The World Federation of Neuroscience Nurses (WFNN) Quadrennial Congress, staged in 2025, attracted 203 delegates from across the world to Darwin, the capital city of Australia’s Northern Territory (NT).
WFNN is dedicated to the promotion and development of neuroscience nursing worldwide, bringing together a range of member organisations representing approximately 8,000 nurses from across 22 countries.
The 14th Congress was hosted by WFNN in collaboration with the Australasian Neuroscience Nurses Association (ANNA), the peak Australasian body for neuroscience nursing. Delegates included clinicians, physicians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nurse scientists, researchers and educators.
WFNN was held at the Darwin Convention Centre (DCC), located in the picturesque Darwin Waterfront Precinct, with delegates accommodated at hotels in the Precinct and city. Darwin’s proximity to Asia, with the aviation hub of Singapore less than five hours away, proved advantageous – Singapore Airlines, which operates seven non-stop services per week from Singapore into Darwin, provided an exclusive airfare deal for WFNN international delegates.
Congress programme showcases unique medical facilities and expertise
Under the theme ‘Create, Imagine, Inspire, Discover’, delegates strengthened existing relationships and fostered new connections across a four-day programme, comprising six plenaries, 69 concurrent sessions and 26 posters. Speakers and session moderators contributed to the international educational perspectives – 80 of the moderators came from 21 countries across six continents, with 45 from Australia, including two speakers representing Royal Darwin Hospital.
A special feature on opening day at the convention centre was the display of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) aeromedical simulator, a full-size replica of a King Air B200 aircraft. This renowned Australian not-for-profit medical organisation commenced operations in the NT in 1939. The simulator provided insights into the critical role played by the RFDS in delivering life-saving care to remote and rural communities throughout the NT and Australia.
A field trip was undertaken to the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC) headquartered in Darwin. This federally funded world-class facility provides emergency medical and disaster response as well as training, trauma management and critical care. Delegates saw first-hand how the NCCTRC operates and learned about its involvement in national and international emergency responses such as the professional specialist support provided after the devastating 2025 earthquake in Myanmar.
WFNN delegates visit facilities at NCCTRC Darwin.
Vicki Evans AM, the 2025 WFNN congress chair, spoke about the congress programme: “The immersive experiences, such as the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, offered unique insights into the region’s health care context and history. The social plans were also excellent, showcasing Darwin and the NT, with delegates having an opportunity to experience the rich cultural landscape of Darwin.”
Social events deliver a taste of the NT
A President’s Reception was staged at Wharf One Food and Wine at the Darwin Waterfront Precinct, on the eve of the official programme opening.
The Welcome Reception for all attendees was held at Crocosaurus Cove in the heart of Darwin’s CBD. Home to live saltwater crocodiles, for which the NT is well-known, the venue also features the world’s largest exhibition of Australian reptiles and a 220,000-litre freshwater fish aquarium. The attraction’s ‘Cage of Death’ provided an exciting spectacle as two delegates safely encased in a transparent acrylic enclosure took the plunge into a pool containing a huge saltwater crocodile.
An ‘After Dark’ networking evening included a tour of the RFDS Darwin Tourist Facility at Stokes Hill Wharf, a short walk from the DCC. The venue showcases the founding of the RFDS and the Bombing of Darwin in 1942, offering delegates a deeper insight into the NT’s history, resilience and identity.
A visit to Darwin’s iconic Mindil Beach Sunset Market was also arranged during the Congress, enabling delegates to explore more than 200 market stalls featuring multicultural cuisine, artworks and hand-crafted mementos. The visit coincided with one of Darwin’s spectacular over-water sunsets, which was viewed from the beachside vantage point.
Mindil Beach Sunset Market. Image credit – Tourism & Events NT Tourism, Australia
Cultural engagement and sustainability
Delegates were welcomed to Country on the outdoor forecourt of the Darwin Convention Centre by Saltwater Cultural Tours on behalf of the Larrakia people, Traditional Custodians of the Darwin region. Bespoke delegate satchels supported the cultural focus and were locally made by Aboriginal-owned Paperbark Woman, which specialises in fabrics created and hand-printed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Speaker gifts included Aboriginal-designed scarves from Aboriginal Bush Traders and water coolers featuring Aboriginal designs from Mbantua Gallery.
The NT’s landscapes and Aboriginal culture create a memorable delegate experience. Helen Orr, Yibekka Kakadu Tours. Image credit – Tourism & Events NT, Tourism Australia.
The journey to WFNN 2025
Representatives of WFNN and ANNA had joined a health sector-specific familiarisation to Darwin in 2016 which was hosted by NT Business Events (NTBE). Many elements of that famil, including visits to the NCCTRC, RFDS Darwin Tourist Facility and Mindil Beach Sunset Market, were featured in the 2025 Congress programme.
On behalf of ANNA, a joint bid prepared by NTBE and DCC was presented at the WFNN Congress in Croatia in 2017. While the Darwin Congress was originally scheduled for 2021, it was postponed to 2025 due to the Covid pandemic.
Organisers indicated that the destination’s broad appeal had strongly influenced Darwin’s selection as the host destination, also acknowledging the strong support offered by ANNA and NTBE. They also noted that DCC was a world-class venue which would outrank many convention centres around the world.
Many delegates took pre- and post-Congress tours to locations such as Litchfield, Nitmiluk and Kakadu National Parks, while others had travelled to Darwin aboard the legendary Ghan train, one of the world’s great railway journeys.
Cathy Cartwright, USA-based president of the World Federation of Neuroscience Nurses, spoke highly of their congress experience: “The 14th Quadrennial WFNN Congress held in Darwin, Australia, truly embodied the spirit of global collaboration and innovation that defines neuroscience care. It offered a chance to experience Darwin’s rich culture and discuss local care models. We swam with crocodiles and explored the history of the Royal Flying Doctor Service through immersive simulation. What stood out most was the opportunity to build lasting global partnerships. I left Darwin energised by the exchange of ideas rooted in evidence, compassion, and cultural awareness.”
