2023 National Conference – Geelong, Victoria

Geelong Library & Heritage Centre

Mt Duneed Estate
Working Together–Building the Future
The Order of Australia Association
National Conference
hosted by Victoria Branch in Geelong
May 18 – 21, 2023
On behalf of The Order of Australia Association the Victoria Branch invites you to join us May 18-21, 2023 in Geelong as we start Working Together-Building the Future
Scroll down for national conference program, pre & post tours, accommodation options and booking code for OAA conference rate and the transport and transfer options
Conference booking options
Members and guests are offered the following options for the 2023 national conference:
Conference only $95 per person GST included
Ticket includes Thursday early evening reception, Friday all day and Saturday afternoon panel sessions
Conference and Dinner & Awards $205 per person GST included
Ticket includes Thursday early evening reception, Friday all day, Saturday afternoon panel sessions and the National Conference Dinner and OAA Foundation Scholarship Awards are at Mt Duneed Estate
Conference & Sunday Jazz Brunch $155 per person GST included
Ticket includes Thursday early evening reception, Friday all day, Saturday afternoon panel sessions and Sunday Jazz Brunch
Full Conference $265.00 per person GST included
Ticket includes Thursday early evening reception, Friday all day, Saturday afternoon panel sessions, the National Conference Dinner and OAA Foundation Scholarship Awards are at Mt Duneed Estate and Sunday Jazz Brunch
Saturday Dinner & Awards $110.00 per person GST included
The National Conference Dinner and OAA Foundation Scholarship Awards are at Mt Duneed Estate
Note:
- Annual General Meeting and Members’ Forum is no cost, booking is required to attend
- Essential for catering purposes dietary and allergy requirements are noted at time of booking
- Mobility requirements should also be noted at time of booking to ensure we provide appropriate transport to meet the needs of members and guests.
Conference program
Thursday May 18
Registration Desk and Merchandise Shop open 12.30pm to 5.30pm at Geelong Events Centre Myers Street entrance next to conference hotel Rydges Geelong Hotel cnr Myers and Gheringhap Streets, Geelong
Early evening 6.00pm to 7.30pm – Welcome to Geelong Vice-Regal Reception at the Geelong Library & Heritage Centre Level 5. 51 Little Malop Street, Geelong. Drinks and finger food included. 7 minute walk from Rydges Geelong Hotel
Dinner at your expense in the dining precinct along Little Malop Street
Friday May 19
Registration Desk and Merchandise Shop open 8.15am to 1.30pm at Geelong Events Centre Myers Street entrance
9.00am: Welcome to Country then Official Opening, Address by His Excellency the Governor-General, Oration, Keynote address, business panel session and preparing quality Order of Australia nominations. Lunch
1.45pm: Field Trip to two innovative business precincts that have formed clusters working together and growing with smaller industries and service providers building the future. Transport included
Saturday May 20
Registration Desk and Merchandise Shop open 8.15am to 3.30pm at Geelong Events Centre Myers Street entrance
National Annual General Meeting and Members’ Forum 9.00am to 11.30am at Geelong Events Centre Myers Street entrance
Registration essential to attend AGM and Members’ Forum
Panel sessions after light lunch12.30pm to 3.30pm focusing on working together – building the future:
Social and economic values of multi-cultural communities Australia wide
Indigenous leadership in our nation
Health & Wellbeing in the Future
National Conference Dinner and OAA Foundation awards to scholarship recipients at Mt Duneed Estate Winery 65 Pettavel Road, Waurn Ponds an iconic Geelong winery, evening includes welcome drink and three course meal. Drinks at bar price
Return transport from Rydges Geelong Hotel
Sunday May 21
Registration Desk and Merchandise shop open 9.45am to 1.30pm at Geelong Events Centre Myers Street entrance
Sunday Jazz Brunch 10.30am to 1.00pm
Together we have worked through unparalleled challenges.
We will respectfully acknowledge: Frontline people in the community from agricultural, cashiers, cleaners, delivery drivers, educators, food processors, healthcare, maintenance, protective services and beyond.
Sponsors current November 16, 2022:
The nature of the Order of Australia Association is such that the Association’s members are drawn from all walks of life and a variety of economic circumstances. Sponsorship is therefore important allowing us to keep the cost of attending the 2023 conference at an affordable level.
Reciprocally, we thank our sponsors, where possible please support them.
Admiralty Inn Motel
Barwon Water
Budget Car and Truck Rental
Business Events Geelong
Business Events Victoria
Deakin University
Federal Mills
Geelong Events Centre
Geelong Library & Heritage Centre
Gordon TAFE
Melbourne Convention Bureau
Mt Duneed Estate Winery
R Hotel Apartments
RK Group
Rydges Geelong Hotel
The Challis Group
Vision Overseas Group
Vue Apartment Hotel
Waurn Ponds Estate Futures Industries
PRE and POST National Conference Tours
For tour options in Geelong and Bellarine region refer to https://www.visitgeelongbellarine.com.au/media/70502/geelong-bellarine-travel-planner_20222023.pdf
Accommodation

