COnference 2023
31 Aug - 2 Sept
Pacifica Congress Gathers in Hobart, Australia
Join us in Hobart in August 2023
Pacifica Congress
Conference 2023
Conference Program
Conference Keynotes
Plenaries & Workshops
Sponsors
Pacifica Congress Conference 2023
"Across the Pacific:
Family Matters"
Hotel Grand Chancellor
Hobart, TAS



31 Aug – 2 Sept 2023
Hotel Grand Chancellor
1 Davey St, Hobart TAS 7000
Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart, TASMania
Conference Attendees
Law Professionals
Conference Highlights
International and National Guest Speakers share their insights
We are excited to invite you to our 2023 conference, which will be held on 31 August in Hobart and marks 10 years since we first started gathering.
This is an annual event and aims to stimulate and push our thinking so we, family law professionals from the Pacific region, are challenged to focus on better meeting the needs of the children and families we serve in the family court process.
Family Law Expert Guest Speakers
Join other like-minded family law professionals for our annual conference with exciting guest speakers and networking opportunities
workshops and plenaries
Pre-conference plenaries give attendees the opportunity to settle into the 3-day conference and follow their professional interests
Hotel Grand Chancellor
Hobart
Conference
Accommodation
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Guest
Speakers
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Social
Highlights
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Networking
Opportunities
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Workshop
Program
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About
Conference Program
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Out of 5
- Feedback Conference 2022
Out of 5 what Attendees think
"Best Conference Ever"
“I love that this conference is about quality. It’s a prac-ademic conference for practitioners but still has a high standard for academics.”
"Well Done Pacifica congress"
“Brilliant program and fantastic networking opportunity. Thank you”
"I learnt so much & had a great time too!"
“All presenters were engaging, relevant and interesting: the organisers did a brilliant job of arranging alternativeswhere scheduled presenter were absent due to COVID; the food and drinks were splendid.”
Introducing
Pacifica
Congress
Welcome to our new organisation.
Pacifica Congress is a not-for-profit and charitable institution dedicated to ensuring that children and their families are better equipped to overcome the harm caused by family conflict.
Bringing together all participants in Family Law systems across thePacific including Judicial Officers, Lawyers, Psychologists, SocialWorkers, other mental health professionals, Mediators, Educators,Researchers, Academics,Welfare Groups and
Administrators to engage in various opportunities for education, training, research and professional collaboration.
Pacifica Congress is an International Association for the Pacific region covering: Australia | Hong Kong | Japan | New Zealand | Singapore
In this newsletter we have a free Plus Event in Brisbane and information about the annual conference in Brisbane 7 to 9 July 2022. Read on
Conference 2022
Lets hear it for the kids: Challenges and the way forward in Family Law
This is a prime opportunity for you to connect with like-minded professionals and get your Conference 2022 experience off to a great start
Lets hear it for the kids: Challenges and the way forward in Family Law
Pacifica Congress Annual Conference 2022
The Conference will be on 7 - 9 July 2022 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
In addition to a wonderful program, we have a social calendar with exciting extras. We will launch Pacifica Congress at the opening of the conference at 6 pm on 7 July 2022. Don't miss the free drinks and chance to hear about what Pacifica Congress is and the plans for the future.
We have social drinks and networking at the end of each day of the conference, and we have a local children’s choir, Queensland Young Voices singing.
Professor Martine Powell from Griffiths University and the Centre for Investigative Excellence will present a workshop ‘Best practice investigative interviewing of children and young people’ and the short film ‘How to be a Good Questioner of Children’ can be seen throughout the conference.
Conference Connecting
Plus 1
This is a prime opportunity for you to connect with like-minded professionals and get your Conference 2022 experience off to a great start
Family Law
Guest Speakers
Conference 2022 Keynotes
Tammi Faraday
Dr Mark Cross
Kathy Kaplan OAM

Ms Tammi Faraday in conversation with Guest Speaker Dr Mark Cross. Tammi is an Australian broadcaster, journalist, mental health advocate and lawyer as well as the host & executive producer of Brave Journeys; a podcast where Tammi has the privilege of sharing with incredible people who’ve found their inner brave – often in the darkest hours – and navigated life with incredible passion and purpose
Dr Mark Cross is a Psychiatrist specialising in general adult psychiatry with a special interest in sexuality and identity issues, youth mental health, complex trauma, PTSD, bipolar, as well as mental health in the workplace. Dr Cross has a background of medical training in South Africa and Specialist Training and consultant work in England and in Australia, specialising in adult general psychiatry. He has worked in Psychiatry for 25 years and is a Senior Lecturer at UNSW.

Chaired by The Honourable Justice Sarah Derrington this plenary features Impact for Women Founder, Kathy Kaplan OAM.
The daughter of a holocaust survivor, Kathy has spent the better part of her professional life working in the fields of educational management and fundraising. She runs Impact for Women as a volunteer to make a difference to Victorian women and children fleeing extreme violence in Victoria.
Justice Thomas Altobelli, Professor Bruce Smyth, Ms Angela Lynch, Ms Genevieve Bee & Dr Simon Kennedy
Moderated by Senior Judicial Registrar Executive Director Registrar Family Law Practice Dispute Resolution Anne-Marie Rice

The Honourable Steven Strickland QC, Judge Steven Middleton, Dr Ben Garber & Dr Phil Watts.
Moderated by Ms Jenn McArdle
Pre-conference workshops
Dr Astrid Martalas, Mr Craig Schneider, Ms Lilia Szarski & Dr Robert Simon
Justice Thomas Altobelli & Dr Lyn Greenberg
Workshops

Ms Lilia Szarski and The Honourable Diana Bryant AO QC & Ms Anne-Marie Cade

Ms Racheal Howitz from Our Family Wizard

Jakki Schwartz, Holding Hands Family Services

The Hon Justice Thomas Altobelli & Dr Lyn R. Greenberg, Ph.D., ABPP

Ms Zoe Rathus AM and Dr Samantha Jeffries

Professor Martine Powell

Ms Louise Cooney from Sayer Jones

Dr Georgina Dimopoulos

Professor Bruce Smyth

Mr Darren Mort and Dr Stella Laletas
Family Report Writer Training
Pacifica Congress offers four more training modules for Family Report Writer Training
Available at the Conference on 7 – 9 July 2022.
The Honourable Steve Strickland QC

Dr Chris Lennings OAM
Dr Anne Hollingsworth & Dr Jennifer Neoh
Register Now
Program & Venue
BRISBANE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE
The Pacifica Congress Congress will take place in rooms P8-P11 and on the Plaza North Terrance on the Plaza Level.
Thu 7 Jul
Day 1
Pre-conference
6.00pm – 7.30pm
Launch Pacifica Congress
Fri 8 Jul
Day 2
Pacifica Congress Conference
5.00am – 6.30pm
Social Drinks
Sat 9 Jul
Day 3
Pacifica Congress Conference
3.00pm – 5.00pm
Closing Event
Our SPONSORS











‘LETS HEAR IT FOR THE KIDS: CHALLENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD IN FAMILY LAW’
Register for Pacifica Congress conference 2022
Three days of Collaboration, Education & Innovation
What People say
Upcoming Events



Learn More
Further News

When a Child Rejects a Parent: Are We Part of the Problem or the Solution?
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social functions
Launch Pacifica Congress
6pm - 7:30pm
Proudly sponsored by Barry Nilsson Family Law
Social Drinks
5pm - 6.30pm
Proudly sponsored by Gloria James-Civetta &
Sayer Jones
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Closing Event
3pm - 5pm
Proudly sponsored by Lander & Rogers