The conference programme is starting to take shape and we are able to give you a brief outline of the highlights. While some of the keynote speakers have been confirmed, others are still in negotiation.

Here then is how the programme looks at the moment.

There will be 8 plenary sessions - two on Thursday, three on Friday and three on Saturday. There will be a Foundation Breakfast on Friday morning and a New Members breakfast on Saturday morning. The club dinners are on Friday night and the Gala Dinner on the Saturday night.

Here's a little more detail for the first day

Thursday, March 12

Conference starts at 12.45 pm (lunch is not included)

The first part will include some entertainment, the official opening involving the Governor of Tasmania, DG Jim Studebaker and a PIP
(yet to be confirmed). Our conference host will be Tony Wells from
the Rotary Club of North balwyn

The two keynote speakers on Thursday will be Robin Moore and either Eddie McGuire or Giaan Rooney who will be speaking on behalf of the Alannah Madeline Foundation - one of the charities to benefit from the conference raffle.

The second part will include two cluster group presentations plus the third keynote speaker - Bernard Salt.

Our youth programmes will also feature in this session - RYLA, RYPEN and YOUTH EXCHANGE.

Drinks will be served at the Albert Hall in the City Gardens from
6.30 to 9.00pm.

Friday March 13

First event of the day is the Foundation Breakfast hosted by Chris Don
More cluster presentations will be followed by a segment on RAWCS - speaker to be confirmed.
Professor Jane Munro will talk on "The Influence Rotary has on People at International House"
After morning tea PRIP Wilf Wilkinson will give his major address.
An Ambassadorial Scholar will then talk on the effect this program has had on their career.
An Indiginous Health and Welfare segment followed by one on Group Study Exchange. The incoming Swedish Team and our outgoing team will be introduced by Denis Shore.

Bob Fels another of our keynote speakers will talk on Peace and Conflict.

Club Dinners will be held on Friday night.


Saturday, March 14

A New Members Breakfast leads off the program followed by further cluster group presentations.

Amanda Drury, a topline international media person who works for CNBC Asia is another of our key note speakers.

Kim Pitt heads up the Australian Antarctic Division and he will talk to us before morning teaon Australia's involvement in Antarctica.
Julian Burnside, one of Australia's leading legal identities will discuss Building a Better and Secure Future.
Ian Risely PRIT will then talk about The Future of Rotary .

Bruce Esplin, Commisioner of the Emergency Services will talk about Disaster Relief.
After lunch Wilf Wilkinson will give his closing remarks followed by DG Jim Studebaker.
Banners will be exchanged between North Balwyn and Werribee and DGN Colin Muir will lead a presentation from Werribee and include reference to the location for next year's conference.

The plenary session will close at 4.15pm. The Gala Dinner will be at Clarendon House and buses will ferry all Rotarians to and from the venue