An invitation from ANGFA Victoria

The ANGFA 2013 Convention is being held in Melbourne Australia on Saturday and Sunday 12-13 October 2013, at Ciloms Airport Lodge, 398 Melrose Drive Tullamarine, Victoria.

The 2013 ANGFA Convention is to be proudly hosted by ANGFA Victoria, in conjunction with ANGFA Incorporated (ANGFA National).

In the grand tradition of previous ANGFA Conventions, this weekend promises to be a real beauty!So mark your diaries!!Apply for leave!! Turn down competing engagements and start looking forward to a fantastic weekend of camaraderie and informative presentations!! The convention features information-packed presentations from well-known speakers from across Australia and from overseas.

Speakers include:

Heiko Bleher (eminent explorer, adventurer, fish collector) flying in from Italy, Heiko will give two presentations on his latest discoveries.

Peter Unmack – Rainbowfish Genetics, focussing on Rainbowfish species relationships, biogeography and the whole issue of hybridization. (Peter is that keen to come to the ANGFA Convention, he’s emigrating back to Australia from the USA!).

Nick Romanowski – Nano tanks and their use for raising and photographing aquatic invertebrates.

Mark Bachman – On the unique Ewens Ponds, an amazing aquatic habitat with crystal clear water.

Mike Hammer – The Curator of Fishes at the Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Mike will show us “Taxonomy Territory Style” covering recent surveys and exciting finds … and ways for ANGFA members to get involved.

Brian Andrews – An accomplished commercial ornamental fish breeder and author, Brian will discuss Fish Husbandry, with particular emphasis on Rainbowfishes.

Ian Morris – Kakadu

Adam Kerezy – Red finned Blue-eye

John Sinclair – New Guinea

Franz-Peter Mullenholz – “Australia Anti-clockwise”

Phil Littlejohn – lesser known creatures of freshwater streams: important indicators for water quality and their importance in freshwater ecosystem food chains.

Glenn Briggs – Variations in Mogurnda populations of the Atherton Tablelands

Come and hear the experts give their informative presentations, you’ll find them fascinating as well as entertaining.

In a slightly different timeslot, the ANGFA auction of rare and beautiful fishes will be conducted late Saturday afternoon, conference attendance entitles you to join in the frenzied bidding. We’ll also have a Trade Table operating the whole weekend where members can view and purchase fish, aquatic plants and other goods at a more leisurely pace. Meet ANGFA identities in person. To encourage networking, you will also have plenty of time across the weekend to talk, discuss, renew old acquaintances and make new friends. With prizes, Special Efforts, tee shirts and other gifts, it all adds to the attraction of being at the ANGFA 2013 Convention.

Cost: $150 members ($140 early bird rate if paid by June 30); $195 non-members.

About Melbourne: With a population of more than four million, Melbourne is Australia’s second largest city. It is regarded as the business, cultural, fashion and sporting capital of Australia and is renowned for its fine restaurants. It is a true multicultural city and is now arguably one of the great cities of the world, also having been listed as the world’s most liveable city. With the convention coinciding with the Spring season, Melbourne’s magnificent parks and gardens will be in their full spring glory and should be included on everyone’s itinerary.

About the venue: By popular demand, we have retained the same venue that was used at the last Melbourne convention (back in 2005): Ciloms Airport Lodge . It is located a short two minute drive from Melbourne Airport and offers all the comforts you would expect. An excellent standard and variety of accommodation is available at the venue, which can be viewed at www.ciloms.com.au

Ciloms Airport Lodge is located at: 398 Melrose Drive, Tullamarine, Victoria, Australia, 3043; Free Call: 1800 819 443; Telephone: +61 3 9335 2788; Facsimile: +61 3 9335 4388; E-Mail: ciloms@ciloms.com.au

If you are considering staying at the venue, we recommend you book your accommodation promptly, as room numbers are limited. When booking, make sure you mention you are attending the ANGFA CONVENTION to ensure you receive all possible discounts.

Accommodation options include:

Standard Room (one Queen Bed) $130.00 per night.

Spa Room (one Queen Bed) $175.00 per night.

Twin Share (one Queen & one Single Bed) $140.00 per night

Triple Share (1x Queen 2 x Singles or 2 Queen Beds – specify your bedding requirements) $150.00 per night.

Free Bus transfers to and from the airport!

After you have landed at Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine, not Avalon) and have collected your luggage, phone Ciloms on 1800 819 443 or 9335 2788 for pickup. Taxi fares to Ciloms are also minimal as the venue is only 1.5 km from Melbourne Airport.

Meals: Morning Tea, Lunch and Afternoon Tea provided to attendees on Saturday/Sunday. Dinner Friday night: Nothing formal arranged. There is a restaurant at the venue. Dinner Saturday night: The convention dinner will be a buffet and cost is only $18 per person (partners are most welcome). Please book and pay for the dinner when registering for the convention. Please note: Breakfast is not included in the above room pricing. Indicative costs are continental breakfast buffet (self-serve) $12 per person and Combo Breakfast (one cooked breakfast & continental selections) $18 pp.

Merchandise: A range of shirts and a vest will be produced. Orders for merchandise should be placed prior to the convention.

Photographic Competition: A convention photographic competition is open to any member of ANGFA Inc or its affiliate regional groups. Please see the ANGFA website for more information and how to enter. The winner will be announced on Saturday October 12.

Proposed Convention Program:

Friday 11th October Optional (Partners Welcome)

7.00 pm Registration (for those who wish to avoid the queue on Saturday morning)

7.30 pm Annual General Meeting

9.00 pm Happy Hour (free)

Saturday 12th October:

8.30 am Registration

9.00 am Convention Opening, start of official proceedings

10.30 am Morning Tea

1.00 pm Lunch

3.45 Afternoon Tea

4.30 pm Convention presentations close; Auction commences – rare & beautiful fishes (Australian and NG)

6.30 pm free time

7.30 pm Convention Dinner, followed by a special presentation by Heiko Bleher .

Sunday 13th October:

9 am Convention presentations resume

10.30am Morning Tea

12.45 pm Lunch

3.30 pm Afternoon Tea

5.00 pm Convention Close

Post Convention:

Monday 14th October: Optional (Partners, family and friends welcome) 10 am Meet at designated location to commence Field Trip or Tour, (itinerary subject to change). And there is plenty for the non-fishing partners: A range of information on activities, attractions and shops will be made available during the convention. Some organised “fish-widow” trips can be arranged if there is sufficient interest (e.g. Queen Vic Market, tour of CBD, Melbourne Zoo).

for more information keep an eye on ANGFA Victoria