Beta Sigma Phi Victoria Australia
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It is with much regret that we have to announce that the 2020 Beta Sigma Phi Convention in Perth has to be postponed.
We had hoped that by October our world would be back to normal but it is not to be.
 
The Perth Convention will now be held in October 2021 (15th to 17th October).  It will still be held at the Holiday Inn.
We have transferred our Convention booking but ask that all that booked rooms please contact the hotel to cancel your room booking.
 
Our decision was based on a number of factors.  When Virgin airlines collapsed we realized flight costs and availability would be affected.  This will make a big impact on interstate visitors.  We hope the airline industry improves by 2021.
 
At present our Premier, Mark McGowan, has not only closed the state borders but has regional borders in place as well.
Although we expect these to be lifted, we don’t know when.
There is talk of leaving the state border closed for a few months.
 
Another big consideration is the social distancing rules.   The number of people allowed to gather and how they should be spaced could mean a different set up for the Convention.  We do hope that everyone is able to postpone and plan for next year.

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​Perth
Convention

SAVE THE DATE
Friday 15th to Sunday 17th October 2021

VENUE
Holiday Inn Central
778-788 Hay Street
Perth 6000
+61 8261 7200 
Self Booking
 
2021 in the West

The Convention Registration Form is now available.  
Click on the link below to download this form.  
Also, you have a wide choice of "things to do" on Saturday afternoon.  Click on the link below to download this information.
2020_brochure.pdf
File Size: 478 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

saturday_afternoon_excursions.docx
File Size: 710 kb
File Type: docx
Download File


​November 20th:  Important Message with regard to the Convention:
"Dear sisters,
I made a mistake with the last newsletter.
I now have a new very best friend in Victoria who found my mistake and has told me in plenty of time. Thank you.
 
The mistake was the phone number for the Holiday Inn hotel for booking your room.   The correct number is +61 8 9261 7200
The room rate for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday is $154 per night twin share.
 
My apologies for slipping up.
Kathy Cuneo"

​Click on the link below to download Perth's latest Newsletter.
beta_sigma_phi_second_newsletter.pdf
File Size: 458 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

​
Get ready Perth, your Beta Sisters are coming in October 2021!  Click on the link below to download their Expression of Interest:
wa_expression_of_interest.pdf
File Size: 237 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

​ADELAIDE CONVENTION
12th to 14th October 2018

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​The Adelaide members were proud to present the 2018 convention program to their Sisters interstate and overseas. The Convention was held in the Crystal Room at The Stamford Plaza, 150 North Terrace, Adelaide, S.A.


Thanks to the South Australian hard-working committee for arranging such a delightful weekend for us all  in Adelaide.
 
From the musicale evening on Friday with a magnificent singer and dancing, four inspiring speakers sharing thought-provoking experiences on Saturday morning; more dancing, music and delicious food on Saturday evening, and then playing ladies over high tea on Sunday.  We had a great time as evidenced by the photos below: 
Some Victorians enjoyed afternoon tea at Dunluce Castle on the Saturday afternoon.  Even had a Legacy daughter and her baby boy there.  Sarah was a lovely hostess and she gave us a great historical talk with the tour of her home.  She also organises the "Marilyns" in Adelaide who fund-raise for Cancer Research.  ​
Above all, the convention reflected good company -  the enjoyment of renewing the friendships of interstate sisters met at previous conventions, as well as meeting some new sisters!
 
Luckily for one Victoran Sister, as a raffle prize winner she left Adelaide with a box of delights with which to pamper herself back in Melbourne.  She has come up smelling like roses from the Jurlique goodies.
 
Congratulations and Thanks South Australia once again.
 


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MELBOURNE CONVENTION
7th to 9th October 2016
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Rendezvous at the Rendezvous
328 Flinders Street, Melbourne

DID YOU ALL HAVE A GOOD TIME?   WE DID !!!
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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.
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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. 
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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.
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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.
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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.
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​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.
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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.
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​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.
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​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. 

​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

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