Other speakers will include Professor Ralph Buckley of Griffith University discussing ecotourism, Bob Moffat, Publisher & Educator on marine education, Sallyann Gudge Coordinator of the Quandamooka Aboriginal Land & Sea Management Agency on working with indigenous people, and journalist Jodi Adams, who in 1978 founded Greenpeace Australia. A mass "surf-in" to 'celebrate the day' will take place at Currumbin Beach at 6.30am on Saturday morning as a refreshing start to the conference. Delegates and guests will then be formally welcomed with a traditional aboriginal greeting ceremony before settling into what promises to be two days of intensive networking on the resolution of many coastal and marine management issues.

Saturday's sessions will be open to Surfrider members for the Annual General Meeting, while the Sunday sessions - featuring most of the guest speakers - are open to the public from 9am, with a $20 fee to cover the provision of morning tea and lunch. A benefit concert for the Foundation, featuring "Larry Taylor & friends of the ocean" will be held at Surfrider House on Saturday night, with tickets available on the door. The Surfrider Foundation was established in California in 1983 by a group of surfers who were concerned about the degradation to their coastal environment. It now boasts affiliated offices in 5 countries, with a combined membership of many thousands worldwide, and works on issues involving the worlds waterways & oceans.

In 1991 the Australian affiliate was formed, and the organisation has since expanded to include 24 Branches spread across all seven states, who are campaigning on issues ranging from upgrading of coastal sewage treatment plants to protecting the Great White Shark. Well-known Surfrider supporters include Peter Garrett, Mark Occhilupo, Kelly Slater and Lane Beachley to name a few.

Greg Howell, Surfrider Foundation Australia's Executive Director, says that such conferences are "always an exciting time. To encounter such a group of enthusiastic environmental volunteers gathered in the one place is always inspiring for both participants and guests. The camaraderie and dedication shown by the Surfrider volunteers in their concern for our coastal environments is really remarkable. The conference is held in a different part of Australia each year and plays an important role in networking and profiling national,state and local conservation issues."Mr Howell added.

"Luckily for the Australian public, Surfrider volunteers, like their colleagues in other non-government groups, are willingly - and increasingly - undertaking community tasks which used to be done by government or corporate organisations. We believe the importance of this work should be given more recognition by government and business sectors, and hope that more people will join us in this work. "Apart from anything else, being involved in a group like the Surfrider Foundation gives you a feeling of satisfaction that you're helping to solve environmental problems - and it's also great fun!" For further information, contact Ree on (07) 5534 2855 or email surfrider@onthenet.com.au

Surfrider Foundation
139 Duringan St
Currumbin QLD 4223