EVENT DETAILS
Join us for the inaugural National 'Abortion Rethink' summit entitled - Building the Case for Care.
WHEN: 8:30 am - 4.30pm, Saturday the 17th of March (Followed by a Garden Party on the Brisbane River from 5.30pm to 7pm.)
WHERE: Queensland Parliament House, Parliamentary Annexe, Alice St, Brisbane CBD.
(Continued at The Stamford Hotel - www.stamford.com.au)
WHO: Medical professionals (OBGYNs, Midwives, GPs), Social Commentators, Psychologists, Counsellors, Social workers, MPs, Researchers, Academics and most importantly, women themselves with experience at the coalface of the issue.
WHAT: A 360 degree analysis of what it means to be responsive to women in our Australian community who are considering terminating a pregnancy...
WHY: Because there are still so many gaps to fill, so many questions unanswered and there's clearly a need to build awareness and equip our elected representatives and community members to ensure we do better for women in our nation and all impacted by their choices.
Following a day of vigorous conversation and deliberation, wander down to the bottom of the street, past or through the botanic gardens, to join us for drinks on the beautiful Brisbane River at the iconic Stamford Hotel.
BOOK NOW
(be aware places are limited )
NOTE: POST SUMMIT COCKTAIL EVENT
If you are unable to join us for the whole day, please express your interest in joining us for evening drinks.
COSTS:
SUMMIT & EVENING EVENT PACKAGE (Full Price): $120
(Concession): $90
SUMMIT ONLY:
(Full Price): $85
(Concession): $65
EVENING DRINKS EVENT ONLY:
(Full Price): $45
(Concession): $35
Download a flyer for the event HERE.
Please note that Abortion Rethink is run entirely on donations. Ticket sales will only cover part of costs required for a National Event of this calibre. Any donations are deeply appreciated. Please click HERE to donate.
SPONSORS:
We express our deepest appreciation for our Sponsors, including Clonakilla Wines, Elegant Vintage Hire and Coco & Eska.
OUR SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
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Dr Bryan Kenny, Brisbane-based OB/GYN will speak to informing women, including on risks of termination and will share his experiences in practice as they relate to termination of pregnancy, including the importance of a second opinion. |
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Dr Leah Torres, OB/GYN and provider of terminations from Utah, America, will also speak on informing women and will share her experiences as a clinical practitioner under recent changes to abortion laws in Utah, which include mandated counselling.
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Anne Lastman is a Level 4 Counsellor with the Aust. Counsellors Assoc. and Member of Counsellors Vic., with 22 years of counselling experience. She will speak on how termination can affect the mental health of women, the research on this and the importance of adequate post termination care.
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Anna Walsh, Lawyer and a specialist in medical law for 15 years, will speak on current abortion laws across Australia, the current context of abortion law reform and consequences of legislative change, including on conscientious objection by physicians. |
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Cath Toomey has dedicated the last 20 years of her professional career to providing a voice for the voiceless. Her special interest is in advocating for the rights of women when they are at their most vulnerable. This has seen her travel the world as a cross-platform journalist covering such humanitarian crisis issues as trafficking, genocide, and female infanticide, to coordinating cultural impact campaigns in Western Nations around topics like the objectification of women and pornification of society. Cath holds a Bachelor of Media (minors in Psychology & Women's Studies) and completed further post graduate studies in communications and bioethics whilst living in Europe for 7+ years. She completed a Certificate in Pregnancy Counselling from the Foundation for Human Development in 1999, acted as the CEO of a crisis pregnancy support centre and has consulted to over 20 others across both Australia and the world. With two decades of observational research behind her, coupled with a special heart for these issues to drive a new excellence in the provision of pre and post decision/ choices counselling around unexpected or problem pregnancies, it's only now that Cath herself is stepping up to the platform in this area. |
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Facilitator on 'Data Collection': Tiana Legge is the Director of WOMBS International Tiana and her organisation have worked tirelessly since their foundation in 2013 to aggregate research and networks of specialists to provide a platform for policy and support for women experiencing issues around their pregnancies. Their objectives include education, particularly on the facts of human life and abortion, online services for pregnant women, and advocacy. Tiana is a respected voice with politicians on the East Coast of Australia as she maintains a distinct level of concerned neutrality, is evidence based and offers real, innovative solutions for women & others who face challenging decisions relating to pregnancy & abortion. |
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Frances Beaumont, RN is a Healthcare professional and .a Leading Ethics & Governance from Victoria, Australia. She is completing a masters in Social Work to add a string to her expert bow. Her clinical experience and experience both as a HREC (Human Research Ethics Committee) member and a clinical trial coordinator / manager gives her a special interest in what is necessary for informed consent. Frances will facilitate a round table policy discussion on this topic at our Summit. |
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Caroline McCormack, Director of Mother Effect International: Carrie is passionate about developing measures and implementing policy to ensure women do not experience post natal isolation. She is the founder of the 'Mother Effect' program and movement to promote the worth, the power and the influence of Motherhood and to increase its visibility in the community. Her approach seeks to build networks of support which recreate the original "village" to raise a child in a world where social isolation has become more common. |
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Jennifer Gurry is the Executive Director and founder of Diamond Women's Support. Coming from a diverse corporate background to the community sector, Jenny enjoys both direct outreach work such as counselling or mentoring, as well as being involved in governance and management. She is dedicated to achieving best practice models of support for women experiencing vulnerable pregnancies via an integrated and systemic approach
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Natalie de Jager is a Brisbane singer playing jazz, pop, funk and original music. Natalie fell pregnant at 19 and will share her story amidst her lunchtime entertainment set. |
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We are thrilled to announce that our evening entertainment at the after Summit Cocktail Soiree will be provided by the Concertmaster of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Warwick Adeney, accompanied by his very talented daughter Eleanor.
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Importantly we will also hear from the women themselves who have experienced a crisis pregnancy, their needs and different journeys throughout and beyond pregnancy.
After talks, breakout sessions and round tables will explore possibilities, at legislatory, regulatory and social levels, to improve care during and after pregnancy and assess the options. Contributing will be medical and health experts and you, the participants, who brings ideas to the table.
Limited seats available. Don't miss out, book now!
SUMMIT COCKTAIL PARTY:
** A truly unique opportunity to network with experts in women's health and unplanned pregnancy from across Australia whilst enjoying the night skyline of Brisbane**
We are pleased to announce that the after Summit Drinks Fundraiser will take place at the Stamford Plaza Hotel Main Garden, overlooking the Story Bridge, Brisbane River and Kangaroo Point cliffs.
START TIME: 5:30 pm, Saturday 17 March.
LOCATION: The Stamford Plaza Hotel (River Garden), Edward St & Margaret St, Brisbane City.
If you are unable to attend the Summit, please consider joining us at the Stamford. Enjoy cocktails, refreshments prepared on the spot by a chef, live entertainment, raffles and a political update on the Queensland Abortion Law Reform situation.
Abortion Rethink reserves the right to refund bookings and/or refuse entry to those we have reason to believe are not supportive of Abortion Rethink's ethos, which includes engaging always in a respectful manner with others, particularly where there is a difference of opinion. The wellbeing of participants at our events is an utmost priority. Offensive or anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and any offending guests will be removed from the event.