Membership is open to full time and part time chaplains and pastoral care workers.  Management of the Association is undertaken by an elected National Committee comprising the Executive Committee and representatives from each state.  Each state also has an Executive Committee with elected representatives.

Members work in many different areas such as psychiatric units, correctional institutions, hospitals, nursing homes, aged care, hospices, disabled units, addiction treatment centres, commercial and public industries, the defence forces, arts and recreation, primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions.

The AHWCA is the largest ecumenical chaplaincy association in the Southern Hemisphere. Since 1976 national conferences and state seminars have been held in all states and territories providing pastoral care, professional development and spiritual enrichment for its members through workshops, seminars, retreats and collegial activities.

National President's Report to the AGM 30th May 2008

Brother Noel Allen

I want to begin by remembering our past Vice President, Brother Noel Allen. I had the privilege of representing the AHWCA at his funeral on the 14th of May 2007. Noel had been presented with his Life Membership from this organisation at the AHWCA National Conference held only a month earlier in April 2007. I want to acknowledge that it was only through the work of our former National Secretary Sue Retschko that made the conferring of the Life Membership possible and allowed us to honour the significant contribution, faithfulness and commitment Noel had given the AHWCA over many years. Please join me in a moments silence knowing that Noel is held in the eternal embrace of our God.

State and Territory Search Conferences

I have attended all of the search conferences over the past two years. They have been held as follows:October 2006 – South AustraliaFebruary 2007 – VictoriaJuly 2007 – TasmaniaMarch 2008 – NSW, Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Australian Journal of Pastoral Care and Health

I have continued to represent the AHWCA and the Healthcare Chaplaincy Council of Victoria on the Editorial Board for the e-journal. The journal was officially launched on the 13th November 2007. At its meeting in November the National Committee agreed to commit an amount of $2,000 towards the journal as a special project. The second edition is due in June 2008 and is published on-line at www.pastoraljournal.org.au 

National Search Conference 

In November 2005 the National Committee met in Melbourne for my first meeting as President. Discussions, work, debates about the AHWCA had been happening for many years (and I want to pay tribute to the work of Robert Anderson at this time). I knew when I nominated that there was a strong desire for change and reform. At the November 2005 meeting I conducted a workshop “AHWCA - A National Leader”. At that meeting Margaret Bekema talked about the ACT Search Conference and we agreed to explore the idea of holding State and Territory Search Conferences leading to a National Search Conference.In June 2006 in Brisbane the National Committee met with Garry Watson and the rest as they say…is history! Seven search conferences later I find myself at this historic moment in the life of the AHWCA.I said from the beginning that I am not someone who believes in the continuation of an organisation for its own sake. The AHWCA needed to redefine its identity and purpose or recognise that something new was needed. At our last conference we were challenged to go to the depths- we have been there! Since Thursday we have searched and wrestled, debated and struggled. We have listened and we have been heard. It has been difficult and painful and life giving. Birthing is like that!We have worked hard – but there is still much work ahead.The new direction we have identified today may be difficult and painful for many who have been faithful and committed members of the AHWCA. We will need to be sensitive, mindful and careful as we move forward.I am in awe of the people who have gathered here and given themselves to this process and to each other. May we continue to hold each other in prayer as we journey on.

Thanks

Firstly, my thanks to Garry Watson who has facilitated every one of the Search Conferences. We are indebted to him!Thanks to the National Committee who pulled together to make this happen, and especially Stephen Delbridge, Pam Robertson and Fr. Gerald Quinn.Thanks to Fr Ron Davoren for his hospitality and willingness to answer all our questions and make us comfortable over these few days!Thanks to Nora Kunzel who has been our scribe for the National Search Conference. 

National Conference 2009

I look forward to seeing you at the National Conference 25-29 January 2009, Hobart, Tasmania where we will be refreshed by the “Living Water”.