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MELBOURNE CONVENTION
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Rendezvous at the Rendezvous
328 Flinders Street, Melbourne
DID YOU ALL HAVE A GOOD TIME? WE DID !!!
The Victorian Convention Organising Committee would like to thank everyone for participating in 25th Australian National Convention and for helping to make the weekend stimulating, entertaining and fun.
The Victorian Convention Organising Committee would like to thank everyone for participating in 25th Australian National Convention and for helping to make the weekend stimulating, entertaining and fun.
The first port of call for Delegates was the Registration Desk located in the magnificent Grand Vestibule of the hotel. Dot Marshall and Lauris Marsh greeted everyone with a welcoming smile. After checking in at Registration, Laureate Omicron Sisters provided the convention bags to everyone.
The Art & Craft Shop was open early Friday afternoon and many members shopped early to beat the crowd and to have first pick of the beautiful things made by our members and friends. The Shop was open during session breaks throughout the weekend and became a social mecca for those enjoying some retail therapy.
The Ballet Tour commenced in the Grand Vestibule and then headed out onto Flinders Street for a short walk to the Australian Ballet School. Debra Adamidis, Head of Development, gave twelve members a special tour of the School before they observed the Level 4 students in their classroom. During the return journey several members took the opportunity to stop in at the NGV to view the Kylie Minogue costume collection.
The Friday night Welcome Dinner included a “Walk Down Memory Lane” fashion parade showcasing fashions from the 1920’s to the 1970’s. The finale Included several wedding gowns originally worn by Grandmothers and Mothers of our members. Alpha Master member, Eileen Ervine was the commentator par excellence.
Saturday morning official procedures began with the Traditional Owners Welcome to Country by Victorian Council President, Lyn Taylor. Convention Convener, Janet Park welcomed everyone and then lead the Opening Ritual. Thea Adams, Western Australia, passed the Convention Lamp to Victoria.
Katrina Pezzimenti and her Accent Voice Studio choir of children performed several delightful songs and the Convention was off and running!
Diane Spicer, CEO of Prison Network in Melbourne was the first speaker. Her life story of going from living the “American Dream” to sexual abuse, drugs & rock’n roll to ordained minister challenged and inspired her audience. She now runs a not for profit organisation supporting women in Victorian prisons and their families. Her services have also expanded into the men’s prison system in Victoria. Diane opened our eyes to an area we know little about as she explained why many inmates need assistance in “normal” living skills.
Belinda Hawkins has reported on national and international events for ABC TV and SBS TV for almost 30 years. She provided some insight into how stories are written, crafted and filmed for TV. The time taken to research a story for “The Australian Story” program was extremely interesting, especially her experiences with some current politicians.
Don Parsons was the Centre Manager of the historic Block Arcade in Collins Street for 20 years. He has a passion for the historic aspects of Melbourne and regaled his audience with many colorful stories and facts about a Victorian Melbourne in the good old days to its transformation into the cosmopolitan city it is today.
Valma Sharp’s love of fine china started many years ago and led to her becoming an ardent collector of Royal Doulton. She is a member of the Melbourne Doulton Collecting Club and writes their Newsletter. Valma shared her wealth of knowledge of the early years of English pottery and spoke about several key people who led the way in the development of fine china. Valma’s passion for fine china was evident in her personal collection that she shared with the audience. Her presentation was interesting even to those who aren’t china collectors.
Patricia Begg OAM is an internationally renowned scholar and collector of porcelain and has studied many large collections overseas. She is a freelance lecturer and regularly presents lectures on ceramics and social history. Patricia lead us through the origins of “afternoon tea” and the social and economic changes this ritual has created. Following Patricia’s presentation, members were served a delightful afternoon tea.
Pre-dinner drinks were served in the Grand Vestibule.
The Silver Anniversary Gala Dinner was a very glittery affair with everyone getting into the “Spirit of Sparkly”. Music provided by “The Barking Dogs” ensured that the sparkle extended onto the dance floor.
The table decorations were beautiful and sparkly too!
Laureate Omicron member, Wendy Basham, took group photos on the staircase off the Grand Vestibule. Can you spot the photo bomber?!!
Sunday morning saw everyone up bright and early for the next speaker on the program. Graeme Robin began his presentation with a poem called, “Beware of plastic stacker chairs” which sent the room into hysterics. He has travelled extensively in Europe in his old Fiat car and has written three books. He calls himself the back roads traveler and author. However, recently he has become extremely interested in the broader topic of population growth and its effect on the planet. He has written a book titled, “Is the World Full Yet?” Graeme asked the serious question, “Why isn’t anyone doing anything to curb the exponential growth we are experiencing?” Once again a thought-provoking speaker.
Nikki Churchin was the final formal speaker at the Convention and she provided a lighter topic, but one all women are interested in. Nikki is a “Wardrobe Therapist” and she has learned that dressing well is less about fashion and more about embracing your own style, personality and unique body shape. Nikki used her Mother as her model as she discussed tips and tricks to dress for individual body shapes.
South Australia has bid for the 2018 Convention to be held in Adelaide on October 12 – 14th. An Expression of Interest Form is available by right clicking on the image below.
Kappa Master members, Wendy Hinde, Jenny Bolger, Elisabeth Golding, Robyn Kennedy, Mudite Luyt, Ronniet Milliken, Rosemary Morgan, Shirley Roddy and Pamela Webster performed the beautiful Closing Ceremony (complete with gale-force air-conditioning winds).
Once again, thanks to Wendy Basham for providing the photos. You can download your favourites by right clicking on the images you want.
MJH Web Master
