Breaking Ground, Building Foundations

Welcome to our 2026 Conference - Breaking ground, Building Foundations!

In 2024 we Reflected Forward with Michael Paterson.

In 2025 we explored sustainable spiritual care for the long term with Jim Schirmer

In 2026 we will be Breaking Ground and Building Foundations.

This Conference will help us dig deep - exploring the foundations of our work and practice. For some of us it will mean exploring our spiritual and theological convictions, for others it will be reimagining our worldview or philosophy for others it will be about connecting to our core values and moral and ethical frameworks. We will have a look at some fundamentals of spiritual are practice and consider the philosophy, shape and model of our current pastoral practice.

We will be exploring the ministry of presence that underlies so much of effective Spiritual Care - unpacking what that means and why it's important as well as providing an opportunity to explore our convictions that underpin our ministries.

Venue: Campbell Town Recreation Complex, 57 High St, Campbell Town, Tasmania

Yes - we're returning having taken on board feedback from 2025. We're going to create more space! more physical space for plenary sessions, more networking space for collegial conversations and more space for catering and morning tea and lunch! We've addressed heating and environmental considerations in those spaces (So the elective spaces won't be freezing again!) 

We've also taken on board that engaging the faith based convictions for some Chaplains is really important as that is the ground and foundation of their ministry. So we'll have dedicated workshops in that space. 

We still love the idea of meeting in a regional setting in a light and bright space. We have a great program with an interstate keynote speaker; some excellent workshops, great food options and a bright, open venue!

This conference will be again a One-day conference in Campbell Town - the plan is that we'll hold a larger Multi-Day conference with an international speaker in a larger conference facility in 2027! We couldn't do that in 2026 because we're also hosting the ANZACPE conference in August 2026! 

Registrations via Humanitix click below to register.

TASPE have generously subsidised this conference and have priced tickets to make this conference as affordable as possible. If you are still struggling to attend due to financial concerns please email info@taspe.com.au.

REGISTRATIONS CLOSE: 9am - Monday 9th March, 2026  

REGISTER HERE

Breaking Ground - Building Foundations

THEME

Spiritual Care continues to be a vital part of any organisation that cares for and about people. Chaplains and Spiritual Carers provide invaluable support and care for others, every day. We give of ourselves to provide holistic care for others. The work of Spiritual Carers is very often unrecognised, unsupported and frequently not acknowledged.

This Conference will help us dig deep – exploring the foundations of our work and practice. For some of us it will mean exploring our spiritual and theological convictions, for others it will be reimagining our worldview or philosophy for others it will be about connecting to our core values and moral and ethical frameworks. We will have a look at some fundamentals of spiritual are practice and consider the philosophy, shape and model of our current pastoral practice.

We hope this conference will create new networks and strengthen existing ones, provide support and encouragment to those who are struggling in their roles, a space to reflect on the things that are foundational and the things that sustain and keep us going in our work. We hope it will also be a great opportunity to explore new opportunities and talk to others working in spiritual care.  I hope it will help you imagine how you might engage in the work of Spiritual Care.

It will be an opportunity to raise awareness of the vital work of Chaplains and Spiritual Carers and the work that we do.

If you’re working as a sole practitioner in the field of Chaplaincy/ Spiritual Care then this conference is especially for you. Come along, be refreshed, be empowered, find connection, find a place to belong amongst your people and be a part of an experience that will provide both the groundwork and foundations for your Spiritual Care.

If you’re currently involved in Spiritual Care or would like to be, then register now!

Keynote Sessions

Keynote Speaker - Br Damien Price

"Damien is a Christian Brother and has taught for over thirty years in schools throughout Australia and New Zealand. Over the past twenty years he has worked with disadvantaged youth, homeless men and women, refugees, and asylum seekers. Damien has Masters Degrees in Counselling and Pastoral Guidance, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree which focused on the sense of self that youth grew into as they engaged with homeless people over an extended period of time. He is now Regional Ministry Coordinator for PNG, Philippines and Timor Leste in a role that has him travelling and organising all over South East Asia." Damien Price on developing spirituality in the corporate world - Oct 2022

"I am passionate about the power of story to truly change our world for the better! My Doctoral work was in the field of meaning making that youth engaged in as they worked with the homeless over a period of time! I conduct Master Classes in the psychological processes at play in the Student Retreat and in Service Learning. I also love to work with groups in the area of spirituality giving deeper meaning to what they do. I have the privilege of also working with Universal Man (a community seeking to help men be their best selves) and UnOther (processes that ‘un’ the other in our world helping us truly meet as brothers and sisters" - LinkedIn - accessed 10.9.2025

Keynote 1: "To Be Confirmed"

Keynote 2: "To Be Confirmed"

Electives

A: Foundations of Christian Pastoral Care - An exploration of the theology and foundation of Christian Care:

B: Another Amazing Elective  

C: A third incredible opportunity 

D: A Fourth Elective 

Conference Program

WEDNESDAY 18th March

0830 Conference doors Open

0900 Conference begins - Welcome

0910 Keynote 1 

1015 Morning Tea

1045 Electives 1

1200 Lunch

1300 Keynote 2

1415 - 5 Min Break

1420 - Electives 2

1530 - Conference Q&A and wrap up

1600 - Conference Close

Conference Venue

Campbell Town Recreation Complex, 57 High St, Campbell Town, Tasmania