The 2024 ACFS National conference was held in Darwin NT from 7th-9th June. The theme of the conference was Continue to Strengthen Friendship and Cooperation.

The Northern Territory ACFS branch hosted the conference which was one of the most successfully organized ACFS events I have attended.

President of the NT branch and Vice President of the ACFS National, Shu Qin LI did an exceptional job due to the distance and availability of flights into Darwin for guests to attend the conference. The ACFS NT committee and volunteers are to be commended for their commitment in making the conference run so smoothly.

A welcome reception was held at Parliament House, Darwin, hosted by Hon Ngaree Ah Kit, MLA, Minister for Multicultural Affairs.

Minister Ah Kit, and ACFS President Jan Everett addressed the gathering. The Bill Morrow Memorial Lecture was delivered by Professor Colin Mackerras, AO, FAHA (Fellow of the Academy of the Humanities of Australia) via video.

A routine preformed by the delightful young ACFS NTdance group Little Bar completed the formalities.

The City of Darwin hosted a buffet dinner at the Double Tree, Hilton Hotel to welcome the ACFS members, guests, and delegations from Shanghai, Beijing and Qingdao.

Day two was held at the clubrooms of ACFS NT. Members and guests were transported to the venue by bus.

The clubrooms are a testament to the hard work put in by ACFS NT committee , volunteers and especially President Shu Li in bringing the rooms to fruition where cultural activities and meetings can be held. 

The building can be sectioned off into three rooms an also boasts a kitchen area. The site allows for further development going forward.

On arrival for registration at the Northern Territory ACFS Clubrooms, we received a warm greeting by members and volunteers.

Mr Daryl Guppy, Past President of Australia China Business Council was MC throughout the day. This allowed for a smooth transition between speakers. His wealth of knowledge on China and China Australian affairs was especially appreciated by the audience.

The morning session consisted of welcoming and opening addresses by NT President Shu Qin LI, ACFS President Jan Everett, the Hon. Ngaree Ah Kit MLA, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Ms Duan Jun, Deputy Director-General, Dept  

American and Oceanian Affairs, Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC).

After the morning tea break, the keynote speakers were: Mr Jihong FU, President Shanghai PAFFC, Ms Zhen ZHU, Deputy Director Qingdao PCAFFC, Lord Mayor of Darwin, the Hon Kon Vatskalis, Mr Adam Lam, Director Global Charles Darwin University, the Hon Peter Styles, ACFS NT Patron and former Deputy Chief Minister of NT, Mr Darryl Guppy and Ms Amy Vatskalis, Director of Charles Darwin University Confusious Institute.

A delicious lunch, which included mud crabs was held at the venue and gave guests a chance to mingle and chat.

The afternoon featured an address by President of Chung Wah Society NT, Mr Roland Chin, Mr Edwin Joseph JP, President Multicultural Council NT, and two students who had participated in youth camps in 2023 gave presentations. Andrew LU, Leader of the Beijing Sister Cities Youth Camp participated via video and Amy ZHOA, ACFS NT Youth attended the Shanghai International Interaction Youth Camp and spoke eloquently of her experiences at the camp. 

Group discussions were also a highlight of the afternoon. They yielded a wealth of information and strategies.

A visit to the Darwin Chung Wah compound museum and temple and an excursion to the fish feeding area looking out to the ocean offered a welcome break from sitting.

Photos: Tower Liu