Formation

The Australian Crime Prevention Council was formed in Adelaide in May 1960 during a conference held at the University of Adelaide and attended by members of the judiciary, prison after care workers and representatives of Government, church and voluntary agencies from across Australia.

First National Conference: Adelaide, 1960

[Article: Advertiser (1960): Prisoner After-Care]

The conference, organized by the then Prisoners Aid Association of South Australia as the first federal conference on prison after-care, was opened by the Chief Secretary of SA, Sir Lyell McEwin, who expressed support for the concept of co-operation essential between government and voluntary agencies in prison after care.

In the opening session, Mr Justice McClemens of the Supreme Court of NSW said that although a penal system was necessary, after care was an integral part of the criminal justice system, and the better the after care, the less the recidivism. He called for the education of the whole Australian community on this issue.

Subsequent speakers at the conference included Mr S.W. Johnston, head of the Criminology Department at the University of Melbourne, who observed that the power and competency of law courts in dealing with criminals was diminishing and was being replaced by an increased responsibility on prison administration.

Judge Alfred Rainbow Q.C. (pictured right) of the NSW Workers Compensation Court said that many gaols throughout Australia were outdated. He supported the proposition that prisoners should be allowed out of gaol towards the end of their sentences to get accustomed to the outside world, and said that although this suggestions had been “laughed out of court”, the Victorian government had recently amended its Prison Act along these lines. He said that Britain and Ireland had had similar schemes for some years.

On May 20, the Conference voted to form what was then known as the Australian Prison After-Care Council. Judge Rainbow was elected President and Professor Norval Morris (Professor of Law, University of Adelaide SA) and Mr R Ince (Prisoners Aid Society,Victoria) as Vice Presidents. Rev H.G Weir (SA) was elected Secretary and Mr Frank Hayes (NSW) as Treasurer. Executive members were Mrs P.N.Frost (Fairlea Women's Prison,Victoria ) and Messrs J.D. Dwyer (Research Officer, Tasmanian Attorney General's Office) and C.A.Gannaway (Welfare Officer, Prisons Department, W.A.).

Subsequently the Council, following resolutions of the Conference, made successful representations to the Federal government regarding pensions paid to spouses of prisoners, and assisted in the development of branches and organizations in Darwin and Alice Springs.

Second National Conference: Sydney, 1962

The council held its Second conference in Sydney NSW between 19th and 23rd February 1962. Attended by 143 delegates, it was opened by the Minister for Justice, Hon N.J. Mannix, and included visits to Wollongong and Bathurst. Several important resolutions were passed at the conclusion. A principal speaker at the conference was Mr Gordon Hawkins, Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Sydney. His address “The World is my Prison” was subsequently published as the first of a series of publications by the Council.

Judge Rainbow, the inaugural President, died in late 1963 and was replaced by Justice McClemens (pictured right).

Third National Conference: Hobart, 1965

The Third Conference was held in Hobart, Tasmania, between 25th and 29th January 1965. Opened by the Tasmanian Governor, Sir Charles Gardiner, and attended by 80 members, the conference included 4 overseas guests including Mr V.N. Pillai of the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the prevention of crime and treatment of offenders, Tokyo; Mr Pao-Ji-Tsai of the Republic of China, and Mr Pandit Bhanichakarn and Mr Dhawee Choosap of the Department of Corrections, Thailand.

At about this time Mr Ray Whitrod was National President (pictured left).

Mr C. Bevan, Queensland Adult Probation and Parole service, was elected as a Vice President and Mrs Marjorie North as assistant secretary. Mrs North continued her involvement with the Council through the to the 1990s.

1965 Conference- Mrs Marjorie North (centre)

A highlight of this conference was a special seminar addressed by Sir John Barry of the Supreme Court, Victoria (pictured right). He suggested that an Institute be established in Australia to undertake research in the field of crime prevention and provide education and consultative and advisory services to governments and institutions in the formulation of policies and programs in the field of social defence.

It was also proposed that the Council broaden its own scope beyond the sphere of rehabilitation and after care, so as to include the whole correctional process.

The Conference then resolved to recommend to governments to take steps to set up a system of National Crime Statistics without delay, and to the Commonwealth Government to set up an Institute directed towards the correction of crime and the rehabilitation of offenders.

