IPSF World Congress 2006: Cairns, Australia

IPSF Congress 2006 is being administered by two main bodies. The on-the-ground committee doing the basic work of putting the Congress together is the Organising Committee, consisting of pharmacy students and young pharmacists. The Organising Committee is given assistance and guidance by the Welcoming Committee, a body of experienced and eminent Australian pharmacists.

Joseph became involved in student organisations in 2002, while studying Pharmacy at the University of South Australia. His first exposure to IPSF was while attending the 28th IPSF Congress in Budapest, when he returned to Australia to establish the Student Exchange Programme throughout Australia. In 2003 Joseph was elected President of the National Australian Pharmacy Students' Association (NAPSA), and continued to boost the Australian involvement in IPSF. He attended all subsequent IPSF Congresses in Singapore (2003), Halifax (2004) and Bonn (2005). The most exciting moment in Joseph's involvement with IPSF occurred at the 2004 Congress in Halifax, when he, along with other delegates from NAPSA successfully bid to host IPSF in Cairns, Australia in 2006. He has followed on to Chair the Organising Committee for the Cairns 2006, and is working very closely with NAPSA to ensure that Cairns 2006 will be an amazing and unique event for all involved. Joseph became a registered Pharmacist in January 2005, and currently works in a clinical pharmacy position at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide, South Australia. Joseph will be moving to Cairns in early 2006 to be on location for the lead up to the Cairns 2006 Congress - he hopes to see you there!

Bianca is studying in her third year of Pharmacy at James Cook University, Townsville. She has grown up in Cairns and is currently working to make the IPSF '06 Social Programme one to remember! Her experience in organising social events began in primary school and has continued through to University. Bianca can't wait to see you all at her favorite North Queensland destination - Cairns!

Tara has proven her organisational talent time and again, most recently as NAPSA Secretary. What a perfect person, therefore, to organise registrations. And, as a Sydneysider, she knows all the Sydney attractions to show Post-Congress Tour participants a good time. She will work with others for the Brisbane and Melbourne attractions.

Having the spirit of IPSF running through my blood, I was thrilled at the opportunity of being part of this historic event, bring the annual world IPSF Congress to Australian shores for the first time in IPSF history.

Attending 3 IPSF congress’s in Singapore, Halifax and Bonn, along with two terms as the IPSF Liaison for NAPSA from 2003- 2005 and being the Student Exchange Chairperson in Australia I have been able to increase awareness and involvement of students in IPSF throughout Australia.

Starting my traineeship at a hospital in my home town in Adelaide in 2006 I will be looking forward to working within the industry whilst still being involved in student affairs through the IPSF Congress.

See you all in Cairns in July 2006!

Brooke will, as her position's title suggests, be coordinating the Congress programme. She will make sure everything fits into place like the elaborate jigsaw it should be and will also be organising the jigsaw night. She will also ensure that all of the requisite IPSF activities are scheduled in the programme.