Thank you for joining us at the 48th International Mental Health Nursing Conference
29 October - 1 November 2024

The Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN) hosts the International Mental Health Nursing Conference annually as a face-to-face event welcoming over 500 delegates over three days. 

Our aim for the 48th ACMHN was to create an environment that is conducive to sharing knowledge, relationship building, and collaborative practice. We sought to enhance and support capacity building and strengthening of the mental health sector more broadly, and the profession of mental health nursing through providing productive partnership opportunities for stakeholders, health care agencies and educational institutions.

Oration Booklet
Abstract book

Behind the ACMHN 2024 design

In 2024, First Nations artist George Williams specially designed a Coolamon that was presented at the 47th International Mental Health Nursing Conference. 

George Williams is from Walgett (Gamilaraay, Yuwaalaraay and Ngayimbaa nations) and describes the Coolamon design:

Coolamon and burnt design depicting mental health and community support. Outer ring the challenges in community and those suffering from illness. Inner yarning circles of mental health nurses providing kinship and care, and talking without speaking using Yama(ri). 

The ACMHN 2024 branding design is based on George's Coolamon, and used with his permission. The branding takes inspiration from the circles depicted on the Coolamon, representative of advancement, accessibility and diversity.

George Williams, originally from Brewarrina, visited Walgett in 1979 to visit the family, and twenty years later calls Walgett home to himself, his five children and his eighteen grandchildren. A Barkindji man on his mother’s side, his art derives from his cultural heritage.

George carves emu egg shells, paints traditional art and also a more contemporary form of landscape art. He discovered art as a young child, and never stopped exploring his creative pursuits. As he learned more and more about his history, his culture, and the story of his family, the traditional art became more important to him as a key way to connect with his family. George really felt a strong connection through making artifacts and tools under tutelage from a local elder. This work took him onto country, where stories were told and knowledge was shared, along with language.

View of Perth Harbor at night time.

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We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and we particularly acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as the traditional owners and custodians of land on which the College National Office stands. We recognise the important connection of First Peoples to land, water and community, and pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.