It gives me great pleasure to again present to you the President’s Report for the South Australian Wound Management Association for the year February 2004 – February 2005.

This year has been a busy year for SAWMA members with many quality educational activities on offer for its members. In March the 5 th AWMA Conference co-hosted by Tasmania in Hobart was held and a representation of SAWMA members were both stimulating speakers and attendees. In July the 2 nd Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies was held in Paris and again a good representation from SAWMA attended. And in South Australia our educational activities have provided 4 quality education evenings (February, May, August, November), and 2 one-day workshops in October.

The guest presenter of the 1day multidisciplinary workshop on The Multidisciplinary Management and Prevention of Pressure Ulcers was Jillian Swaine an Occupational Therapist from Calgary Canada . Her presentation was timely and extremely well attended - well over the number of registrants that she had requested. The feedback was excellent and she has indicated that she has had greater contact from participants from this workshop requesting materials than she has had from similar workshops. To me this indicates that the workshop was indeed timely. Part of the workshop explored Interface Pressure Mapping a technique that has not been used as a tool in South Australia to show pressure loads at various body points and how positioning and certain aids such as the special pressure reducing mattresses and cushions can reduce the pressure on the body’s pressure points. One of the greatest benefits was the chance to meet and talk and work on a case history with professionals from other health disciplines including dieticians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists from a variety of South Australian hospitals and community agencies. Malcolm Turnbull from Roho assisted in the day and provided some valuable insight into wheelchair assessment and cushion selection. The session was held at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre and our thanks to the staff of the Centre and especially to SAWMA committee members Paul and Veronica.

The following day a 1-day seminar on Increasing Confidence and Competence in Wound Care was held at the Royal Adelaide Hospital . Again this was very well attended. The speakers were excellent and feedback was very positive. Jillian Swaine presented and then Jillian Swaine and Malcolm Turnbull and conducted a workshop on Interface Pressure Mapping that was stimulating and thought provoking. Dean: Linda Saunders presented on the legal aspects of documentation and this was informative, entertaining and relevant. Positive feedback was received from the presentations on Aetiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Leg Ulcers (Dr Denise Roach) and Leg Clubs (Marilyn Smith). SAWMA committee members Margie Moncrieff, Tall Ellis, Sue Templeton, Michael Arthur, Carmen George, and Carol Amos provided quality presentations too and received very positive feedback. Thanks again to Paul and Veronica for all the pre organization that was necessary to ensure it was a success and to all the SAWMA committee members who assisted on the day to facilitate and ensure that the seminar was a success. The Trade support was fantastic with 15 companies supporting us and ensuring a wonderful educational day. Thank you for supporting us.

SAWMA has held the regular educational evenings, continuing with thought provoking and interesting topics throughout the year. Attendance has remained at about 60 per meeting. To facilitate the meetings in the future SAWMA has purchased a laptop and data projector. This should also assist the Secretary to maintain the records of SAWMA activities.

SAWMA has reviewed the format of the education evenings in order to ensure a better flow of activities. The evenings will now commence with the Trade Display at 1845 with light refreshments, and the education sessions commenting at 1930. We also hope that with the purchase of the laptop and data projector that we can start on time.

A special thank you must be offered to the Trade Representatives and their companies for the wonderful support that they give to SAWMA. The Trade attendance at the education evenings is wonderful and the Trade Display is a very special part of the educational activities of the night. The representatives so willing give of their time to share their knowledge and samples of their products that allow us to use them appropriately. Thank you so much for your important role in wound management. The representatives are a fantastic group of people and they and their companies support have enabled SAWMA to grow and influence better practices in wound management through the education evenings and seminars. A sincere thank you for your support.

The website has taken on a new look thanks to Scott T of Saint’s Computer Services and what a Saint he has been in creating the new look and getting the quality links in place. If you have not checked it out lately please do so and send us your ideas and feedback as it is always welcomed and the website will become a better resource and informative site for you to use.

Our membership numbers have increased this year to 300 after being stable for a number of years at the 250 mark. Paul Philcox as Treasurer and Michael Arthur as Membership Officer and do a great job in ensuring that the finances and membership register are maintained. Paul and Michael were both awarded SAWMA Life Membership in 2004 to acknowledge more than 10 years of continuos work in these positions and the contributions they have made to AWMA committee as Membership Officer and SA state representative.

Finally I wish to thank all the members of SAWMA committee. We have accomplished much this past year as we have continued to promote better wound management practices. To Carol Amos who is retiring - Thank you for the valuable contribution that you have made to SAWMA through several terms on the committee and in this term for your role as Vice President. Also thank you for the presentations that you have made at the seminar and at the August education meeting. SAWMA members wish you a very happy retirement and much enjoyment in the new activities and experiences that you now discovering.

This has been a year to remember, one that has seen SAWMA become financially stable and one in which we have achieved much.

I now complete my term as President and after almost 14 years on the SAWMA committee it is time for me to retire. I wish you all the best and thank you for the friendship and cooperation that has allowed me to play a small part in promoting better wound management practices through the activities of SAWMA.

Judith Manning

SAWMA President