Consult and Collaborate

Joint Conference (LDA/SPELD/RSTAQ) 2009 – Brisbane

By Rob Murray

The Biennial Joint Conference was held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 18 and 19 September 2009. The theme of Consult and Collaborate – A Holistic Approach to Learning Needs – provided the platform for a wide ranging group of presenters.
Organised by a joint committee from LDA, SPELD and RSTAQ (now LSTAQ), 18 months of planning and organising resulted in a two-day feast of research reports, practitioner hints and tips, and networking. Sponsorship was provided by Education Queensland as a major sponsor and 5energies as the Satchel sponsor.
The conference was led by two international speakers:
•    Professor Maggie Snowling, University of York: Opened the conference with a paper on Dyslexia and Language Impairment: Risk and Protective Factors.
•    Professor Charles Hulme, University of York: Followed on Day 2 addressing Interventions for Reading and Language Impairments.

LDA sponsored a third international speaker with respected educationalist, Sir Jim Rose, providing an insight into his 2006 Review of Teaching and Early Reading at the end of Day 1.
With over 300 attendees from most states and New Zealand, the conference was seen as a major success. Attendees were treated to a range of topics from academics and practitioners. Many sessions were hands on to build on theories presented. A number of the presenters provided their material for publishing on the conference website – www.speld.org.au/?q=node/10
In addition to the broad range of presenters, 17 exhibitors demonstrated support tools ranging from computer software and books through to a variety of educational testing tools.
On Day 1, attendees were treated to a lunchtime choral performance as 5energies launched a new CD with the assistance of 24 children from a local school. They certainly brightened the day and introduced some life to the Convention Centre.
Based on the feedback received during and after the conference, attendees enjoyed the experience and will be watching out for the next conference scheduled for 2010.