Australian Recreational Therapy Association

24/08/2025

“Exciting news – just 3 weeks until the ARTA National Virtual Conference! Join us 18–19 Sept for two full days of inspiring presentations, professional development, and connection. Registration is OPEN now (link in bio!). Plus, don’t miss your chance to nominate amazing talent for the ARTA Awards for Excellence. Applications close soon!”

Here’s a snapshot of the upcoming Virtual National Conference, “Recreating the Recreation Revolution,” happening 18–19 September 2025, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (AEST)

Brochure here 👇

https://www.recreationaltherapy.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Conference-2025-Program.pdf

💡 Day 1 features keynote speaker Jessica Luh Kim on purpose and engagement, plus a rich line-up from Dr Stewart Alford, Jenna Johnstone, Claudia Stephson, and more.

💡 Day 2 continues with insightful sessions on mental health, rehabilitation, storytelling, dementia care, intergenerational programs, resilience, and even bonus pre-recorded content recreationaltherapy.au

Secure your spot through the official booking portal:

📚 Event: ARTA Virtual National Conference

Dates: 18–19 September 2025, Virtual (Canberra/Melbourne/Sydney timezone, UTC+10)

Ticket Options:

Non-member – Both Days: $400
Non-member – One Day: $280
Presenters receive discounted rates—e.g., Both Days: $220

REGISTER HERE 👇 https://diversionaltherapy.memnet.com.au/MemberSelfService/EventBooking.aspx?selectedEventId=359

Nominate for Awards for Excellence

Celebrate outstanding contributions by nominating deserving individuals or programs using the Awards for Excellence Application Template, which includes categories for:

🖊️ Recreational Therapist of the Year (members only)
🖊️ Innovative Program of the Year
🖊️ New Graduate of the Year recreationaltherapy.au

Application process:

Complete the relevant section in the template.

For Innovative Program submissions: include a report (2,000–2,500 words) and three PowerPoint slides with project overview, outcomes, and recommendations recreationaltherapy.au

Ensure all required attachments are included, and email your submission with the subject:

“ARTA Award for Excellence Entry (Your Surname) 2025”

to: enquiries@recreationaltherapy.au

06/08/2025

🌟 Aged Care Employee Day 🌟

Today, we say a heartfelt THANK YOU to all the incredible Recreational Therapists, leisure and lifestyle teams, allied health teams, and all aged care workers across the country.

Your compassion, dedication, and tireless work enrich the lives of older and vulnerable Australians every single day. 💛

From meaningful engagement and emotional support to creating joyful moments and fostering connection — your work matters.

We see you. We appreciate you. And today, we celebrate you. 🙌

05/08/2025

🏆 ARTA Annual Awards for Excellence – Nominations Now Open!

Do you know a passionate, innovative, or inspiring Recreational Therapist who deserves to be recognised?

The Australian Recreational Therapy Association (ARTA) is thrilled to launch the 2025 Annual Awards for Excellence, celebrating outstanding achievements in recreational therapy across three prestigious categories:

🌟 Award Categories:

Recreational Therapist of the Year
📌 For ARTA members only – recognising leadership, advocacy & community impact.

Innovative Program of the Year
📌 Open to all – celebrating evidence-based, creative, and impactful programs.

New Graduate of the Year
📌 Open to all – recognising emerging leaders who show professionalism & passion.

🗓️ Nominations close September 1st

Nominate a colleague who inspires you — or nominate yourself if you’ve made an impact! 😀

🎉 Winners will be announced at the ARTA Virtual Conference.
🖊️ Conference programme here:https://www.recreationaltherapy.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Conference-2025-Program.pdf

🖊️ Register here: https://diversionaltherapy.memnet.com.au/MemberSelfService/EventBooking.aspx?selectedEventId=359

👉 Start your nomination today and help spotlight excellence in Recreational Therapy!
🖊️ Application template here:https://www.recreationaltherapy.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ARTA_Awards_Application_Template_2025.pdf

21/07/2025

🌍 The WHO flags social isolation & loneliness as a pressing global health issue—impacting 1 in 6 people, contributing to heart disease, depression, cognitive decline, and even premature death. Solutions exist, and recreational therapists are uniquely positioned to lead the charge. (World Health Organisation)

