June 2008

Dear Delegates and Sponsors,

The IFEH 10th World Congress on Environmental Health held in Brisbane May 11 – 16 2008 was a spectacular event.   The 6 day Congress attracted over 600 delegates daily representing more than 50 countries worldwide.  The Opening Ceremony was a highlight of the Congress with the flag bearing ceremony incorporating the MacGregor Primary School Senior Choir serenading the audience with three beautiful songs, followed by traditional dances from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island dancing troupes.  From here, the Congress just got better. The excellent academic and social program met the needs of all international and local delegates. At the Closing Ceremony delegates showed commitment  to the outcomes of the congress by the symbolic signing of the Congress ‘Brisbane Charter’. Participants collectively demonstrated their commitment by joining in the singing of the ‘Congress Song’.

To organise a World Congress involves the work of many dedicated people, the Congress planning commenced over 6 years ago with more concentrated implementation in the past year.  The International Conference Organising Committee (IOC) would like to thank all delegates and our sponsors who participated in the many congress activities - their full participation ensured the success of the Congress. 

As Chair of the IOC, I personally would like to thank our local team, Waikay Lau our dynamic CEO, Bruce Morton (Immediate Past President EHA), Thomas Tenkate (EHA Director), Jo Rolls (Qld Branch Executive Officer), Cordia Chu (IOC), Virgil Kelk (Qld Branch President) and other Queensland Branch Members Alison Bray, John Cohan, Kel Irwin, Brett Robinson,  Belinda Davies and Sophie Sandberg.  I also appreciate the support of the IFEH Council and Board of Directors represented by President Colm Smyth and current EHA Board of Directors represented by President Jim Smith, Joe Zappavigna, Fleur Cousins, Stephen Davidson, Ron Fry, Eric Johnson, Nancy Cromar, Thomas Tenkate, and Executive Staff.

THANK YOU to everyone who made this Congress a success ...We hope you enjoy the IFEH 10th World Congress Proceedings DVD.

Regards,