This resolution ultimately resulted in the establishment of the Australian Institute of Criminology.

Fourth National Conference: Canberra, 1967

The Fourth Conference was held in Canberra between 28th August and 2nd September, 1967.

Following this conference the Council changed its name to the Australian Crime Prevention, Correction, and After Care Council (ACPAAC) and widened its objects. The then Chief Justice of Australia, Sir Garfield Barwick, and the former Chief Justice, Sir Owen Dixon, were appointed as Patrons, and the Executive, with the Hon. E.M.Bingham M.H.A. (later Sir Max Bingham, pictured right) of Tasmania, as President, expanded to 18 members.

The Council then comprised 25 associate members, 20 organizations, 8 police forces, 7 Prisoners aid organizations, and 8 Prison or Parole organizations.

Fifth National Conference: Perth, 1969

The Fifth Conference was held in Perth in August 1969 under the theme “Crime is Your Business- a National perspective”. 144 delegates from all the States of Australia, Northern Territory, Papua and New Guinea, and Hong Kong attended. Overseas guests included Professor Drapin of Israel and Professor Drinkwater from the United Kingdom.

The Conference noted the decision of the Commonwealth government to establish a National Institute of Criminology, and resolved to investigate and report upon alternatives to imprisonment, and to seek grant monies from State and commonwealth governments for the work of the Council.

In 1970 a large delegation from the Council attended the Fourth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of offenders.

The 1970s

The 1970s were an exciting time for the Council, which grew and expanded and as criminal justice reforms occurred. Branches were formed in almost all States and in the territories, and most governments provided financial support.

Thanks, largely, to financial grants and the federal government, a full time and paid Secretariat was set up.

A Journal was published regularly and biennial conferences continued to be held at various places around the country. Sub committees did important work which contributed in a constructive fashion to the debate about many issues including bail, community based corrections, prison visiting, minimum standards for the treatment of prisoners, alternatives to imprisonment, prisoner rehabilitation schemes, and compensation and aid to the victims of crime.

Sixth National Conference Brisbane 1971

The Sixth National conference was held in Brisbane from 14 to 20, August 1971. Opened by the Governor of Queensland, Sir Alan Mansfield, and attended by 111 delegates, the conference was addressed by Dr John Robson, formerly Minister of Justice in New Zealand, and attended by the Attorneys General of Queensland and Tasmania and the Minister for Justice in New South Wales and many delegates. Prof W Buikhuisen, Director of Criminology from the University of Groningen, Netherlands, was also an overseas guest speaker.

At its conclusion the Conference adopted 18 resolutions including a proposal to convene regular sentencing exercises for judges and magistrates covering such topics as sentencing, periodic detention, parole and other para-penal disciplines.

The membership of the Council at this time comprised 36 individuals, 22 organizations, 8 police departments, 7 prisoners' aid organizations, and 8 Prison, Probation and parole organizations.

The main activity during 1972 and 1973 was the formation of Branches in several regions:

Victoria 25 October 1971
South Australia 28 January 1972
New South Wales 5 February 1972
Northern Territory 23 November 1972
Western Australia 19 February 1973

Judge Muirhead, of South Australia, who had been a Vice President of the Council and was the inaugural Chairman of the South Australian branch, was appointed in 1972 as the Acting Director of the Australian Institute of Criminology, which had then been established by the Commonwealth government.

During the 1970s the Council received funding from Federal and State Governments as well as from private subscriptions and donations. A National secretariat was established in Queensland. The Council shortened its name to the Australian Crime Prevention Council. The Council commenced publication of a quarterly journal distributed throughout Australia with an estimated readership of 20,000.

Seventh National Conference: Melbourne, 1973

The Seventh National Conference of the Council was held in Melbourne from 11th to 17th August 1973. The President of the Council was then Mr Justice McClemens of NSW and the Vice Presidents Judge Wilson from SA and Mr David Biles from Victoria. The conference was addressed by the Attorney General of Australia, Senator Lionel Murphy, and opened by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Rohan Delacombe. Contributors included Sir Leon Radzinowicz, Former Director of the Institute of Criminology, Cambridge UK, Justice Mitchell of South Australia, Dr Ivan Scheier of the National Information Centre on Volunteerism, Colorado USA, Prof. Norval Morris of the University of Chicago and Professor D Cressey of the University of California USA.

