When I wasn’t chairing or presenting I manned my organisation’s booth. That provided me the ideal opportunity to talk to far more people than I ordinarily would. The comments I heard from people were resoundingly positive – the Consumer & Carer days had been challenging but exciting – the atmosphere of the event was both exciting and supportive – the quality of the papers was very high. One carer I spoke to thought that TheMHS was a very inclusive event and one consumer presenter said the whole thing was fan-#!!*#!!#-tastic!
Of course the success of the event hinged on the quality of the keynote speakers. Mike Slade was solidly familiar – a strong reminder that there is much yet to be done to the fundamentals of our efforts.
Lewis Mehl-Madrona was a literal eye-opener. His first-nations concept of “two-eyed seeing” changed my rusty world view forever.
Then Flick Grey brought an end to the week with an energy that made it feel that it was only just beginning - for it is – it always ever is.
A fun up-beat closing ceremony was capped-off by Janine Lee piping-out delegates with a rendition of Auld Lang Syne – haste ye back (to Adelaide) next year.
