The PSA’s flagship event celebrated its golden anniversary on the seas of Japan aboard the Crystal Symphony, combining quality education and exotic travel in perfect harmony, writes David Weston.
Pharmacists from around Australia assembled in Tokyo in early May ahead of boarding the Crystal Symphony cruise ship the next day for the start of the 50th PSA Offshore Refresher Conference.
The 11-night cruise aboard the luxurious Crystal Symphony was a radical departure from the tried and tested formula of holding the main conference in two cities, and was specially chosen to celebrate the golden jubilee of the PSA’s flagship conference.
Set against the stunning backdrop of southern Japan, the cruise travelled from Tokyo, stopping at Shimizu with views of Mt Fuji, Osaka, Okinawa, Jeju in South Korea, before returning to Tokyo via Nagasaki and Kagoshima—a distance of 2,388 nautical miles.
The format of the educational program was adjusted to suit the itinerary and accommodate the 20 hours of lectures and workshops provided during the cruise.
As in past years, delegates could choose from a selection of pre and post conference destinations—including the west coast of Japan and Mongolia.
Many took advantage of the two-night pre-conference program in Tokyo to acclimatise in this vibrant city, where a veneer of 21st century modernism overlays centuries of tradition and culture.
ABOVE: Contemporary and historic scenes are unique in Japan, as in Shibuya Scramble Square, Tokyo and Osaka Castle. Photos courtesy of Marc Clavin
After disembarking the Crystal Symphony, many delegates elected to extend their Japanese sojourn on the post-conference journey to central Japan and west coast over seven nights. From Nagoya to Kanazawa and Kyoto, the itinerary provided a rich experience of exquisite gardens, magnificent temples, artisan heritage and culture only found in this unique country.
Others took advantage of the post-conference program to Mongolia, and returned with tales of a country of breathtaking natural beauty, and whose people take great pride in their rich nomadic traditions and ancient cultural landmarks.
Tradition and innovation
In his message to conference delegates, PSA national president Professor Mark Naunton wrote, “From the timeless beauty of Japan’s landscapes to the unique experience of learning together at sea, this year’s 50th PSA Offshore Refresher Conference marks a truly special milestone for the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. As we celebrate five decades of this iconic conference, we do so in a setting that reflects both tradition and innovation—values that sit at the heart of our profession.”
Representing Mark Naunton at the conference, incoming conference chair and PSA national vice president Caroline Diamantis welcomed delegates to the opening session of the main conference aboard the Crystal Symphony.
Also at the opening session, AJP publisher David Weston provided an overview of the AJP’s close association with the Offshore Refresher, from its first conference in Noumea in 1977—the brainchild of Warwick Plunkett and then AJP consulting editor Professor Jack Thomas, within the broader context of the AJP’s 140-year history.
A special dinner to mark the 50th anniversary was held at the Sumiyoshi Taisha shrine in Osaka the following evening. Built in the third century, this shrine has a strong Shinto association with generational change and renewal, borne from the historic tradition of dismantling and rebuilding the shrine’s four main sanctuaries every 20 years, a practice which continued until the mid-1800s. This rebuilding ritual was meant to pass architectural skills from one generation to the next, and represents the Shinto philosophy of renewal (known as tokowaka).
As a living embodiment of cultural transmission, the Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine was an entirely appropriate venue to celebrate those who established and built the Refresher into Australia’s premier offshore conference and their passing of the baton to a new generation.
The 50th anniversary dinner was held at the Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine in Osaka, one of Japan’s oldest and most important Shinto shrines, and formerly the site of a generational rebuilding ritual meant to pass architectural skills from one generation to the next. While the physical structures are no longer torn down and rebuilt every 20 years, Sumiyoshi Taisha remains a living embodiment of cultural transmission.
ABOVE: Some of the conference delegates at Osaka’s ancient Sumiyoshi Taisha shrine, the venue for the 50th Anniversary Dinner.
BELOW: The Sorihashi Bridge: Also known as the Taikobashi (drum bridge), this iconic, steeply arched red bridge dramatically spans the shrine’s pond. Walking over it is meant to purify the visitor and represents the transition from the mundane to the sacred realm.
LEFT: (L-R) Warwick Plunkett accepts a commemorative plaque from longstanding Education Coordinator Bill Horsfall and incoming conference chair Caroline Diamantis at the conferences 50th Anniversary Dinner. The inscription reads: “Honouring Warwick Plunkett AM, For your dedication, vision and leadership of the iconic PSA Refresher Conference… With deepest gratitude and appreciation, we celebrate your remarkable legacy and lasting contribution.”
ABOVE: Best dressed at the anniversary dinner: (L-R) David Dunbar, David Gath, Cathy Todd, Dave Gray, Meredyth Bell and Renata Gielis.
BELOW: Delegates were treated to displays of traditional Japanese culture at the 50th anniversary dinner.
As the new conference chair, Caroline Diamantis took time at the dinner to acknowledge the significant contribution of outgoing conference chair Warwick Plunkett, together with his wife Pauline, for his 49 years of service to the Offshore Refresher Conference. To celebrate his legacy, Diamantis announced the Warwick Plunkett Early Career Pharmacist Scholarship would be established from next year to fund the attendance of a young pharmacist to the Offshore Refresher.
Diamantis also acknowledged the outstanding contribution of Professor Peter Carroll as the conference’s longtime education director of more than 20 years, with the announcement of the annual Peter Carroll Oration to be given as the main address at each Offshore Conference from next year.
