Landscapes for Resilience: Embrace, Regrow, Heal

THE ANNUAL THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE 2022

Saturday 1st October 2022
University of Melbourne Burnley campus and online

Therapeutic Horticulture Australia is excited to be delivering a well-awaited face-to-face conference on the 1st of October along with our popular cocktail party. We’re also hosting two days of pre-conference tours of garden hotspots around Melbourne on the 29th and 30th of September.

 

Keynote Speakers

THA is thrilled to have 3 outstanding keynote speakers for the conference

Dr Anna María Pálsdóttir

Topic

Nordic research exploring nature-based interventions (NBI) for health and well-being

Synopsis

This presentation will explore Nordic approaches to nature-based interventions for human health and well-being. Focussing on research in Sweden, Dr Pálsdóttir will share pioneering work completed at the Alnarp Rehabilitation Garden. She will also discuss current activities and projects, and outline how these research outcomes have been applied to health policy and planning.

Andrew Laidlaw

Topic

VASS gardens developed in conjunction with Global gardens of Peace

Synopsis

Andrew will provide a historic overview of public gardens and their role as places of healing, focussing on botanic gardens and their adult language and deeper history.

He will also introduce some recent ‘gardens within a garden’ projects at the RBG which create immersive experiences, including:
– Sensory Garden
– The White Oak
– Fern Gully Meditation Gardens

Finally, Andrew will discuss gardens for vulnerable communities through his work with Global Gardens of Peace, including the VASS Food Forest projects and the Alfred Hospital Psychiatric Ward Calming Garden.

Dr Jonathan Kingsley

Topic

Ten actions for bigger picture thinking in therapeutic horticulture in Australia

Synopsis

In this presentation, Dr Kingsley will outline the health and wellbeing evidence associated with connections to gardening but move beyond that by providing the audience with ten big ideas for translating evidence into everyday practice. He will draw on his research in public and Aboriginal health to provide practical ideas for big picture thinking for people participating in therapeutic horticulture in Australia.

Pre-Conference Tours | 29th, 30th September

Download the full Tour Itinerary

In addition to the THA conference, we are excited to offer two days of pre-conference tours allowing members to visit a range of locations across Melbourne that contribute to the diverse practice of Therapeutic Horticulture. The tours explore programs of social enterprise, assisted employment, and government support that operate in various educational, health, commercial, and garden settings. At each location you will have the unique opportunity to meet and hear from the practitioners and designers while you are immersed in its environment.

There are two tours, one exploring locations East of the Burnley campus (east to west), and the other West of Burnley campus (west to east). The tours operate concurrently on Day 1 and are repeated on Day 2, allowing delegates to participate in both directions over two days. Bus tours are all-day events, departing from the Burnley Campus and include a packed lunch and snacks. We ask everyone to bring their own water bottle (with refill stations along the way).

Not a member? Join now as an Associate for only $63 to take advantage of conference membership prices and join other members on the pre-conference tour. JOIN HERE

Cocktail party

Register now to secure your early bird pricing and one of the limited cocktail party spots being held at The Bridges Hotel from 5.30pm (only 10 minutes walking distance from the venue). All face-to-face delegates have two complimentary drinks and canapes included in the ticket price, but places are limited so book now so you don’t miss out.

Program

Download the full THA Conference Program 2022

Registration – 8.00am

Welcome to Country

President’s Welcome

Keynote: Dr Anna MARÍA PÁLSDÓTTIR

Nordic research exploring nature-based interventions (NBI) for health and well-being

Speaker: Steven Wells

Supporting Healthcare Staff through Covid

Keynote: Andrew Laidlaw

VASS gardens developed in conjunction with Global gardens of Peace

Speakers: Dr Kate Neale, Stacey Northam and Bree Katsamangos

Mother, Nature and Me – Therapeutic gardening for at-risk mothers and babies

 Lunch

Keynote: Dr Jonathan Kingsley

Ten actions for bigger picture thinking in therapeutic horticulture in Australia

Speaker: Leigh McGaghey

Working with Allied Health professionals – what the landscape designer / horticulturist needs to know

Workshops

Close – 4.50pm

Cocktail Party – 5.30pm

Registration

Registrations are now closed.

Conference Sponsor:

THA acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.

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