In his address Senator Murphy spoke of the intention that the Australian Institute of Criminology would become a significant contributor to criminology and to grown in International stature, and recognized the role of the Council and Sir John Barry in lobbying for its establishment.

344 delegates attended the conference and at the conclusion adopted 29 resolutions on a wide variety of topics including the provision of post-release hostels, the expunging of criminal records, and the provision by the AIC of a central referral point for voluntary agencies to exchange data.

Eighth National Conference: Adelaide, 1975

The Eighth national conference was held in Adelaide between 20th and 27th August, 1975 on the topic “Kids and Crime”. Justice Muirhead (pictured right) was then President and Mr Frank Hayes and Judge ABC Wilson Vice Presidents. The Committee comprised Mr RC Wood SM (Secretary) Acting Senior Inspector G Sutton (Papua New Guinea), Mr J Stoll (Qld) Inspector G Fryer (NSW) Mr G Dye (Vic) Mr J McKay (Tas) Mr C Campbell (WA) Mr L Gard (SA) Hon Dawn Lawrie MLA (NT) Mr C Bevan (ACT) and Mr J H Purcel (NSW, Executive Director).

The Governor General Sir John Kerr opened the Conference, and guest speakers included Judge H Litsky (Family and Juvenile Courts, Calgary, Canada) and Sir Douglas Osmond (Chief Constable, Hampshire UK). 288 delegates attended and 7 resolutions were adopted specialising in juvenile related crime , including a call for research into the causal relationship between school failure and delinquency.

Ninth National Conference: Sydney, 1977

The Ninth National Conference was held in Sydney between 11th and 17th August 1977 on the topic “Society at Risk-The Crime Generators and the Victims”. The Premier of NSW, Hon Neville Wran QC opened the Conference and the Opening address was given by Dr Gerhard Mueller of the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Branch, United Nations Organisation.

10 specific themes were then discussed. Delegates came from all the states and territories and from PNG. Justice Muirhead remained President and Mr Frank Hayes and Judge Andrew Wilson as Vice Presidents, with Justice Wood of Tasmania as Secretary and Mr K Michalis as Treasurer.

Tenth National Conference: Hobart, 1979

The Tenth National Conference of the Council was held in Hobart Tasmania between 13th and 17th August 1979 under the topic “The Community and Crime Prevention”. The Governor General, Sir Zelman Cowan, opened the Conference, which examined long term crime prevention planning with particular emphasis upon community involvement. Special attention was paid to planning and development of urban areas, the possibility of police returning to the role of the neighbourhood friend and counsellor, and the development of educational practice which might assist in the social adjustment of children.

134 delegates attended and it was resolved to set up State Planning bodies to co-ordinate long term strategies for crime prevention, which the Council should initiate, that “Education for Living” programs should be promulgated in schools, that there should be a review of and change in direction of State Housing policies, and that there should be greater emphasis in police work towards a primary preventative role.

Justice Muirhead remained as National President and Mr Frank Hayes (pictured right) joined by Mr P Johnson MP of Queensland were Vice Presidents.

The Eleventh National Conference: Canberra, 1981

The Eleventh National conference was held in Canberra between 30 August and 4 September 1981.The keynote address “Policing a Democracy” delivered by Mr W Clifford, Director of the Australian Institute of Criminology, was very well received by police forces in Australia as well as receiving commendation by overseas authorities. Sir Colin Woods, Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, presented an address “Policing the Police”

Judge Roy Grubb of South Australia (pictured right) replaced Justice Muirhead as National Chairman with Mr P Johnson of Queensland as Vice President, Mr Frank Hayes as Secretary and Det Sgt P Carter as Treasurer.

Twelfth National Conference: Brisbane, 1983

The Twelfth National Conference was held in Brisbane between 5th and 9th September 1983.

The National President remained Judge RW Grubb of South Australia.

The theme of the conference was “The Alienated Generation” The Keynote address was presented by Sir Edward Williams and the guest speaker was Sir James Killen.

