Entries for December 2014

This year DTA has faced a year of change, development, embracing new ideas and also one of challenge. 
For some time the Board of DTA have been aware that changes across several platforms, were necessary to ensure currency within the environment in which DTA functions. How DTA communicates with its members is one of these areas.

This year, we have been very fortunate that Katrina Vouri, has taken on the role of Network Group Liaison person. Katrina is passionate about members, and the support of network groups. Her role means that network groups do not need to feel as if they are operating in isolation, but have a direct go-to person for support, encouragement and advice, and I would like, on behalf of the Board, to thank Katrina for her commitment and passion.

We have also seen outstanding positive changes in how the newsletter is designed and delivered and in the new and improved DTA website. These are significant achievements. (Read more about AGM here - also included Treasurer and Office Reports)

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The past year has been one of consolidation. Our finances have been challenged on occasion when our Conference date was moved to later in the year. Extremely careful day to day management by our dedicated staff ensured the work of DTA progressed as required.

Our term deposit was required for a short time but has now been re-established at $50,000.

Workshops have run successfully again this year and our thanks go to Steph and the volunteers who assist within each state. E-Learning is on our agenda for the future to allow members access to training Australia wide.

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Submitted by Diana Tocknell (while Margie is away on holiday!)
It has been another very busy year here in the office with exciting new things keeping us on our toes.

Of course the biggest change has been to our website and our move from paper to electronic for a lot of our paperwork. The new website looks really fantastic and if anyone hasn’t been on it yet – it is well worth a visit. Margie has spent many, many hours with our computer and website people getting the whole website business up and running. And along with that is the introduction of our e-newsletter and the phasing out of the paper copy. This benefits our members by cutting the costs of printing, paper & postage and at the same time enabling us to put up longer articles and wonderful photos. All the digital newsletters are on the website for any member to view at any time. There are currently only 30 people now receiving the paper newsletter.

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Vice President 2
Lindl Webster
I live in the beautiful Hunter Valley, NSW with my husband and two primary school aged daughters. My journey towards being a DT has involved several career changes, including a stint as a real estate property manager, and 16 years in the finance industry, managing at branch level and being a lender.

When the time came for career change number three, I gained my Cert III in aged care and started working as an AIN in an aged care facility. I did this for several years, with my focus always being completing my degree in Health Science with Charles Sturt, and gaining experience as a Recreational Activity Officer (RAO) at every opportunity. Fast forward to 2014, and I have been working as a DT with Adventist Senior Living for several years. I lead a group of 10 very dedicated RAO’s and we all love our job. 

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Hello everyone,

Well DTA Workshops for 2014 are done for the year and while it will be great to have a few weeks off I wouldn’t say I’ll be resting! In around planning my wedding for 20th December I am also getting a jump start on the workshops for next year.

Our first workshop on the 7th February here in Sydney follows on from our very successful "Access to Leisure" workshop held in Newcastle this year specialising in disability focused programming and ideas. I often get asked for workshops for our members who work in this specialised and rewarding field so put it in your diary and look out for the flyer soon if you work in the disabilities sector- want to or want to expand your education, knowledge and networking opportunities in this area. If you have any particular speakers or ideas you would like to have explored, or you would like to present on a topic specific to disabilities please contact me.

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6th February NSW - Sydney – Access to Leisure - Disability Focus
27th February SA - Regional - Mt Gambier
13th March QLD - Brisbane
27th March TAS - Hobart

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Submitted by Margie Kennard

The Commonwealth Department of Health, Primary Health Networks and Allied Health – building better communication.

As part of Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA), we met with a number of people from the Commonwealth Department of Health this week. We were very pleased to get a commitment from the Commonwealth Chief Allied Health Officer in working toward good communication between allied health professions and the new Primary Health Networks (PHNs). 

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Title: Journal of Leisure Research (SAGAMORE PUBLISHING) 

Call for Papers, Special Issue: 
Leisure in Later Life 

Deadline: February 15, 2015 
Guest Editors: 
Galit Nimrod 
Megan C. Janke 
Douglas A. Kleiber 

In 2000, McGuire synthesized and significantly questioned the state of knowledge and inquiry related to leisure and aging and then put forth a challenge for “deeper thought.” 
Since then, the number of scholars from various disciplines studying leisure and aging has dramatically increased; new concepts have been developed; and exciting opportunities for dialogue among scholars, practitioners, and policy makers have been formed. Parallel to global demographic trends and “greying” of many countries, there is a growing interest in the extent to which leisure activities and experiences promote active and healthy aging. Despite this interest, McGuire’s call for a deeper thought is still relevant, and scholars must ask themselves what they do know and, more important, what they need to know to have a more complete understanding of leisure in later life. 

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Australia Day is more than just a public holiday. Whether you’re in the city, on the coast or in a regional area, there are lots of events that celebrate everything that’s great about being Australian. 

The main link provided is based in NSW followed by all the relevant state and territory information. 

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This month we have a guest book review by Aja Goddard and a review of Pam Bell’s final two books – Ed.

'Cultural Life', Disability, Inclusion and Citizenship - Moving Beyond Leisure in Isolation

Disability is a complex multidimensional social construct where the type of disability and the level of support of individuals needs to be considered within leisure provision. In a leisure context, people with a disability often face a multitude of constraints to participation. However, when leisure is possible, the benefits are substantial and worth pursuing. While other marginalised populations have received a great deal of attention across disciplines and in the field of leisure and recreation, disability has received comparatively less attention and generally in isolation to the leisure context. This book concentrates on "disability citizenship in leisure".

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