ABOUT AMRITA HOBBS (B.Ed. Hons) | Author of Getting Real

RESUME

SKILLS & ABILITIES SUMMARY

Facilitator of residential and non-residential camps and workshops
Group work and individual counselling
Inspirational speaker and seminar presenter
Design of specialised programs for schools and organisations
Story Writing and Telling
Publicity - flyers, promotion, networking and media
Effective communication, conflict resolution and problem-solving
Administration, computer skills and small business management

SELF-EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

2004 – 2002 Northern New South Wales Main Focus: Author of GETTING REAL… about growing up!
Skills Used: Writing, research and editing. Photography, layout and design. Publishing and promotion
2002 – 1994 Main Focus: Girls Growing Up! and Reclaiming Our Rites Skills Used: Designing and facilitating workshops for girls and women. Researching materials and developing appropriate processes. Liaising with parents, schools and promotion. Presented Australia, South Africa and U.K.
1995 - 1996 Around the World Tour - England, USA, South Africa and Australia Main Focus: Facilitating programs for women, girls and specialised groups
1998 - 2000 Main Focus: Wise Woman Healing – a one month residential programs Skills Used: Designing program contents – processes, initiation and rituals. Researching and preparing manuals and follow-up material. Individualised session material, one-to-one counselling and support. Teaching group facilitation skills.
1995 – 1992 Main Focus: Rites of Passage - ten-day residential camps for teens. Skills Used: Researching and experience of other cultures Initiation processes. Preparing a program within the context of Rites of Passage. Designing processes which prepare young people for adulthood. Developing personal challenges for young people. Teaching youth about personal responsibility, consequence, accountability, effective communication. Organising and supporting a team of assistants
1993 – 1991 Main Focus: IT COULD BE DIFFERENT – A self-help book for teenagers Skills Used: Writing, editing, designing, self-publishing and promotion
1992 – 1994 Main Focus: Skills Development for Youth Workers
Skills Used: Designing and implementing training sessions. Providing information, resources and materials. Teaching group facilitation skills. Engendering self-confidence, intuition, trust and courage
1991 – 1986 Main Focus: Harmony Holiday residential camps for teenagers Skills Used: Designing residential programs to suit 12 – 15 year olds. Teaching conflict resolution skills. Encouraging self-esteem, self-expression and awareness. Developing processes which help to resolve childhood wounds. Liaising with parents, teachers, police, health-care professionals. Compiling a Harmony Holiday Newsletter

OTHER PROGRAMS DEVELOPED

Getting Real for parents and Teenagers, Getting Real for Teens, What to Tell Them - How and when? Opening up awkward Sexuality Conversations with your kids, Creating New Gender Ground, Teenage Relationships and Sexuality, Creative Movement, Releasing Shame, Women’s Support Groups, Kids on the Streets, Evening Talks, Personal Rituals and Celebrations.

CONSULTANT, SEMINAR PRESENTER, GUEST SPEAKER

2004 Mullumbimby Adult Education - Rites of Passage Journey
2003 - 2004 Mullumbimby Adult Education - Fathers Raising Daughters
2003 Relaxation Centre of Queensland – Getting Real for Teenagers
Rosny College and Hobart College – Resiliance and Rites of Passage for Teachers
The Ian Gawler Foundation Annual Conference – Mothers and Daughters
Global Inspiration Conference – Rites of Passage Journey
International Human Rights Conference – Children and Human Rites
Spirit of Learning Conference – Rites of Passage: Living Your Passion
2002 Port Macquarie Youth Week Speaker
Family Centre, Tweed Heads - Life and Relationships Skills in High Schools Project for Year 10 students
2001 – 1994 Rudolf Steiner Schools - Teenage Relationship and Sexuality, Exploring Gender Differences and Conflict Resolution programs
2000 National Association of Childbrith Education Conference. Keynote Speaker and workshop presenter
Ananda Mela Festival, Queensland. Organise and facilitate five-day residential programs for teens
1999 - 1993 Rockhampton Women’s Health Centre - workshops for young women at risk. A weekend workshop for mothers and daughters
1998 - 1992 Relaxation Centre of Queensland - one-day and weekend workshops. Also a guest speaker on several occasions
1997 Moruya High School - a program for girls about growing up and Gender Differences for the whole of year 7 and 8
1996 Steiner Teacher Training Colleges in Johannesburg and Cape Town - for students on gender related issues
1995 - 1994 Inner Child Weekend Seminars - assisted Dickinson Crompton
1994 - 1993. University of Queensland -- Maths and Science Summer School
1993 Nimbin High School - Conflict Resolution one-day Kyogle High School - seminars on Sexual Abuse for year 10 students Sunshine Coast and Bellingen Youth Service - programs with unemployed youth.
1992 Save the Children Fund - a series of seminars for youth workers. 1989 Dr. Bernado's Annual Conference, Sydney - one-day presentation Lifesong Programs - assisted Hans Poulsen
1986 – 1985 Insight Seminars - assisting on teenage programs
1979 Cranbrook School, Sydney - drama project with English teacher Skills Used: Ability to adapt material to fit particular group requirements. Tailor programs to suit individual school and community groups. Effective strategies used with all kinds of people and situations

