President’s Report

Welcome to the September edition of COCA News, my last as President of COCA. I hope you find this issue interesting and clinically useful.

I wanted to utilise this opportunity to reflect on the past year, and recognise the assistance of a number of Executive for their diligence and work ethic in our organisation.

After last year’s AGM in October, the new COCA Executive met in Melbourne to work on a five year plan and strategy for its direction. The result was a new Mission Statement and a new set of Objectives (see page 16 of this issue). COCA now has adopted an expanded role in the Chiropractic and Osteopathic professions, in addition to continuing our role of providing high quality and affordable education to the professions.

COCA is an independent body with its own Memorandum and Articles of Association (M&As), and its own Board of Directors. Our role is set out in our M&A’s, Mission Statement and Objectives. In general terms, COCA sees its role in the Chiropractic and Osteopathic professions as analogous to the RACGP in the medical profession. We see the role of the AOA and the CAA as more like that of the AMA, providing a union representing the professions at the political and public level. Importantly, COCA does not see itself as an alternative to these organisations, and maintains dialogue where appropriate. This is reflected in recent communications with the National President of the AOA and with the Chief Executive Officer of the CAA.

This year’s AGM will take place in Sydney as a prelude to our biennial conference ‘The Cervical Spine Challenge’. A brochure for this conference is in this edition of COCA News. For the first time, the COCA Executive have decided to hold our biennial conference in Sydney. This is a conference not to be missed as we have assembled an impressive line up of speakers. Never before has the Chiropractic and Osteopathic community in Australia had the opportunity to hear from such a broad range and such a highly qualified group of experts in the field of musculoskeletal health care.

On behalf of the COCA Executive I invite you to attend this 2 day symposium which will provide you with the necessary skills to help you make informed decisions on managing patients with cervical spine related disorders. You will also be presented with the latest in cervical spine clinical research, diagnosis and management, including exposure to evidence based guidelines on the management of whiplash.

Please book early to ensure your place and take advantage of the ‘Early Bird’ discount. I look forward to seeing you in October, 2001.

COCA is a not for profit organisation and many individuals give their time freely and generously to provide for the development of the Chiropractic and Osteopathic professions. I want to take this opportunity to thank a number of COCA Executive for their hard work and valuable time over my last year as President. As in most organisations, a small group carries out the majority of the workload, and although all Executive have contributed, a few individuals deserve particular thanks.

Peter Werth, as Vice President and Victorian Conference organiser continues to work hard behind the scenes. John Reggars, as Immediate Past President and primary organiser of the coming Sydney conference has provided valuable advice and support. Simone Marshall as COCA News Editor puts in many hours to produce this high quality publication, to educate and inform the chiropractic and osteopathic profession. Bruce Walker as Townsville conference organiser continues to provide high quality and fascinating conferences in far North QLD. Ken Lorme as Brisbane conference organiser has always support to give and provides extensive experience in providing continuing education to chiropractors and osteopaths. Jo-Anne Maire has given many hours and guided COCA into a new area with the development of the Clinical Audit. Melainie Cameron as Secretary has provided tireless work in all areas of COCA’s activities. I thank you all for you ability to make my life much easier as President.

I wish the new President all the best for what is destined to be interesting times ahead for COCA and both the Chiropractic and Osteopathic professions.

Simon French, President