Conference 2014... finale
How about the Blue Mile walk!
Thanks very much to Robyn Foster for putting together the historical facts about the Blue Mile walk and leading us through that. We all appreciated having the booklet to take away for future reference to bring back memories of a beautiful part of Wollongong’ s coastline. The weather held out for those who went on the full and half walks … just. It was a nice change to get up and go and take in the fresh air as we walked along the foreshore and seashore, chatting and taking in the points of interest. We even had plenty of time to refresh and prepare for our evening.
And then there was dinner …
This was a great experience in more ways than one. Fifty ladies came to dinner in the Watersedge room looking lovely, feeling happy and ready to finish off the day’ s activities together. The tables looked classy in black and white and the buffet food was excellent, an extension of the tasty, well-presented food we had all day, from morning and afternoon teas to the relaxing lunch in the C-Grill restaurant, extending onto the balcony. We couldn’ t get enough of the variety of food and desserts provided at the dinner buffet, delivered with silver service by helpful and accommodating Chifley staff, given the task of“ looking after our every need”.
And then there was Wendy! CHOICES!!
What a wonderful entertainer Wendy Leatheam is! Thanks to Marg Patterson for enlisting her expertise! The secret of who was entertaining us at dinner was finally out.
Yes, the quiet lady who had spent all day with us, came out and showed her true colours and voice in the guises of 6 ladies, about the Choices we have, or not, in the lives of women of all nationalities, experiences and 6 different eras of history.
What struck me was the fact that in all the years that have come and gone since the first ladies arrived in this land, we have not come all that far in realising potential fulfilment in our professional and personal lives. Although, what Wendy made us see was that our choices or the choices others make for us, have consequences that impact on our happiness and wellbeing, even when getting to the top. What we do have is the ability to make a stand for whichever way is good and right for us individually and making our voices heard in a meaningful way is a continuing saga. Evidently the young Chifley staff, who listened intently from behind the closed doors, were very impressed!
Thank you so much Wendy for creating and performing the grand finale of our conference.
Following the gifts of those fabulous Singapore orchids and cards( beautifully chosen by Lyn Hazell), we also showed our appreciation with emails to our guest speakers, and to those leading other activities, letting them know of the commendable feedback heard from so many.
Thanks to the NWR ladies who made personal donations towards the work of the well-deserved organisations represented on the day.
We knew it would all be worth it … and it wouldn’ t have happened without the 50 NWR members whose presence made it very special.
Bev Shaw Conference 2014 Coordinator
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