Send all enquiries, questions and queries to: ifss-info@unimelb.edu.au.

The cost of the Symposium is:

• AUD$600 per participant from OECD countries
• AUD$400 per participant from non-OECD countries

For a full list of OECD member countries click here

The fee covers all accommodation, travel and most food for the duration of the IFSS 14th -28th August. Please note that participants are responsible for transfer costs between the accommodation and airport.

There are two payment options.

1. Pay before the symposium by electronic money transfer to the account details below. Email and bring a confirmation of payment/receipt with you to registration in Sydney (use your name as the reference for the payment).

2. Pay your fee at registration on the first day of the symposium in Sydney. Please ensure you have the fee amount in cash and in Australian Dollars as we cannot accept payment in any other currency or payment by credit card or EFTPOS. Currency exchange facilities are available at the airport and current exchange rates can be found at www.xe.com.

All participants must submit a paper to present as an oral presentation or an informative poster at the IFSS. See Paper Style Guide for further information. The organising committee is now calling papers on the themes of “Forests for people: maintaining a balance” under the following topics:People: Social and community forestry, indigenous management, cultural values

• Timber: Wood technology, industry developments, plantations and private forests
• Non Timber Forest Products: Food, medicine, other products, ecotourism
• Resources and Disturbance: Water, soil, fire management, salinity
• Climate Control: Climate change, carbon trading
• Biodiversity and Conservation: Wildlife, flora, national parks
• Management Tools: Silviculture, GIS, roading and transport, design
• Management Frameworks: International and national policy, certification and EMS
• Economics and politics: Law enforcement, investment, trade, political issues

Please send your completed paper to IFSS Secretariat ifss-info@unimelb.edu.au by June 30th 2005, indicating the theme and whether you will present the paper orally or as a poster.

All IFSS applications will be accepted on the inclusion of an abstract with their registration form within the limits of place availability or unless otherwise notified. As a condition of participation, all participants must submit a paper to be presented orally or as an informative scientific poster.

Seminar/Field Day Tuesday 16th August

On the 16th August participants may choose to attend one of the following activities.

The ATSE Crawford Fund Seminar www.crawfordfund.org. Participants are invited to attend the seminar “Forests, Wood and Livelihoods: Finding a Future for All”. Fifty students may attend this event free of charge. It will be a fantastic day held at Parliament House in Canberra featuring many international speakers on forestry and development. For more information and to register see the Crawford Fund website – first in first served! After you register please let the Secretariat know ifss-info@unimelb.edu.au to ensure appropriate transport can be arranged.

OR

Field day with ACT Forests. This trip will involve talks from forest managers and the opportunity to see public forest management, plantations and the results of the devastating 2003 bushfires in the Canberra area.

The International Evening is an informal event held to celebrate the unique blend of cultures represented at the IFSS through displays and informal presentations. Participants are encouraged to share their culture through song, music/dance or dialogue and to bring items for display, and/or to donate to the Tombola (raffle/auction) held at the end of the evening. Examples of typical items include costume, forestry related articles, flags, books, music, traditional beverages and food (quarantine restrictions may apply) etc.

Below you will find useful information to assist your preparations to attend the IFSS.

Arrivals
Participants arriving on the 14th of August will be greeted at Sydney International Airport by a member of the organising committee who will accompany you to the accommodation at Sydney Backpackers. Registration will take place at the accommodation between 9-3.30pm. Once you have registered the time is yours to relax, catch up on sleep or explore the city at your leisure.

Participants arriving before the 14th of August need to arrange and pay for their own airport transfers and accommodation. A direct rail link operates between the airport and the city for a cost of approximately $10. You will find maps of the public transport system and directions to help you meet up with the group at Sydney Backpackers in the Links and Downloads section. Please arrive by 1.30pm to allow enough time to register before the official program begins at 4pm with the Informal Opening Ceremony.

Accommodation
Accommodation will be provided for the dates Sunday the 14th - Sunday 28thof August. Accommodation outside of these dates will need to be arranged and paid for by the participant. Ask your travel agent or try the following links to book accommodation online:

www.yha.com.au
www.hostelbookers.com
www.quickbeds.com

Please be aware that as Australia is an island country with very unique biota and important resource industries. As such strict quarantine requirements and prohibitions apply to items that are allowed to be brought into the country. To find out what will not be allowed into Australia, please follow this link to Customs Australia.

The following flight connections will allow participants to take advantage of the full IFSS program:

ARRIVE   Sunday 14th August at Sydney International Airport (preferably before 1200)
DEPART   Monday 29th August from Tullamarine International Airport ( Melbourne)

If you fly into and out of Sydney you will need to organise and pay your own way from Melbourne to Sydney at the completion of the Symposium. This can be arranged by your travel agent or domestic flights may be purchased usually for around $100 Australian Dollars, see www.virginblue.com.au, www.qantas.com.au, or www.jetstar.com.au.

When you have booked your flight please send the details to ifss-info@unimelb.edu.au.Copy and paste the following into an email and use 'FLIGHT DETAILS: Your Name' as the subject.

Name:
Airline:
Flight No:
Arrival Airport:
Arrival Terminal:
Arrival Date:
Arrival Time:

Airline:
Flight No:
Departure Airport:
Departure Terminal:
Departure Date:
Departure Time:

Most participants will need to apply for a Visa to enter Australia. A Short Stay Visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is needed. Eligible passport holders from a number of countries can apply for an ETA online. See http://www.immi.gov.au/facts/55eta.htm. If you wish to use this option, ask your travel agent or airline.

General information on Australian VISA applications and requirements can be found at http://www.immi.gov.au/visit/index.htm.

Please check with the Australian Embassy in your country for further details.

Paper/Poster Style Guide

Word document 27kb

Maps

Sydney Public Transport System
Sydney CBD

Directions to Sydney Backpackers: for participants arriving before 14th of August.
Sydney Backpackers is located in the heart of Sydney close to Town Hall Station. From Town Hall Station travel south along George St, cross Bathurst St and turn into the first street on the left, Wilmot St. See the Location map below for further details.

Sydney Backpackers
Victoria House
7 Wilmot St
Sydney
Tel. 9267 7772
Location map
www.sydneybackpackers.com


Airport Transfers
Sydney Airport transfers:
www.airportlink.com.au

Melbourne Airport transfers:
www.skybus.com.au

The weather in Australia in August will be cold in most places we will visit as August is winter in southern hemisphere. Expect temperatures to reach a maximum of 10-15° Celsius during the day and as low as 0° Celsius at night. Snow is unlikely but it will rain so come prepared. For the latest weather report see www.bom.gov.au

The planned itinerary will allow participants to experience some incredibly unique and extraordinary environments. In August these places can also be incredibly cold! Please do not underestimate the chill power of the Australian winter - pack your woolies!

Clothing

• Warm/rain jacket, gloves and scarf, particularly if you are from a tropical country!
• Sturdy Shoes (leather boots preferably with steel capped toes)
• Bathers (if you are game!)
• Thongs (flip flops – traditionally Australian and always handy!!)

• Sleeping bag (able to withstand cold temperatures)
• Pillow
• Plate/bowl, cup
• Suncream (you can still get sunburned in winter)
• Insect repellent
• Torch

• Extra spending money for the Tombola, souvenirs, optional activities, snacks and two meals during the Symposium.
• Musical instruments, cards, games, music etc.