ADFAS Pokolbin Chairman’s report from Robert Lusby AM
Annual Conference Sydney September 2019
Possibly the most interesting aspect of the meeting was the four-minute address by our National President, the renowned conservator Julian Bickersteth.



Well with that piece of expensive trivia the meeting came to an end but I must say it was a wonderfully organized meeting covering all aspects of ADFAS which with over 6000 members is one of the biggest Arts associations in Australia.
We welcomed a new society, the first from Western Australia, and were impressed by their new approach and ability to recruit over 100 members in just over a year.
Membership was high on the agenda as was the selection of topics for the lectures. Both complex matters as we are well aware of. The filling in of reports on the lecturers also got some interesting discussion. Both positive and negative remarks are welcome.
Part of the meeting was to inform incoming chairmen of the vast range of things that need to be done and how to share the responsibility…a thing we do very well.
Matters concerning communication, Australian lecturers, accommodation, homestays, and the Mechanics School of Arts program were covered in detail.

Some 9000 years old the jaw was removed and lower face and nose remolded with clay and shells placed in the eye sockets.

Heather Wilson played a key role in the organization of the Hotel and the meeting including bell ringer and procurer of nonbuttered Egg sandwiches for me!
I was impressed by the enthusiasm, engagement, detailed drilling down on issues and the overall understanding of the importance that the arts have in our society.
We are not just another provider of lectures on the Arts we are a Society looking after our members, enlightening and sharing ideas, and having a good “party” after where we can meet new people and mix with old and new friends. The whole package is important.
So Next time bring along a friend and share the experience was a key message.
As a voluntary organization, ADFAS is indeed an authentic player and that’s not Fake News.