Vale: Mike Consedine

"There remains in me the sure and sacred knowledge that spontaneity is the only thing that will save the world. Thank you very much to the whole psychodrama community for what you have given me over 30 years. "

My Friend

I hold you in my heart
Most dear
Your shining light from yesteryear

And now you’re here
Amazing Grace
No time, no place

Just here within my heart and mind
Your soul
A spark of the Divine

My lovely friend
There is no end


Sue Daniel
8 March 2007


Mike died Friday afternoon at 4.30 p.m, 25 January 2008 in Christchurch, New Zealand, after a series of long illnesses.

A "gentle 'Irish' giant", Mike loved among many other things, 'The Pogues', Bruce Springsteen, poetry and psychodrama. One of his favourite writers was Canadian, Robertson Davies. Davies wrote "The Deptford Trilogy", among others and his writings explored the moral dimensions of life, the isolation of the human spirit, and humanity's growth from innocence to experience, and we had many long discussions about these novels.

A nurse, poet and psychodramatist, Mike worked with nurses using psychodrama in his role as supervisor and consultant and enjoyed teaching psychodrama. He liked a wee drop of whiskey but hated shopping. I remember once having the task of assisting him to buy a suit. I realised what a difficult job I was going to have, so I took him to David Jones menswear and found an exquisite cashmere jumper worth quite a sum. He looked at the price and then at me with horror and disbelief and said, "I'm not having that!" A little later on in Bourke Street, he found a very nice suit, with two pairs of trousers, free adjustment to the length for his height and a bow tie thrown in all for half the price of the cashmere sweater. Bringing home the booty, he looked at me with triumph!

So many stories Mike, Ted and I sat and had a glass of whiskey and told each other stories of our many adventures and times that we shared with you, into the twilight on the 26th, not quite an Irish Wake Mike but good enough and gentle.

Ted Bugarski and Mike Consedine: On our way to Hanmer Springs.

Moreno Psychodrama Society - February 2008 News

The Theatre of Spontaneity is on the last Friday in February, February 29 not 22 as is written on some flyers. In March, the date is set for March 14 due to Easter, its the third last Friday not second last, as is written in some flyers. The dates in the PIM program (orange booklet) are correct. Sue Daniel is conducting the February event and Nikki Alderman is conducting the March event.

The 1st Meeting for 2008 of the Moreno Psychodrama Society is on Sunday 16 March from 2 - 5 p.m. Included on the "action" oriented agenda is our recent joining as an affiliate organisation of the International Association of Group Psychotherapy and Group Processes (IAGP) and an exploration whether to take a further step in our long held aim to join PACFA (Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia). Of course, there will be afternoon tea, cakes as usual. Do bring something to add to the table. RSVP 9416 3779.

The Reading Group gets going Friday 29 February, (12.30 - 2 p.m) same day as the Theatre of Spontaneity (7.30 - 10.30 p.m). The announcement for the Reading Group, with details of this event is below. I am leading the first session and the subject I've chosen for discussion is:

"The Function of the Psychodramatic Director" - reference, pages 252 -259, Psychodrama Vol. 1 (1946) Student edition 1994.

There are five essential elements in the psychodrama method; the Protagonist, the Director, the Auxiliary Ego, the Audience and The Therapeutic Stage. In this session the focus is on the role of the Director. Dr. J. L Moreno, the founder of psychodrama maintained that the Director has three functions; producer, chief therapist (referred to and described by some as the role of the clinician) and social analyst.

If you are coming and require a copy of this material please notify us: pim@netspace.net.au

Reading Group - 4 Friday Lunchtimes in 2008

Convenor: Sue Daniel (9416 3779)

Meeting at 12:30 p.m for a 12:45 p.m start, these one-hour seminars are for those interested in the theory, practice and philosophy of J. L. Moreno, Zerka T. Moreno and other psychodrama writers and practitioners. The reading material is usually available two weeks before each meeting to enable optimal discussion. There is a donation of $10.00, which will be used to maintain the PIM library. Bring your own lunch, freshly brewed coffee, teas and biscuits are supplied.

Dates: 4 Fridays: 29 February, 30 May, 29 August & 24 October from 12.45 – 1.45 p.m.

Contact: PIM (94163779) to register your interest.

Venue: PIM, 155 Langridge Street, Collingwood

Psychodrama Blog

If you would like to send a note, make an announcement, send a picture, poem or write a book review, about something you are doing or have attended, bring yourself to the blog and let us know your experience.

With best wishes,

Sue Daniel

for the Central Co-ordinating Pod:

Sue Daniel, Nikki Alderman, Patricia Green and Gillian Blackwell (Australia)
Lethe Gaskin and Katrina Gaskin (New Zealand)

Happiness and Health in Work and Life

Psychodrama Personal Development Workshops

The purpose of these personal development groups is to develop greater strength and more effective relationships and the ability to live life in a creative and satisfying way. For brochures and enquiries: (03) 94163779.

Happiness and Health in Work and Life
4 Mondays per course, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m plus one Saturday, 10:00 a.m – 5:30 p.m.
Director: Sue Daniel

This group is for people who want to develop abilities and roles that will be conducive to living healthy and happy lives and to having satisfying and vital relationships. There is an opportunity to focus on unfinished business, minor conflicts of living and creating opportunities to develop new roles and perspectives.

February: Mondays, 4, 11, 18 & 25 February plus Saturday 16 February.
May: Mondays, 5, 12, 19 & 26 May plus Sunday, 25 May.
August: Mondays, 4 & 11 August, Saturday 16 August, Mondays, 18 & 25 August.

Venue: Downstairs grouproom at PIM

Fee: $350.00 per course (Deposit $50.00 due 2 weeks before each course.) An interview is necessary for anyone wanting to join.

Psychodrama with children and adolescent's working group

Greetings to Pim members,

I'd like to extend an invitation to you to join our newly formed interest group for people who are using psychodrama in their work with children and adolescents. Our first meeting is being held on Monday February 11 at PIM at 7.30pm - 9.30pm in the upstairs grouproom.

I work with children and young people in groups in schools and after school settings and would love to meet with others who are doing either individual or group work with children, young people and their families. I am hoping the interest group will be an opportunity for us to share our ideas, experience our creativity and to support each other in developing our psychodrama practice.

If you have any questions or plan on attending please contact me on 0411675597.

At this stage I am envisioning us meeting on a bi-monthly basis, but this is all open to discussion.

Please come along Monday and bring some food and your ideas to share. Tea and coffee provided.

Danielle Forer