Our BellchambersBarrett annual conference is something we look forward to every year. It’s the time when all staff can get together, celebrate our successes – and grow as a team.

Since we’d had to cancel the last two years due to COVID-19, we welcomed this year’s conference with open arms.

What made it even more special? Exciting announcements – and a new commitment from BellchambersBarrett.

A change of plan couldn’t stop us

Our annual conference usually consists of a few days in Canberra-based locations, followed by offsite or overnight trips. Previously, we’d gone to Mollymook and Lake Crackenback.

Following some false starts due to COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021, we’d planned to travel to the Kangaroo Valley for our 2022 conference in March.

Sadly though, the roads to Kangaroo Valley were inaccessible due to flooding.

But that didn’t stop us. We quickly relocated the conference to the QT Hotel in Canberra – followed by a dinner at Chairman & Yip.

Celebrating our people – and our values

This year’s conference was a much-needed excuse to come together as a group.

We celebrated the year that has been, sharing results, projections and growth plans. And we took the opportunity to announce our HR policy updates – which included flexible working arrangements and a more relaxed dress code.

Our firm is committed to ensuring work-life balance for all staff. So with much excitement, we also announced:

• Additional leave for wellbeing as well as graduation and citizenship ceremonies
• Increased paid parental leave
• A new supporting parent leave

Through the conference, we enjoyed the chance to get to know each other better, share experiences and meet new staff (through a fun and cosy session hosted by Aaron Froud!).

And of course, it was the perfect time to recognise individual achievements – such as completion of study – and celebrate each other’s success.

Committed to mental health

Besides fun and celebrations, we also used the conference to run strategy, feedback and professional development sessions.

Peter Baines, business consultant and author of ‘Doing Good by Doing Good’, was our guest speaker this year.

His session left us inspired, empowered and ready to do more as a team.

We also had an eye-opening session with Mental Health First Aid Australia (MHFA). This resulted in BellchambersBarrett committing to having 10% of our staff and/or partners completing the MHFA training – so we can become a MHFA Skilled Workforce.

A big thank you to all our staff who joined us and for all your hard work. We can’t wait for our next annual conference in 2023!