Source: ANGFA Bulletin 17, December 1993, page 13.  View original scan (PDF)

The Australia New Guinea Fishes Association Inc held its 1993 Conference in Townsville, Queensland on the 25th & 26th September at the Colonial Gardens resort. Some eighty delegates from around the world attended.

Rick Datodi, Managing Director of Pet & Aquarium Industries and one of ANGFA’s Patrons officially opened the conference after a welcoming address from Noel Harcourt, our National President.

Delegates sat through thirteen presentations over the following two days with subjects ranging from Government and Quarantine controls within the aquarium industry to the joys and frustrations of keeping rainbowfish in the United States of America.

Dr Gerald Allen, head of the Department of Ichthyology at the Western Australian Museum, and the Association’s other Patron, was also present to give a fascinating insight into a recent collecting trip into Australia’s “top end”.

Heiko Bleher once again made a pilgrimage half way round the world to join us and present two superb lectures, one on Irian Jaya and one on South America.

The Association’s Annual General Meeting was held on the Sunday morning. It covered all the necessary business and held our first National elections. The incoming National Committee are:

PRESIDENT: Noel Harcourt.
VICE PRESIDENT: Alex Caughey.
SECRETARY: Glenn Briggs.
TREASURER: June Caughey.
MEMBERSHIP OFFICER: Ken Smales.
EDITOR: Ron Bowman.
EDITORIAL SUB-COMMITTEE: Ken Smales, Neil Armstrong, Alex Caughey.
PROMOTIONS OFFICER: Ian Smith.
PROMOTIONS SUB-COMMITTEE: Glenn Briggs, Sylvia Gilbert.
INTERNATIONAL LIAISON: Neil Armstrong.
COMMITTEE: Sylvia Gilbert, Peter Surmon, Peter Unmack, Steve Pycroft.

It was decided that the venue for the 1994 Conference would be Brisbane, with Canberra in 1995 and Melbourne in 1996. It was also suggested that the USA and PNG be considered for future venues.

All in all the conference was an outstanding success with the overall feedback being very positive.

An enormous amount of time, work and effort went into organising the conference. We would like to thank all those involved, especially the Townsville Regional Group and our Regional Group co-ordinators who promoted the conference so widely. Special thanks to our Patrons, Rick Datodi and Gerry Allen for their support and involvement. To our overseas visitors, thanks for joining us and giving an international perspective to our hobby. Finally thank you Heiko!!

A great effort, two fantastic presentations and a pleasure to again enjoy your company.

1993 was the best conference yet. A credit to all involved. We look forward to Brisbane in 1994, for, dare we say, an even better conference?

See you in Brisbane on 22nd & 23rd October 1994!!!!!!!