2026 Combined SIG meeting

Welcome

Another great event brought to you by ACE – a tripartite collaboration of ANZCA, ASA and NZSA. 

Welcome! We invite you to join us from 26th to 28th June 2026 at The Continental Sorrento in Mornington Peninsula, Victoria for the 2026 Combined SIG Meeting, hosted by the Wellbeing SIG. 

The theme this year is "Strong systems, thriving teams" with a focus on practical, sustainable, systems-based solutions that will support your teams to thrive. 

Our keynote speaker, Dr Tim Driscoll, is a clinical psychologist and the Clinical Lead for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (QLD) Outback Mental Health Team. He brings extensive experience leading teams in challenging circumstances.

Our plenary speakers and workshops have been carefully selected to support our theme, with a packed program includes a myriad of opportunities to enhance your wellbeing and build connection with colleagues.

We look forward to welcoming you to Sorrento.

Dr Kushlani Stevenson and Dr Divya Sharma
Co-convenors

Venue

The Continental Sorrento is nestled in the heart of the coastal village of Sorrento, on the Mornington Peninsula. A tranquil retreat with sweeping coastline views, the hotel blends old world charm and modern sophistication. Indulge in soothing spa treatments, enjoy flavourful dishes at our dining venues, or unwind in our heated pool. Step outside and meander through the Sorrento streets as you browse boutiques, sip regional wines, and feast on local flavours.

Sorrento is located approximately 90 - 120 minutes’ drive from Melbourne Airport.

Accommodation

The Intercontinental Sorrento
23 Constitution Hill Road, Sorrento, Victoria 3943 Australia

We are pleased to advise an exclusive discounted accommodation rate is available at the Intercontinental Sorrento for delegates attending the Combined SIG Meeting.

• Run of House Room | A$420 incl GST per room per night 

Rates listed are subject to availability and applicable for stays between 25-28 June 2026.

Book discounted accommodation rate here.

We highly recommend booking your accommodation as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

• A credit card will be required at the time of booking to secure the reservation.
• For cancellations, terms and conditions, please refer to information listed on the hotel website at the time of booking.

Registration 

Registrations are now open for the 2026 Combined SIG Meeting.

Your registration will include all refreshment breaks, the welcome reception and plenary sessions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Workshops are at an additional cost.

All registration fees are quoted in Australian dollars and are inclusive of GST.

Workshops

The following workshops are available:

• Psychological First Aid workshops

Dates and Times: There are 3 PFA workshop sessions available. 

• A - Friday 26 June 2026 | 9-10:30am 
• B - Friday 26 June 2026 | 11am-12:30pm
• C - Saturday 27 June 2026 | 3.30-5pm

Max participants: 25 pax per session
Facilitator: Dr Tim Driscoll

Psychological First Aid offers a practical introduction to supporting individuals in the immediate aftermath of distressing or challenging events. The session runs for 90 minutes and provides straightforward, evidence-informed strategies to help participants respond in a calm, supportive, and effective manner. It also emphasises the importance of connecting people with additional support when necessary.

• Wellbeing@Work

Date: Friday 26 June 2026
Time: 9am–12.30pm 
Max participants: 20 pax
Facilitator: Dr Divya Sharma

With the new work health and safety legislation and updates to the Wellbeing SIG resource documents on the structure and role of the wellbeing advocate, what does wellbeing at work look like? How does the wellbeing advocate support the leadership team?

This session will help: 

1. To understand how to codify wellbeing measures at work, so that you can structure wellbeing practices into health promotion/primary prevention, secondary and tertiary prevention measures.
2. To formulate a system for supporting colleagues in distress by understanding your local ecosystems and mapping the journey for supporting your colleagues in your workplace. 
3. To be more confident in providing peer support and understanding the limitations of the same through role play.

This workshop is suitable for leadership teams and wellbeing advocates, ideally from the same centres, to come together and plan wellbeing within your own workplace.

About the Facilitator: Dr Divya Sharma has been a wellbeing advocate lead within her department since 2007 with training in mindful communication, peer support, conflict management and leadership development. As co-chair of the Wellbeing SIG, Divya is passionate about embedding the understanding of work health and safety legislation as well as local ecosystems into wellbeing advocacy roles.

