The Bowen Therapists Federation of Australia Inc. (BTFA) (Reg’d No. A0037328E) was incorporated in 1998 and is the parent body of all the State Associations of Bowen Therapists of Australia.
Bowen Therapists Associations were formed by groups of devoted and learned practitioners in the states and territories who wished to have a voice in the future of their own profession and the BTFA was formed as a national body to represent them collectively at the national level. The BTFA also meets all the criteria to be an approving body under the Federal Government Health Service Providers Act of 2007.
The BTFA is a non profit organisation and run by an elected executive committee from the state and territory membership body. The Federal body’s main role is to advise and formulate new policies, ensure professional practice, teaching/training and education standards and promote the awareness and effectiveness of Bowen throughout Australia and the world.
Goals
Some of the BFTA goals are:
- To provide an effective voice for Bowen Therapy and Bowen Therapists with government, health funds and the general public our clients.
- To increase public awareness and understanding of Bowen Therapy, its history and its success in treating a wide range of musculo-skeletal and associated problems afflicting many individuals from infants to the elderly.
- To promote confidence in Bowen Therapy as a primary choice in the field of complementary, natural and traditional therapies
- To develop increasing professionalism and high standards of professional practice among its members through formal studies and continuing professional education requirements.
- To provide inputs in the development of relevant legislation affecting complementary health, particularly Bowen Therapy, that is in the public interest, including the opposition of legislation which, for any reason, is considered inappropriate or against the public interest in this field.
- To ensure that the public, our clients, have access to a body that has a vested interest in their welfare when using the services of registered Bowen Therapists and to emphasise the importance of checking that practitioners or therapists are registered with the BTFA.
- To provide a source of information, and also a referral service, to locate registered practitioners and therapists in their area.
The Bowen Therapists Federation of Australia Inc. has a federal Code of Ethics, Regulations and Mission Statement. In addition each state based association has their own regulations and codes of ethics that complement those of the BTFA.
Professional standards
Recently the BTFA set new standards of training to both practitioner and therapist level bringing increased professional recognition to our Bowen Therapists. Our current level of therapist membership incorporates the following as minimum requirements:
- A nationaly recognised Certificate IV or Diploma of Bowen Therapy.
- 500 clinical hours of practice
- at least 20 hours of continuing professional education annually
- acceptable workplace environment
- current Senior First Aid certificates
- professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance
The Certificate IV, Diploma and more recently the Advanced Diploma of Bowen Therapy were courses developed by the BTFA and are nationally registered and recognised in all states and territories.
Executive Board Members
Our current Executive Board members are:
Cathy Butlin, President
Ph: (08) 8284 2068
Keryn Coulter, Vice President
Ph: (02) 8704 3495
Deborah Hart, Secretary
Ph: (08) 8287 0483
John Curtis, Treasurer
Ph: (03) 9596 6597
General Committee
Regina Malia, QLD
Ph: (07) 3378 3488
Roemary Toohey, QLD
Ph: (07) 54644729
Sylvana Miller, WA
Ph:(08) 95252739
Allan Hetherington WA
Ph:
Sonia Barton, NSW/ACT
Ph: 0431 911 329
Keryn Coulter, NSW/ACT
Ph: (02) 8704 3495
Else Gardiner, SA
Ph: (08) 8287 1367
Elizabeth Morris VIC
Ph: 03 9879 2720
or 0400 277 0410
Each state has two representative members duly elected at the A.G.M. and this position is held for 12 months.
Contact the Association on 1300 4 BOWEN (1300 426 936)
Presidents of State Associations
President Victoria
Elizabeth Morris
Ph: (03) 9879 2720
President WA
Sylvana Miller
Ph: (08) 9525 2739
President SA
Cathy Butlin
Ph: (08) 8284 2068
President NSW & ACT
Pam Geering
Ph: 0417 544 463
President QLD
Regina Malia
Ph: (07) 3378 3488