1984

As a result of withdrawal of Commonwealth funding, the paid Secretariat closed in late 1984. For a time, the future of the Council appeared to be in doubt. The proposed biennial conference planned for Melbourne was abandoned. For various reasons both the National President and the Senior Vice President resigned. The Branches however decided to keep the Council alive as a National body and arrangements were made to review the Constitution.

The National Executive met in Sydney on 12 August 1985 to discuss the Council's future. It appeared that the ACT Tasmanian and Northern territory branches were in recess.

A subsequent meeting was held in Melbourne on 9 December 1985 and amendments were made to the national constitution. A further Executive meeting was held in Adelaide on 14 March 1985 and it was decide that the next national Conference would be held in Adelaide.

It was resolved that the practice of the Council would be that the Executive of the state branch holding the next National conference would in effect comprise the National Executive.

Judge Don Brebner of South Australia (pictured right) was elected as National President, Mr Peter Norman as secretary and Mr John Witham as Treasurer.

The SA Branch committed to hold the next National conference.

Notwithstanding that the Council no longer had the assistance of paid staff, its work continued, the Journal continued to be published, and Branches remained in some, but not all, States.

Thirteenth National Conference: Adelaide, 1987

The Fourteenth National conference of the Council, held in Adelaide between 10th and 13th August 1987, and opened by the Governor General, Sir Ninian Stephen, was undertaken in conjunction with conferences of the World Society of Victimology and the International Prisoners Aid Association. The President of the Council during this conference was Chief Judge Brebner from the District Court of South Australia.

Marjorie North and Peter Norman (1987)

A special guest at the combined conference was Dr Irvin Waller, Professor of Criminology at the University of Ottawa and Secretary General of the World Society of Victimology.

Other papers were presented to the Conference by Hon Justice L J King, Chief Justice of South Australia, Mr Ian Temby, Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, Brigadier M H McKenzie Orr, Head of the Protective Services Co-Ordination Centre, Canberra, and Mr David Hunt, Commissioner of Police for SA.

At the conclusion of the Conference Mr John Van Groningen of Victoria (pictured right) was elected as National President with Hon Justice R L Purvis as Vice President, Mr Peter Ling as Secretary and Mr John Witham as Treasurer.

A National Executive Meeting was held in Melbourne on 14 April 1989.

Fourteenth National Conference: Melbourne, 1989

The Fifteenth National Conference was held in Melbourne between 3rd and 6th July 1989 on the theme ”Crime-Inevitable or Preventable”

Papers presented included “The Politics of Crime Prevention” by Mr Michael King QC, Senior research Fellow in the Department of Law at Brunel University in London, and “Criminal Court Delays-Inevitable or Preventable” by Professor Peter Sallmann, Executive Director of the AIJA.

It was agreed at the conclusion of this conference that NSW would host the next National Conference.

Hon Justice Purvis of NSW (pictured right) was elected as National President and Mr Clive Begg as National Vice President. Mr Patrick Armstrong was Secretary and Mr John Parnell Treasurer.

Fifteenth National Conference: Wollongong, 1991

The Council's Biennial Conference “Crime Prevention- Community Fear or Community Safety” was held in Wollongong between 2nd and 6th September 1991 and opened by the Governor of NSW, Rear Admiral Peter Sinclair. Mr Neil Whiskin, Chief Executive of “Crime Concern” gave the Keynote Address “Perspectives of Crime Prevention- The Involvement of Non Government Organisations”.

30 key resolutions were passed by the Conference.

At the conclusion of the Conference Mr Clive Begg of Queensland (pictured right) was elected as National President with Judge Andrew Wilson of South Australia as Vice President, Mr John King of Queensland as Secretary and Mr Ashley Reid as Treasurer.

Sixteenth National Conference: Brisbane, 1993

The Sixteenth National Conference was held in Queensland between September 21 and 24, 1993, under the theme “Chaos or Reason-Community Safety in the Twenty-First Century”.

The Executive then comprised Mr Clive Begg (President) Justice Purvis (Past president) Judge Wilson (Vice President) Mr John King (Secretary) Mr Ashley Reid (Treasurer) and Prof Don Robertson (NSW) Mr Michael Benes (Vic) and Mr Bill Cullen (WA). Guest Speakers at the Conference included Professor Ezzat Fattah (Professor in Criminology at the Simon Fraser University, Canada), Dr Irwin Waller (Vice President of the World Society of Victimology) Mr Kevin Gill (Lead Youth Consultant, Crime Concern, United Kingdom) and many others.

