The Australian WELL Practitioners’ Network (AWPN) was formed in Sydney in November 2008 at the second Australian WELL Practitioners’ Conference. The idea was first suggested at the inaugural Australian WELL Practitioners’ Conference in Melbourne 2007 and then followed up in January 2008 by a group of WELL practitioner representatives from around Australia who decided that a professional association was needed to support the ongoing professional development of WELL practitioners. This led to the development of a draft Statement of Purpose that was approved at the first meeting of the AWPN in November 2008.

The purpose of the AWPN is to promote positive communication between WELL practitioners, Registered Training Organisations, employers and the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE), and to promote professional development opportunities for WELL practitioners involved with the WELL Program.

The AWPN is governed by a team of state and territory representatives elected by the members who meet regularly to discuss the organisation of the Network. John Molenaar, the convener of WELL practitioner’ network meetings in Victoria for many years, became the inaugural AWPN Coordinator and continues in that position today. During 2013, the AWPN plans to formalise its status and seek incorporation as an Incorporated Association and register as an Australian Registered Body with ASIC, at which point the coordination role of AWPN will be handed over to the newly elected Committee of Management and the elected Office Bearers.

In 2007, the first Australian WELL Practitioners’ Conference was held in Melbourne. Since then the Australian WELL Practitioners’ Conference has been held in Sydney (2008), Adelaide (2009), Melbourne (2010), Sydney (2011) and Brisbane (2012),. The conferences have been generously supported by a many organisations including the Australian government, TAFE NSW, TAFE SA, NMIT and Monica Mitchell Consulting.

Every year the AWPN hosts state and territory based WELL network meetings where groups of WELL practitioners meet for half day and whole day workshops at which DIISRTE WELL Coordinators provide updates and WELL practitioners share practice relevant to local needs.

The WELL practitioners’ website at www.wellpractitioners.com.au is maintained by the AWPN and includes a blog, events listing and a collection of WELL resources for download.

The AWPN is grateful to the Australian government, organisations and individual members who have supported its activities over the years.

WELL inboxes have been set up by Innovations for us to use when we want to communicate with Training Projects Contact Officers around Australia. Messages received in a WELL inbox will be forwarded to the right person and tracked to ensure that appropriate action has been taken.

Here is a list of the WELL inboxes:

ACT & NSW email: WELL-NSWandACT@innovation.gov.au

Northern Territory email: WELL-NT@innovation.gov.au

Queensland email: WELL-QLD@innovation.gov.au

South Australia email: WELL-SA@innovation.gov.au

Tasmania email: WELL-TAS@innovation.gov.au

Victoria email: WELL-VIC@innovation.gov.au

Western Australia email: WELL-WA@innovation.gov.au

National Office email: AdultLiteracy2@innovation.gov.au

Innovations has recently had a name change and is now the Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.

If you are the holder of a Funding Agreement with Innovations you need to start changing your invoices to reflect the name change.

The AWPN is pleased to announce that the 2013 Australian WELL Practitoners’ Conference will take place in Canberra on the 21st and 22nd November.

Stay tuned for further information.