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by Julie Eijdenberg
I'm amazed that of all the people to find time to file their conference reports on the very next day, the first two should be Martine Zajacek and Andrew Lam-Po-Tang.
I thought that the Tasmanian delegates did very well to present their conference report to an AGDA Tas meeting on Tuesday evening, but it seems we are days behind. Starting at 8.30am on Monday morning, indeed, Martine!
I'm looking forward to the next issue of Agenda, where we will no doubt be treated to sparkling reporting of the speakers' papers. I don't know how you take notes in the dark, Juliana, but I haven't perfected the art yet.
In the meantime, here are some impressions.
Of speakers
- Humphrey McQueen's lucidity and erudition: whoever proposed this keynote speaker deserves a whole box of Trickett & Webb badges
- Gary Emery's very interesting video sound-track that reminded the audience of their rumbling stomachs
- Garry Wilson made the funniest introductions, and provided possibly the only instance where the introduction was longer than the speaker's contribution
- Lynn Trickett's witty calendar series, funny in several languages
- David Lancashire showed images of floating crocodiles and goannas disappearing down holes in the floor
- Rick Valicenti's wonderful business name of 3st
- Lynda Warner showed sheer determination, and single-handedly boosted Tasmania's tourist numbers for the rest of 1997
- John Gollings' unforgettable flower images, no less beautiful for being knocked up in an hour and a half
Of fellow travellers
- Rita Siow showed her eternal enthusiasm and good nature
- John Nowland demonstrated consummate consulting skills in dealing with fifteen designers as collective client
- Martine Zajacek and Nicki Lloyd had the nerve to express regret at being under 35
- Sharon Parbery shared fascinating glimpses of working in the Asian market from a base in South Australia
- Belinda Smith represented FNQ and spoke of the difficulty of working with clients who don't care about quality
- Sam/stroke/Brian was brave enough to take on the wit of Anthony Ackroyd
- Frank Arnold was consistently Frank: what more can I say?
- Lynda Warner showed perfect poise in visiting Noosa beach without coming into contact with even one grain of sand
- Anthony Cahalan anxiously awaited news of what the Tasmanian delegates had volunteered him for in his absence
An interesting idea occurred to me as I compiled these thoughts. Although as designers we are fascinated by the visual, it's the words that have left the most lasting impression on me. Not only the words of experienced presenters, but also the audience-speaker exchanges, the dinner conversations, the finding-your-way-through-the-Hyatt conversations, and the unforgettable national meeting marathon that preceded the conference.
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