We’re pleased to announce that the 28th annual Unimutual Conference, held exclusively for Unimutual Members and partner brokers, has been a huge success. The Conference was held at the ParkRoyal Darling Harbour, Sydney, with an impressive number of 120 Delegates attending. 

We hope you all succeeded in achieving the goal set by Christine – to connect – learn – and have fun!  Thankyou to everyone who has completed the Survey, with positive comments on the relevant and interesting topics and the great opportunity to network with others in the insurance and risk space.  The survey is still open until the 28th September, so please take 5 minutes to provide your feedback.

The Conference commenced with the inaugural in-person, member’s only forum to discuss and exchange ideas on a variety of issues and topics.  Many thanks to Louise Hope, A/Associate Director Enterprise Procurement & Manager Insurance Services at the University of Queensland, for chairing the forum in addition to running the online versions earlier this year.  Future online member forums are planned every 3 months, so watch out for your email invitations and join in the online conversation.

This year’s conference theme was “Taking the big Risks” and the presentations explored some of the big risks our sector is taking, to better understand the drivers of these risks and how they are managed and mitigated.  Highlights included: Dr Rob Brown and Victoria Uni’s approach to improving outcomes for first year uni students and how well-planned risk taking can bring benefits to the organisation; Prof Simon Jackman, CEO US Studies Centre USyd, and geopolitical and geo-economic risks and opportunities for the higher-ed sector; and David Clerk, COO Uni of Tasmania and their strategic risks with reinvigorating education in Tasmania.

Some other informative sessions included hearing about Uni of Tasmania’s Flood event and their crisis management response; Robbie Sinclair from Aust Catholic University, and his thought provoking session on what is the Psychology of Risk, and some of our member’s initiatives, including the Blockchain presentation by Dudley Collinson and its use in the future and how Universities Admissions Centre are using it now.

The Conference also provided an update on the insurance and reinsurance market, and a follow-up from last year from Renee Hamilton on how universities are working together addressing sexual harassment and assault risks on campus and the action plan from the Respect. Now. Always. campaign.

The social events were enjoyed by all, with many photos posted on the app activity page of the spectacular views from the cocktail party at Westfield Tower, sharing our caricatures, and the fun posing with sports stars and world leaders at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

We would like to thank all our University and reinsurance presenters, as well as delegates for making the 2018 Conference such an educational and enjoyable event. We look forward to seeing you again next year.

Conference speakers who have generously allowed their work to be reproduced on our website are provided in the links below for Member to use as resources.