2003 - FIP Sydney

The day started early for everyone, except me. I had to go into work to catch up on things after being away on Fri. The bus left at 7am for RAAF Richmond where MEPS was shown the RAAF deployable medical capabilities that were used during Op Bali Assist after the terrible bombings in 2002. They were also shown through a C-130 dedicated to AME, and the medical and pharmacy facility on base. Lunch was a traditional Australian BBQ outside the classroom at HMAS Watson, which afforded everyone a spectacular view of Sydney Harbour and the City, by day. Some found it difficult to concentrate during lunch whilst admiring the view!   After lunch we were back into the classroom for more presentations. Sydney City and Harbour Bridge from HMAS Watson

This was the academic/classroom/death-by-PowerPoint Day. There were a number of interesting presentations and then there were some that were not quite so interesting. The evening saw us all at HMAS Watson, one of the RAN bases in Sydney with spectacular views of Sydney Harbour. Although it was nighttime, there was still a magnificent view of Sydney Harbour and the lights from the city. A really good night was had by all, with yummy food and good drinks.    MEPS Dinner at HMAS Watson Christien & Régis Christien and Sue Dale, Fredi, Helen, Christien, Darryl, Julie, SA Brigadier, Stan ?, ?, Ivan Régis, Ksenia, Stan, Sylvain, Christien Julie (OPSO) and Wendy (OC) Helmut, Barbara, Tom, Jane Sylvain, Wendy,  Youitchi Ishitsuka John, Richard, Pavol Peter and Judith Darryl, Julie and Stan Tony and Jane Régis, Steve and Tony

More time spent at PAC presentations, attending the various booths, and generally catching up with other ADF pharmacists and getting to know the MEPS members.

During the day, we all attended the PAC showcase where we were able to stock up on pens, notepads, sticky notes, etc, for the next year. In the evening MEPS congregated at Victoria Barracks in Paddington for the traditional Meet and Greet. Before drinks and nibbles could be consumed, we visited the Army Museum. This was my first Meet and Greet and it was a fantastic opportunity to get to know the MEPS family after meeting most of them last night at the opening ceremony. Sue, Steve, Stan and Fredi Wendy, Sue, Steve and Stan Ksenia, Chris, Sue, Steve, Helen and Hana MEPS Meet and Greet Sylvain, Régis and Brian Sylvain, Sth African Brigadier, Régis, Jane and Helmut Pat and Tom Christian, Ragnar, Fredi, Peter Bob, Ivan, Augustine Sth African Brigadier, Bill, Brian, Ragnar Stan, Sylvain, Dale, Ksenia Julie, Stan, Régis, Richard, Wendy, Ksenia, Hana, Helen, ? Wendy, Dale, Robyn Sue, Wendy, Julie Julie, Ksenia, Dale, Sue, Wendy, Robyn, Steve Hana, Dale, Julie, Sue, Wendy, Steve, Robyn

The FIP Opening Ceremony was held at the Convention and Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour and was very well received. The main entertainment was an Aboriginal song and dance group, and everyone enjoyed the sounds of the didgeridoo. It was then onto the Showcase where we (the ADF) had arranged to have an old field pharmacy kit on display. Opening Ceremony

Introduction My first FIP Congress (I had not even heard of FIP prior to this year). It was combined with the Pharmacy Australia Congress and was held in Sydney, where I was living due to being posted to Defence National Storage and Distribution Centre – Medical and Dental Company, Randwick Barracks, as the OC. Sue Turner, who was working for Steve Shaddock, organised the MEPS specific activities for the Congress after attending the Congress in Nice, France, the year before. She did an excellent job.