The Board at ADRA wish all our members and friends the very best time at Christmas, and a joyous New Year. We wish you success in all your efforts to help others manage and resolve their disputes. We want the world to be a more peaceful and prosperous place. Have a wonderful time over the holiday period!

If you have trouble downloading any forms from the ADR website, please email us at contact@adra.net.au to request whatever it is you would like from us. We are aware of the problems and hope to rectify them in the new year. Thanks for your patience.

Katherine Johnson represented ADRA at the launch by the Attorney-General, the Hon Robert McClelland MP, of the NADRAC Report resulting from the Inquiry into the removal of barriers and the provision of incentives for the greater use of ADR in the federal civil justice system. The Report is available on the NADRAC website.

Thanks to Terry O'Connell for a fabulous talk on his restorative justice techniques for dispute resolution. The last seminar for 2009 proved very popular amongst ADRA members, with much interaction and great interest in the questions posed by Terry. It was one of those events where you really had to be thinking about how his theories would work for you. At the end of the session each participant nominated their highlight of the evening, and the diversity of responses acknowledged the wealth of ideas in this presentation.

For the President's 2009 Report download attachment

You will enjoy Terry O'Connell's presentation on Monday 9 November.  His experience and expertise has a practical and well founded basis, which he will share with all present.  If you have not yet let us know you are coming, please do so by emailing Janice  at contact@adra.net.au asap.

Linda Fisher is in excellent company, joining Sir Laurence Street, Micheline Dewdney and Ruth Charlton as Life Members of ADRA.  Linda's oustanding contribution to dispute resolution over many years as a trainer, deviser of courses, author, mediator and mentor was acknowledged in this award presented to her on behalf of all ADRA members.  The President's comments were supported by Peter Irving and Micheline Dewdney who was trained by Linda many years ago.  Congratulations Linda.   

ADRA members thoroughly enjoyed their annual dinner on 21 October, following another successful AGM.  Our special guest Rex Butler lived up to his reputation as an entertaining speaker.  The Law Society food and service was, as always, excellent. Lucky door prizes contributed to the fun of the evening.  We hope to see even more members and friends at future events.  

PAVE Peace is an inclusive group with an interest in promoting peace.  They meet on the third Tuesday of every month at 4pm with a guest speaker commencing at 4.30pm in Parliament House, Macquarie St Sydney.  For details of upcoming speakers contact Katherine Johnson at johnson.katherinep@gmail.com

Following her popular ADRA seminar earlier this year, LEADR have now organised for Kristen Daglish to speak again on her Colombian experience on 14 October.  This time her talk will focus on the implementation of programs at the local level.  For full details check the LEADR website.  Kristen is an inspirational speaker.