Alan Stubenrauch

“Hypnotherapy: Past, Present and Future” was a most pertinent theme for this year’s AGM on August 10th: not only did CCH reflect upon it’s past achievements, present standing and future vision for the profession but its members and guests celebrated a very special milestone in the history of hypnotherapy in Australia - the ten-year anniversary of the deregulation of hypnosis in Victoria.

The AGM proper covered the customary components for such a meeting including annual reports from the President and the Treasurer and the Executive Council Elections.

The President’s annual report summarised the main activities of the Executive Council in 2007-08 including submissions made by CCH to various government departments; the organisation and delivery of Continuing Professional Education seminars and workshops and the implementation of marketing and management initiatives.

Max Baker & Others

During 2007-08, the Executive also welcomed two new members to the Ethics Board: Jeff Berger and Martin Taylor. Jeff Berger is a CCH Foundation Member whose breadth and depth of experience as a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Consultant Psychologist and Clinical Supervisor are a most welcome addition to this board. Martin Taylor joins the Ethics Board as a Member of the Public and is a highly credentialed barrister and solicitor who holds many qualifications and commendations achieved during 20 years combined experience in law enforcement and the practice of law.

The President also formally welcomed Mr. Andrew De Kretser from De Kretser Lawyer to the role of CCH Honorary Legal Adviser. Mr. De Kretser graduated from Melbourne University with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Criminology in 1997 and completed his Bachelor of Laws at the University of Queensland in 2000. Admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria as a Barrister and Solicitor in 2002, Mr. De Kretser operates a general legal practice and is a law lecturer at the Chisholm Institute. Mr. De Kretser has kindly agreed to assist the CCH Executive Council from time to time with matters where professional legal advice is pertinent and CCH is very grateful and fortunate to have access to his professional experience and expertise.

The President gratefully acknowledged the work of the members of the Executive Council in 2007-08 and also expressed his appreciation of the dedication and commitment of the CCH webmaster, David Dixon.

CCH Members & Guests

The online booking system for a full programme of 26 one-hour seminars and 11 three-hour workshops at the Expo is now up and running and various competitively priced seminar and workshop “packages” are also available. CCH members were encouraged to make their bookings as soon as possible to avoid disappointment as it is anticipated that all seats will be sold prior to the start of the Expo.

CCH also welcomed Sean McMahon who made a guest presentation on behalf of Insurance Made Easy in which he reminded members of the benefits of the specifically-tailored policy for CCH registered practitioners. Updated policy information and application forms will be uploaded to the members’ area of the CCH website.

Morning tea heralded the start of the ten-year anniversary celebrations when CCH members and their guests enjoyed a splendid anniversary cake kindly donated by Alpha Hypnotics. There followed a series of moving and memorable tributes to the Late Jim Goulding, Max Baker and Joane Goulding made by Jeff Berger, Julie Lorenz, Gary Johnston, Don March and also by Les Bullock, who travelled from NSW to participate in this celebration.

Les Bullock

The conference room overflowed with admiration and appreciation as those present shared the special reminiscences of those who spoke and of the many written tributes received from those now living interstate and overseas who wished to express their gratitude to Jim, Joane and Max. An enthralled hush then filled the room as Ian Hayward presented Max with a magnificent portrait which had been painted by CCH member Tony Gilmour of and for his friend and mentor.

The morning’s events concluded with some very special presentations made by ASCH President, Lyndall Briggs on behalf of the ASCH and CCH President, Alan Stubenrauch, made the following presentations on behalf of CCH:

Certificates of Recognition – in recognition and gratitude for services to the profession of Clinical Hypnotherapy in Australia - were awarded to: Max Baker; Les Bullock; Joane Goulding; Don March and John Bohn.

Joane Goulding also accepted a Certificate of Recognition on behalf of the late Jim Goulding – in loving memory and in recognition and gratitude for services to the profession of Clinical Hypnotherapy in Australia.

Kate March was awarded a Foundation Associate Life Membership – in recognition and gratitude for services to the profession of Clinical Hypnotherapy in Australia.