ALA Conference Report 2010

This year’s ALA Conference had great support from the wider lymphoedema community. With good delegate numbers, excellent support from sponsors and exhibitors and a vibrant consumer forum, it was great to see those with common interests come together in Melbourne in May. There were many inspiring papers presented by invited speakers and by paper, poster and workshop presenters. We would like to thank all presenters for their hard work in planning and presenting their work in such a professional manner, and to keeping to time so the Conference ran smoothly.

ALA conference exhibition area

This year we had 230 delegates, plus 54 exhibitor delegates, making a total of 284 attending the three day conference. The Consumer Public Seminar Day, organised by the Lymphoedema Association of Victoria, hosted an additional 180 consumers. The Medical Forum, a first time event, was aimed at engaging local medical practitioners with an evening forum and a panel discussion. Over 30 medical practitioners attended this event. Thanks to Jane Phillips and Sue Davies for their work on this event.

Two state-based groups offered Conference scholarships: The Lymphoedema Association of Queensland awarded fours scholarships to Queensland therapists: Sally Lancaster from Warwick, Kate Southward from Ferny Hills, Anita Selby from Kingaroy and Roshan Dahlke from Wavell Heights. The Lymphoedema Practitioners Education Group of Victoria awarded their Conference scholarship to Cheryl Prendergast from Melton.

ALA Conference 2010 took a new approach in blending scientific rigour with clinical practice, by developing a series of hypothetical cases for invited speakers and workshop presenters to address during their presentations. With our Conference theme in mind “Reflections of the past, Inspirations for the future”, our Keynote speaker, Professor Stanley Rockson presented to us both the old and the new, from lymphoedema management in days gone by to the cutting edge of research today. Invited speaker Dr David Speakman’s presentation on breast cancer surgery was an excellent start to Day 1, and Associate Professor Tony Penington brought us into the ‘new world’ of tissue engineering, using adipose tissue for breast reconstruction. Also on Day 1, Psychologist Dr Triecia Gibney gave us a thought-provoking presentation on psychosocial issues and potential treatments available for lymphoedema patients.

On Day 2, Invited Speaker Jan Rice spoke with her broad knowledge on wound care in lymphoedema settings and gave us a different outlook with her global perspectives on wound care. To follow, Professor Janet Hiller raised a number of important policy issues related to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of lymphoedema.

Dr Stanley Rockson - keynote speaker

Concurrent Workshops were back on the Program this year. Six different workshops were offered across a number of areas: interpretation of clinical assessment, wound management, kinesio taping, aquatic exercise, palliative care and interpretation of lymphatic imaging. We were delighted that Professor Neil Piller agreed to host an Open Forum session on the final afternoon, with a couple of “Hot Topics in Lmphology”. “MLD: Friend or Foe” provoked the most lively discussion and debate, both from the panel and the enthusiastic audience.
Congratulations to our industry partners, both sponsors and exhibitors, for putting together an excellent display on the latest products and services for lymphoedema. It was clear from the volume of traffic through the Exhibition areas that delegates appreciated, and took advantage of this opportunity. Particular acknowledgements were made at the Opening Drinks to exhibitors who have supported the ALA at every conference since 2000 or before: Smith and Nephew, Venosan Biomet, Therapist Support Laboratories, Reis Orthopaedic, Medical Lasers Australia, RianCorp and Impedimed.

Our social program kept delegates busy. The Organising Committee added some physical activities this year to compensate for all that neural net-working. On Day 2, the Tai Chi Class attracted 50 participants to start the day, and, whilst our Walk around the Lake on Day 3 was rained out, six hardy souls walked anyway! The Conference Opening Drinks and the Dinner were very well attended, with the salsa dancing provoking much amusement for all.
Grateful thanks to the Organising Committee members (Gillian Buckley, Sue Davies, Sue Eaton, Jane Phillips) and to the Scientific Committee (Liisa Laakso, Mark Achen, Robyn Box, Sharon Czerniec, Sandi Hayes, Judy Purbrick) - thank you for your excellent work over the past two years in getting this Conference together. Thanks also to our new event managers for 2010, Think Business Events who did a great job of pulling it all together, and especially Kim Stevenson for her calm manner and professionalism. Thanks also to the ALA Council for their support and confidence in us.

And so, from the south to the north of the Australian continent, in 2012. In far north Queensland, Kari Meehan and Michelle Tame have agreed to take on the job of organising the 2012 Conference in Cairns. We wish them well and hope to see all ALA members support their 2012 biennial Conference.