Bridging The Continents

Sydney 2003 CdLS Conference Update

Conference Theme Announced

Bridging The Continents, Our conference logo of a stylised Sydney Harbour Bridge was designed by Marcia Kennedy, Mum to Clare (8 yrs, CdLS). It, with the theme Bridging The Continents, depicts the links between CdLS families around the world.

Areas of Focus...

The Sydney Conference Committee is presently in discussion with the SAC (Scientific Advisory Council) and local doctors and therapists, to bring you a meaningful range of subjects. We hope to bring you: speech and language; education; gastroenterology; genetics; ophthalmology; dentistry, behaviour and general health issues. We are pleased to announce that Dr Chris Oliver (UK) has confirmed his attendance. Dr Oliver will have completed his study of self injurious behaviour in CdLS, and will be presenting his findings to parents as well as to professionals at the medical day. He will also be contributing to the doctor consultations. Workshops will explore the understanding of CdLS, and offer living skills to parents and carers.
Een brug tussen de continenten

Childcare...

The Bogota, New Jersey Girlscouts have confirmed their attendance to look after the CdLS people and young sibs childcare. The students of Penrith College of TAFE Childcare Course will also be contributing to childcare with sibling outings supervision. If all goes according to plan we will have enough experienced carers for some CdLS kids to join the sibs outings. Further details when they are available.

Call for Volunteers..... Australia, and CdLS Conferences around the world, has a fine tradition of volunteering – including childcare workers, speakers, administration, and even doctors and therapists generously give their time to help our kids. A number of people have offered their services to the Sydney conference as volunteers in various roles. The organising committee is ready to allocate positions for the 4 days of the conference.If this is you, or someone you know, please contact

Informatie bij Jenny Rollo 

Flying to Sydney...

The cheapest international flights available are group travel. Purchasing tickets on the internet reduces costs considerably. Check out www.qantas.com.au for details of the following fares. When you are booking your travel to Australia ask your travel agent about Qantas Air Passes. If they haven’t heard of them ask the agent to ring Qantas in your country for details. This will give you cheaper flights in Australia if you are planning further travel, but can only be purchased outside Australia. Boomerang Pass – This is like an air pass consisting of coupons for each sector of travel within Australia. Visit the South Pacific Air Pass – This will allow travel via Fiji/New Zealand or Noumea/Auckland, then to Australia. This would suit travellers not on a time constraint. It might be possible for international travellers to book Qantas getaway Deals (they are available within Australia), which are package deals inclusive of flights and accommodation. The prices vary according to the standard of accommodation.

Pre- and Post-conference Accommodation......

We are delighted to announce that after careful searching, we are able to recommend the following CBD accommodations. Both are suitable for families and singles/couples, are very reasonably priced, and offer easy access to transport, sightseeing, etc. You must book directly with the hotel of your choice.

Hyde Park Inn

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - a family hotel overlooking Hyde Park, an easy walk to public transport and city attractions. The rooms are very comfortable, well appointed and all have self-catering facilities (microwave, fridge, sink, kettle & toaster – some even include a stove/oven). Rates include parking, newspaper, light continental breakfast and in-house movies. There is also a free guest laundry. Rooms cater for up to 5 people, limited number of disabled rooms available. Ask about their weekly rates. A number of rooms have been blocked for CdLS delegates. Book early to ensure your reservation and room type of your choice. Airport transfers can be arranged when you book your accommodation. They can also arrange group transfers to/from Panthers for the conference.

Footprints Westend Sydney

offers a wide range of accommodation styles to suit groups. This is of the “ski lodge” style, being 4 share, 6 share, twin or double. Each room has an en-suite bathroom, linen & quilt supplied, self catering facilities in a commercial grade kitchen, laundry, meeting areas, luggage lockers, small safes in rooms, TV/VCR lounge, & pool table. There is also an in-house catering service, activity and tour planning (tours discounted for CdLS delegates – tell them which group you are with when you book). Situated within an easy walk of Central Station, Chinatown, Hyde Park, and public transport (train, tram, bus & monorail).

Highly Recommended Sydney Tours......

The following companies support CdLS – here’s our chance to support them. Looking at Aussie Animals Each of these parks have supported CdLS fundraisers.
Majestic Cruises have generously offered a 10% discount for CdLS delegates on their morning and afternoon tea Harbour cruises between 20th June and 15th July 2003. Mention CdLS when you book your cruise for your discount. I can personally recommend this cruise, having taken one recently. Departs from near the Opera House. You can’t come to Sydney and not explore the harbour!

BridgeClimb

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a “must do” while you are here. It really is the most amazing experience, and you don’t have to be an athlete to accomplish this one. You do have to be over 12 years old though. The climb takes 3 hours, including the instruction/training period. BridgeClimb have supported CdLS fundraisers for a number of years.

AussieDuck

Here’s a novel way to see Sydney – on an amphibious bus! You can do the city tour and harbour cruise in one hit, or even add Koala Park to the itinerary. AussieDuck is a CdLS supporter.

One of the sibling outings will include a visit to an animal park.
Taronga Zoo You can do this in ½ day, but you won’t be in a hurry to leave this magnificent zoo. The animals have the best view in the world. See animals from every continent in natural habitats, and take in the Aussie animal walkabout for a look at our marsupials, platypus and echidnas, birds and reptiles. Time it right and you can have a photo with a koala. Take a ferry from Circular Quay, which brings you to the lower entrance. Buy your entry ticket, which includes a Sky Safari lift to the top. Wander back to the wharf at leisure.

Featherdale Wildlife Park

is near the conference venue, so you may like to save this one for a spare morning or afternoon visit.

Koala Park Sanctuary

is also well worth a visit. You can hand feed emus, kangaroos and wallabies, pet the roos, and cuddle a koala. Tours to this beautiful park run daily. Pick up at your hotel, ferry up Parramatta River on the Rivercat (past Jen’s house – wave vigorously just after Kissing Point Wharf!) to Meadowbank. A tour bus then takes you to Koala Park. All this in half a day! For this tour, and many others, see www.sydneydaytours.com.au

Weather.....
NSW is experiencing a drought and our dry winter is not helping. Great for tourists, lousy for farmers. Daily temperature ranges from about 2 to 21 degrees celsius. Colder in the mountains and west of the Great Dividing Range. We can expect the same next year