Bird’s Eye View

BIRDS EYE VIEW by Carol Messenger

ZOOMED OUT – CONFERENCE IN

Well 2020 was a tough year and I don’t think anybody is going to disagree with that.

Let’s hope that in 2021, some of the craziness will get back to normal. With the introduction of 'the new ‘jab' it seems that life may slowly be allowed to return to its normal frantic pace. The reintroduction of open travel between states should help get everyone back into the real world and out of our safe little cocoons where we have been dwelling for the last 12 months.

It was always been a bit hard to understand how we could go to the supermarket and be right next to someone you don’t know but you couldn't go to a funeral and stand next to the person that you share a bed with… but I digress.

With all of us in and out of various forms of lockdown and closed state borders, any attempts at getting together have been a no go. No networking lunches, conferences, seminars, training days - everything was put on hold - or it was zoomed or skyped.

Let me put it out there - I am zoomed out.

Trying to set up that video camera so it doesn't shoot straight up your nose, or show your turkey neck is a feat in itself.

Making sure your phone is charged, so that you make it through the session before you run out of battery and then trying to find the right code just to be able to get into the meeting to start with. Once in, you find that it’s all a bit like the early international phone calls with the delay on each end with you all going to talk then stop as someone else starts, then both apologise to each other, “Oh you first” – “No you go”'. I just crave normality and face to face meetings.

So it was wonderful news for me when ‘finally ‘Australia became reunited again. Travel between states without quarantine restrictions is currently possible and I hope and pray it continues. The opportunity to attend events, conferences and seminars in other states is possible again - and just in time for me.

Transport Women Australia Limited (TWAL) is one of the first Transport related conferences on the calendar and is looking amazing.

I declare my interest here by saying that I am the WA Director of TWAL but it will still be an awesome opportunity to network face to face with people from other states and catch up on all the latest news from the transport world. So much work goes into planning a conference - but this year with the big 'will we or wont we be able to travel' has made it doubly difficult. But I am so happy to advise that we are ON.

The Driving the Difference Conference will take place from Friday 28 May to Sunday 30 May 2021 at the Mantra Epping (Melbourne). Packages will be advertised soon but if you would like to be kept up to date with the details please email me at Spartan2@westnet.com.au and I will send you all the info when it comes in hot off the press.

There will be heaps of fabulous speakers, discussions panels, a welcome cocktail party, networking dinner and lots of giveaway goodies.

Please put it on your calendar and try to attend. I always find that I learn so much and come back really inspired armed with new knowledge and ideas.

And just because it is Transport WOMEN, doesn't mean that we don't welcome blokes. We have many male members that attend our functions and they always enjoy themselves just as much as the ladies. So even if you have never attended a Transport conference before, now is the ideal opportunity to broaden your horizons, learn a lot of new info and make some great new contacts and friends.