The TADNSW Branch Conference was held at the Holiday Inn at Rooty Hill in Sydney.

"New Horizons" was the theme for this year’s Annual Branch Conference, held in July at the Rooty Hill Holiday Inn.

The three day conference brought together over 60 innovative minds from across the state. Volunteers represented groups from the Northern Rivers, Port Macquarie, Manning-Great Lakes, Hunter, Central Coast, Central West, Yass, Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Albury/Wodonga regions.

The presentations covered the organisation’s various changes over the past year and revealed future prospects.

Drawing upon the theme, TAD President Bill Phippen retold the story of TAD’s humble beginnings to show how far the organisation has come. Following that, in a session titled ‘Grand Ideas’, each Branch was asked to contribute their ideas for TAD’s future development.

One of the key topics was the development of the FREEDOM WHEELS Modified Bike Service, which was only launched late last year. For some volunteers, it was the first time they had seen one of the new and improved bikes in person.

Despite some initial complications, the service is now delivering bikes on a relatively tight schedule, and is working towards attracting new clients from both Sydney metropolitan areas and expanding into the regional areas.

Also on the agenda were a number of new fundraising initiatives, including a presentation from Northmead neighbour, Sensory Solutions who will be trialling an interesting fundraising initiative for TAD. They conduct market research, including taste testing for a number of companies. They have agreed to donate the payment for each TAD-sourced taste testing participant. This exciting opportunity has already received favourable and encouraging feedback from the conference delegates.

Other ideas introduced at the conference were selling Cadbury Fundraiser Chocolates and the launch of TAD’s new apron just in time for Father’s Day.

Blacktown Councillor Tony Bleasdale is interviewed by TADNSW's (former) Development Manager Geoff Prenter.

The volunteers also expressed their need to promote TAD’s work in the regions, and were open to investigating some new avenues, such as radio promotion.

Blacktown councillor Tony Bleasdale made a short address to the conference attendees and encouraged everyone to continue their valuable work and acknowledged their hard work.

Once again, the conference was an opportunity for many of the regions to swap ideas and inspire each other to continue their important work. It was also a social occasion for both volunteers and staff who commonly communicate via phone or email.

The conference closed on a positive note, with many new ideas to think about and exciting opportunities to take advantage of.

Next year’s conference will be held on the Central Coast with the help of the local TAD Branch there. The Central Coast Branch just celebrated their 30th birthday, and still remain one of the most active groups in TADNSW.

Volunteer Chris Scott made a presentation about Housing for Ageing and Disability, based on modifications he has done to his own home.

TAD President Bill Phippen told the TAD story to illustrate how far we've come and the importance of building for the future.

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