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About us...

The Australian Health & Welfare Chaplains' Association is an Australia wide ecumenical association of chaplains and pastoral care workers which was formed and legally constituted in 1974 to meet the needs of members as outlined below:

•  To promote fellowship among chaplain members.

•  To strengthen understanding among chaplains, and others, of the aims and functions of   chaplaincy.

•  To encourage education and maintain standards in pastoral care.

•  To conduct and encourage research in areas relating to chaplaincy.

•  To disseminate information to members.

•  To arrange periodic conferences (at national and state levels).

•  To maintain co-operative links with the Australian College of Chaplains.

•  To conduct other activities related to chaplaincy as it sees fit.

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.

There has been a strong agenda for change and reform for many years within the AHWCA. In June 2006 the National Committee agreed to a process of conducting Search Conferences (strategic planning events) in every state and territory to identify the key issues for the future of chaplaincy and pastoral care at the state and territory level. These culminated in a National Search Conference conducted in Adelaide from the 29th – 31st May 2008. Over 50 people gathered with representatives from every state and territory, state peak bodies, welfare, health and prison sectors, and senior church representation to discuss the future of the AHWCA. At this gathering there was strong consensus that the time had come for a new and more inclusive professional association. An historic motion that will change the face of the Australian Health and Welfare Chaplains Association was unanimously endorsed at its AGM held on Saturday 31st May 2008.

The decision sees the emergence of a new organization “Spiritual Care Australia” which will become the national association of practitioners in chaplaincy, pastoral and spiritual care.

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SPIRITUAL CARE AUSTRALIA 

An Association for Chaplaincy, Pastoral Care and Spiritual Services.  

CONSTITUTION OF SPIRITUAL CARE AUSTRALIA

Download document: Spiritual Care Australia constitution

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Letter to all members 26th February 2009

Download letter: Information to members 260209

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National President's Report 2010      Download: Presidents report AGM 2010

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National President's Report 2009       Download: Presidents report AGM 2009

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National President's Report 2008        Download: Presidents report AGM 2008

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