Like most of the global community, our in-person events were cancelled, so we pivoted our CEO Lunch to a CEO Virtual Lunch, which, thanks to our amazing partners, ensured an incredible interactive discussion with likeminded people.
We did plenty of behind-the-scenes preparation. We wanted to provide an experience that could replicate an on-site visit to our Centre for Country Kids, and also find ways to engage and update our audience without it feeling like a lecture. In addition, prior to the Lunch, participants were each sent a kit containing equipment to build their own brain along with our very own Royal Far West Brain!
We wanted to give an insight to the incredible work that is happening on the ground right now in communities impacted by drought, bushfire and COVID–19.
Moderated by our Business Director Jacqui Emery, our CEO Lindsay Cane OAM provided a personalised address. Lindsay and Jacqui have both spent plenty of time in-community in some of the devastated areas and have a wealth of knowledge and insight into the problems facing communities, and solutions to support them.
Our Head of Occupational Therapy, Megan Krynauw, introduced us to the foundations of a child’s brain, using real-world references. It was at this point we played ‘The Brain Game’, a modified version of ‘The Brain Architecture Game’ from the Centre on the Developing Child at Harvard University. The brains were built, showing how experiences can interlock and affect one another, and ultimately impact on a child’s brain.
RFW Board Member, Professor Elizabeth Elliott, who is a Distinguished Professor in Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Sydney, then took to the virtual stage. With her vast knowledge of regional and remote children’s development, Elizabeth provided an engaging insight into some of the issues that can affect young children.
This segued back to Megan, who discussed what our clinicians are hearing from families in affected regions who are still battling with the drought and the bushfires, and are concerned they may be forgotten.
While virtual events are a new way of working, and this event was our first ‘toe in the water’, it was, by all accounts, a great success, and we are excited to explore the virtual world to increase our meaningful connection with our corporate and philanthropic communities.
To stay in the loop for future events, please reach out to us at corporate@royalfarwest.org.au
Read more:
Transitioning our services throughout COVID-19
When the village is no more, how do you raise the child?
Is it team building or volunteering? – A powerful proposition
Cumulative effects of drought show sustained hardship
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