District 9560 first ever Annual Conference will be held in Mackay this year from April 30 to May 2. As mentioned previously, this is a Conference you will not want to miss so start planning now. This month we are introducing Nic Beveridge! Nic woke up one morning in 2003 to discover he was paralysed from the chest down. Now he is a two-time Paralympic athlete.

The early registration date has been extended. Register before February 15 and pay $155 for full Conference registration which includes Conference attendance, lunches and morning/afternoon tea, Cocktail party and Gala dinner. Registering after February 1 will cost $185. Register now at 2022 Conference - Rotary 9560

The Conference theme is “One team – One goal”. As previously explained our keynote speaker is Rachael Robertson who successfully led a yearlong expedition to Antarctica.

We have many quality speakers attending and this edition I am profiling home-grown Mackay man Nic Beveridge.

For most of his career, Nic Beveridge has been better known as ‘the other Australian’. A name without a story. But the slow and steady rise of Nic and his accomplishments over the years has brought this story to light. When Nic was 17, he experienced a significant change. This change would see Nic go on to become a 2 x Paralympian (Triathlon – Rio & Tokyo) and a Commonwealth Games Silver Medallist (Para-Triathlon – Gold Coast). In 2019 Nick was awarded the Triathlon Australia Male Paratriathlon.

Nic Beveridge finished seventh at Tokyo Paralympic Games in PTWC event.

But the path to these accomplishments has been anything but straightforward. Nic’s story, experiences and the themes he discusses are universally applicable to anyone’s life – whether it be personally or professionally. Everyone experiences disruptive change at some point, relative to their own life, and Nic’s calm and affable presenting style is able to guide audiences to understand ways to embrace the disruption and become a leader of their own life. MY GOAL: To be the best and to continue to challenge myself.

The organising committee are very mindful of your concerns about corona virus and will be strictly following Federal and State guidelines. The Council owned MECC must adhere to all Government regulations and being a large facility will be able to accommodate our Conference even under harsh regulations/restrictions. Attendees will have to be double vaccinated and wear a mask. Alternate conference delivery options are being investigated and will be provided when known.

There will be more information forthcoming in the next District Newsletter. If you have questions please email me - rossandwendywalker@gmail.com

Ross Walker. District 9560 Conference Chairman.