Conference chair Jan Irvine said the Region 11 extends from Newcastle in the south to Alstonville in the north and inland to Quirindi. 

Jan said the conference hasn’t been held in the area for a number of years and is a “feather in our cap to promote the Great Lakes and bring people to the area”. 

“The conference theme is a pearl in the oyster,” Jan said. 

The Quotarians will meet for an informal dinner at The Deck on Friday night. 

On Saturday the official business meetings will take place at Club Forster, including guest speeches from Forster artist and Heart2Heart founder Donna Rankin and Doreen Wilson, who has introduced exercise programs for seniors nationally. 

The program will also include representation from John O’Shaughnessy and Jo Cutler on camps which run for hearing impairing children in conjunction with the Department of Education. A camp will run at Camp Elim in September of this year. 

Jan said the conference will also include representation from region director Diane Parker and international representative Shelley Brown.

Jan said Shelley’s sessions will help offer guidance for the clubs for the year ahead.

“It’s also a time of exchange between clubs for ideas,” Jan said.

Jan said the Forster Tuncurry club is going strong, with five new people recently coming on board as members.

“We are a welcoming group of friends who look at ways to help others,” she added.