• Art and uncertainty: Visual thinking strategies and navigating uncertainty in medicine

Date: Friday 26 June 2026
Time: 9am–12.30pm 
Max participants: 16 pax
Facilitator: Dr Catherine Olweny

Uncertainty is an inherent part of medical practice, yet many clinicians struggle with its emotional, cognitive, and ethical dimensions. This workshop explores how Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS)—a method originally developed for art education—can be a powerful tool to enhance clinicians’ tolerance of uncertainty and support physician wellbeing.

Participants will engage in guided art observation using VTS, fostering skills in careful observation, delayed judgment, and collaborative meaning-making. Through facilitated discussion, we will connect these experiences to the challenges of uncertainty in clinical practice, including diagnostic ambiguity, complex decision-making, and emotional responses to not knowing.

Drawing on the work of Dr Abigail Housen, Philip Yenawine, and Paul K.J. Han MD, this session will offer a metacognitive framework for understanding uncertainty and provide practical strategies for managing it with curiosity, compassion, and courage. The workshop is designed for healthcare professionals, educators, and wellbeing advocates seeking innovative, reflective approaches to support resilience and ethical decision-making in medicine.

Social activities

Welcome Reception
Join us for canapés and drinks at the conclusion of the day’s sessions and enjoy the opportunity to network with colleagues and friends.

Date: Friday 26 June 2026
Time: 5-6.30pm
Location: The Continental Sorrento
Cost: Complimentary for registered delegates / Guest ticket: A$90

Meeting Dinner
Enjoy a relaxed evening with colleagues and friends while sharing authentic Italian dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, in a cosy and charming atmosphere.

Date: Saturday 27 June 2026
Time: 7-10.30pm
Location: Sardo Sorrento, 20 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento VIC
Cost: A$150/person

Wellbeing activities

The Saturday afternoon session (from 3.30pm) has been set aside for delegates to focus on wellbeing. Attendees may choose to participate in a range of restorative activities, including a guided yoga session, or, if you were unable to attend on Friday, complete the Psychological First Aid workshop (C). Alternatively, you are welcome to take time out to relax, reset, and explore Sorrento at your own pace while enjoying all that the region has to offer.

Yoga

Hit the reset button. This class offers a gentle, breath-led yoga practice accessible to all abilities. Incorporating simple movement, breathing practices and relaxation to support physical ease, mental clarity and overall wellbeing.

Date: Saturday 27 June 2026
Time: 4-5pm
Location: The Continental Sorrento
Cost: A$23/person
Max participants: Limited to 30 pax
Yoga mats provided. 

Self-guided activities and suggestions:

Rest, relax and revive

• Enjoy thermal bathing and spa rituals onsite at  Aurora Spa & Bathhouse.
• Experience outdoor geothermal pools and relaxation at Peninsula Hot Springs.
• Indulge in a contemporary wellness experience at Alba Thermal Springs and Spa.
• Unwind with massage and personalised treatments at Marlo Spa.

Spend time in nature

• Take a gentle coastal walk from Sorrento to Portsea Beach or choose from one of the scenic walking trails across the Mornington Peninsula.
• Pause for mindfulness and relaxation at Sorrento Back Beach or Sorrento Front Beach. For the adventurous, a refreshing cool dip awaits!
• Bring your bike, or hire one locally, and cycle along the Sorrento Bay Trail.
• Try your hand at golf with a round of 18 holes at one of the nearby golf courses.

Indulge

• Visit one of the region’s many farmgate and market gardens to sample locally grown, family-farmed produce.
• Select a local winery or distillery and enjoy an afternoon tasting experience.
• Stroll along the main street of Sorrento, browse boutique shops, and stop for a warm drink at one of the many cosy cafés.

Spend the afternoon discovering local art galleries and finding the perfect piece while exploring the region’s creative spirit.

Sponsorship opportunities 

If you wish to be an exhibitor at the 2026 Combined SIG Meeting, please view the HCI prospectus and complete the application form.

To see the sponsorship opportunities for all our events, please click here.

Continuing professional development (CPD)

Participants in the ANZCA and FPM CPD Program will automatically have their attendance auto-populated to their CPD portfolio within 14 days of the conclusion of the meeting.

ANZCA and FPM CPD Program
This event is claimable by ANZCA and FPM CPD participants within the knowledge and skills category.

Category 2: Knowledge and skills 
Lectures/plenary sessions under ‘Learning sessions’

If you're not a member of our CPD program
If you’re not participating in the ANZCA and FPM CPD program, please check with your respective college/provider regarding your CPD classifications. Post-event, you may request an electronic certificate of attendance for CPD evidence from the event organiser.

Contact us

For further information, please contact us.