1. RI Convention Sydney Australia June 1-4,2014 Revised 03dec2013: Rydges World Square Hotel, see p 10

2. PLAN EARLY AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE! RI processes forms on a first-come, first- served basis; Register early; New online registration - receive your confirmation materials immediately!

3. IMPORTANT DEADLINES: 15 December 2013 – Early registration deadline 31 March 2014 – Pre-registration deadline 30 April 2014 – Registration/ticket cancellation deadline 2 May 2014 – Official housing deadline 3 June 2014 – Online registration closes

4. Good to know: FREE public transportation provided by the New South Wales government for up to three days before and one day after the convention, to visit many tourist venues as well as the Convention events.

5. Dates to Remember December 15, 2013 Last day for EARLY registration at LOWEST rate April 30, 2014: Cancellation deadline Saturday, May 31, 2014: 2 orientation sessions, especially for 1st timers – to help you get the most out of convention June 3, 2014 Online registration closes. Sydney Convention Countdown 7 months 3 Weeks 5 Days 1st – 4th of June 2014

6. Sydney Olympic Park (SOP) venue of ”best Olympic Games ever” in 2000; All plenary sessions held in prestigious AllPhones Arena, comfortable seating; all seats have excellent view of proceedings; accessible for people with disabilities or mobility issues; equipped with elevators and escalators serving all sections; 2 opening sessions ; 1 session for all other plenary sessions. Note: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour is being demolished and rebuilt through 2014. Sydney Olympic Park Coordinates 33° 50.43 S 151° 03.49 E

7. The Billabong House of Friendship has been called The Billabong, the indigenous people’s name for a waterhole often used for meetings. meeting place for delegates from all around the Rotary world meet with old friends and make new ones.

8. CORROBOREE On-line newsletter Subscribe online on RI Convention website (later) Program of entertainment listed * Corroboree – ”A ceremonial meeting of Australian Aborigines where they interact with the Dreamtime ** through dance, music and costume.” ** Dreamtime – “Aboriginal mythology when ancestral spirits created the world.”

9. Global Connection Host Organising Committee for Sydney Convention have partnered with a great Aussie travel company named Global Connection. Offer range of exclusive tours & experiences of Australia and its neighbours – New Zealand and the South Pacific Island. Global Connection can be contacted via email or simply visit their website to see the latest deals.website

10. Hotel for District 7010-revised www.riconvention.org Rydges World Square Hotel 389 Pitt St., Sydney Quoted Rate: $239/night GST Included Internet access complimentary hotel in Sydney’s heart Easy access to Darling Harbour, the Conference precinct and Chinatown. surrounded by an array of culinary dining restaurants entertainment venues, and shopping precincts For info, contact: ldutrisac@laurentian.ca

11. See you in Sydney! On se voit à Sydney! June 1 – 4, 2014 1 au 4 juin 2014