Presented by ABARE, the conference features 12 local and ABARE speakers across four sessions. It will be a valuable source of information for delegates, and will be opened by Senator Anne McEwen, Senator for South Australia.

The Mount Gambier Regional Outlook conference is open to everyone, to discover more information about their region, make new contacts, discuss industry trends and access information that can encourage innovative approaches to traditional issues.

The conference begins with the overview session and the opening address by Senator Anne McEwen, Senator for South Australia, then presentations from Don Gunasekera, ABARE on the road ahead and Tony Pearson, ANZ on a banker’s perspective on interest rates, and where to from here?

The second session agriculture – future directions, includes Tom Jackson, ABARE on outlook and farm performance; Tony Buckley from My Butcher on the challenge of the value chain and David Karpin, Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory exploring the dairy industry– opportunities, threats and restructuring.

Changing climate, changing directions is the third session with Melanie Ford, ABARE discussing agriculture-dealing with climate change; Darren Ray, Bureau of Meteorology exploring southern Australia climate drivers and coping with short and long term climate change; and concluding with Hugo Hopton, South East Natural Resources Management Board on the possibilities of effective water usage v. efficient water usage.

The final session is vibrant regions and includes Katie Webster from Zero Waste Australia on plate to paddock – organic waste safely back to the soil; Helen Strickland, Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology discussing people mean profit and Peter Gracias, Port of Portland on linking the region with the world.

Registration for media is complimentary.

Date:      Wednesday 20 August 2008
Venue:    St Paul’s Hall, 26 Penola Road, Mount Gambier SA
Time:      Registration from 8.30am, conference 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost:     $77 pp (inc GST) including conference admission, copies of available speakers’ papers, lunch and morning and afternoon tea.
Contact:  Angela Ellerman, ABARE on mobile 0408 487 825.