available for

1962 ICI House and St Vincent's Hospital

Lecture theatre ICU House Margaret Brown, Chairman (Scrub nurse for surgeon)

1963 Royal Melbourne Hospital Merlyn Myer Hall Projection into the future: 10 years hence • Opened by Mr Grayton Brown FRACS, Chairman Road Traffic Authority • 200 delegates, including interstate • Panel of 5 discussed nurse education in the operating suite • Fees 4/- non members • Program printed courtesy Johnson & Johnson

1964 St Vincent's Hospital Brenan Hall John Citizen in the operating suite • Patient progress from reception; pre-operative care; sterilisation and prevention of infection; anaesthetic care; operating room set up and operative procedures; clean up following an infected case; recovery room and intensive care.

Mirriel Jeffries, Chairman ( PHH)

1965 Repatriation General Hospital St John’s Lecture Theatre Communication or conflict • Opened by Brigadier Chiltern, CBE, DSO, Chairman, Repatriation Commission • 400 delegates • Poster presentation • Fees 7/- for non members • Trade exhibit of instruments & supplies

Dorothea Burnett, Chairman (Repat)

1966 Repatriation General Hospital Is the theatre sister essential? • Opened by Jane Muntz OBE, Nursing Advisor, Minister for Health • 400 delegates including interstate • $200.00 profit and $$ donated to College of Nursing to buy textbooks for operating room nursing course

1967 Repatriation General Hospital Making the theatre work • Opened by Mr B Rank, President RACS • 300 delegates including interstate and country • Fees $2 for members, $3 for non members • Papers on – packaging & sterilisation – teaching the student nurse

• Demonstration of theatre technique

Mary Barry, Chairman (Geelong)

1968 University of Melbourne Prince Philip Theatre (in Architecture building)

Smiles not tears • Opened by Ellice Lang, Retiring President, RVCN • Focus on safety & efficiency • Fees $2 full day, $1 half day for members • $3.50 for lunch, morning and afternoon teas Marge Bennetts, Chairman (Austin)

1969 University of Melbourne Prince Philip Theatre Anticipation - participation - progress • Opened by Miss E Johnson, Nursing Executive Officer, Hospitals & Charities Commission • Over 300 delegates , including New Zealand • Focus on looking to the future and preparing to achieve goals • Four papers presented by nurses

1970 University of Melbourne Old Arts Building Consequences of speed • Opened by Mary Evans, President, RVCN • Papers on trauma and importance of speed in initial treatment; compound fractures; contaminated wounds, resuscitation and rehabilitation

1971 Camberwell Civic Centre Prostheses in surgery • Space for 43 trade exhibitors with separate morning & afternoon tea rooms • Keynote speaker Betty Thomas, Immediate past President AORN • Surgical Dynamics provided pre-luncheon sherry and soft drinks

1972 Camberwell Civic Centre Patient centred care • Keynote speaker Janet Lay, Theatre Coordinator, Prince Henry & Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney • Pre-conference exhibitor cocktail party for members

Sr. Mary Felix, Chairman (St Vincent’s)

1973 Camberwell Civic Centre Circulatory, chest & cardiac surgery • Opened by Miss P Armstrong, Secretary RVCN • Fees $4 full conference, $2 per session; Lunch $4 • Program & pre dinner drinks sponsored by Ethicon; morning & afternoon teas sponsored by Davis & Geck

Marea Fennell, Chairman (St Vincent’s)

1974 Camberwell Civic Centre The road to casualty • Keynote speaker, Dr Peter Bush, Director Casualty, RMH • 330 delegates • Fees $6, lunch $3 & members cocktail party $1.75 • 45 trade exhibitors

1975 Camberwell Civic Centre All chips & chisels ( no bone unturned) • Keynote speaker Elizabeth Franks, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide & sponsored by Davis & Geck • 309 delegates & 45 trade exhibits • Surgical Dynamics sponsored the luncheon wine Lyn Root, Chairman (RWH)

1976 Camberwell Civic Centre Progress in a woman’s world • Opened by Betty Lawson, Matron, RWH • Topics related to gynaecology & infertility • Fees $10, lunch $6, morning or afternoon tea $3 • Presentations by nurses proved very popular

1977 Camberwell Civic Centre Surgery in renal failure • Opened by Mr R Ansell, Administrator of Australian Kidney Foundation • Topics addressed dialysis, kidney donation & transplantation • Fees $12 for full day • 45 trade exhibitors

Pauline Bennett, Chairman (Maroondah)

1978 Camberwell Civic Centre Plastic & reconstructive surgery • Opened by June Stewart, President, Directors of Nursing Association • Topics addressed congenital defects, skin cancer & trauma including microsurgery • 344 delegates paid $12 for conference

Education session

Lunch

Morning tea

1979 Camberwell Civic Centre ENT surgery & Anaesthetics • Opened by Rae Anstee, DON, Austin Hospital – Spoke about the largely unnoticed dedication required to be an operating room nurse & importance of professional membership Note: the Six C’s – colour, circulation, chest movement, carbon dioxide, cough and consciousness

