joins me on the Conference Committee as we work to continue Ness’s legacy in planning our 2025 Conference to be held at the QT Gold Coast in October this year. Trish Sinnamon, our new trade lead, is working with all our amazing event sponsors and supports both the education and conference teams. Michelle Matthews, our media relations lead, is responsible for the social media coverage helping us to connect with all our members on social platforms and supports the education team at rural events. Marni Chislett is the last member of the committee who rounds out our 2025 team. Thank you too you all! To everyone taking the time to read this, enjoy pulling out the winter woollies and snuggling up as the weather changes. Be kind to yourselves. Be kind to each other. Hope to see you all soon at the conference. And thank you for all the hard work that you do. Warm regards Ann-Maree (Ree) Layton ACORN Queensland President Grad Cert Clinical Nursing & Teaching UTAS |
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A warm hello to all our colleagues around Australia. SAPNA has been working hard this year on delivering education sessions to our members. Our sessions have been well supported by our members with great feedback
Our State Conference this year will be on 19 and 20 September at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. We welcome any of our colleagues around Australia to join us – registration will open in the coming weeks. On a sad note, recently, we said goodbye to one of our beloved committee members, Carmel Rodgers.
May we find comfort in the love and laughter she shared with us and keep her spirit alive by carrying forward her kindness and compassion. Nikki Rowlands SAPNA President |
PO Box 38 Highgate SA 5063
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As the transition into winter approaches down in Victoria, the VPNG would like to share some updates regarding recent developments and forthcoming events. The annual VPNG State Conference is set to take place in August, promising a robust and engaging program. The Events subcommittee has worked diligently to curate an array of distinguished speakers and interactive trade workshops designed to inspire and educate attendees. This conference represents an excellent opportunity for members to deepen their knowledge with topics ranging from urology to eye donation, paediatric airway management to surgical mortality and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) to simulation training. Special offers, including early registration discounts, group discounts and new member offers are currently available, enabling members to secure their participation at a reduced cost. Changes to the VPNG Board of Directors will be announced following voting by members during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the conference on the Friday. A detailed report concerning these changes will be disseminated ahead of the AGM for members' review. Education and scholarships The Education subcommittee has successfully completed the Echuca Introduction Course, with the team assisting a new group of perioperative nurses with practical and hands-on-learning. Scholarships and grants have been awarded to several members to support their continued education and professional development, in postgraduate studies or to attend the state conference. Two educational webinars were offered in February and March on laser and surgical plume safety and a detailed overview from Versant Surgical on Xperience irrigation fluid. Acknowledgment of leadership transition This report marks the conclusion of my two-year tenure as president of VPNG. Serving in this capacity has been a privilege, with the opportunity for personal growth and learning, and I am grateful for the support and camaraderie of the Victorian perioperative community. While stepping down from this role, I anticipate contributing to VPNG through alternative avenues. The VPNG remains focused on its mission to support its members through education, collaboration, and professional opportunities. The enthusiasm and dedication of the committee and VPNG members are the driving forces behind the organisation. Looking ahead to the state conference, I am confident it will be a successful event demonstrating a commitment to improving perioperative nursing practice. I extend my sincere gratitude to all members for their commitment and participation. Warm regards Karolin King VPNG President |
PO Box 593
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March 2025
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Welcome to the new year with VPNG! We are filled with excitement and anticipation for what promises to be a productive and rewarding year ahead. Changes in the Board of Directors The year has started with some changes in the Board of Directors, with Kate Mitchell resigning from the vice president role. Fortunately, Kate remains an active member of the Education subcommittee. Michelle Hibberson has stepped into the role of acting vice president and will be balancing this with her responsibilities as acting secretary. We are very happy to have Michelle in this dual role and look forward to her nomination for president at the Annual General Meeting in August. New committee member We are also delighted to introduce Tara Noonan, our newest member of the committee. Tara brings her experience in events management, in addition to perioperative nursing, to the committee. We are always looking for new members to swell our ranks. Anyone who has been a member of VPNG for at least one year and has enthusiasm, flexibility, a strong work ethic and commitment would be very welcome. ACORN conference Last November, Treasurer, Helen Parr, represented VPNG at the ACORN conference. Helen had the opportunity to network with fellow professionals, exchanging ideas and experiences that can benefit VPNG. Her participation at the conference has provided her with fresh insights and perspectives that she has been eager to share with VPNG. Her report is in the Autumn edition of Snippets. Education subcommittee activities The Education subcommittee kick-started the year with the two-day ‘Introduction to Perioperative Nursing’ program in Echuca at the end of February. This well-attended event received positive feedback from participants. Be sure to check out the event pictures on our social media channels! Webinars VPNG will be providing two webinars early this year: Surgical plume awareness and Xperience advanced surgical irrigation. Members will have the opportunity to listen to our informative presenters and add some continuing professional development (CPD) points to their portfolios. State conference announcement Finally, VPNG is excited to announce that our state conference is scheduled for August this year! A varied program of speakers will keep delegates informed on many facets of perioperative nursing, including a sprinkling of paediatrics. There are special group-booking discounts and the new member monthly offer – one new member is drawn each month to win a free day at the conference. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months, especially early bird registration. Thank you to ACORN for your continued support of VPNG and here's to a fantastic year ahead! Warm regards Karolin King |
PO Box 593 |
