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Interchange State-Wide Forums
Interchange Victoria hosted three State-wide Forums which included the Host Forum, Recreation Forum and
the Manager Forum. The Forums were an opportunity for CEO’s, managers, staff and volunteers to meet and
discuss some of the key issues they face, share best practice and develop actions to address them in the work
place. The Forums are for the members by the members. The members suggest various topics and areas of
interest and Interchange Victoria organises the Forums. Members are encouraged to facilitate the topics and
when relevant, outside experts are invited to share their knowledge and current practice.
THE MANAGERS FORUM
THE HOST FORUM
THE RECREATIONAL PROGRAM FORUM
The Recreational Forum for the Recreational program coordinators
and staff was held on 27th July 2011 at Interchange Victoria’s office in
Braybrook. There were a total of 22 attendees from 12 member
programs including Interchange South Australia who participated in
the forum. The topics were chosen based on suggestions by the
Recreational staff and each topic was facilitate by a representative
from a member program.
The topics covered were on Sharing ideas of activities, camps venues that have been tried and tested,
How is Active Service Model implemented in the respective programs, Insurance and risk management
issues for clients, volunteers and staff and Managing and retaining casual staff and volunteers. It was a
great opportunity for the attendees to network and share ideas. As a result of the forum a document was
created including a list of camp sites and ways to appreciate volunteers. The document was circulated to all
recreational program coordinators.
The Managers Forum was held on 2nd November 2011 at the Hume Global Learning
Centre. There were 20 attendees from 9 member programs including Langford in Tasmania
who participated in the forum. The forum topic was “Transitions to a NDIS”. Simon McKeon,
Interchange Victoria patron and Australian of the year 2011 was the guest speaker at the
AGM prior to the forum and also stayed back for some of the forum. We also had John Della
Bosca, National Campaign Director and James O’Brien, Victorian/Tasmanian State
Coordinator for the NDIS join in the discussion. The NDIS Transistion Plan topic was run
by Belinda Wallin from the NDS and we also had Diana Borgmeyer from VMIA discussing
Risk and Opportunity. Tim Flowers from Saward Dawson ran a session after lunch on
Demystify the Marketisation Transistion Process and Prepare for Change.
The overall aim of the Forum was to focus on challenges and opportunities for Interchange
programs in the current climate of individualised funding. Attendees appreciated the
opportunity to network, also found the contents of the forum valuable and informative.
Managers and Host Program coordinators and staff participated in an engaging one day Forum held on the
3rd of May 2012 at the Melbourne Art Centre. There were a total of 17 participants from 10 member
organisations who gathered together to network, share ideas and participate in the discussions. The topics
covered were Sharing and improving the Client Profile Form, Guidelines and Legalities on Managing
Host Volunteers and Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers.
The attendees enjoyed the venue and look forward to more networking and sharing at future
forums. The forum encouraged discussion and information sharing while inspiring attendees
with new and innovative ideas.
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