In his address at the Opening of the Conference, Hon Glen Milliner, Queensland Minister for Corrective services, observed that every government in Australia, from the Federal Government to the states and local authorities had to concentrate on crime prevention, observing that Corrective Services were only part of that process, prison was the last resort, and police forces were only marginally ahead in the crime prevention process. He said that he despaired every time someone espoused the theory that if jails were tougher, and penalties were harsher, the crime problem would be overcome. History, he said, taught that this was rubbish, as was the notion that legislation could prevent crime. He said that Governments must realise that short term political mileage would mean long-term suffering.

He said that the Council had a mammoth job to do and that government support to it would range from whole-hearted to spasmodic. The challenge for the Council, he said, was to get community support and to do this it must have media attention and support.

In his paper, Judge Wilson said that the Council should consider changing its role to focus more on the encouragement of research into, evaluation of, and action to implement crime prevention strategies and programs.

Seventeenth National Conference: Adelaide and Burra, 1995

The Seventeenth National Conference was held at Adelaide and Burra, South Australia, between November 19 and 24, 1995 under the theme “Crime Prevention beyond 2000- You Can Make A Difference”. The National Executive then comprised Judge Wilson (President, pictured right) Mr Bill Cullen (WA- Vice President), Ms Helen Nichols (SA, Secretary), Mr D Bowyer (Treasurer) Mr Clive Begg (Qld) and Prof. Don Robertson (Journal Editor).

Guests included Mr Jack Calhoun, Executive Director of the National Crime prevention Council, USA, and the themes of the conference included general issues, special interest groups including Security and Crime Prevention by public instrumentalities, Neighbourhood Watch and related Schemes, Community policing, road safety and car related crimes, youth justice and education, prisons, community corrections and offender rehabilitation services, and the sentencing and treatment of the offender.


Jack Calhoun, Adelaide (1995)

BBQ, Burra (1995)

Eighteenth National Conference: Fremantle, 1997

The Eighteenth National Conference was held in Fremantle, WA between 8th and 10th October 1997 on the theme “Crime and the Politics of Fear- why we keep doing what doesn't work and how to break the cycle”.

The National Executive then comprised Mr Bill Cullen (President, WA, pictured right),Mr Michael Benes (Vice President, Victoria), Ms Marjorie Gosling (Secretary, WA), Ms Karen Fuller (Treasurer, WA) Judge Andrew Wilson (Past President, SA), Ms Judy Johnson (NSW), Mr Clive Begg (Qld) Mr Peter Bayman (WA) Ms Helen Nichols (SA) and Mr Ken Newman (NT), with Dr Paul Omaji (WA) and Dr Geoff Asher (Vic) as Journal Editors.

The Conference was opened by the Federal Minister for Justice, Senator Amanda Vanstone, and guest speakers included Professor Lawrence Sherman (Chair of the Department of criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Maryland), Prof. Richard Harding (Director of the Crime Research Centre, University of WA), Hon Trevor Griffin (SA Attorney general) Mr Bob Falconer (Commissioner of Police, WA) Mr Ian Viner QC (Vice Chairperson, Aboriginal Reconciliation Council) and Dr Adam Graycar (Director, Australian Institute of Criminology).

The Conference themes included “Are modern Liberal Democratic Societies doomed to increasingly unacceptable levels of crime?” “Are we too soft on criminals” “How effective is punishment as a deterrent?” “Are Governments organized to promote a crime free society or do they just react to crime” “What role does the media play” and “Is it possible to free up the resources currently allocated to criminal justice for other more productive initiatives”.

The keynote address of Prof. Sherman was a discussion of the evaluation of over $3 billion Annual Funding for Crime prevention Programs undertaken in the USA.

Nineteenth National Conference: Melbourne, 1999

The Nineteenth National Conference was held in Melbourne between 17 and 20 October 1999. The Governor of Victoria, Sir James Gobbo, opened the Conference. The President of the Council at this time was Prof Michael Benes (pictured right).

