Social Program

A conference dinner, organised tours and a BBQ have been scheduled to give you opportunities to meet new faces and catch up with your colleagues.


Conference Dinner

The conference dinner will be held on Wednesday 3rd December at Marylands at 7 pm. It wil be a fun filled night of great Australian cuisine, fantastic Yarra Valley wine and live entertainment from a small ensemble.

Social Activities

Tours

In keeping with the long-standing tradition of the conference program, we have arranged three tours for the afternoon of Thursday 4 December. We want you to relax, get a breath of the fresh mountain air, have fun and see some of what this part of Australia has to offer. If you are interested in going on any of them, reserve a place when you register. Preferences will be considered on a first-come-first-served basis. If you have queries about any of the social activities, please email your questions to us.

Tour cost is $30 per person for each of Tours 1, 2 and 3. Please note that Tour viability will depend on numbers.

Tour 1: Eco-Walk

This tour involves a short bus trip to Steavenson's falls, followed by a pleasant walk (distance 4km) amongst tall tree ferns and luxuriant vegetation along Tree Fern Gully Track beside the Steavenson River, back to Marysville. A guide will accompany the group drawing attention to and explaining the wildlife, birds and flora of the area. This walk takes approx 1 1/2 hours.

Tour 2: Country Touch Bus Tour

This tour starts from Marylands Country House to Camberville (old sawmill village site walk to Cora Lyn Falls, the Big Culvert - about 500m each way - through giant mountain ash trees, tree ferns and ancient beech trees). Then on to Lake Mountain - (opportunity for coffee or drinks in the cafe, short walk to a Melbourne lookout, check out the mountain visitor information centre). From there a drive to Steavenson Falls (350m forest walk in to falls - highest in Victoria), then back to Marysville to visit Bruno's Sculpture garden and gallery. It is a short walk back to Marylands Country House if you do not want to stay at the gallery.

Tour 3: Lake Mountain Summer Circuit Walk

For the energetic. If you would like to get some exercise after sitting through the talks for a few days you can go on the Lake Mountain Summer Circuit Walk (5.6 km, about 2 hrs return). This is a walk to the summit of Lake Mountain that includes 200m of steep rise. There are 4 lookouts on the walk. At its completion, we could include the Melbourne Lookout walk (1km, about 30 mins return). Further information can be found on Parks Victoria (external website) brochure.


Activities (at Marylands)

As an alternative to the organised tours you are welcome to choose your own informal activities. For further information please see Marylands (external website) information desk.

Tennis Enthusiasts

Marylands has two tennis courts available for tennis enthusiasts. If you are interested in a game of singles/doubles (depending on numbers), please bring your tennis racket(s) and appropriate tennis attire. Please register your interest via this link.


Get-Together BBQ

After the afternoon social activities, a 'get-together' BBQ will be held at around 7:00 pm (to accommodate late arrivals) on the lawns of the resort. The resort boasts a relaxing outdoor entertainment area featuring a fantastic pool and, as it will be summer, delegates are encouraged to bring swimwear!