Diamantis also thanked outgoing conference organising committee members John Bell and Cathy Beckhouse for their years of commitment to the conference.
Fun and learning
In the tradition of the Refresher’s motto that ‘learning can be fun’, this year’s conference brought together practitioners who are leaders in their respective fields to share their knowledge and practical insights to support pharmacists’ expanding scope of practice.
Associate Professor Shane Hamblin was head of Endocrinology and Diabetes at Western Health, Melbourne until March this year. He holds honorary academic appointments at the University of Melbourne and Deakin University, and lends his expertise to several industry panels and advisory committees.
Dr David Hunter is a rheumatologist clinician-researcher, ranked on expertscape.com as a leading expert in the world on osteoarthritis.
Professor Peter Carroll returned to the speaker’s dais this year after a couple of years’ absence. Peter is well-known to delegates as a result of his many years as the Refresher’s education director, together with his academic career with the universities of Notre Dame and Sydney, and his years-long association with the PSA.
Similarly, long-standing conference speaker, author and educator, Dr Jenny Gowan AM, required little introduction to delegates.
Completing the speaker lineup was Bruce Annabel, long-time AJP contributor and acknowledged authority on the business of community pharmacy. Such is Bruce’s popularity, this was his 24th year as a conference speaker.
Together, and coordinated by education director Simone Diamandis with the ever-present assistance of education co-ordinator Bill Horsfall OAM, the speakers delivered a series of therapeutic updates and workshops in their areas of expertise which were both varied and directly applicable to pharmacy practice.
ABOVE: (L-R) Bill Horsfall, David Hunter, John Bell, Bruce Annabel, Jenny Gowan, Shane Hamblin, Peter Carroll and Helen Trenerry.
Jack Thomas Trophy
The education program culminates every year in the announcement of the winner of the Jack Thomas Trophy, named in recognition of the contribution of the late Dr Jack Thomas OAM to the PSA’s Continuing Education programs. The delegate who most successfully completes a quiz based on the conference sessions, has their name engraved on the trophy and receives a commemorative medal.
This year’s winner was hospital pharmacist Helen Trenerry from Queensland (pictured below with Professor Peter Carroll). Helen is one of just three pharmacists to have won the Jack Thomas Trophy twice since it was first awarded in 1994.
ABOVE: Peter Carroll (far left) with past and present winners of the Jack Thomas Trophy: (L-R) Lavinia Verduci, David Dunbar, Kate Gray, Helen Trenerry, Malcolm Cosgrove, Liz Bajusz, Dianne North, with this year’s runners up Yvonne Squire and Jennifer Bakija, and education coordinator Bill Horsfall.
Building a community
In his message to delegates, PSA president Mark Naunton cited the Refresher’s reputation as an opportunity “to learn, to connect and to challenge your thinking”.
“One of the greatest strengths of this conference is the sense of community it cultivates,” he wrote.
Key to this sense of community are the friendships that develop between delegates and their partners, whether they are seasoned conference attendees or first timers—perhaps the inevitable result of travelling and sharing experiences together.
The Refresher has a reputation for its program of memorable social events. With the outstanding culinary quality and variety of restaurants, and evening entertainment aboard the Crystal Symphony, it would be easy to argue that every night was memorable. In addition to the 50th anniversary dinner at Osaka’s Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, the program of events included Welcome and Farewell Cocktail Receptions, and the 10 Club Dinner and the 20 Club Lunch, for those who have attended at least 10 or 20 Refresher conferences, respectively.
ABOVE: 20 Club Lunch: those who have attended at least 20 Offshores celebrate at this year’s conference. Photo courtesy of Michael Halprin
As always, the support of industry partners is integral to the success of the Offshore Refresher. Viatris came on board again this year as the conference’s Principal Partner. Arrotex VidaCorp was the Gold Partner, with Webstercare again supporting the conference as its Bronze Partner. The AJP continues to be the Refresher’s Media Partner and MIMS remains a Supporting Partner by providing a free subscription to the winner of the Jack Thomas Trophy.
Finally, a hallmark of the Offshore Refresher is the tireless planning and attention to detail that leads to an exceptional experience for every attendee. The Offshore Refresher Conference Organising Committee—Caroline Diamantis, Meredyth Bell Simone Diamandis, Kate Gray, Bill Horsfall, Neil McLoughlin, Chris Wills and Phil Young—with smooth sailing ensured by the team at Impact Organisation, led by Anne Gray and Mike and Jo Tuzee, delivered a memorable program, packed with amazing experiences, and they did so seamlessly.
ABOVE: Incoming PSA Offshore Refresher organising committee (L-R) Bill Horsfall, Phil Young, Caroline Diamantis, Meredyth Bell, Neil McLoughlin, Kate Gray and Chris Wills. Education director Simone Diamandis was unable to attend the conference.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
My thanks to Marc Clavin for permission to use his photographs, including the lead image with this article and the cover photo of Mt Fuji featured on the front cover of the July issue of the AJP.
51st PSA Offshore Refresher Conference 2027
Next year’s PSA Offshore Refresher Conference will be held in Zagreb & Budapest:
Pre Conference: Venice, Ljubljana & Opatija, 27 April–5 May
Main Conference: Zagreb & Budapest, 5–13 May
Post Conference: Dubrovnik & Seabourn Cruise, Dubrovnik to Athens (7 nights), 13–22 May 2027