Social Program

The Cairns Organising Committee have gone all out to provide a full and varied program to entertain delegates attending the CDAA Conference in Cairns.

Pre- and Post-Conference Tours
The social program begins and ends with conference participants taking the opportunity to book with friends on any of the pre-/post-conference tours, particularly the Sunlover Cruises to the Great Barrier Reef. Access the information on the Great Barrier Reef tour being offered at a special discounted rate to delegates when booked through registration Read more...

Art Competition
The conference is involving the Cairns community in a number of career related activities as a way of contributing to career development in that community. As a consequence, Education Services Australia will sponsor the myfuture Art Competition among a range of school students from the Cairns area. Students in years one and six from four primary schools will be asked to submit their art work entries on A4 size paper in response to the question “What do I want to be when I grow up?”

The schools involved are Woree State School, Freshwater State School, St Gerards Primary School and The School of the Air. Twenty drawings from year one and year six at each school (160 in total) will be selected and displayed on ten Poster Boards in the foyer of the Convention Centre. Throughout the duration of the Conference. delegates are invited to vote on their favourite art work(s) with a donation of a gold coin to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) to accompany each vote. All students selected for display, will receive a signed Certificate and the top 3 in each category will get appropriate prizes from Education Services Australia on the Friday morning of the Conference. The schools will also be recognised.

The Cairns community, particularly the parents of the artists, will be invited to view the selected art works during the conference.

Monday 25 April
For those arriving in Cairns before Tuesday, the committee have planned a meeting place for interested people to catch up on the Monday night. It will be Mondo's Cafe Bar and Grill in the Hilton Hotel, 34 The Esplanade, Cairns.

Tuesday 26 April
After the spectacular opening to the conference, registered delegates are invited to the "Welcome" function on the verandah of the Cairns Convention Centre (7.00pm-8.00pm). The cost for this event is included in full Conference Registration categories. Day Registrants and Guests are required to pay to attend. Dress code for this evening is smart casual.

The event is sponsored by Group Training Australia and delegates are offered drinks and canapes and an opportunity to network with colleagues and enjoy the ambience of Cairns. Participants who wish to continue networking after the function ceases should look in their conference satchels, which will contain a list of recommended eating places within close walking distance of the Convention Centre.

Wednesday 27 April
Free night options for this night. If you wish to join colleagues for dinner, leave your name at the registration desk and you will be booked into a nearby Restaurant. Other options for entertainment can be found in the Program Brochure you receive at Registration and in amongst material in the delegate satchels.

Thursday 28 April
The Conference Dinner will take the tropical theme ‘Going Troppo’ very seriously. Participants will be encouraged, with some appropriate resourcing, to join in the spirit of the event by dressing in tropical gear.

Delegates will be led in dancing by an accomplished local band who will carry on the theme with a 'beach boys' approach to music. The function will commence with pre-dinner drinks at 7.00pm in the Cairns Convention Centre. The cost for attendance is included in Full Registration categories. Day registrants and guests are required to pay to attend. Dress up is optional.

If you have not indicated that you wish to attend this function, it is not too late to do so. Please contact the Conference Organisers by email cdaa@onqconferences.com.au or by phone (02)6288 3998 to make your booking. Please book early to ensure you are catered for. Bookings cannot be accepted 48 hours out from the event.

Friday 29 April
Participants are encouraged during the conference to plan to join with friends to have an entertaining or relaxing Friday afternoon in and about Cairns after the conference ends around lunch time.