We have many exciting activities planned to make this year’s AAABG conference memorable. We hope that you can partake in all of these events. If you have registered for the conference but not yet booked for them, it may still be possible to do so. Simply send through the web site another registration just for the events you want. If there are any remaining tickets, they will be also available on-site at the conference check-in registration desk.

Comparative Genome Workshop Dinner: Sunday (27 Sept.)

Please join us for Comparative Genome Workshop dinner and tribute to Frank Nicholas. The dinner will be held at the Novotel Barossa at 7:00 pm. (Cost: $50)

Poster Buffet Dinner: Monday (28 Sept.)

The opening function of the AAABG conference will be a special buffet dinner at the Novotel Barossa. At 6:00 pm, we will start with drinks then view and discuss the even numbered posters. A buffet dinner will start at 7:00 pm. After dinner around 8 pm, we will view and discuss the odd numbered posters, finishing at 9:00 pm. (Cost: Included in Workshop or 18th Conference registration. Also included in $50 Partners' Package.)

Conference Dinner: Tuesday (29 Sept.)

The AAABG conference dinner will be held at the Old Main Building on Roseworthy Campus, about 30 minutes from the Barossa Novotel. Buses will depart from the Barossa Novotel, starting at 6:00 pm. Pre-dinner drinks will be followed by a 3 course dinner and the presentation of the new AAABG fellows. Entertainment will include a jazz band and a 30th birthday party. Buses will depart Roseworthy for the Barossa Novotel every 30 minutes, starting at 10:00 pm. (Cost: $100.)

Tours: Wednesday (30 Sept.)

Buses will depart for the conference tours at 12:15 pm with a packed lunch. The buses will go directly to the Bavarian night in Tanunda after the tours. The buses will then return any remaining passengers, who are not attending the Bavarian night, to the Novotel Barossa. (Cost: included in 18th Conference and Partners Package.)

Tour options

• Pig Breeders Event: attend a special program on Pig Breeding hosted by the Pork CRC at the Roseworthy Campus with afternoon tea. (Program to be posted shortly.)
• Turretfield: inspect the SARDI Turretfield Research Station and discuss Merino breeding research. Followed by a return trip through the Barossa Valley with a stop at Angaston, where you may explore this historic township and some of the Barossa’s fine food and produce.
• Barossa Valley Wineries: indulge in the fine wines that made the Barossa famous – enough said!
• Golfing: enjoy some friendly competition on the Tanunda Pines golf course. Note: there will be a greens fee of about $30. (If you do not want to bring your own clubs, some clubs will be available for hire from the Pro Shop. Please contact the event organiser, Greg Nattrass ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).
• Your own activity: kick back and enjoy swimming, tennis, etc. at the Novotel. Perhaps get a car and make your own tour.

If you are not going on a tour, buses will depart from the Barossa Novotel at 5:45 pm for the Bavarian night at the Tanunda Clubhouse (see below).

Bavarian night: Wednesday (30 Sept.)

Wednesday night after the tours, the buses will take you directly to a casual German-themed buffet dinner at the Tanunda Clubhouse, arriving around 5:30 pm. Buses will also depart from the Barossa Novotel for Tanunda at 5:45 pm. Entertainment will include dancing to 70’s and 80’s music played by a DJ. Buses will return to the Barossa Novotel, every 30 minutes, starting at 9:30 pm. (Cost: $50.)

Tribute Dinner: Thursday (1 Oct.)

Please join us for a Tribute dinner at the Novotel Barossa in honour of our special retiring scientists: Kevin Atkins, Neal Fogarty and Arthur Gilmour. Dinner will start at 7:00 pm. (Cost: included in 18th Conference registration excluding drinks; $40 excluding drinks for other participants. Drinks will be available for purchase at the bar.)

Partners' Program: Tuesday (29 Sept. & Thursday 1 Oct.)

Two varied and interesting full-day tours are being arranged for partners. On Tuesday the tour will travel through the Barossa Valley with visits to renowned wineries, restaurants, galleries and scenic attractions. On Thursday we will travel to Adelaide to sample the city's history and culture. Visits may include the Art Gallery, Botanic gardens and Adelaide Market.

In addition to these special all day tours, partners who are interested in the Monday poster session with buffet dinner, any of the mid-conference tours, or the Thursday tribute dinner, will be welcome. Registration for the chosen items can be made through the "Registrations" section of the web site but, if you want to attend the Monday poster dinner or a Wednesday tour, stop when an invoice is displayed - do not make any payment as the costs will not be complete. Please send an email message to Bill Pattie at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you wish to attend either of these two items.

Cost and payment

A "Partner Package" of $50 will include the Monday poster dinner and one Wednesday tour. Additional options are the Thursday tribute dinner at $40 plus drinks to be purchased and, as shown on the registration form, the two special full-day partners tours on Tuesday and Thursday will cost $100 each. We will collect payment at conference check-in for items that have been requested but not paid for through the on-line system. If you are not sure how to proceed with this, please send an email message to Bill Pattie.