I am writing to invite you and your partner to attend the 1st Annual Meeting of our recently formed organisation to be held at the Sofitel Hotel in Melbourne on 26 and 27 November 2004.

As you can see from the accompanying flyer, the Organising Committee chaired by Professor Jayashri Kulkarani has put together an outstanding program with no less than 5 international speakers from the USA, UK and South East Asia. In addition, a cultural program involving a meditation/yoga class on Saturday morning, and a Gala Dinner on Saturday night, with Indian cultural folk dances and Bhangara music to dance to.

As a result of sponsorship of the meeting, we have kept the costs of Registration and the Gala Dinner to an absolute minimum. The meeting now has international significance, in that it is being co-sponsored by the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), the South Asian Forum on Mental Health and Psychiatry UK chapter and the Indo American Psychiatric Association.

It is the intention of the Organising Committee to also acknowledge the contribution of prominent Indo-Australian psychiatrists at the Dinner. Given that this will be our inaugural conference and also constitute the inaugural general meeting of the Association, I urge all of you to seriously consider attending the meeting and registering as soon as possible so as to show your support.

With best regards,
Yours sincerely,
Bruce Singh
President – IAPA (Aus)/ASAPF

The contribution of Indian, Sri Lankan and other South Asian psychiatrists and clinicians to the Australian mental health scene continues to be of great importance. This conference highlights some of the achievements, dilemmas and issues faced by the meeting of "East" and "West" in the Mental Health area.

Join us in Melbourne as we explore scientific multicultural issues and enjoy the social aspects.

Let's throw another samosa on the barbie and have fun!

Convener:
Prof. Jayashri Kulkarani MD
Professor of Psychiatry
Monash University
Chairperson National Scientific Committee
IAPA (Aus)/ASAPF

It is our pleasure to welcome you to attend this international conference. Over the two days you will participate and discuss a rich variety of issues that interface with working in mental health. Internationally renowned speakers in psychiatry and mental health from Australia, USA, UK and Asia will provide resources to this forum. The place of culture and international mental health have important relevance to psychiatry, thus this conference has received the co sponsorship of the World Psychiatric Association as also being jointly organized by similar organizations as ours in the USA and UK.

Reviewing the contributions to Australasian and international mental health, by Australian mental health professionals of Sub continent origin will be a feature. We have included cultural and social dimensions. This includes a breakfast session with Meditation and Yoga, then an exotic gala dinner dance, featuring Professional Indian cultural folk dances and the popular Bhangra music. All these and more will be yours to experience at this conference.

We look forward to seeing you at this meeting.