🎯 Why this matters for Recreational Therapists:

📚 Evidence-based impact

The WHO Commission on Social Connection’s flagship report emphasises: social disconnection dramatically harms health—but can be reversed through community-based interventions. (World Health Organisation)
Scope for impact

During the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), the WHO commits to strategies that reduce isolation through in-person and digital methods—such as group support, skill training, and befriending programs. (Greatsenioryears, World Health Organisation)

🛠 How we can act:

Intervention Area: Role of Recreational Therapists
✅ Group activities (art, music, movement) Foster social engagement, enhance mood & release endorphins. (stjamesrehab.com)
✅ Therapeutic interventions Address loneliness explicitly—help clients explore feelings, build communication skills, strengthen intergenerational bonds. (rectherapytoday.com, https://lnkd.in/gyZE5x4x)
✅ Community linkage: Connect individuals to local clubs, nature groups ("social prescribing") and other inclusive spaces. (World Health Organisation, https://lnkd.in/gyZE5x4x)
✅ Holistic benefits Broad social interaction reduces sedentary behaviour, supports cognitive health, and fosters emotional resilience. (ijhsr.org)

🔑 Takeaways:

📌 Therapeutic Recreation promotes health through leisure
📌Our interventions foster social bonds, promote wellbeing, and prevent isolation across all age groups.
📌We play an essential role in the Decade of Healthy Ageing, translating WHO’s strategic priorities into meaningful, person-centred support.

📢 Call to action:

Let’s champion recreation-centred programs as national and local policy tools. Share your strategies, outcomes, and stories that demonstrate how social connection saves lives. Let’s collaborate, innovate, and build healthier communities through recreational therapy.

Read the World Health Organisation report here 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/978240112360

hashtag

This landmark report from the WHO Commission on Social Connection highlights that social isolation and loneliness are widespread, with serious but under-recognized impacts on health, well-being, and society. Drawing on the latest evidence, the report makes a compelling case for urgent action. It out...

20/07/2025

🤖✨ AI is evolving fast—but when it comes to human connection, creativity, and compassionate care, nothing can replace a Recreational Therapist.

A recent article from Recreational Therapy Today outlines 10 compelling reasons why AI won’t replace our profession—and we couldn’t agree more. From emotional intelligence and person-centred planning to adaptability, cultural understanding, and the therapeutic power of human connection, Recreational Therapists bring something AI can’t replicate.

🧠💬 RTs don’t just provide activities—we co-create purpose, foster joy, and build meaningful engagement for individuals across all settings.

🔗 Read the full article here: https://www.rectherapytoday.com/10980-10-reasons-why-ai-wont-replace-recreational-therapists.html

Thank you, Danny Pettry.

By Danny W. Pettry II With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), it’s natural for professionals in many industries to wonder about the future of their careers. As a recreational therapist…

08/07/2025

✨Member Spotlight ✨
A fantastic feature article about Diversional Therapist Cherry Hau and her meaningful work improving the lives and wellbeing of people through leisure. Cherry also shares some insights working and living in a regional community. Thanks to Southern NSW Local Health District for highlighting our small but important workforce

ICYMI | Our We Are Southern Winter 2025 magazine is out now, bringing you stories about how Southern is making an impact on the health and wellbeing of our community, as well as sharing achievements from the staff and volunteers across our District.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3HsoVKR

Stories in this issue include:
📘 Small activities make a big impact in mental health recovery
📙 Meet our nursing and midwifery award winners
📗 Construction progress for Eurobodalla
📕 Breastfeeding accreditation for District

Subscribe to We Are Southern at https://bit.ly/3HsoVKR. Your subscription includes the free quarterly magazine delivered directly to your inbox.

