A fairy for a day...

Just the day before yesterday, I had cause to arise bright and early and trundle my way into the city via a train, dragging a suitcase and a lot of anticipation and even excitement with me.
I am a job rep in my workplace and the Australian Nursing Federation, of which I am a member held their annual Job Rep Delegates Conference at Melbournes Docklands over the past two days.

This view greeted me as I walked down to the station at 7am. You have Buckley's and None chance of getting a car park at this time of the day close to the station and besides I wasn't prepared to leave my car in a public car park overnight anyhow so, hoof it I did and....I didn't fall over once this time!

I got there in plenty of time to have coffee and toast, mandarin and juice, then the party got started.

The preliminaries started at 8:40 or thereabouts. We all received a rather enviable trolley bag on wheels with ANF firmly ensconced on the front and it contained some of the usual goodies one might expect...pens, notepads, brochures, lollies, even a muesli bar. There were mini torch lights in there as well...good stuff to give to our colleagues when we returned to work. Hell, I might even use my rather groovy bag for work given we no longer have permanent lockers!

Unfortunately, Lisa Fitzpatrick, our esteemed Secretary (Vic Branch) was taken ill the day before and instead of spending the conference with us, had to languish in a hospital bed instead. This did put a dampner on things a bit I must say but like all good troupers, the show went on.

The first Piece De Resistance came in the form of a petite little lady whom I have heard speak before. Her name is Amanda Gore. Amanda is a motivating motivational speaker who spoke to us about our workplace and gave us quite definite hints on how to maintain the enthusiasm, both within and around us.

Note...If any of my colleagues see myself and/or Kellie acting a little weird over the next few weeks, blame Amanda, for she demonstrated and had us mimic her in so many different actions...eg. oxygen mask, build a bridge, being a Foopher Fairie...you name it, we did it!

Amanda spoke of the disparity betweem the Fear and the Joy Matrix, and how important it is for us to FARC each and every day...

Focus on how you want to feel

Awareness of where you are now

Repeatedly act out your chosen pillar of joy...and

Celebrate the results!

If you want to learn more about Amanda, go here.

I can tell you, this woman is amazing and if you ever get the opportunity to hear her live, go for it. She had us embracing one another and even singing "Always look on the bright side of life" at the end of her session enhanced by everyone standing and in rows, swaying to the music and doing little Eric Idle kicks, which is no mean feat when there are over 700 people in the room. 

From such an amazing vibrant person we then went onto what was probably the dullest presentation of the whole conference. We were visited by The Hon David Davis MLC, Minister for Health AND Minister for Aging.

This man equipped with entourage spoke for a few minutes about not a great deal and at the end of his talk was asked six questions by delegates. Not one question was answered or attempted by him with his excuse being that he was not at liberty at this time to answer, OR he really could not say given that our Enterprise Bargaining had just begun and consequently he was unable to discuss the issues. I really do not understand why he bothered to show up, given that last year he did not bother to come to the conference. I was disappointed as were so many others that he really did not present very well at all.

Fortunately, he did not stay too long and then it was off to the first of many feast fests in the adjacent hall.

Following that break it was onto the first of numerous resolutions which were our primary purpose of being together as delegates.

Delegates are given the opportunity throughout the year to put forward any prospective motions that are announced then debated on if necessary at the conference, before a vote is conducted. We had thirty motions to debate if necessary this year and once we had completed the first few we then listened to Mr. Robert Stary LLB speak. Mr. Stary is a criminal law specialist and he spoke of the injustice perpetrated on people