Abstract

28 Foav~l THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS THE FIFTH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE OF THE ASSOCIATION was held in Melbourne, August 12th-16th, the topic being "The contribution of Social Work in the field of mental health." We were honoured to have Mr. B. Chatterjee, Assistant Secretary General of the International Conference of Social Work, to open the Conference. Characteristically, his remarks showed a breadth of vision, deep humanity and an abiding faith in the potentiality of social work to contribute to world peace by working to release the human mind from the bondage of fear, hatred, dis- trust and violence; by seeking to resolve human tensions and conflicts through an approval born of peace and understanding. He recalled the words of the late Mr. Rene Sand--"Social work spells understanding, reconciliation and co-operation among the ranks of the nations." Mr. Chatterjee commended the greater knowledge and insight into the dynamics of human behaviour in un- derstanding individual deviations, but urged that we invest greater thought, resources and energies in promoting social welfare through preventive social work. It was an encouraging indication of our own growth towards maturity that for the first time since the inception of these