IARPP-Australia opened the year in Melbourne with a symposium of local speakers, Tammy Ben-Shaul, Shoshanna Jordan and Peter Mackay, in February. Unfortunately, it was our only “in person” event for the year, as the Covid lockdowns began shortly after.

The virus was very well contained here for the first few months, and we watched events unfold elsewhere in the world with trepidation. Sadly, we are now experiencing a wave of infections that escaped the Melbourne quarantines. Here in Sydney, there are new pockets of community transmission, and many of us are retreating to on-line therapy once again.

Our video seminar series with international speakers continues, though we are now confined entirely to Zoom participation. Robert Grossmark (USA) presented to us twice in March and was very well received. His work on The Unobtrusive Relational Analyst and Enactment, Time and Narrative in Psychoanalysis proved a good fit with prevailing modalities here. A local supervision group has formed, meeting with Robert online once a month.

In the next two weeks, we will host two seminars with Ginna Clark (USA) of Santa Fe, New Mexico on Primary Speech and the Silencing of Sexuality and Particularizing Pornography.  Steven Stern (USA) will present his work on Needed Relationships and Psychoanalytic Healing in two seminars in October.

We are also very pleased to announce that our two immediate past presidents, Gerard Webster and Roberto D’Angelo, will present their work on the complexities of trans and paedophilia, in November.

Happily, our very active and creative Melbourne branch continues to grow – there are several reading groups, sadly all on-line at present, and regular “Community Conversations” which are open to all, as well as plans for a “Melbourne Talks” series, with international guests.

We are in the process of organizing next year’s seminars and activities.

Annette Conradi
President, IARPP-Australia
Email Annette Conradi