BOOKS AND ARTICLES PUBLISHED

2003 GETTING REAL… about growing up! A resource book for life
1998 SISTERWEB STORIES – for mothers to read to their daughters
1991 IT COULD BE DIFFERENT – A self-help book for teenagers

Articles regularly featured in BYRON CHILD and WAY OF THE HEART

MEDIA INTERACTION

Television Appearances:
1997 ABC Compass - featured in FREEDOM OR MADNESS
1994 Good Morning Australia 1993 ABC Rockhampton
1993 - 1992 7.30 Report, Melissa’s People, Sunshine Coast TV News and NRTV Radio Interviews:
1995 ABC National - FIRST BLOOD - a documentary about girls at puberty 1995 – 1993 ABC - Lismore, Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Brisbane LIFE MATTERS with Geraldine Dooge, Sydney
1994 3AW Melbourne
1993 - 92 Local Radio - Triple B – Bellingen, 2LM, 2NCR FM, Bay FM

Articles and Features appeared in: Byron Child, (Byron Bay), The Way of the Heart, Queensland, The Age (Melbourne), The Sun (Brisbane), Simply Living, Conscious Living, Southern Crossings, The Whole Person, The Northern Star, The Sunshine Coast Daily, News Mail (Bundaberg), The Meeting Place Magazine (Nowra), Succulence, (Brisbane)

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

2000 – 1998 Earth Domes Retreat Maleny, Queensland and also The Centre at Bullaburra, Blue Mountains. Managed, promoted and implemented programs
1994 Consultant - Breaking the Cycle, Melbourne, Victoria. Facilitated groups and offered follow-up support for youth. Provided assessment on programs
1993 Consultant - Division of Employment and Training, Queensland. Liaised with staff. Design a program for long-term unemployed youth. Implemented and facilitated a ten day residential program.
1990 – 1989 Part-Time Teacher -- Nimbin Central School. Taught English, Personal Development, Drama and Geography. Formulated curriculum, assessed students’ performance and marked assignments. Identified students’ individual needs. Staged drama and dance performances
1986 – 1984 Project Officer - Community Youth Support Scheme, Kyogle. Developed and implemented work skills and self-esteem programs and courses for short and long-term unemployed youth. Designed and produced theatrical performances
1993 – 1980 Casual Teacher - Department of Education, Sydney. Worked with kindergarten to year 10 students in all subject areas
1993 – 1980 Casual Youth Worker - Department of Community Services Provided support and assistance to young people in youth refuges, remand and rehabilitation centres. Designed programs for young people with mental disabilities
1993 – 1980 Part-time Youth Worker, Y.M.C.A., Leeds, England Supervised young people and organise excursions ß Implemented drama programs as research for B.Ed (Hons) Thesis
1973 – 1967 Secretary, Leeds University Union General office duties - typed correspondence, reports and answered phone. Assisted Student Union Representatives prepare written material

FURTHER EDUCATION

1998 – 1997 Accepted into Ph.D Research WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY - School of Social Ecology
1978 Bachelor of Education (Hons) THE UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS.
1977 - 1974 Certificate in Education - CITY OF LEEDS AND CARNEGIE COLLEGE, U.K.

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GETTING REAL... about growing up!