Events and conferences

Premier's Forum 2003

Past Events

Showcasing contemporary research in spinal cord injury and conditions

Marking the third anniversary of the Making Connections forum -- the NSW Premier's Forum on Spinal Cord Injury and Conditions -- at which the late Christopher Reeve was the keynote speaker, the Re:connections forum, a unique event for leading Australian and international researchers, clinicians, healthcare and rehabilitation professionals, people with spinal cord injury and carers, was held on 29 May 2006.

The inaugural Making Connections event took place in 2003 and involved 1,000 researchers, clinicians, people with spinal cord injury and their carers. It covered the care/cure spectrum and was highly regarded by all who attended.

This third anniversary forum provided an opportunity to share knowledge and strengthen research, clinical, and community networks and to showcase the outcomes of the Government's $35.9m, 4-year package of initiatives, announced by the former Premier on 28 January 2003. This package includes:

$10.9m to promote research into spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions (administered by the Office for Science and Medical Research;
$23m for additional attendant care places (administered by the Department of Ageing Disability and Home Care (DADHC);
$2m to establish a trial providing assistance to people to transition from acute care after their injury (a joint project involving NSW Health, the Motor Accidents Authority and DADHC).

Transcripts of the opening address, keynote speeches and workshops are now available:

Traditional Welcome to Country by Aunty Sylvia Scott, Wiradjuri tribe elder (PDF 31 kB)
The Hon Frank Sartor MP, Minister for Science and Medical Research (PDF 41 kB)
David Prast, Honorary Director, SpinalCure Australia and Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (PDF 67 kB)
Dr James Fawcett, Chairman, Cambridge University Centre for Brain Repair, UK (PDF 81 kB)
NRMA/SpinalCure Australia Inaugural Fellowship Award Presentation (PDF 41 kB)
New Technologies for Independence Workshop (PDF 41 kB)
Community Participation Workshop (PDF 43kB)
Pain Workshop (PDF 37 kB)
Physical Consequences of SCI over the Lifespan Workshop (PDF 40 kB)
Panel Discussion, Professor Perry Barlett (Chair) (PDF 128 kB)

View Re:connections slideshow or photo gallery (external link)

Further transcripts, summaries and selected video footage of Re:connections will be available on this website in the coming weeks.

Re:connections was proudly presented by the Office for Science and Medical Research, now part of the Department of State and Regional Development. The Ministry would like to acknowledge the generosity of NRMA Insurance in supporting Re:connections as a major sponsor.

Re:connections was held at the Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour. For further information, please contact the Re:connections Secretariat at the NSW Office for Science and Medical Research at info@osmr.nsw.gov.au or phone (02) 9388 7872.

View Re:connections program (PDF 1.2 MB)