The Australia and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine holds a major conference every two years. The society has 280 members, mainly made up of specialists (or trainees) in Palliative Medicine, specialists in other areas of medicine with an interest in Palliative Medicine, and General Practitioners with an interest in Palliative Medicine. The meeting is the major conference for medical practitioners working in Palliative Medicine in Australia and New Zealand and also for parts of South-East Asia. As well the conference has an emphasis on General Practitioner education, and as such expects a large local contingent of general practitioners to attend as well.

Every alternate year Palliative Care Australia hosts a Palliative Care conference at which the majority of participants represent the multidisciplinary team that provided palliative care. The ANZSPM conference is almost exclusively made up of medical practitioner participants.

On behalf of the organising team it gives me great pleasure to invite you to the 7th Biennial Conference of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine, to be held in the beautiful harbour and beach city of Newcastle.

This conference has been designed to have something for everyone in Palliative Medicine – from full time practitioners in the area, to general practitioners, to those who work in related medical specialities.

There are two international speakers – Dianne Meier and Sebastiano Mercadante. These will be joined by two world class speakers from Australia – David Clarke and Maree Smith. We are also planning to have workshops run by some of our own palliative medicine fraternity.

The program aims to cover a diverse range of topics from opioid receptors to spiritual distress, and will have a day set aside for refresher courses aimed at both general practitioners and specialists to update their knowledge. As well there are sessions set aside for free papers. We encourage all those who have something to share to take up this opportunity.

In addition to the AGMs of ANZSPM and the Chapter of Palliative Medicine of the RACP, we have scheduled a session dedicated to an open forum on looking at challenges in the future development of palliative medicine.

Newcastle is built around a large working harbour, the entrance to which is guarded by Nobbys Lighthouse and Breakwater. The conference venue overlooks the harbour, and close by are picturesque beaches. The city is the gateway to the famous Hunter Valley wineries and Port Stephens.

Come and hear excellent speakers, socialise with colleagues, and relax in beautiful surrounds.

We look forward to seeing you in Newcastle for the 2006 ANZSPM conference.

Phillip Good
On behalf of the ANZSPM 2006
local organising committee.