IN THIS ISSUE: Early Bird Registration Extended; Developing Countries Scholarship Fund; The Furama Resort; Interactive Tours; Restaurant - Apsara.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION EXTENDED
Due to demand and the Christmas–New Year holiday period, the conference organisers have extended the Early Bird Registration period until 21 January 2011. This will be the last chance to take advantage of the reduced rate so please register today to avoid disappointment.

More information about registering for the conference can be found by following the links below.

Registration Rates – Includes registration rates and conditions of discounted rates for speakers, students and Vietnamese delegates. 
Registration and Payment Options – Includes registration options (online vs hardcopy / individual vs bulk/group) in addition to the payment options available. 

DEVELOPING COUNTRIES SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The conference organisers are pleased to announce that the Council for Australian–Arab Relations (CAAR) has generously contributed to the Developing Countries Scholarship Fund – the fund established to make the conference accessible to those with limited resources but who would greatly benefit from attending the conference.

The CAAR’s contribution will allow for four successful applicants from Arab countries to attend the World Conference on Drowning Prevention 2011.

The Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs established the Council for Australian–Arab Relations in 2003 to strengthen ties between Australia and Arab countries. The World Conference on Drowning Prevention 2011 will provide a perfect opportunity for those ties to be further strengthened over an issue that knows no boundaries.

For more information please visit the Developing Countries Scholarship Fund. 

THE FURAMA RESORT - make the conference venue your choice of luxury accommodation
The Furama Resort is not just the ideal venue for the World Conference on Drowning Prevention 2011, but it is also the ideal place to stay during your visit to Vietnam.

Over the past ten years, the Furama Resort’s growing reputation has lured many celebrity guests including royalty, presidents, movie stars and dignitaries. The Furama Resort’s commitment to service and facilities has made it the first choice for international business leaders and has consistently earned the resort a No 1 position in international polls that also rank the Furama Resort among the very best resorts in Asia.

Guests will enjoy one of the Furama Resort’s 198 guest rooms and suites that overlook the famed China Beach, a freshwater swimming lagoon, or tropical gardens. All rooms and suites have polished timber floors, natural fabrics, cane furniture, plantation shutters, ceiling fans, and their own balcony or terrace.

The resort’s three restaurants provide guests with a culinary choice of Asian, Italian and al fresco dining in either air conditioned comfort or the cool of the evening Pacific breeze. When not dining, or when simply after a light meal or drink, guests can choose from one of three bars that offer a relaxed colonial setting, a 5-star nightclub or a poolside tropical oasis.

The Furama Resort is a convenient one-stop option giving conference guests the best in Vietnamese cuisine, accommodation and service – and all only a short stroll from the conference venue.

While the Furama Resort represents the ultimate in holiday luxury, the organisers have listed a selection of excellent hotels on the conference website that suit all tastes and budgets. All are situated a short distance from the conference venue. For more information on accommodation and travel information for the World Conference on Drowning Prevention 2011, please visit: http://www.worldconferenceondrowningprevention2011.org/content_common/pg-accommodation.seo

INTERACTIVE TOURS
Featured at the conference will be several interactive tours highlighting the Vietnamese culture’s strong association with water. One of these tours will look at the SwimSafe program in Da Nang.

Vietnam loses 11,000 children to drowning every year – a staggering 32 every single day. SwimSafe Da Nang is an Australian Government supported survival swimming program that has been specifically tailored to Vietnamese children and the particular risks they face. In its two year existence, SwimSafe Da Nang has taught survival swimming skills to 12,000 Vietnamese children. 

Participants on this tour will take a chartered bus to a local primary school and witness the SwimSafe program first hand – including the use of specially designed portable pools – and have the opportunity to speak to children, instructors and others involved in drowning prevention in Vietnam.

RESTAURANT - APSARA
Apsara is perfect for those wishing to dine in style and sophistication. Apsara has become an exceedingly popular restaurant thanks largely to its specialty seafood and Vietnamese cuisine cooked by famous chefs from Ho Chi Minh City. An English and Vietnamese menu and English speaking staff, also make Apsara perfect for the traveller.

Dishes include such seafood sensations as lobster sashimi and squid steamed with ginger. The average price of a dish is around 100,000VND. The restaurant has seating for 300 diners that include 50 seats situated outdoors in a romantic garden setting. The restaurant features Cham themed decorations and a VIP room is available.

Apsara features traditional Vietnamese and Cham style dancing and music shows every night – perfect for those wishing to experience a traditional Vietnamese cultural show in beautifully decorated surroundings.

Located just three blocks from the Cham Museum, Apsara is set inside a converted colonial style building. Those staying at the Green Plaza Hotel will find Apsara especially convenient as the restaurant is only half a block’s walk away.

Apsara is open 7 days a week for lunch from 10am to 2pm and dinner from 4:30pm until 9:30pm. Because of its popularity, it is recommended that you book the day before you wish to attend.More information on Apsara and other recommended restaurants can be found at: www.worldconferenceondrowningprevention2011.org/content_common/pg-Visitor-info.seo

IMPORTANT PLANNING DATES
Be sure to mark these important conference dates in your diary today.

21 January 2011 - Early Bird Registration Closes
10 to 13 May 2011 - World Conference on Drowning Prevention 2011

CONTACT DETAILS
Conference Organisers
Royal Life Saving Society - Australia
PO Box 558, Broadway NSW 2007
Phone: +61 2 8217 3111 Fax: +61 2 8217 3199
Email: WCDP2011@rlssa.org.au
Website: www.worldconferenceondrowningprevention2011.org