We Host National Conference

As a result of a short presentation at the Perth 2012 National Conference of Lord’s Taverners Australia by our Chairman and President, Stan and Denis,  we were given the honour of hosting the 2013 National Conference at Byron@Byron Rainforest Resort in February 2013. Normally held in a capital city at a time adjacent to a major cricket event, we needed to have something special to bring delegates away from the metropolitan centres. The powerpoint presentation, prepared professionally by Byron@Byron staff did the trick.

Whilst our presentation in Perth emphasised the sun, sand and surf of Byron Bay, at a resort set in a beautiful remnant coastal rainforest, the event was spoiled by almost cyclonic rain and wind for the full period that the delegates from all over Australia were there. No beach walks for our wives. No bus tours of the hinterland – just lots of reading and relaxing inside the resort’s facilities. And luckily the facilities are such that no-one was severely disadvantaged, and the delegates themselves were able to participate in one of the best conferences ever held by Lord’s Taverners Australia.

The President, Dr John Lill, and the Chairman, Greg Brown, both travelled from Melbourne, while the Secretary Michael Martin, and the Secretary, John Jeffrey travelled from Darwin and Adelaide respectively. Other delegates came from Hobart, Perth, Canberra, Newcastle, Mandurah and Brisbane, and all agreed that the conference achieved a great amount of important decisions.

Our Conference Organiser, Chris Shevellar, did a magnificent job of liaising with the staff at Byron@Byron, and then with all of the delegates – coordinating arrivals and departures, communicating numbers for all events during the conference, and for all meals including the Conference Dinner. The event could not have run more smoothly, and even the terrible weather could not prevent the business part of the conference from proceeding really positively.

In all, a great experience for our branch, and excellent outcomes from a dedicated and energetic group of branch administrators.