Last week five representatives of the Irish Support Agency joined delegates from Australia, New Zealand and Ireland at the annual LINK Conference. Melbourne's Irish Australian Support & Resource Bureau were this year's hosts.

Delegates at the close of the 2017 LINK Conference

The conference is an opportunity for Irish support organisations working in different states in Australia and New Zealand to get together and share information and experiences on the assistance we provide for our clients. We discuss the common issues facing Irish people living in Australia and ways in which we can work together, and with organisations based in Ireland, to address these issues through the development of new projects and programs.

Among this years line-up of speakers were Cabhru - Helplink Support Services, Crosscare Migrant Project, Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas and Commission for Children & Young People. We covered issues including Returning to Ireland, Mental Health, Child Protection, Death Care and Personal Injury Law among may others.

Thanks to IASRB for hosting, and to the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, The Irish Embassy in Canberra and the Irish Consulate in Sydney for supporting this important event.

The Irish Support Agency are delighted to host the 2018 Conference in Sydney next year. We look forward to developing the agenda over the coming months.

Pictured above is the new ceremonial LINK Australia embroidery that the very talented Ann Marie from IASRB made especially for the conference. On the close of the conference IASRB President Owen Fitzsimons handed over the embroidery to ISA President, Harvey James, as 2018 hosts.