NFSA and Healesville Sanctuary to stage Conference

[Jayburd]

Can't wait!!!!!

[Misso]

looks like vic will be kind with the weather over the weekend......... NOT!!!!!

[garyh]

H i all,to the interstate people going to the conference just a word of warning temps for next week range from 0to 2 degrees at night to 7 to 8 for the days,and knowing the area well,i would take off a couple of degrees.Snow is expected,so bring the winter woollies,Healesville is a beautiful little town,but i do mean little and set at the base off the mountains,dont want to have any members freezing their bits off,hope everybody has a great time ,good luck garyh.

[Jayburd]

Sounds like home
I'll be wearing my AFF cap, come and seek me out!!

[gomer]

Sounds like home
I'll be wearing my AFF cap, come and seek me out!!

I will look out for the young fella with a big grin on his face.

[Ripley]

Hello All,

We are awaiting. The rest of Aff members who are staying at the Sanctuary Hotlel....sam & I awaiting fellow members to join us.....NOW

[natamambo]

Awesome first day, some outstanding presentations and a great tour of the non-public areas of the Sanctuary. The rest of you missed out on a fantastic opportunity . I can't choose a highlight between seeing the (hibernating) Pygmy possum, seeing the helmeted honeyeater and hand feeding the red tailed black cockatoo .

A special thanks from me to Lorraine who organised ways to make my life easier and Sanctuary volunteer Christine who chauffeured me around in the buggy al afternoon.

[E Orix]

He looked so important a crown on his head wouldn't have looked out of place
Big contingent of Forum members and i am sure they will report

[Mickp]

they had better report or they may all find themselves with restricted forum access

[gomer]

I must say I was very impressed at how well and organized the weekend was run.It was held at a perfect location for the size of the conference and was very well catered for.The speakers were very interesting to listen to ranging from A veterinarian,zoo keepers, aviculturists teachers and primary school students.There was plenty for any enthusiast to take out of the lectures and even to contribute a little at the end of each.The dinner was very nice the company even better.With Sarah Pryke giving a memorable talk on the plight of the gouldian.Somthing that every gouldian keeper/finch breeder should hear atleast once.Day two was again simular to day one with excellent speakers.One Particular important lecture on attracting youth to aviculture something we all should encourage and embrace.I am sure we will hear and see more on this in the future.The day was concluded with the NFSA general meeting which non members were welcome to stay and anyone wanting to join was welcome aswell.After the official program was finalised conference members were again given the opportunity to join in more behind the scenes unofficial tours or just walk around them selves.Personally I didnt have a chance to have a look around the sanctuary after the conference had finished.But many had time to look around,this gives me a reason to return sooner then later.Again very well run to the NFSA and Healseville Sanctuary.

I hope some of our members will elaborate more on their thoughts or any particular part of the Conference. And I know there was a few cameras floating about.
A few photos from day one.( note half of these photos are behind the scenes and don't represent in any way what the general public would see)