Speakers at the conference included Dr Gloria Laycock, Head of Policing and Reducing Crime Unit, home Office UK, Mr Peter Harmsworth, Secretary Dept of Justice Victoria, Dr David Brereton, Director, Criminal Justice Commission, My Yvonne Korn, Director, National Crime Prevention AG Dept Canberra, Mr Neil Comrie, Chief Commissioner, Victoria Police,Professor Don Robertson, Director University of West Sydney, Justice Frank Vincent, Supreme Court of Victoria, Dr Peter Grabowsky, Director of Research AIC, Dr Adam Graycar, Director AIC, Prof Arie Freiberg, Dept of Criminology, University of Melbourne, Mr Ray Carroll, Executive Director, National Motor Vehicle Theft reduction Council, and Dr Adam Sutton, Dept of Criminology, Melbourne University.

During this conference Mr Peter Norman of Adelaide was elected as National President (pictured right).

By this time some of the State branches had closed. A tele-link meeting was subsequently held to discuss the future of the Council and the need for reform of its activities.

Subsequent meetings and discussions led to the formation of a new Council and it became incorporated as a formal Association.

A new National Executive was formed with representatives from all of the States and territories, a new Constitution commissioned and a Strategic Plan prepared to set goals for the future.

In contrast with the previous position, the new Constitution allowed for membership of State Branches, individuals or organizations. This would facilitate persons or organizations resident in States or Territories where there were no branches, to have direct membership of the National body.

Twentieth National Conference: Fremantle, 2005

This was held at the Esplanade Hotel between Sunday 20 March and Tuesday 22 March 2005 Under the theme “Trends in Crime Prevention- a multi tiered approach”.

The conference was opened by the Federal Minister for Justice, Senator Ellison. Keynote speakers included Professor Tony Bottoms (by video link from London) and Mr Peter Kenyon.

The conference was attended by approximately 180 delegates, and provided a general overview of crime prevention in Australia, information on many specific topics and programs, and an opportunity to contact others working in the area.

One of the highlights was a Panel forum attended by the representatives of Government Crime Prevention Departments or Units from all of the mainland States- a first.

At a meeting of the Executive ,representatives from Western Australia ,South Australia and Queensland attended to discuss the Council's future directions. The meeting was assisted in this regard by Judge Andrew Wilson, its former National Chairman, and by Mr Des Semple, who had been engaged to prepare a Strategic Plan.

At a business meeting at the conclusion of the Conference, delegates considered this Strategic Plan and resolved:

  1. for the ACPC to redefine its role as a Peak NGO; to abandon attempts to seek government funding for its operations; to avoid service delivery projects except training; to re-assert its role as a Peak body complementing but not competing with existing organisations and structures; to retain on its agenda planning for a further national Conference,; and to maintain efforts to establish Branches in all States and Territories;
  2. To complete infrastructure improvements; Conduct a membership drive in all States and Territories; and to appoint a high profile President (at an appropriate stage);
  3. To identify new niche opportunities and continue to support and focus on pragmatic solutions “which work” ;
  4. To develop and expand a Website;
  5. To maintain links with LGA;
  6. To foster and encourage media focuses at local levels;
  7. To conduct training programs and/or workshops;
  8. To maintain international networks, eg. ICPC;
  9. To maintain a “conduit pipe” to the AIC;
  10. To recommend new topics of information and research and secure closer collaboration with AIC, especially on a State basis;
  11. To encourage Co-ordination of service providers;
  12. To re-connect with the community;
  13. To formulate joint projects/partnerships;
  14. to identify any other organisations (besides AIC) with whom ACPC might wish to affiliate or strike up an alliance.

Since March 2005

Subsequent to the 2005 Conference new branches were established in North Queensland and the Northern Territory , a developed proposal was been prepared in relation to the establishment of a crime prevention training facility, a national website was been commissioned to come into operation in 2007, and preparation was undertaken to meet in Townsville in October to discuss and consider the Council's goals.

National Executive, Freemantle (2005)

Back row: Peter Sirr(WA) (n/k), Daryl Carmody (WA), Leigh Garrett

Front row: Adrienne Isnard (Qld) Mike Coe (WA) Peter Norman (SA, Chairman), Andrew Paterson (SA)

February 2007

In February the National Executive met in Adelaide to discuss the future goals and directions of the ACPC. Issues discussed included branch development and recruitment of members, crime prevention training, the establishment of a comprehensive website, expansion of the Council into the Asia Pacific, and the forthcoming AIC Conference in Townsville. It was agreed that the Executive would meet on a regular basis.