1980 Camberwell Civic Centre Colorectal surgery • Opened by Sir Edward Hughes, FRACS, Professor Surgery, Alfred • Fees $15 full day; $7 half day • Trade exhibit stand $150 • Satchels were filled for delegates • Dinner dance held on completion with 140 attending

Lorraine Rome, Secretary for 16 years (right) at the registration desk with Leonie Lorenz, Ass Treasurer

First coloured brochure & use of new logo

1981 Camberwell Civic Centre Neurosurgery • Opened by Judith Cooney, Federal Secretary, RANF • Papers covered trauma & intracranial lesions • 370 delegates & 53 trade exhibits • Proceedings made available on tape

Chloe Forsyth, Chairman (RMH)

Front cover of first conference booklet

1982 Camberwell Civic Centre Keeping pace with the 80s • 21st Annual conference • Keynote address Miss June Allen, DON, Alfred & inaugural President of the Group • Papers covered computers in the OR & pacemakers • Satchels featured ORNG logo & 21st key

1983 Camberwell Civic Centre Burns & Orthopaedics • Keynote speaker Miss Elaine Orr, DON, RCH • 390 delegates & 53 trade exhibits • Fees $26 for conference & cocktail party • Five nursing papers • Happy hour concluded the conference

Jacquie Dalzell, Chairman (Austin) & Elaine Orr

1984 Camberwell Civic Centre Vascular surgery & Safe Practices in the OR • Keynote speaker Miss Mona Menzies, Chief Nursing Officer, VNC • 442 delegates ‘squeezed’ into civic centre • Fees $30 full day; $12 half day • Trade exhibits cost $250 • Last conference at Camberwell after 14 years

Marea Fennell, Chairman (St Vincent’s)

1985 Southern Cross Hotel New parts for old • Keynote speaker Dr Larry Osborne, EO, Repatriation General Hospital • Papers covered, intraocular lenses, breast reconstruction & kidney transplantation • 66 trade exhibits @ $500 per stand • 420 delegates paid $40 for full conference

1986 Victoria hosted ACORN Conference

Mara Fennell, Justice Kirby, Jacqui Dalzell

Prince Henry’s Hospital and other delegates 1986 conference dinner

ACORN Board. Judith Cornell front right

L-R Back: Andrea Brien (Western) Michelle Cullen, Pamela Waite (Cabrini) Jenny Dyason, Mary Newton (Vic Clinic) L-R Front: Carmel Gagliardi, Marian Kilvert, Winsome Salway, Brain Newton

1987 Southern Cross Hotel New faces- a new outlook on life • 25th Conference • Opening address Miss Lucy Jo Atkinson, Editor, Point of View • Papers covered cochlear implants & craniofacial surgery • 340 delegates & 63 exhibitors • Five educational grants @ $400 awarded

(Western Hospital)

1988 Southern Cross Hotel All in a day’s work • Opening Mr John Clareborough, OBE, FRACS • Theme focused on day surgery • Fees $55 for members; $60 for non members • 450 delegates & trade exhibitor paid $660 for a stand Claire Collins, Chairman (RCH)

1989 Southern Cross Hotel Organ transplantation • Keynote speaker Mr Nicholas Tonti-Filippini, Director of Bioethics, St Vincent's Hospital • Davis & Geck, Ansell, Johnson & Johnson & Stelmara sponsored name badges, satchels, pens & pads, and printings costs

1990 Southern Cross Hotel Laser surgery & neurosurgery • Keynote speaker Ms Peg Higginbottom, Manager, Nursing Advisory Unit, DOH • 600 delegates & 65 trade exhibits • Fees $65 for members; $75 for non members • New evaluation form captured data that led to revision of conference format

1991 Southern Cross Hotel ENT & Orthopaedics • Keynote speaker Ms Chris Game, Director of Education , RCNA • Research papers presented • Plenary & concurrent sessions held, including workshops • Surgicare, Fisher & Paykel, CIG, & Medtel provided equipment for workshops • Windcheaters with the new logo for sale

1992 World Congress Centre The world is your oyster • 30th conference • Keynote speaker Megan Jane Johnson, Nurse Ethicist, RMIT • Fees $120 for members; $150 for non members • 580 delegates; 75 trade • Call for abstracts in ANJ • Open forum & debate re single use items

Leonie Lorenz, Chairman (Repat)

1993 World Congress Centre Victoria before the world- a spectrum of caring • Keynote speaker Penny Smalley, Laser Consultant • Research papers, forums & workshops • VSPAAN presented a session • 500 delegates • Fee to attend cocktail party • Speakers & committee used identifying ribbons

1994 World Congress Centre The art & science of perioperative nursing • Keynote speaker Barbara Horner, Consultant in Education & Training • Fees $160 members; $180 non members; $25 cocktail party; $27 lunch • 550 delegates & 80 trade exhibits • Clive Alsop hosted a hypothetical on partner presence during caesarean section

