Recently, I attended the opening of the Family Systems Institute, a joint venture by Jenny Brown and Joanne Wright.

What hit me first, is the homeliness of the weatherboard cottage where FSI is located, with comfy chairs and fireplaces. The atmosphere was conducive to the conversations on the night. I appreciated hearing both Jenny and Joannes' histories of who they had trained with and the various turning points of their careers.

The influence of mentors was apparent when Kerrie James, jokingly, said that she felt like a parent when she turned up.

Kerrie spoke warmly of their acheivements and contributions to the field. It reminded me of last year's Soirée in that we could understand more of the history and connection between people in the family therapy community. Hearing letters from Betty Carter and the current director of the Family Institute of Westchester, was part of this.

Both Jenny and Joanne have been strongly influenced by the ideas of Murray Bowen on family of origin work and they hope to apply these concepts through a range of groups and training.

Jenny spoke of wanting to collaborate with other therapists, not in a psuedo-sameness way, but in a way where we are able to draw distinctions and differences in approaches. I look forward to their contribution to a richer family therapy community.

I took the opportunity of encouraging them to present at the Sydney Family Therapy Conference in 2005. And indeed, I would encourage therapists to consider meeting with colleagues now with a view to presenting next year. Presenting often gives the necessary push to get clear about how we work and to communicate this.

Lyndal Power, President NSW Family Therapy Association Inc.