ANISG

Conference Programme

We have had an excellent response to the conference, with 83 delegates registered. A provisional programme was posted on the ANISG website on 19th March, but this has been changed slightly. The final programme will be in the Conference Booklet, together with short oral and poster papers, and will be available to delegates upon registration. We will have 26 oral presentations and 20 poster presentations.

Trade Display and Sponsors

We are delighted that 11 companies will display their products at the conference and participate in Company Corner. This is a record for ANISG, and we greatly appreciate the support from our sponsors, some of whom have sponsored the conference in other ways. This will be acknowledged at the conference and in the Conference Booklet. The companies are:

Biolab
CAMO
Foss
Graintec
IM Publications
In Vitro Technologies
Newport Scientific
NIR Technology Systems
TACS Australia
Thermo-Fisher Scientific
Unity Scientific

Poster Display

Each poster will be allocated a poster board, and the Poster Session will be combined with the “Happy Hour”, from 4.30 PM onwards on Wednesday 9th April, following the Company Corner segment.

For the first time, there will be two poster prizes awarded, one open to all delegates and the other for students only. The awards will be presented, together with the Lynsey Welsh Award, at the end of the conference on Thursday 10th April.

Venue

As previously advised, the conference will be held at the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Hamilton Centre, located on Mt Napier Road, approximately 10 km south of Hamilton. Turn left into the main entrance on Mt Napier Road, and when you approach the Reception area, park to your left near the large pavilion. The conference itself will be held in the Theatrette, located to the left of the Reception desk. The Trade Display and Poster Session – and lunch, morning and afternoon tea on both days – will be located in the large pavilion adjacent to the main building.

For those arriving in Hamilton by car from Melbourne, proceed along the divided highway until you see the Lakeside Motel on your left. Take the next left turn, which is George Street, which becomes Mt Napier Road as you head out of town. If you drive over the railway overpass, you have gone too far!

Conversely, those arriving from the west or the north should follow the signs for Ballarat through Hamilton, and take the first right turn (George Street) after the railway overpass.

Telephone Contact

The main switchboard number for DPI Hamilton is (03) 5573 0900. Any messages for delegates can be left with the switchboard. Note that mobile phone reception is patchy; it is poor inside the building (probably a good thing!) but is OK at certain locations outside.

Conference Registration

The registration desk will be located just inside the main entrance to the DPI building. For the conference, registration opens at 8.00 AM on Wednesday 9th April. The welcome and official opening will start at 8.45 AM SHARP. Any delegates who have not yet paid their registration fees must settle up at the registration desk on arrival.

Short Course Registration

Registration for the Short Course opens, at the above location, at 8.45 AM on Sunday 6th April. The Course, to be conducted by Dr Phil Williams, will commence at 9.30 AM SHARP.

Arrival at Hamilton by Sharp Airlines

If you are arriving at Hamilton by air, you will be met and taken to your accommodation, PROVIDED you have told us your arrival time! If you are flying into Hamilton, and your name is not on our list, let us know URGENTLY. Otherwise you will have to arrange a taxi.

Transport during the conference

For those without their own transport, we have arranged with a local bus company to provide a shuttle service, for both the Course and the Conference, between the DPI Centre and the Hamilton motels where delegates are staying. This service will also be available to and from the Course Dinner on Sunday evening and the Conference Dinner on Wednesday evening. We have a list of delegates who indicated on their registration forms that they require this service.

However, we need to know the relevant motels! It is most important that all delegates wishing to use the shuttle service notify us URGENTLY where they are staying, and which nights. Please do this immediately. Once we have this information, we will advise the timetable for the shuttle service.

A separate message will be sent to those registered for the Short Course regarding the travel and accommodation arrangements for the Port Fairy visit on Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th April.

Conference Dinner

As previously advised, the Conference Dinner will be held at the Hamilton Club, 39 Gray Street, Hamilton, on Wednesday evening 9th April. The cost of the dinner is included in the conference registration fee, and it will be assumed that all registrants will attend. If you do not wish to attend the dinner, please let us know immediately.

Drinks and canapés will be served at the Club between 7.00 PM and 7.30 PM, and dinner will be served at 7.30 PM. Provision will be made for special dietary requirements if we have been advised in advance. Our host for the evening will be Mr Bill Gough, who is also officially opening the Conference.

Note that gentlemen are requested to wear a tie to the dinner!

Departure by Sharp Airlines

Transport to Hamilton Airport will also be arranged for those delegates flying out on Sharp Airlines. We are aware of some who have to catch the 4.30 PM flight from Hamilton on Thursday 10th April. They will have to depart during the afternoon tea break. Please leave your departure times at the registration desk and we will ensure you catch your flight on time!

Grampians Tour

There are still a few vacancies for the Grampians Tour on Friday 11th April, costing $70 per person. Delegates are most welcome to join the tour, which will depart from Hamilton at 8.30 AM and return by no later than 6.30 PM. We will visit “Sierra Park”, one of the most famous superfine Merino wool studs in the world, take a walk through some stunning scenery at The Balconies, have lunch at Halls Gap, visit the historic cellars of Bests Winery at Great Western, and learn about the effects of the January 2006 Grampians bushfires, and the community’s response, first hand from a Fire Brigade Captain and the owners of Grampians Estate Winery at their “Thermopylae” vineyard.

End of Daylight Saving

Delegates are reminded that daylight saving in eastern Australia ends at 2.00 AM on Sunday 6th April, the first day of the Short Course. This means that you turn your clocks back one hour when you retire on Saturday night, and gain an extra hour’s sleep!

The Weather

What can we say? Autumn in south-western Victoria can be variable. Often we will have mild sunny days and cool nights, but also can expect windy and showery weather. We have just experienced the hottest March spell on record, but last Monday it ended with a thunderstorm and some very welcome rain. Since then the weather has been quite cold and showery on some days. At this stage, Saturday 5th April is expected to be sunny, with temperatures ranging from 8 to 22^oC. On Sunday 6th April, cloud is expected to increase, with temperatures from 6 to 21^oC. You can monitor this website for further information:

We suggest you come prepared for cool weather with the occasional shower, but also bring sunscreen – there are often warm sunny days in April. As the saying goes....if you don’t like our weather, wait five minutes!

We look forward to welcoming you to Hamilton next week.
Peter Flinn