2023 OAA National Conference Geelong Accommodation May 18-21
The conference venue is Geelong Events Centre Myers Street entrance next to Rydges Geelong Hotel. 89-105 Gheringhap Street, Geelong. Cnr Myers and Gheringhap Streets
TEL: 03 5223 6200
Quote code: 2305ORDERO
Bookings via telephone
Room options:
- Superior Queen (1 Queen) Superior Twin (2 Queen) Family (1 Queen +2 Single)
- Bayview King (1 King)
- Bayview Twin (2 Queen)
Conference rate of $189 room only across all room options
Breakfast at a reduced rate of $20 per person (normally $32)
Melbourne Airport bus transfer to Geelong and return: Gull Geelong 45 McKillop Street, Geelong is a 4 minute walk to Rydges Geelong Hotel

Vue Apartments Hotel
6 Bellarine Street, Geelong
15 minute walk to Geelong Events Centre
There will be a bus from the Vue Apartments Hotel to GEC at a set time to fit the conference program
Promo Code: ORDEROFAUST
Must book Direct on Hotel Website www.vueapartments.com.au
The rate is 15% better than Expedia, Wotif, etc
Plus Free car parking (normally $15 per night) 11 am check out

R Hotel and Apartments
10 Bellarine Street, Geelong 15 minute walk to Geelong Events Centre (GEC)
There will be a bus from the R Hotel to GEC at a set time to fit the conference program
Promo Code: ORDEROFAUST
Must book Direct on Hotel Website www.rhotelgeelong.com.au
The rate is 15% better than Expedia, Wotif, etc
Plus Free car parking (normally$15 per night) 11 am check out

Admiralty Inn Motel
66 McKillop Street, Geelong
6 minute walk to Geelong Events Centre.
Quote Code:
GeelongBusinessEvents
Date Price
18-05-23 122.55
19-05-23 127.30
20-05-23 160.55
21-05-23 122.55
Bookings via telephone 03 5221 4288 or email admin@admiraltyinn.com.au
English breakfasts are available daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a cost
Melbourne Airport bus transfer to Geelong and return: Gull Geelong 45 McKillop Street, Geelong is a 4 minute walk to Admiralty Inn Motel
Transport and Transfer options

AVALON AIRPORT – (AVV) currently services Jetstar direct flights from Gold Coast and Sydney and from early 2023 Bonza flights from Sunshine Coast.
Transfers To/From Avalon Airport to Geelong: MyBus Airport Transfers provides door to door service from Avalon Airport to accommodation options.
Bookings are essential at least two business days before you fly.
The booking team is available Mon-Fri 9.00am-4.30pm. Call: 1300 169 287
Email: hello@mybusgeelong.com.au
Visit: https://www.mybusgeelong.com.au/services/airport-transfers-for-groups
MELBOURNE AIRPORT – (MEL) is the hub for Jetstar, Qantas, Rex Airlines and Virgin Australia.
Transfers To/From Melbourne Airport to Geelong: Gull Airport Service has 170 regular timetabled services between Melbourne Airport and Geelong weekly. Bookings are essential. Gull operates every day except Christmas Day. Book and pay online 24/7.
Visit: https://gull.com.au
Gull Geelong depot at 45 McKillop Street, Geelong is an easy 5 minute walk to Rydges Geelong Hotel

Spirit of Tasmania Quay Geelong, the new Victorian home of Spirit of Tasmania
MyBus provides a transfer door to door service to/from the Geelong CBD
Bookings are essential at least two business days before sailing. Call 1300 169 287
Email: hello@mybusgeelong.com.au
Searoad Ferries Sorrento to Queenscliff/Geelong Car & Passenger Ferry crossing between Sorrento and Queenscliff hourly, every day, in all weather. Connecting the Mornington & Bellarine Peninsula’s
Visit: https://www.searoad.com.au

Train options
V/Line travel time from Southern Cross Station (Spencer Street) Melbourne CBD to Geelong is one hour; trains depart every twenty minutes Monday to Friday and every forty minutes on weekends.
View: https://australiatravelquestions.com/transport/melbourne-to-geelong-train
The walk from Geelong Station (Railway Terrace entrance) to Rydges Geelong Hotel is ten minutes, it is a slight incline. Taxi is five minute ride.
The Overland train from Adelaide to North Shore Station, the station is 7km from Rydges Geelong Hotel. Taxi is a fifteen minute ride.
Conference venue is Geelong Events Centre next to the conference hotel Rydges Geelong Hotel corner of Myers & Gheringhap Streets, Geelong.
Contact:
OAA VIC Branch Chair Helene Bender AM
E: chairvic@theorderofaustralia.asn.au
M: 0407 261 951