National Reconciliation Week
Recognising National Reconciliation Week at ASM 57
As part of National Reconciliation Week, which coincides with the ASM, we’re delighted to once again collaborate with a trusted supplier, Dreamtime Kullilla-Art, to bring meaningful First Nations experiences to the meeting.
- Lanyards – Featuring a custom artwork, Coming Together via the Waterways. The artist felt this was a great connection to Brisbane’s riverside location and this year’s NRW theme, Bridging Now to Next.
- Native Seed Box – Plantable Greeting Card – Attendees will receive a plantable card with their lanyard at registration. Made from 100% recycled seeded card, it features Swan River daisy seeds with our custom artwork incorporated into the design. As the seeds grow, the card composts into the soil. Unfortunately, due to biosecurity restrictions, WA and TAS attendees won’t be able to take these home.
- Welcome to Country – Tribal Experiences (http://www.tribalexperiences.com/) – this group welcome guests through traditional song, dance with didgeridoo as well as storytelling.
- Art Workshop – Held in the exhibition space on Saturday, this interactive session will be run by Michael Connolly from Kullilla and his daughter. Attendees can create their own designs on boomerangs and message sticks while learning about Aboriginal art, symbolism, and storytelling. Kullilla ensure a culturally appropriate experience and will guide participants accordingly.
- BCEC Art Collection – Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre has a significant First Nations art collection. We are working with BCEC to highlight these works during the conference and we encourage attendees to explore them through a self-guided tour.
- (AIDA) Cultural Safety Training for Supervisors – The Australian Medical Council has mandated cultural safety training for all members working in a supervisory capacity. Heads of Department, Clinical Supervisors, Supervisors of Training and Directors of Training will have the opportunity to attend these one-day workshops free-of-charge. Completing this workshop assists your site with maintaining accreditation and you can also gain CPD points. For more information, please scroll further down the webpage.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ASM Travel Award Recipients – The Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD) has established an award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students and junior doctors to attend the College’s Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) and welcomes 5 award recipients to this year’s ASM.
Artwork by Taylar-Jo Connolly
Lanyards with a Beautiful Message
We are grateful to our lanyard sponsor Johnson & Johnson for supporting us in sourcing this year’s lanyards from a First Nations supplier. The lanyards won’t display their logo, however, they will be adorned with some amazing original Indigenous Art.
The bold green line symbolizes the mighty Brisbane River, the lifeblood of the city, while the smaller rivers flowing into it represent the many journeys that bring people together, each waterway a path to connection. The dots embody unity—just as they flow together in perfect harmony, so too do the people who gather here, embracing diversity and togetherness. The connection lines weave through the design, grounding us to the land and to one another, a powerful reminder that our strength lies in the bonds we share with both country and community.
Taylar-Jo Connolly is a proud Kullilli and Murruwari woman and the daughter of Michael J. Connolly. Her work is deeply rooted in the stories, traditions, and wisdom of her ancestors, honouring the strength of her people while bridging the past with the present.
Raised in a world of Aboriginal art and storytelling, Taylar-Jo continues this legacy, blending traditional narratives with contemporary influences. Beyond her creative practice, she is committed to cultural advocacy, community engagement, and education, ensuring Indigenous stories are preserved, understood, and celebrated.
Through her work, she keeps culture alive and evolving, fostering a future where First Nations voices are heard and valued.
Plantable Greeting Card
In addition to the lanyard design, attendees will receive a plantable card with their lanyard at registration. This features Swan River daisy seeds incorporated into the design. As the seeds grow, the card composts into the soil. Unfortunately, due to biosecurity restrictions, WA and TAS attendees won’t be able to take these home.
BCEC Art Collection
Since opening in 1995, the BCEC has showcased the talent of Australia’s leading Indigenous and non-Indigenous contemporary artists. Comprising more than 50 works including paintings, works on paper, sculptures and site-specific installations, the BCEC Art Collection tells the dynamic and diverse story of visual arts practice in Australia from the 1980s through to today.
The BCEC also features the Plaza Gallery that is a unique and intimate space surrounded by a priceless collection of Central Desert Art, the origins of the BCEC Art Collection can be traced back to twenty-seven paintings commissioned for display as part of Expo ’88 in Brisbane. Find out more about the BCEC Art Collection https://bcec.com.au/visit/art-collection/.
(AIDA) Cultural Safety Training for Supervisors
College’s commitment to creating culturally and clinically safe environments is supported by the recent reaccreditation of the College in late 2021. The Australian Medical Council has mandated cultural safety training for all members working in a supervisory capacity.
Heads of Department, Clinical Supervisors, Supervisors of Training and Directors of Training will have the opportunity to attend these one-day workshops free-of-charge. Completing this workshop assists your site with maintaining accreditation and you can also gain CPD points.
Date: Friday 30 May 2025
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Room: M1
Cost: Free, please register for this via the main registration form.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ASM Travel Award Recipients
The Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD) has established an award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students and junior doctors to attend the College’s Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) and welcomes 5 award recipients to this year’s ASM.
The Award aims to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students and junior doctors with an interest in dermatology with the following opportunities:
- Access to the educational program at the ASM
- Professional networking with College Fellows, registrars and other healthcare workers associated with the field of dermatology
- Introduction to the educational and collegial activities of the Australasian College of Dermatologists.
Applications for the 2026 award will open January 2026.
About National Reconciliation Week
The National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2025 theme, Bridging Now to Next, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future.
At a time when Australia faces uncertainty in its reconciliation journey, this theme calls on all Australians to step forward together.
Bridging Now to Next urges us to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.
Find out more about National Reconciliation Week at https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/.
Contact Us
If you have queries regarding the ACD ASM 2025 meeting, please contact the Conference Office.
Think Business Events
Level 1, 4 Anderson Street
Port Melbourne VIC 3207
T: +61 (0)3 9417 1350
acdasm@thinkbusinessevents.com.au
www.thinkbusinessevents.com.au
Socialise with ACD ASM
Acknowledgement of Country
The Australasian College of Dermatologists acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which BCEC now stands. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise their enduring contribution to the culture and spirit of the land.