LA President reports 2026
March 2026
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Greetings from New South Wales As we begin a new year, we’re excited by the possibilities ahead and the plans already underway. February is always an interesting time across our hospitals, particularly within our perioperative environments, as we welcome our new graduate nurses. These new nurses arrive full of enthusiasm, eager to learn and keen to make a positive contribution. While there are always a few who really make us work for our money, the vast majority are a joy to have on our teams – their curiosity and energy are genuinely uplifting. Here at the New South Wales Operating Theatre Association (NSW OTA), we are equally energised as we plan for the year ahead. Our subcommittees have reconvened and are actively working to determine how best to support our members and continue championing perioperative nursing across the profession. While most meetings occur via Zoom, all subcommittees will come together in person ahead of our strategic planning day in May, where we will map out our priorities for the next one, two and five years. We are also laying early groundwork for a major milestone coming in 2027 – the 70th anniversary of the OTA. Seventy years of promoting and supporting perioperative nursing is certainly something worth celebrating – imagine the history, achievements, and collective dedication behind that milestone. We’re starting 2026 with great momentum. Our Day surgery education day on Saturday 7 March, held at North Shore Hospital in Sydney, has already attracted more than 100 registrants, many of them non-members. It’s a packed program and a fantastic way to kick off our calendar of events. In addition, our first webinar in this year’s webinar series will take place in March, offering another valuable learning opportunity for members and colleagues alike. We look forward to everything the year holds and to continuing our shared work in strengthening perioperative nursing across NSW. Alison Schofield NSW OTA President |
PO Box 212 Croydon NSW 2132 T: 02 9799 9835 W: www.ota.org.au
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The Northern Territory Perioperative Nurses Association (NTPNA) was delighted to host the state conference in Darwin on the 15 and 16 of August 2025. The conference was extremely well attended and received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with delegates valuing both the quality of the presentations and the opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the territory and interstate. Beyond the formal program, the conference offered valuable networking opportunities. Delegates enjoyed experiencing the vibrancy of Darwin during the festival period and concluded the event with a sunset cruise and dinner, providing a relaxed setting to strengthen professional connections. We have commenced planning for the 2027 NTPNA conference and invite members to share any ideas, topics or speakers they would like to see included. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping a conference that reflects the needs and interests of our perioperative community. NTPNA is also proud to be offering the Phyllis Davis AM Scholarship. This scholarship, kindly donated by Phyllis Davis AM, will provide up to $2000 (reimbursement model) to support the successful applicant/s to attend the ACORN national conference in Brisbane, being held 14–16 May 2026. The scholarship offers an excellent opportunity to engage in education and networking, experience vibrant exhibitions and gain exposure to the latest research and developments in perioperative nursing. Members are also encouraged to participate in the ACORN public consultation on The ACORNStandards for Perioperative Nursing. This is a valuable opportunity to provide feedback and contribute to the development of national standards that guide our practice. Feedback can be submitted via the ACORN website. Looking ahead, NTPNA is planning a paediatric education workshop for all nurses. Further details, including dates and registration information, will be confirmed in due course. We welcome member feedback and invite you to inform us of any education sessions or study days you would like to see presented by NTPNA in the future. Your input is vital in ensuring we continue to deliver relevant and meaningful professional development opportunities. Thank you for your ongoing support of NTPNA. Kate Conlan |
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Hello everyone I hope you’ve enjoyed a restorative summer and managed to stay safe during the recent extreme weather. My thoughts are with all those affected by the fires and floods across Victoria. We sincerely hope our members, their families and colleagues are safe, and we encourage anyone needing support to reach out. VPNG Country Conference, Ballarat 8 August 2026 The Victorian Perioperative Nurses Group (VPNG) Country Conference will be held in Ballarat, on Friday 8 August 2026, and the delegate brochure is now available. This year’s program offers presentations relevant to all perioperative nurses, with a strong focus on communication, patient safety and teamwork across the perioperative continuum. Sessions have been carefully curated to support safe practice, strengthen professional communication and enhance collaborative care in operating theatres and procedural environments. 🎟 Early bird registrations are now open for a limited time. We encourage members to secure their place early and take advantage of reduced registration rates. This flagship regional event provides an excellent opportunity to learn, reflect, and connect with perioperative colleagues from across Victoria in a supportive and engaging setting. 👉 View the delegate brochure and register via the VPNG website. VPNG Introductory course, 13–14 March Designed for novice perioperative nurses, this popular course provides a comprehensive introduction to perioperative practice. Participants will: learn the fundamentals of perioperative nursing explore leadership pathways within the profession gain insight into how VPNG supports its members. Registrations are now open for this excellent opportunity to build confidence and capability in perioperative nursing. Medi-Prep webinar VPNG recently hosted a webinar with Natalie Hall showcasing Medi-Prep, a digital solution for managing surgical preference cards. If you missed the session or would like to revisit it, the recording is available on the VPNG website. More webinars are planned – watch this space. Promotions and opportunities
VPNG scholarships now open VPNG remains committed to supporting professional development and lifelong learning. Applications for VPNG scholarships opened on 1 February and close on 31 March 2026. Members are encouraged to visit the scholarships page to review eligibility and apply. Thank you for your continued support of VPNG. I look forward to connecting with many of you in Ballarat this August as we come together to celebrate and advance perioperative nursing. Warm regards Michelle Hibberson VPNG President |
PO Box 593
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