Congress 2015

Do you need to be registered to attend the congress social events?

Leanne McMahon — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 10:46:58 +0000

No, you don’t need to be registered to attend any of the social events, or to visit the exhibition space and hear the speakers in “Speakers Corner”.

Family, friends and visitors are all welcome to register just for the social events. They can enjoy dinner in the Great Hall of Parliament House or attend the welcome function at the Australia War Memorial.

In fact we encourage you to bring along guests, what better way to introduce them to the wonderful world of family history and genealogy research than to share some time with true converts!

Congress newspaper

Leanne McMahon — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 10:29:06 +0000

Keen to keep up with all the latest Congress news, read interviews with our presenters or just looking for some interesting genealogy tidbits? Then be sure to subscribe to Congress 2015’s online newspaper. Official Congress blogger Pauleen Cass has been compiling the “AFFHO Congress 2015 Weekly” an online newspaper with weekly news about Congress 2015.

Not only will you find content from Pauline but the paper pulls together links to all the interviews our official blogger team of Pauleen, Shauna Hicks and Jill Ball have done with our Congress presenters. These will give you an insight into what drives their interest in genealogy and a peek at what they hope you’ll take away from their talks at Congress. As well as interviews and latest news. The bonus of this online tool is it will also gather together lots of other genie info that you just mind find interesting.

Is it possible to make Congress payments by instalment?

Leanne McMahon — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 13:54:07 +0000

Yes. Instalment payments can be made in either of two ways. The simplest would be to do part payments by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and pay the registration off over a period. To do this select ‘Send me a Tax Invoice’ when you reach the payment option for your registration. The EFT details are on the registration site and also on the bottom of the invoice that will be sent to you with your confirmation of registration letter. As long as the complete payment is made by the end of October it will qualify for the Early Bird Registration.

Part payment by credit card can also be accepted. To do this, again you would need to select ‘Send me a tax invoice’ (when going through the Registration Process). Then you would need to contact Conference Logistics, who are managing the registration process, and do part payments over the phone on your credit card. The need to complete all payments by end October to qualify for Early Bird Registration would apply.

Congress starts in ANZAC Hall

Leanne McMahon — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 12:59:24 +0000

2015 will be a significant year for the Australian War Memorial as Australians around the nation come together to remember the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign. The centenary marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.

The Australian War Memorial will be commemorating the centenary through a major redevelopment of its First World War galleries and a variety of new public programs and events.

It will be an exciting time to visit the Memorial. Congress attendees will have a unique opportunity to experience the Memorial during this significant year. The Welcome function for Congress will be hosted in the captivating ANZAC Hall.

ANZAC Hall offers a truly unique experience, where delegates can mingle among historic items, authentic objects and great works of art depicting Australia’s military history. All while enjoying one of the wonderful audiovisual presentations developed specifically for this amazing space.

The Congress event will be scheduled to allow delegates to attend the Last Post ceremony prior to the welcome event. At the end of each day the Memorial farewells day visitors with its moving Last Post ceremony. The ceremony begins with the singing of the Australian National Anthem, followed by the poignant strains of a Lament, played by a piper. Visitors are invited to lay wreaths and floral tributes beside the Pool of Reflection. The Roll of Honour in the Cloisters lists the names of more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations over more than a century. At each ceremony the story behind one of these names is told. The Ode is then recited, and the ceremony ends with the sounding of the Last Post.

Congress provides a wonderful opportunity to experience all that the Australian War Memorial represents.

Early birds are open!

Leanne McMahon — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 12:59:06 +0000

Congress 2015 early bird registration are officially open. We invite you to join us, along with a host of great presenters, a bunch of friendly family historians and a hall full of trade vendors in the national capital next March. Registration is easy, just visit the the Congress home page and click on the registration button. It will step you through the registration process. And if at any time you want to change your choices or update your details, just use your password to visit the delegates zone.

We look forward to sharing a jam-packed weekend with you next year.

Facebook for Congress updates

Leanne McMahon — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 06:31:01 +0000

There are plenty of ways to keep up-to-date with information about Congress 2015. Obviously new information on the program, speakers and tours will be detailed on the Congress website. But our blog will also feature information on our speakers, our venue, Canberra highlights and family history news over the next 12 months, and if you are a Facebook user be sure to ‘like’ us on Facebook. You’ll get all the latest news straight to your inbox. Find us on Facebook.

Early bird registration opens 31 March 2014![Early bird registration now closed]

Leanne McMahon — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 06:09:05 +0000

The countdown starts! It is now only one year until Congress 2015. Early bird registration opens on Monday 31 March. So check out the program and speakers and start planning your trip to Canberra from 26-31 March 2015. We have a great line up of speakers, with something for everyone.

I have a question that doesn’t appear here. What can I do?

adrian — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 05:20:48 +0000

We are more than happy to try to answer your question. Send us an email through the Contact us page and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as we can.

Is there disabled access?

adrian — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:33:46 +0000

Yes, there is disabled access at the National Convention Centre Canberra and at the venues for the Welcome Cocktail Party and the Congress Dinner. There is disabled access within the Convention Centre as well as ramps located on the Constitution Avenue and Glebe Park entrances to the building and accessible lifts in the car park.

What will be included in the cost of registration?

adrian — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:33:07 +0000

The details of the Congress package will be given when registrations open. In general terms, there will be full Congress packages which will include attendance at all lectures, presentations, seminars etc and will also include morning and afternoon teas and lunch on Congress days. Single day Congress packages will also be available. All social activities – Welcome Cocktail Party, Congress Dinner, tours etc will be priced separately.