Playgroup Australia, in partnership with State and Territory Playgroup Associations, will celebrate National Playgroup Week from 21 to 27 March 2010.

Families with children 0 - 5 years of age, whether they participate in playgroup or not, are invited to take part in fun events to be held in every state and territory.

The Australian Council of Social Service annual conference is a major event for social services and the community sector. In 2010 a federal election is due and the conference is a key opportunity to examine our country from the perspective of low income Australians: what policies and programs are working; what we need to change; and how best we can achieve that.

The conference is a chance to hear about and discuss key areas of social policy, community sector services, and the needs of social service clients and their communities. Plenary and workshop sessions bring together policy-makers, practitioners, consumers, academics and other researchers on key topics of relevance to social services.

Click here to view the program (please note, this program is subject to change)

Early Bird rates have been extended to Friday 5th of March 2010!! Register now!!!

ACCS invites you to our 3rd National Conference. Join us in celebrating the waves of change we are witnessing in Government policy. An exciting opportunity for debate, learning and networking for everyone associated with community owned not for profit children's services - staff, parents, local government, church and welfare agencies, educational institutions, social policy analysts, students and policy makers.

This conference will examine the different roles that Local Government can and does play in building capacity, resources and resilience in communities. It will focus on approaches developed and implemented by different sections of Local Government, particularly teams working directly with communities, including libraries and learning centres. It will also attempt to answer some of the key questions for Local Governments wanting to work with communities to build and strrengthen their social capital:

• How is a CCB approach effective in building social capital?
• Why are CCB strategies critical to addressing disadvantage an building resilience?
• What are the challenges with Local Government of adopting a CCB approach?

The conference program for 2010 will be centered around the theme of Building a Child Friendly Australia: Responding to Vulnerable families. International keynote speakers and interactive breakout sessions will combine to ensure a rewarding program.  Go to the conference website to express an interest in receiving further details or to submit an abstract.  The website will be updated with program content as the conference gets nearer.