WIA Annual Conference
Fremantle

May 24^th, 25^th and 26^th 2013

The conference is hosted by Western Australian clubs, led by a small steering committee consisting of Bob VK6POP and Onno VK6FLAB.

Fremantle is Perth's port city, steeped in history and culture. During the Conference weekend we'll visit the historic Wireless Hill reserve, the convict era Fremantle Prison, the Maritime Museum right on the harbour, stroll through Fremantle's historic streetscapes with its many cafes, and feast on fresh seafood at Fishing Boat Harbour. We'll also visit Australia's top Amateur Radio facility, the Neil Penfold State Amateur Radio Centre.

The Tradewinds Hotel

Our conference venue is the Tradewinds Hotel with several function rooms, a great restaurant and bar. It features quality rooms, each with its own kitchen. The hotel overlooks the Swan River, close to public transport.

The WIA has negotiated a special rate of $180 per room per night* and a full breakfast for $20 per head. You'll book your room directly with the hotel. Their phone number is (08) 9339 8188 and their website is http://www.tradewindshotel.com.au/.

Remember to make it clear that you're booking for the Wireless Institute of Australia Conference 24-26 May 2013 to qualify for the discount*.

* Subject to availability - book now to avoid disappointment.

Getting There

The hotel is at 59 Canning Highway, East Fremantle WA 6158, just near the Stirling Bridge, on National Route 6. If you live outside Perth, you'll have to travel there first. Feel free to choose your mode of transport, however intercity airfares are pretty good, especially if you start looking early. Remember when looking at discount airfares to consider the cost of checked luggage, in-flight refreshments and entertainment and other fees/taxes; some airlines charge these as extras. We've put together a page with some planning considerations.

A shuttle bus is provided by the conference to transport you between the airport and the hotel. A schedule will be published closer to the conference.

If you choose to travel by road across the Nullarbor consider turning left at Norseman, drive to Esperance then work your way around the coast. Allow several days to take in the beautiful coastline, magnificent forests and plentiful wineries of the South West.

Communication

Conference communication on VK6RFM, 146.950, negative offset, no CTCSS. Echolink and IRLP are available on this repeater.

Friday, 24 May, Registration and Welcome

Wireless Hill Welcome on Friday Evening

After you settle into your room at the Tradewinds Hotel and refreshed yourself at the bar, we'll take a coach a few kilometres up the road to Wireless Hill reserve, which was formerly Australia's second coastal radio station, VIP. The WA VHF Group, which has its clubrooms at Wireless Hill, will be our host.

Saturday, 25 May, AGM

The WIA Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Wireless Institute of Australia will be conducted in the Tradewinds Hotel from 0900 on Saturday 25th May 2013. The meeting is followed by morning tea.

Open Forum

The Open Forum starts immediately after morning tea. The forum is a group discussion and your opportunity to ask questions and put suggestions to the Board. Lunch follows.

Technical Symposium

The Saturday afternoon Technical Symposium offers you presentations on a variety of interesting topics. If you would like to make a presentation, click here to express your interest.

Partner's Programme

Partners who don't want to be bored with AGMs and tech-speak are invited to take the Partners Mystery Tour of Perth. This tour will include, but is not limited to, sights and views along the coast and the Swan River, King's Park, Perth CBD and lunch at one of many eateries along the way. The cost of this tour is included in your registration fee.

Conference Dinner

The buffet Annual Conference Dinner will be held in the Tradewinds Hotel with bar service, featuring an interesting guest speaker and a presentation or two.

Sunday, 26 May, Social

Sunday Sights

Around mid-morning on Sunday the shuttle bus will run to Fremantle Prison for the guided tour, then into Fremantle for you to wander the streets, slurp some coffee, and wend your way to Fishing Boat Harbour for a sumptuous seafood lunch. After lunch we'll shuttle those who don't want to walk to the Maritime Museum. You may encounter a café or two, a brewery, or the markets on the way if you meander sufficiently. Maps provided.

Sunday Sundowner

The Sundowner is at the QTH of the Northern Corridor Radio Group, in Whiteman Park, on the North Eastern fringe of Perth. You'll be able to look over the Neil Penfold State Amateur Radio Centre, operate the special event radio station, and of course we'll be fed yet again. Travel is by coach from the Tradewinds Hotel.

Preliminary Conference Programme

Friday	24 May 2013
12:00 pm to 5:00 pm	Registration at the Tradewinds Hotel
6:00 pm	Welcome at Wireless Hill
Saturday	25 May 2013
8:00 am to 9:00 am	Registration at the Tradewinds Hotel
9:00 am to 5:00 pm	Partners Mystery Tour
9:00 am to 1:00 pm	Annual General Meeting and Open Forum, Tradewinds Hotel
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm	Lunch
2:00 pm to 5:00 pm	Technical Symposium
5.30 pm to 7:00 pm	Drinks in the bar
7:00 pm to 11:00pm	Annual Dinner, Buffet meal, bar service, Tradewinds Hotel
Sunday	26 May 2013
6:00 am to 7:00 am	Live news broadcast VK1WIA and VK6WIA NewsWest
9:00 am to 3.30 pm	Tour of Fremantle Attractions, Lunch at Fishing Boat Harbour at 12:30pm
5:00 pm to 10:00pm	Travel by coach to the Sundowner at the Neil Penfold State Amateur Radio Centre

Conference Weekend Registration

Please ensure that you use the online registration form on this site to register your attendance for the weekend activities. A $90 per head registration fee is charged.

Alternative Accommodation

There are caravan parks with varied styles of accommodation within 10km of Fremantle.

• Woodman Point Holiday Park
• Fremantle Village
• Coogee Beach Holiday Park (We pronounce it coo-gee over here)