Partner's Programme
Here is a draft of the proposed schedule for our partners' programme. Please note it is subject to change. If less than 15 people register for the partners' programme then the conference reserves the right to cancel the programme entirely and refund registrations.
Short cuts to specific days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.
Monday: Canberra as Capital
09:00 -- meet at LH
National Capital Exhibition -- the exhibition tells the story of Canberra, Australia's national capital. Through interactive displays, the Exhibition illustrates Canberra's vital role as a symbol of Federation. It features the people, events, history and design which contributed to the development of this unique, modern, fully planned city. For those not interested in Canberra's context (you should be ashamed of yourselves by the way), this location is also a nice coffee shop down by the lake.
Old Parliament House and the Museum of Australian Democracy -- housed in one of Australia’s most-loved buildings, the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House brings the journey of Australian democracy to life -- presenting its past, present and possible futures.
Parliament House -- we’ve pulled a few strings and arranged a behind the scenes tour of Australia’s Parliament House. This is a tour that visitors don’t normally get, and covers areas not open to the general public. Its a bit like being in West Wing, but with awesomer accents. Paul and Kate will tear Mikal limb from limb if this gets published as is. Ooops.
17:00 -- return to MCC
Tuesday: We Have Animals, Some of Them Odd Looking
09:00 -- meet at LH
National Zoo and Aquarium -- the National Zoo & Aquarium is Australia's only combined Zoo and Aquarium. Situated on around 7 hectares of land just five minutes from the centre of Canberra, with a wide variety of both native and exotic animals, as well as the largest inland saltwater tank in Australia, there is something for everyone. Additionally, the penguins that so impressed Linus live here, and are on public display.
17:00 -- return to MCC
Wednesday: Fun Day
09:00 -- meet at LH
Cockington Green -- Cockington Green Gardens offers its visitors an experience you will not find anywhere else. Venture into this delightful and fascinating display of meticulously crafted miniature buildings set within beautifully landscaped gardens to make your Canberra visit complete. Created by Doug & Brenda Sarah Cockington Green Gardens is a family owned and operated attraction, with four generations involved in its operation over the past 30 years.
Questacon -- full of electricity and general science awesome, the National Science and Technology Centre is Australia's premier science museum.
17:00 -- return to MCC
Thursday: A Waste of a Perfectly Good Sheep Paddock
09:00 -- meet at LH
Australian War Memorial -- the Australian War Memorial is Australia's national memorial to the members of all its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated in the wars of the Commonwealth of Australia. The memorial includes an extensive national military museum. The Australian War Memorial was opened in 1941, and is widely regarded as one of the most significant memorials of its type in the world. The Australian War Memorial consists of three parts: the Commemorative Area (shrine) including the Hall of Memory with the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier, the Memorial's galleries (museum) and Research Centre (records). The Memorial also has an outdoor Sculpture Garden.
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve -- nestled between Tidbinbilla and Gibraltar Ranges the reserve forms part of the Australian Alps National Parks, a series of parks and reserves that span Australia’s high country. The Australian Alps are National Heritage listed, recognising that their natural and cultural values are of outstanding national significance. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is home to a wide range of Australian animals living in diverse sub-alpine habitats including wetlands, grasslands, wet and dry forests and woodlands. These habitats support a wide range of wildlife including kangaroos, koalas, platypus, potoroos, wallaroos, possums, wombats, echidnas, emus, lyrebirds as well as many other birds and reptiles.
Deep Space Network -- the Canberra Deep Space Centre is located on the grounds of the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex at Tidbinbilla, about 35kms southwest of the city of Canberra. The centre offers visitors the chance to learn about the role that Australia plays in the exploration of space. You can take in magnificent views of the largest antenna complex in the southern hemisphere, see a piece of the Moon that's over 3.8 billion years old, check out the latest images from across the Solar System and beyond, check out spacecraft models, plus space hardware and other memorabilia. Discover the foods that astronauts eat on the space shuttle and space station, see info on the history and future of space exploration, take a virtual trip around the Solar System or across the galaxy, or just sit back and relax in the Moon Rock Café.
17:00 -- return to MCC
Friday: That Sure is a Big Marble Building (National Institutions)
09:00 -- meet at LH
National Museum -- the National Museum of Australia preserves and interprets Australia's social history, exploring the key issues, people and events that have shaped the nation. The Museum profiles 50,000 years of Indigenous heritage, settlement since 1788 and key events including Federation and the Sydney 2000 Olympics. The Museum holds the world's largest collection of Aboriginal bark paintings and stone tools, the heart of champion racehorse Phar Lap and the Holden prototype No. 1 car.
National Library/National Gallery of Australia/National Portrait Gallery -- free choice between these three venues.
National Library of Australia -- the library is the largest reference library of Australia. The Library collects material produced by Australians, for Australians or about the Australian experience in all formats—not just printed works—books, serials, newspapers, maps, posters, music and printed ephemera—but also online publications and unpublished material such as manuscripts, pictures and oral histories. The Library has particular collection strengths in the performing arts, including dance. Mikal's dad also used to work there.
National Gallery of Australia -- this gallery is the national art gallery of Australia, holding more than 120,000 works of art. At the time of the conference there is a Toulouse Lautrec exhibition on as well.
National Portrait Gallery -- this gallery is a collection of portraits of prominent Australians that are important in their field of endeavour or whose life sets them apart as an individual of long-term public interest.
16:00 - return to LH