National Minister's Conference Alice Springs

Dates: 6pm Monday 9 May 2011 - 9am Saturday 14 May 2011

Arrive in plenty of time to settle in at Mele Presbyterian Church by 6pm on Monday.

Registration Closing Date for Conference: 15 April 2011

Registration Closing Date for Conference + Exposure Trips: 1 April 2011

Venue: Mele Presbyterian Church, 15 minutes out of Port Vila, Vanuatu

You will be transported to the venue by local organisers.

You do not need a Visa to travel to Vanuatu.

Please contact your Doctor for advice on recommended vaccinations for travelling to Vanuatu.

Map:

When you register for the Vanuatu Conference, you can attend the Conference Only, or the Conference + Exposure Trips to either Tanna or Santo (see below). Please read these carefully.

Spouse of Delegates

Spouses of Delegates are welcome to have limited participation at the conference.

Includes:

Registration

Meals and social activities

All sessions except those specifically for Ministry delegates - see program under the Conference Programs Tab above.

Local transport

Cost: $280

Conference Only

Cost: $300

Includes:

Registration

Meals

Local transport

Accommodation:

You will need to book your own accommodation and you can check these options out online. You will get the best deal if you team up with some other ministers and book together to share one of the beachside resort facilities. There are plenty of other options available in the Port Vila and Mele area but these will be the easiest for transportation. See below.

Book early to ensure you get a good spot.

Please note:

Please organize your own flights, and book as early as possible to secure the cheapest flights, as prices can vary dramatically depending on when you book.

Accommodation Recommendations:

Tara Beach resort

Tara Beach is absolute beachfront – you wake up in the morning and literally look straight to the water. 100% Ni-Vanuatu owned, Tara Beach Resort has ten bungalows, all positioned along the waterfront. Each has two bedrooms, a bathroom, a lounge area, breezy front patios and ocean views. Each bungalow can sleep up to four people and you can have a choice of queen and single beds or bunks. Roomy and clean, all linen supplied, tea and coffee making facilities, bar fridge and a TV and DVD player. Shuttle bus will take you to and from Mele for the conference sessions. www.tarabeachresort.com

Hideaway Island Resort

Hideaway Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary is an entire small coral atoll. Power is generated around the clock on the island and water is fed from the top of the waterfalls. Surrounded by clear turquoise water, coral reefs and thousands of fish, this Melanesian style resort is the custodian of one of Vanuatu's only marine sanctuaries. Ecologically friendly accommodation ranges from a luxurious two bedroom villa with private swimming pool, low bank one bedroom bungalows, semi-attached one bedroom bungalows and twin and quad-share rooms with shared facilities. Activities and amenities include a fresh water swimming pool, games room with cable television and free DVD movies, free use of all non-motorized water sports equipment, restaurant/bar, beach volleyball, and an underwater post office. A free motorised punt takes you ashore for the short walk to the conference location in Mele. www.hideaway.com.vu

Island Magic Resort

Bungalows with private deck and ocean views. Outdoor pool and pristine coral reef for snorkeling. Choose between ocean view and oceanfront two bedroom bungalows (up to five guests) or oceanfront one bedroom bungalow (up to three guests). Fully screened with ceiling fans throughout, fully equipped kitchen with microwave, stove, gas oven & refrigerator/freezer, lounge room with TV and DVD ensuite bedrooms, full linen and towels supplied, washing machine and ironing facilities. You will need to prepare your own breakfast at Island Magic Resort. Shuttle bus will take you to and from Mele for the conference sessions. www.islandmagicresort.com

Benjor Beach Club

Benjor Beach Club is located on 23 acres of beachfront with a mixture of coral and white sand beaches with direct access to fabulous coral reefs for snorkeling. Three to four-star accommodation options include oceanfront one bedroom villas, oceanfront studio spa villa (two storey), oceanfront two bedroom spa villas, oceanfront chief's villas (5 bedroom). Tennis court, golf driving range, oceanfront swimming pool and beach volleyball area. Shuttle bus will take you to and from Mele for the conference sessions. www.benjor.vu

Worawia Resort

Set in native tropical gardens, Worawia Resort is literally a few metres walk from the Mele conference sessions but is not on the beach front (the beach is a short walk away). Worawia is backpacker style offering Ni-Vanuatu (traditionally) inspired accommodation: a three-bedroom family bungalow, two regular bungalows, one couples bungalow, and dormitory bungalow with four rooms at very affordable rates. Facilities include swimming pool. www.worawia.com

The Melanesian Port Vila

The Melanesian Port Vila is not a resort but rather a three star hotel located close to Port Vila town rather than beachside. The Orchid Rooms are fully air-conditioned and overlook the Oasis poolside gardens and bar. Hibiscus Rooms have kitchenettes and are ceiling fan cooled. More spacious Bougainvillea Apartments (1 and 2 bedroom) feature fan cooling and are fully self-contained. All rooms have coffee and tea making facilities, local STD & ISD telephone, in-room safe, iron and ironing board, hair dyer, smoke detector, colour television with in-house movies, local and cable TV. 24 hour reception and swimming pool. Wireless internet access is available free of charge but reception is not always available beyond the common areas. Shuttle bus will take you to and from Mele for the conference sessions. www.melanesianportvila.com

Conference + Exposure Trips

Description:

Discover the “real” Vanuatu with a post-conference visit to the outer Vanuatu islands of Tanna or Santo. Participants will stay in a village as guests of the local Presbyterian Church in Vanuatu and experience life and worship together with ni-Vanuatu families.

This is the chance to find out what life is like for local people and to experience some of the challenges of village life together with the rich community and culture they share. Don’t miss this chance to experience faith in a cross-cultural context and to be challenged and inspired in new and different ways. You will participate in worship with the community on the Sunday.

The program will include traditional meals and village accommodation on Saturday 14 May and Sunday 15 May, and an unwind and debrief back at an eco resort or local hotel on Monday 16 May, and then a Tuesday night stopover in Port Vila before returning to Australia on Wednesday 18 May.

Participants will be staying in local accommodation for two nights and will need to bring a mosquito net, torch and insect repellent.

Where:

Tanna or Santo

There is a limit of 25 people for each trip.

When:

Saturday 14 May - Wednesday 18 May

Cost:

$300 Conference

PLUS

Conference accommodation (see above for suggestions)

PLUS

Exposure Trip Registration and Accommodation:

$400 for accommodation and food and local transport.

Includes:

Accommodation with Ni-Vanuatu families on Saturday and Sunday night

Hotel accommodation on Santo or Tanna on Monday night

Hotel accommodation in Port Vila Tuesday night.

However, delegates to provide own lunch and dinner Monday 16 May and Tuesday 17 May.

PLUS

Flights:

$895 for flights (Sydney / Port Vila / Tanna / Port Vila / Sydney)

$859 for flights (Sydney / Port Vila / Santo / Port Vila / Sydney)

This figure for flights is a package with Air Vanuatu that includes return flights from Sydney to Port Vila PLUS the local flights from Port Vila to either Santo or Tanna return.

You will need to make your own way to Sydney in time to catch the 10.45am flight to Port Vila on Monday 9 May, and your own way home from Sydney on Wednesday 18 May, having arrived in Sydney at 18:05. You will be notified if these flights times change.

Summary of Costs:

$300 Conference +

$xxx Conference Accommodation +

$1295 Exposure Trip to Tanna OR

$1259 Exposure Trip to Santo

To register for the conference, select the black New Registration icon at the top right hand corner of this screen.