The PHA - an informed, collaborative and strong advocate for public health.

Conference 2009

The Otago/Southland branch of the Public Health Association is hosting the PHA Conference 2009 in Dunedin/Otepoti, 1-4 September.

And we would like you to be there!

We're bringing together public health researchers and practitioners, people who work in strategic management roles, academics, service providers, people from advocacy organisations, government and non-government organisations, District Health Boards, public health services, and community workers.

The theme "The Underpinnings of Public Health Practice: Research and Values" will shape Conference 2009, so start thinking – what will you present?

• What are the public health values which inform your work?
• What research can you share to inform practice?
• What practice problems can you present to inform research?

We would love your ideas, your input and your energy!

So join us for the most important public health event in 2009 and enjoy three springtime days in lovely Dunedin.

For more information contact Richard Egan: richard.egan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz.

The PHA conference will follow the Australasian Epidemiological Association conference, also being held in Dunedin.

Click here for more information.

Registrations open

Registrations are now open for the 2009 conference 1-4 September in Dunedin. To register go to: www.dcms.co.nz/Conferences/PHA/registration.html.

Earlybird period until 30 July: PHA members $480; non-PHA $520.

Or email pat@dcms.co.nz for a registration brochure to be mailed to you.

Wellington Branch Conference Scholarship information

The Wellington Branch of the Public Health Association is offering two scholarships for current 2009/2010 Wellington Branch PHA members to attend this year's PHA Conference to be held 1-4 September 2009 in Dunedin.

Scholarship applications close Friday 31 July 2009

The Public Health Association of NZ holds an annual conference for public health workers, researchers and people active in public health. It is a key educational event in public health, and more, is a great gathering. This year's conference is being organised by the Dunedin branch and will be held at the University of Otago, Dunedin.

The scholarship offers the following:

• Conference registration, including attendance at all conference sessions
• Conference abstracts handbook, satchel and contents
• Morning and afternoon teas and lunches
• Up to a maximum of $270 as contribution towards travel and accommodation costs.

How to apply

You are invited to apply in writing stating clearly:

• your name
• email address or telephone number
• name of your course and subjects you are taking or work of your community organisation
• details of any other support you have, or have applied for, to attend the conference

Include a 100 word statement in English or Te Reo Māori outlining:

• your understanding of public health
• your current and planned development in public health
• why you want to attend the conference
• how you expect to use what you gain from the conference.

You will also be expected to write a short report on the conference for the PHA newsletter, so your entry should note your agreement to do that.

Please send entries to noeline.holt@ruralwomen.org.nz by 4pm Friday 31 July 2009. (Put “Wellington PHA Branch Scholarship” in subject line.)

Applications received after this time will not be accepted.

Selection criteria

We will give priority to applicants who:

• are current PHA members living in the Wellington region
• are from Wellington and a student in a branch of public health or working in an NGO engaged in public health
• have a track record of community action or public health influence that fits PHA values
• have a track record of sharing information to strengthen effective action – (good communicators and networkers)
• have the ability to make sense of the many and varied types of public health work covered at the conference, and to see the links back to their own work
• provide a convincing argument of the benefit of the conference for themselves, and for the health of the public
• would be unable to attend the conference without this sponsorship
• have not received conference sponsorship from the PHA in the previous three years.

Annual Public Health Champion Award 2009

Purpose

The purpose of the award is to

• identify outstanding individuals
• profile the issue or work of the individual
• raise the profile of the PHA.

Criteria for Selection

• The award will be offered to those who have been seen to have focused on PHA’s priorities during the previous year
• The award may be offered to those who have made an ongoing contribution to public health over many years
• Nominees do not need to be members of the PHA, though priority will be given to nominations of members.

Note: The award in its present form will be made to individuals as opposed to groups of two or more.

The recipient may be:

• well known in a local public health community
• a well known national public health figure
• someone who has been regularly in the news on a major public health issue
• someone who has made an outstanding contribution to public health in the past 12 months

Process

The process is simple:

Send a letter with a paragraph or two stating the reason for your nomination, your name and the name of someone else who supports your nomination (The quality of the information you provide will greatly assist the selection process) to the Public Health Association via post PO Box 11-243, Manners Street, Wellington 6142, or via email raeanna@pha.org.nz. 

Nominations can come from PHA Branches, Caucuses or individual members.

The close off date for nominations is Friday 31 July 2009.

The PHA award ceremony will be held during the 2009 conference dinner.

Selection

A public health champion committee will be established and will choose the successful nomination.

About PHA Conference

The PHA holds a conference in a different region each year.

There are several objectives of the annual conference.

• Education: The conference is a major educational and networking event for groups and individuals working in public health in New Zealand. It can therefore play a significant role in developing and maintaining the competence of public health workers whose needs for continued learning and development are ongoing.

• Advocacy: The conference provides an opportunity for publicity and media events on issues of high public health concern. International and local speakers provide excellent opportunities for advocacy.

• Fundraising: The conference provides an essential basis of financial support for the PHA. It provides funding for the host branch, and for national operations. It provides funding for the host branch, and ensures the PHA has independent income to advocate for public health free from contractual constraints.

Past conferences

Programmes and abstracts from recent years' conferences are available online.

2008 – Tapu Noa - Environmental physical or both ( 1.5Mb)

2007 – Te Torino - Reimagining Health ( 726Kb)

2006 – Sustaining Public Health ( 301Kb)

2005 – Making the Links for Public Health ( 935Kb)

2004 – Growing our Own ( 44Kb)

2003 – Tino Rangatiratanga in Public Health ( 951Kb)