We have negotiated group deals with all of the ground transport people, so you are covered for travel between the Townsville Airport and the Conference Venue. Each operator will have a list of delegates and accompanying people, so all you have to do is show ID to the operators. The password is ROW4 Conference. If you have not told us the name of your accompanying person(s) (including children), now would be a good time. From the Airport to the Ferry Terminal you should take the Airport Shuttle bus - they have a desk inside the terminal near to the baggage collection carousel. The Shuttle will drop you off at the Breakwater Ferry Terminal in Townsville. Go to the ticket desk and show your ID to get your ferry ticket; it will be a return ticket, so hang on to it. The 25-minute ferry ride drops you at Nelly Bay on Magnetic Island. Show your ID to the bus driver and take the five-minute bus ride to Magnetic Island Tropical Resort. To make this work, we need to know your arrival and departure flights and times for Townsville.
Please email this information to qsec@austarnet.com.au. Use "ROW4" in the subject line.There will be a dress code at Magnetic Island Tropical Resort with which we should comply. A light cotton shirt, shorts and thongs; and you can wear sandals if you like. In other words: tropical casual - it is still warm here in April because the real winter (25 degrees C) hasn't come yet. When we go on the excursion you should wear closed shoes - like joggers because we will be visiting labs at the Australian Institute of Marine Science and walking around a fauna park. Bring a hat for the sun; especially if you are getting a bit bald.
At the moment the Programme fits with 25 minutes for presentation + discussion + changeover. So, prepare your presentation for not more than 20 minutes. It is a Workshop and we must leave time for questions and discussion. There will be a computer projector and a switch-box so that four laptops can be plugged in at anytime, with one selected to the projector. You are encouraged to bring your own laptop. If you like, you can bring your presentation as a POWERPOINT file on a CD and use Mal's laptop computer. There will be NO transparency projector unless someone specifically asks; if you want a transparency projector, now is a good time to let us know.
Ten people have indicated that they would like to have their paper reviewed for possible publication. If you want to participate in this then please try to bring two hard copies of your manuscript so that we can get the process started. There will be a short discussion about this on the first morning.
The registration fee for Accompanying People will be $AUD115 to cover the airport-resort transfers and the excursion on the Thursday afternoon/evening. Accompanying People who want to hang out on Magnetic Island have the option of using the Island Bus Service, or hiring a moke (a small four-seater with an open top) to be mobile. These are decisions that can be left until you get to the Island.