What An Amazing Five Days or Did I Just Really Do All of That? Part 1

Have just returned from the CBCA Conference in Canberra and it was once again the most amazing experience not to be missed.

Before the conference started I went to the Arboretum which is on a site where bushfires raged just over 10 years ago. This has been transformed into the most amazing site filled with tree plantings, both exotic and native, which in ten year’s time will be absolutely magnificent. A MUST SEE in Canberra.

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Part of the Pod Playground…giant gumnuts

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Autumn bonsai at the national Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia

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Nest 111 sculpture by Richard Moffat made from old farm implements and tools

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First word of the Wide Brown Land sculpture

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On the night of the Conference dinner we were piped into the Australian War Memorial by a Scottish piper. We were then ushered to the Great Hall where we watched the Light and Sound Show before taking our places at the round tables which had been set up underneath the G For George Bomber. Absolutely stunning! What an experience. While partaking of a three course dinner we were entertained by an outstanding and emotional address by Jackie French, followed by Morris Gleitzman and a soliloquy by a young actor about the WW1 Lighthorse.

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Love the poppies!

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What an unforgettable experience!

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Sally Heinrich, Phil Cummings, Janeen Brian, Roseanne Hawke…the SA Contingent

On Sunday morning we arose early and all trooped out to the Canberra Yacht Club for a sunrise breakfast. This was a beautiful experience next to the lake in the early morning. One Canberran author was seated at each round table and we got to meet local illustrator Dave Murphy.

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Sunrise on Lake Burley Griffin by Canberra Yacht Club

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Our breakfast marquee

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Introduction of authors

 

That’s it for now. 

Part 2 to follow later!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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