Get connected and discover the key to thriving on the frontline at our epic event on 16th March 2024!
ABOUT THIS EVENT
This fully catered event will run from 9.00am until 5.00pm, with cheese boards and socialising to follow until 6.30pm. Presentations and activities will be geared towards empowering the thriving frontline community, covering topics such as resilience, leadership, self-awareness and community.
‘Thriving on the Frontline’ is the second event organised by Aussie Frontline, following a hugely successful community BBQ in August 2023. Building on the momentum and interest generated by the first event, Aussie Frontline have developed ‘Thriving on the Frontline’ to bring first responders, military members and veterans together in a way not seen anywhere else in Australia.
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
A kick-ass event unlike anything else seen in Australia specifically for first responders, military members and veterans. You can expect to learn, make new friends, strengthen your sense of community and leave as a better version of yourself.
Find descriptions of the three key-note presentations below.
LOCATION + ACCOMMODATION
This event will be held at the Adelaide Hills Convention Centre – 145a Mount Barker Road, Hahndorf, South Australia, 5345.
The Adelaide Hills Convention Centre is considered the finest function centre in the Adelaide Hills! Located a convenient 20 minutes from the Adelaide CBD, the multi-award-winning venue is unparalleled.
Rising above valleys of the picturesque Mount Lofty Ranges, the centre is perched atop 32 acres of manicured grounds 800 metres from Hahndorf’s main street. Experience incredible food from the on-site 5-star Executive Chef and stay comfortably in the stunning on-site accommodation.
The centre sits with the Hahndorf Discovery Park, with a wide variety of accommodation.
All guests of the event will be entitled to 20% off standard accommodation rates! Simply show them your event ticket to obtain the discounted rate. Why not make a weekend of it?
STALLS + MERCH
There will be a number of stalls in the lobby for your enjoyment:
Aussie Frontline – AF merch, books and book signing by Dr Dan Pronk.
Troy Knight – Books, book signing, merch and his famous Cleared Hot! hot sauce!
Keith Banks – Books, book signing and merch.
Frontline Yoga – Community engagement.
Frontline Mental Health – Community engagement.
APOD – Community engagement/ merch
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
KEY-NOTE PRESENTATIONS
Building your Resilience Shield with Dr. Dan Pronk
Thriving on the frontline requires resilience, but it can often be difficult to build and maintain it under the constant and unique stress of work in the military or first responder role. In this presentation, Dan will take a deep dive into how stress affects us on a psychological and physical level, and using techniques from the evidence-based Resilience Shield model he developed with fellow SAS veterans, how we can all build and maintain a robust resilience to thrive throughout a career on the frontline.
Power of Peers with Matt Newlands
Asking for support can be one of the most significant challenges a first responder or military member will face. Matt candidly shares his personal journey from his beginnings as an optimistic & enthusiastic member of the South Australia Police, through his silent struggle with mental health challenges and suicidal ideation, to hitting rock-bottom: his arrest by Anti-Corruption Branch and separation from SAPOL. Through adversity Matt learned the power of connection with peers and community and he will share how these vital ingredients served as the foundation to his post-traumatic growth. Matt now proudly serves the frontline community as a national mental health educator, counsellor, and first responder advocate. Matt is passionate about developing strategies for first responders to thrive on the frontline.
How to Become Active in Your Own Rescue with Mandy Watene
Focussing on our mental layer we will discuss: How to change our reality, without having to change anyone; learning the three daily habits that unwittingly give away our power, leaving us feeling jaded, cynical & disengaged; and the three habits that will take our power back, regardless of rank or hierarchical position.
SPEAKER BIO’S
BREAKAWAY ACTIVITIES
1) Transitioning to Corporate Careers with Keith Banks.
Keith Banks, a veteran police officer, has spent over 25 years as a senior executive in the corporate sector across various industries since leaving law enforcement.
In this session he will talk about the opportunities for first responders and ADF personnel in the private sector; how to prepare for the transition; and tips and tricks for those wanting to explore their options.
2) Breathing Techniques Benefiting Performance and Wellbeing for First Responders with Mandy Watene.
Discover a no cost practice to improve your stress response in any given situation with improved cognitive function as well as balancing the autonomic nervous system for better mental health and wellbeing.
3) Ice Bath with Dr Dan Pronk.
Cold water immersion has long been used to assist muscle recovery following strenuous physical exercise, but in the past decade it has gained popularity as a technique to build mental resilience, improve mood, and reduce chronic pain. Recent studies link cold water immersion with positive increases in the brain chemicals dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. If you’ve wanted to give cold water immersion a go but didn’t know where to start, this is your chance. Join Dan for a discussion on cold water immersion, his preferred regime for ice baths, and for the brave, a dip in an ice bath! If you think this session might be for you, don’t forget to bring some swimmers and a towel.
4) Understanding Identity with Matt Newlands and Narelle Mason.
First responder roles often consume our whole identity for various reasons; for many service members this provides a greater sense of self and strong connection to a select cohort of the community. However, when physical, mental or environmental challenges arise, the impact on our identity can be significant, often life-altering. This workshop provides an interactive opportunity to explore an understanding of how we develop our identity; protective and risk factors with role-based identity; and the importance of connection to personal values to set you up for success throughout your career, including transition.
5) Trauma Aware Yoga Class with Frontline Yoga.
Frontline Yoga classes are taught specifically for personnel that serve or have served on the frontline. Suitable for: police, firefighters, paramedics, military, healthcare workers & volunteer emergency services. Classes are trauma aware and culturally informed. They assist in maintaining resilience, strength and connection. All classes are suitable for beginners, taught with clear instructions and are particularly suitable for people that may be experiencing chronic stress, depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress.
6) The Benefits of Surf Therapy for Frontline Workers with Ryan Baohm.
Ryan, a fulltime first responder and passionate surfer, shares his journey from competitive surfer to firefighter. Along the way he discovered that surfing, more than just a fun activity, has profound therapeutic benefits for our mental, physical and emotional health. Along his journey he crossed paths with other frontline workers with different experiences, and on very different journeys, but who had come to the same realisation. This included members from the Australian Special Forces, police tactical groups, special operations paramedics and more. Last year Ryan was stoked to collaborate with Invictus Australia, providing surfing lessons to veterans and their families for Veterans Health Week. Surfing might not be the total answer for you, but it may help form part of the answer. This activity is designed to explain why, and how.
BREAKAWAY ACTIVITY HOSTS
We look forward to sharing this Australian-first event with you!
A huge thank you goes to our event sponsors who have helped make this event possible.
One Response
Just finished the event today and seriously, worth every second of being there! Thanks so much for your time and organising this event! I’ve taken so much away and can’t wait for the next event!