The story so far . . .

A small group met in Canberra in 1989 and the network was given birth. The Mission Statement was developed and adopted at that meeting. Since then, a Newsletter has been produced regularly and the Regional Networks continue to be established throughout Australia. ANSD is nurtured by an Executive comprising the National President, Secretary and Treasurer, plus members representing the regions throughout the country. This executive meets for a day prior to the annual conference to envision and plan for the ongoing life of ANSD. Annual conferences held in rotation in the various regions provide support, training and encouragement for people involved in the ministry of spiritual direction. Several training workshops have also been held. ANSD was incorporated in 2006.

The ANSD has been actively involved in the formation of a new national body known as the Australian Ecumenical Council for Spiritual Direction. The AECSD aims to serve the wider spiritual direction community of Australia through the provision of a Code of Ethics, establishment of Formation Standards, supporting the various associations and formation bodies for spiritual directors in Australia, providing opportunities for conversation among formators, and encouraging the ongoing personal, spiritual and professional development of spiritual directors. The AECSD was launched at a national gathering at Trinity College, Melbourne University, 30 June 2006. The President is Philip Carter, former President and SA rep of ANSD.

Speakers at Annual Conferences have included . . .

Veronica Brady - Australian Christian Spirituality in Contemporary Literature
Denis Edwards - Discerning God in an Evolutionary Process
Brian Gallagher MSC - Spiritual Direction and the Human Experience of God
Br Bruce Paul SSF - Desire: Human yearning for intimacy
Monica Furlong - Turning the Goanna Around
Isobel Gregory, Mary Rose Fitzsimmons & Lister Tonge - Exploring aspects of Spiritual Direction
Gordon Jeff - Companions on the Way
Peter Malone - Images of God and Self
Sr Mary Aquin O'Neill RSM - Seeking the Presence and Companioning each other
Veronica Brady, Marnie Kennedy & Ed Travers MSC - Songlines of Reconciliation
Margaret Guenther - Holy Listening
Margaret Hebblethwaite - Finding God in all things
Jill Manton - Receiving Life, Giving Life
Eileen Glass & Kerrie Hide - Change, Transformation and Hope: Conversion and Spiritual Direction
Stephanie Dowrick - Making Room for the Sacred
John Stewart & Christina Fox - Give me a word . . . ancient Desert Wisdom for the 21st century

Pilgrimages have been to . . .

2001 Central Australia - ANSD Pilgrimage to the Centre

2005 Kangaroo Island SA - ANSD Pilgrimage on Kangaroo Island

Training Workshops have been led by . . .

Rev'd Canon Gordon Jeff (two)
Rev'd Dr Margaret Guenther
Sue Richardson pbvm
Brian Gallagher msc
Rev'd Canon John Stewart