The Essential Conference
The Essential Conference: Some snapshots from the days before, during and after a conference. Ruth ReynoldsStep One |
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The Committee working at the program, along with wonderful support from Libby Tudball and the national executive. All the things to think of – publicity, website, catering, prizes, presenters, conference theme, student volunteers, technical support, rooms, keynotes, abstracts, competitions, costs, accommodation and the list goes on ...... |
Step Two |
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The week before the conference – training up volunteers, getting all the bag goodies together, chasing the hire firms, does the technology work?, helping Sharon Grierson who stepped in at the last minute (thank you Sharon- what a star!!!), finalising our own papers, planning panel sessions, (and why did we volunteer to run a conference??) double checking everything!!!! |
Step Three |
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The day arrives. Because Duncan is such a good planner (an experienced teacher of course!!) there are no problems, everything is fine, we spend an hour or so pinning up paintings, sorting out the registration procedures and then people start to arrive at the cocktail party at the Syracusa on Sunday afternoon. A little glitch when some didn’t realise that the venue had changed and got bitten by mosquitoes at the Bar on the Hill – great start !!! But lots of volunteers to go and collect people and ensure they arrive safely – great cocktails and plenty of drinks and good company, a wonderful start. |
Step Four |
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Monday 21st – Libby gets us started in her friendly, welcoming style by explaining the theme of the conference, and then Sharon Grierson provided her key note address. The theme of her address was 'the need to soul-search together for those principles and values that have and should shape Citizenship in this country and contemplate our participation in that quest' As a member of the new federal Labor party she had a political story to tell but some very real citizenship dilemmas to consider. Then morning tea, choices of workshops and papers (ten different choices), lunch (in a lunchbox) and then Terry Lovat’s address. Although not many participants realised, we had a bit of drama because Terry was flying in from England and we knew he had been delayed. But he appeared 45 minutes before with tremendous jetlag but amazing determination – thank you Terry!!! Terry addressed the linkages between values education, Quality Teaching and service learning. |
Step Five |
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Conference dinner at the harbour in Newcastle city. A wonderful dinner, lots of drinks and great conversation with entertainment by a trio of musicians and a great singer, Natalie Donnelly |
Step Six |
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Tuesday 22nd – Keynote address by Suzanne Mellor. Suzanne has had extensive experience in assessment of civics and citizenship knowledge and has been the project director of the national sample of assessment in civics and citizenship from 2003 to 2007. She provided us with lots of food for thought as to the results of our Australian education for citizenship – and concern for our future directions. |
Step Seven |
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Morning tea, lots of workshops and papers, lunchboxes, more workshops, a concluding panel, bikkies and cheese, fond farewells and it is all over. Now what will we do in our spare time?? Thanks to all who participated, many many thanks to all those who stood up to help out when we really needed them, and good luck to our South Australian colleagues who will host the next conference. Would we do it again? Well after a few months to recover, I can say that we learned a lot and next time know how to avoid those mistakes (you didn’t notice? Great, that is what we wanted) – yes maybe we really could do it again but others should experience the roller coaster – the reward is the coming together of such a great collection of wonderful ideas, very well worth it. |
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