ASPAC 2005 Downunder Host: Kiwanis International Australia District Venue: Melbourne Hilton on the Park 192 Wellington Parade East Melbourne Australia Date: 10 – 12 March 2005 Theme: “CHILDREN HOLD THE FUTURE” Kiwanis Asia Pacific The ASPAC Convention is held in March each year to bring together Kiwanis members and friends from the Asia Pacific Region. Recent conventions have been held in Nagoya Japan (2004), Kota Kinabalu Malaysia (2003) and Tahiti French Polynesia (2002). Australia was host to the ASPAC Convention in 1995, which was also held in Melbourne. Kiwanis Asia Pacific comprises over 20,000 members from 18 countries or nations. These include Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, New Zealand and Australia and the smaller Kiwanis nations of India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Guam. Around 500 members and their partners will gather at the Melbourne Hilton on the Park on Friday March 11 and Saturday March 12 for two days of Convention activity. The Convention will provide a mix of Business sessions as well as outstanding social events and international networking opportunities. The business of the Convention includes local and regional cultural activities, Kiwanis education, trade displays, guest speakers, elections, board meetings and fellowship. Governors, Governors-Elect and ASPAC Executive meetings will be held on the Thursday. A few delegates are also expected from the United States and Europe, among them Kiwanis International President Case Van Kleef and four other members of the International Board. Hilton on the Park - Melbourne Located in the elegant and historical inner-city suburb of East Melbourne and opposite the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Melbourne Park Tennis Centre (home of the Australian Tennis Open), the hotel also faces the Fitzroy Gardens. This large park houses Captain Cooks Cottage, which was brought from England and rebuilt brick by brick. It is also home to an Australian native marsupial --- the possum, and these creatures can be fed and viewed every night. The hotels 404 rooms have comprehensive facilities, supplemented by a restaurant and three bars. The hotel also offers 18 meeting rooms and a ballroom that can cater for up to 800 people. Other facilities include the Hilton Day Spa with treatment rooms, a wedding chapel and gaming room. The hotel is within a pleasant ten minutes walk through the gardens to the city centre, central business, entertainment, theatre and shopping districts. Alternatively, you can travel in the opposite direction, to shop cafe-style along the vibrant Bridge Road. Melbourne International Airport is only 30 minutes drive away. Enjoy fine dining, relaxed bars and comfortable guest rooms. Hilton takes care of all your hospitality needs. Hilton on the Park - Melbourne 192 Wellington Pde East Melbourne, VIC 3002 Tel: (+61 3) 9419-2000 Fax: (+61 3) 9412-3156 Email: christine.mahlis@hilton.com Convention Summary Melbourne has just experienced it's best ever ASPAC with over 356 attendees from 17 Districts. Not only, but also, Melbourne, had glorious weather of up to 32 degrees with blue skies. Past ASPAC Chairman Peter Kimberley stood as Australia District Candidate for election to International Board of Trustees. Unfortunately Peter was unsuccessful. Mention should be made of the hard work of the ASPAC Committee under the Chairmanship of Bruce Entwisle. Bruce and all the team members worked tirelessly. The dedication and the new ideas for an ASPAC bore the hallmarks of an unforgettable Australian Convention. It would be remiss not make mention of the manner in which Past District Governor Graham Mould acted as MC. Graham exhibited his rare talent for the smooth running of big International Kiwanis events, working from the minimum amount of material which was supplied as a running sheet. No worthwhile International Convention would be complete without the Australian contingent getting suitably dressed for the occasion and giving a stirring rendition of the Peter Allen favourite “I STILL CALL AUSTRALIA HOME”. So moving was the singing of this song by 35 Australians, at the conclusion there was nobody left in the audience. News Flash! March 16, 2005 Kiwanis Indonesia has received a grant from Kiwanis International Foundation to build a school, orphanage, and medical clinic. Kiwanis International Foundation president Ralf Wilson presented Kiwanis Indonesia representative Arleen Djohan with a grant of US$300,000 during the 2005 Asia-Pacific convention. The money will go toward construction of a school, orphanage and medical clinic to be finished later this year. The facilities will be built on Nias Island, an area where many children lost their parents during the December 26 tsunami disaster. Kiwanis members and clubs worldwide have contributed more than $600,000 to the Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund. Click here for more details. For After Convention Enquires contact: By Mail: ASPAC 2005 Convention Australia District PO Box 164 Highbury South Australia 5089 By Phone/Fax: Bruce Entwisle ASPAC 2005 Conference Chairman. Ph/fax: +61 03 9846 2321 email to: entwislemelb@optusnet.com.au By e-mail: Please use the following Convention Enquiry contact address email to: aspac2005@kiwanis.com.au Updated: March 21, 2005 Kiwanis International Australia District Inc.