1995 World Congress Centre A new lamp is burning • Keynote speaker Catherine Taylor, Head of School of Nursing, Deakin University • Theme depicted changes in health care models & the need for perioperative nurses to preserve their identity • Open forum depicted a law court & nurse & expert witness being cross examined • Graduate certificate students presented on caring for ourselves & our patients New A4 size brochure

1996 World Congress Centre Look what do you see? • Theme reflected advancement in minimally invasive surgery • A debate on ‘any nurse can be a perioperative nurse’ facilitated by John Jost, broadcaster • 74 trade exhibitors First glossy brochure

1997 World Congress Centre Prepare to be noticed • No workshops but two surgical product presentations on breast biopsy system & flash sterilisation monitoring • Passport incentive introduced • ACORN President Carolyn Webster gave closing address Michelle Cullen, Chairman (Box Hill)

1998 World Congress Centre The future is within our reach • Theme reflected desire to create opportunities & take responsibility • 235 delegates and 68 trade attended • Committee wore polo shirts to distinguish them

1999 Melb Convention Centre Kaleidoscope • Theme reflected a wide variety of topics – VRE – Pre admission clinics – Complimentary therapies – Sentinel node biopsy – Management of teams – CPD

Jorge Acevedo Rodriguez, Chairman (Eye & Ear)

2000 Melb Convention Centre Going for Gold • Ass Prof Kate Burridge, Linguist, spoke at welcome breakfast • Nicole Livingstone, Olympic swimmer gave keynote address • Sir Murray Rivers QC (satirist Bryan Dawes) entertained at welcome reception • Victorian Nurse's Choir sang at closing ceremony

2001 Melb Convention Centre Sea Change • Keynote address Belinda Moyes, Principal Nurse, Nurse Policy Branch, DHS • Plenary session panel spoke on recruitment & retention • Cocktail reception at Melbourne Aquarium

2002 Victoria hosted the ACORN Conference • Inaugural Judith Cornell Oration delivered by Judith Cornell, AM as an future event for perioperative nurses to share their vision for the future • A masquerade ball was held for the 783 delegates and 100 trade Marilyn Schroder, President (Mercy) with Betty Schulz, incoming AORN President

2003 Moonee Valley Racecourse Horses for courses: diversity in the OR • New venue was designed to cut costs but delegates numbers were down • Stryker donated $1500.00 best paper prize won by Carollyn Williams (Barwon Health) Lesley Gilbert, President (Freemasons)

2004 Docklands Stadium Everyone's a winner: kicking goals for perioperative nursing • Keynote address Marcia Griffin, business entrepreneur • Ian Cover, sport commentator was MC • Fees $375 for members, $475 for non members • Two workshops preceded the conference, one at RACS simulation centre

2005 Docklands Stadium Flying the flag: tradition, innovation & the future • Keynote speaker Robyn Moore, changing perception through the ‘power of the word.’ • Closing speaker, Jane Clifton, comedian • Full registration $375.00 members, $475.00 non members. Cocktail reception $60.00

2006 Melb Convention Centre Passing the baton • Theme reflected innovation in clinical practice; research impact; management strategies & strategies for change • Opening speaker Olga Kanitsaki, RMIT University • Keynote address by Col Beverley Wright, Director of Defence Force Nursing

2007 Melb Convention Centre Perioperative nursing: a golden career • Celebrated 50 years of the Group • Opened by Dr David de Krester, Governor of Victoria • Opening ceremony featured Victoria Police Band, past Presidents & Life members • Keynote speaker Dr Ross Walker, cardiologist • A Gold & Black Ball

Judith Bridges, President with Alan Gentry, Multigate

2008 Melb Convention Centre The future is you … the next evolution • Keynote speaker Li Cunxin ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’ • Hypothetical: ‘The Big Bang.’ Weekend, skeleton staff, terrorism, multiple trauma • Debate: ‘The future of the perioperative nursing as we know it’

2009 The Sebel The courage to care • Venue change to reduce costs • Opening speaker Belinda Moyes, Chief Nurse, Vic • Keynote address Peter Davidson, RAV & the rescue of 8 men during 1998 Sydney to Hobart yacht race • Launch of the History of VPNG project

Nan Lundie, President (Latrobe Uni)

2010 The Sebel Working together for success • Opened by Adj Prof Belinda Moyes, Principle Nurse Advisor, DHS • Keynote speaker Ass Prof Linda Starr, Dean School of Nursing Flinders University • Paper on separating conjoined twins Trishna & Krishna • Interactive workshops featured

2011 Flemington Racecourse Building on our Strengths • MC Sam McCool, comedian • Keynote address Amanda Gore, speaker to inspire creativity and laughter • Open forum discussed standards of practice as a template for quality care and risk management

Daniel Scholtes, President (Warragul)

2012 The Sebel Everyday heroes: making a difference • Opening address Prof Michael Grigg, Vice President, RACS • Keynote speakers – Peter Hughes, Bali bombing survivor on ‘Life beyond Bali’ – Avril Henry, ‘Working with generations’ – Professor Peter Choong, Chair of Surgery, St Vincent's Hospital on ‘Cancer surgery - what teamwork is all about’