02/07/2025

📣 Calling Recreational Therapists interested in student supervision
You’re invited to this valuable information session, helping to invest in our future. We look forward to seeing you

🗓️Monday 7th July (Syd, Canberra & Melbourne)

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/hBsGefEjSVCz7vOamfboMw #/registration

🗓️Wednesday 9th July @ 7pm (Syd, Canberra & Melbourne)

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ssnx7DZPSWC17kNsUOaHdw #/registration

29/06/2025

⏰⏰⏰ Take advantage of our amazing early bird prices and last minute tax deductible CPD for ARTA members 💰💰💰
📲 Register online now
🗓️ Choose from single day attendance or both days, special rates for members so be sure to login (Not yet a member there’s still time to join)

https://www.recreationaltherapy.au/learning/conference/

18/06/2025

Congratulations to graduates of the Bachelor Health Science Recreational Therapy program 🎓A warm welcome into the Recreational Therapy community, we are excited to see what the future brings ✨
Tag yourselves and your gradating class below, share some photos of your day
Western Sydney University - Health Sciences
Nicole Peel
Joanne Rodrigues
Arianne Reis

It's grads season yet again 🎓

Across 23 ceremonies, we celebrate the achievements of more than 4,000 students. Graduation is a proud and emotional milestone, marking the culmination of years of hard work, resilience, and academic excellence.

To all of our grads, enjoy this time, take it all in, and feel proud of all that you have achieved! ❤️

Read more about this round of graduations here - https://lnkd.in/gAMbWV5T

17/06/2025

📢 Australian Recreational Therapy Association is excited to announce our second international keynote speaker for the 2025 National Virtual Conference, Dr Jerome F. Singleton.

Jerome, PhD, CTRS is a Professor Emeritus who taught Therapeutic Recreation in the Recreation and Leisure studies department at Dalhousie University for 37 and half years. Dr. Singleton’s research focused on the area of Leisure and Aging.

He also served on the National Council Therapeutic Recreation Certification Board (NCTRC) from 2018 to 2021, the Committee on Accreditation for Recreational Therapy Education (CARTE), board Jan 1 to July 2025 and currently sits on the International Therapeutic Recreation Coalition.

Register here today 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

https://diversionaltherapy.memnet.com.au/MemberSelfService/EventBooking.aspx?selectedEventId=359

11/06/2025

Thanks to ARTA Executive Officer Charlise Bennett for connecting Slippery Rock University recreational therapy students and academics on their study tour down under last month ✨
Special shout out to members
Kylie Louise & Kelsey Kerr and their team for hosting at Campbelltown Hospital
Rachel Askew and her team for hosting at Southern Cross Care NSW & ACT and
Suzanne Stacey Ta'leah Critchley Adam Wilson
and team for hosting at Royal Rehab
We appreciate your time, support and contribution sharing the Australian recreational therapy experience with our international friends ✨

SRU recreational therapy students and professors met with Australian parliamentarians Rebekah Sharkie and Dai Le during a study abroad trip to Australia, where they discussed policy and practices in the country to better understand approaches to disabilities and person-centered care.

The SRU group also had the opportunity to practice hands-on in an aged care facility and study new technology in the field of recreational therapy such as ZeroG robotic body weight supports systems, drone fishing and adapted gaming apparatuses.

Read more: https://news.sru.edu/recreational-therapy-group-meets-with-australian-parliamentarians/

07/06/2025

🎓 Calling All Recreational Therapists!
Help shape the future of our profession

— become a Student Supervisor with the Australian Recreational Therapy Association (ARTA) and Western Sydney University (WSU).

We’re seeking experienced Recreational Therapists to supervise 3rd-year Bachelor of Health Science (Recreation Therapy) students during their placements. This is your chance to give back, grow professionally, and support the next generation of RTs.

🔹 Why get involved?

✅ Mentor future professionals — share your skills and experience
✅ Earn 10 CPD hours (50% of your annual requirement)
✅ Access free training & a micro-credential in Allied Health Clinical Education from Western Sydney University Staff
✅ Elevate the standards of RT by keeping training within the profession
✅ Gain meaningful support from WSU academic staff

🔹 What’s involved?
Students join your service part-time or full-time for 4–6 months, contributing meaningfully to your programs while learning under your guidance. A great opportunity to build leadership skills while gaining an extra set of capable hands!

🎯 Let’s build a stronger, sustainable RT workforce—together.

📩 Expressions of interest are now open!
Contact Dr Arianne Reis at a.reis@westernsydney.edu.au to find out more.