District Conference Weekend

This past weekend was the 9520 District Conference. We arrived Thursday evening for registration and to hear a presentation before heading off to their cocktail reception. Our GSE presentation on Saturday morning was expanded a bit since we had almost double the time we normally do, but it seems it was very well received. Despite the fact that this was only the second time we've presented, we had a good flow and even got a few laughs from the audience.

Saturday evening the dinner was held at Wicks Vineyard in a large barn with giant steel wine drums(?) on one side, and barrels on the other, with several long, elegant tables in the middle. The minute the band started there was a virtual stampede to the dance floor...these Aussies are serious about getting in a bit of fun. Awards were presented, food was great, and the wine was plentiful.

Today was a relaxing day for most of us, and the temperatures warmed up more than they have up until now (somewhere in the low to mid-20's C). The morning was free time with our host families. I got to go on a picnic brunch complete with eggs & sausage on the grill, champagne, juice, muffins, coffee and tea all cooked expertly at the park. I've never had a picnic breakfast before, but I think it's a tradition we should start in Colorado. Others went on winery tours, did laundry (yep, a necessary evil), and general relaxation before heading to the former studio and home Hans Heisen, and famous artist from the Adeliade Hills. We were able to see a variety of his famous landscapes of the area, including rural farming scenes and gum trees in charcoal, watercolor, oils, and etchings. The evening was spent at a BBQ with our host families, which was thoroughly enjoyable despite just a touch of rain.

Tomorrow we're off to tour a juice factory, go to the Celand Wildlife Park, and present to the Rotary Club of Stirling. If we can figure out how to get photos up on the blog...we'll do our best to show you kangaroos and koalas.