National Executive (2007)

Left to right: Prof Don Robertson (NSW), Master Peter Norman (SA, Chairman), Andrew Paterson (SA), Prof Michael Benes (Vic), Prof Jenny Fleming (Tas), Leigh Garrett (SA), Mike Coe (WA)

October 2007

Following its 2005 Fremantle and 2007 Adelaide meetings, the Council, in collaboration with its North Queensland Branch, was involved in the organization by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC), and the Townsville City Council of a conference “Improving Community Safety: Lessons from the Country and the City”

The conference presented a host of crime prevention topics, including the marketing of crime prevention, situational crime prevention, personal safety issues, partnerships, community engagement, and topics relating to indigenous communities and crime.

In conjunction with this conference, the Council invited to Townsville a selected group of committed persons from Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, the Fiji Islands and Samoa, together with delegates from New Zealand and Australia. These persons attended the Conference, learned about practical issues in crime prevention, and then met together at a Forum and discussed matters of mutual interest and concern.

Funding for the Forum came from the Australian Government through AusAid, the AIC and a number of other sponsors.

The delegates came from a wide geographical area and different cultures, and brought a diversity of experience and knowledge. They included representatives of the judiciary, the legal profession, government, the media, welfare, and the private sector. They came to share their collective knowledge and experiences, so as to help their own communities when they returned to them.

It was resolved at the conclusion of the Forum to form a Working Group to investigate the formation of a Network to further the goals of the Forum, including the definition of the purposes of the network, and its contribution to the region.

These would include Advocacy, Consultation, Advisory, Information Gathering and sharing, and identification of who may be partner organizations or entities already involved in “mapping” The Group would define the network's unique contribution to the region, whilst acknowledging the difficulties of integrating local with global crime prevention concepts, and formulate a set of proposals and recommendations as a result of a questionnaire to be circulated to all members of the group. The results of the questionnaire would be returned to the group for a consensus to be defined.

A Communiqué would also be drafted which would recognize the importance of crime prevention, recognize the group's differences in challenges facing the participating countries, recognize the rule of law, and note the setting up of the Working Group.

The National Executive met during the AIC Conference in Townsville. Representatives from WA, SA, NSW, the NT, Tasmania, and Queensland attended.

National Executive Meeting, Townsville, October 2007

(from left, Adrienne Isnard, North Queensland, Andrew Paterson SA, Bill Somerville NT, Peter Norman SA, Rob White, Tasmania , Garner Clancy, NSW)

The National Executive welcomed two new members, Ms Gordana Blazevic of Brisbane and Mr Garner Clancy of New South Wales.

A further meeting of the National Executive is planned for 2008.

2008

New ACPC President and Vice President

In 2008 Admiral Chris Barrie AC RAN Rtd. Admiral Barrie was appointed as the Council's President. Admiral Barrie was Chief of Australia's Defence Force between 1988 and 2002. He is presently a Visiting Fellow at the Strategic Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a special focus on International Relations and a Master of Business Administration by Deakin University.

The Council also appointed a new Vice President, Associate Professor Adam Sutton of the School of Political Science, Sociology and Criminology of the University of Melbourne. Asst Professor Sutton's research and teaching interests are criminology and crime policy, crime prevention, drug law enforcement and white-collar crime, and he has published in each of these fields. Asst Professor Sutton was previously Director of South Australia's Office of Crime Statistics and Director of Crime Prevention.

Peter Norman remained as Chairman and Vice President.

National Executive Meeting, 30 August 2008

The Council held a National Executive meeting in Adelaide on Saturday 30 August, followed by a dinner in the evening. At the meeting the Council welcomed the new President, Admiral Barrie, and planned for future activities.

National Executive Meeting, 30 August 2008

Left to right around table, rear Admiral Chris Barrie (President) ; Leigh Garrett (SA); Judge Andrew Wilson (former President); Andrew Paterson (Secretary); Rob Motteram (Treasurer); Garner Clancy (back to camera, NSW)