CONFERENCE PROGRAM
The conference program will be released soon. For now, we’ve provided an overview of the schedule below:
Day One | Monday 7 August 2023
4:00pm Registrations Open
5:30 – 7:30pm Welcome Reception | Dubbo Regional Convention Centre
Day Two | Tuesday 8 August 2023
8:30am – 4:00pm Conference Sessions
6:30 – 9:30pm Social Networking Dinner | Dubbo Zoo
Day Three | Wednesday 9 August 2023
10:00am – 4:00pm Field Trips (starting times vary)
6:00 – 11:00pm Conference Dinner | Dubbo Rhino Lodge
Day Four | Thursday 10 August 2023
8:00am – 4:00pm Conference Sessions
Please Note: Timing and details are subject to change
FIELD TRIPS
We are pleased to offer a range of options to explore Dubbo and the surrounding region. Choose your preference during the registration process. Please note: numbers for some options are limited.
Field Trip One | Weeds in the Wild
Experience the ultimate Zoofari at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Established in 1977, this 300-hectare open-range zoo features animals from around the world. The Zoo is home to hundreds of rare and endangered animals including giraffes, rhinos, elephants and big cats. Enjoy lunch at the new Waterhole Cafe and marvel as the meerkats play. Discover weeds from around the world that have now naturalised in the Central West.
Field Trip Two | Historical Tour
The tour commences with an insight into the brutality’s of early 19th century prison life at Old Dubbo Goal. We will then head to what is believed to be the oldest surviving sophisticated slab house in Australia, Dundullimal Homestead for a tour of its sandstone stables, timber church, and shed – all living illustrations of rural life on an isolated property, followed by Devonshire Tea.
We will then make our way to the Royal Flying Doctors Airport and take a journey through their 7.69 million square km waiting room – the Australian outback. We will enjoy lunch while we learn about the history of the RFDS in Australia.
From there, we will discover the Dubbo Regional Botanic and Japanese Gardens, with a visit to the onsite Japanese Tea House and a walk through the biodiversity garden weeds display.
We will finish our tour and round out the day with a light refreshment at the Western Plains Culture Centre and Art Gallery.
Field Trip Three | Soaring into the past in cotton country
Delve into a century of Australian aviation, the role of the RAAF in the Central West and see a working replica of the 1907 Wright brothers plane. Enjoy the morning at DPI’s research station and hear about the many farming practices and techniques being trialed including a demonstration and uses of spray drones in weed management.
Field Trip Four | Cultural Tour
Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum covers approximately 164 ha. See Australia’s unique and incredibly diverse flora, including weed management through a culture burn. Then step back in time and discover four significant time periods at Wellington Caves while exploring the caves and enjoying a BBQ lunch. We will finish the tour at Bodangora Wind Farm to discover how they manage 62 wind turbines and vegetation control.
Field Trip 5 | Sniffer Dogs and Space in Parkes
Discover the importance of weed hygiene in machinery and how sniffer dogs can help in the detection of weeds. Then onto the Parkes Observatory (The Dish) to see how Parkes showed the world man’s first landing on the moon and explore the radio telescope which is an icon of Australian science. On the return trip see how Narromine Shire dealt with Coolatai grass on the Newel Highway.