Events

Brenda Povey from Diabetes Australia, NSW, invited me to address their annual conference in Sydney, on May 25^th 2008. Eryn and I travelled to Sydney on Saturday with Chiko and Gabby. We arrived at the Mecure Hotel in George St and checked in.

Brenda had asked me previously about taking the dogs inside, and I assured her they had the right to accompany us, and she cleared that with hotel management. However no-one had told the reception staff, so as soon as we got to our room, there was a knock on the door and the receptionist apologised and said that, as the hotel wasn’t pet friendly, the dogs couldn’t stay with us. Eryn and I explained their service dog status and offered our id cards, which she took away, photocopied and returned, with assurance that all was well.

We then got ready for dinner and went up to the conference area for a pre-dinner cocktail hour. The dogs were very popular and we answered many questions regarding their role, training and their breeds, before going in to have dinner. Both dogs lay down quietly under the table as we ate and the waiters even offered to bring them food bowls and water! We didn’t get back to bed until 11pm, with all the socialising after dinner. We met a lot of wonderful people from various branches all around NSW and were made very welcome. The food was great, the wine kept coming and the conversation fascinating.

The next morning we went to the restaurant for breakfast and the dogs were so well behaved that many people didn’t even realise they were there until they got up to leave. The waiters were smiling and curious and the DA members all greeted us, wondering if the dogs were getting bacon and eggs for breakfast too!! (I did sneak them a bit of bacon once we’d finished eating!)

At 9.30am, we went back up to the conference room and were waiting outside until it was time to go in. Mr Robert Dickson, Rooms Division Manager for the hotel, came over and introduced himself. Apparently ours were the first service dogs he had ever had stay at the Mecure, so it was a privilege for us to “break the ice”. I am sure we left a very good impression for them, as Robert was very pleased to be able to have accommodated us.

Following that, Eryn and I joined the conference and had 45 mins to talk about PFD and show the powerpoint presentation I had made. We had a lot of good questions and interest. Diabetes Australia NSW presented me with a lovely metal clock for being a guest speaker and we broke for morning tea.  Eryn and I were swamped with offers to speak, fundraise and we nearly sold out of pens! We received donations and DANSW have generously given their ok for the branches to fundraise for us. There were quite a number of people keen to learn more and the brochures and business cards ran out.

I have to thank Diabetes Australia NSW, particularly Brenda Povey, for the invitiation to speak, the branch members who made us feel so very welcome, and the Mecure Hotel for their wonderful support and understanding. Overall it was a tremendous experience and an incredible opportunity to reach so many people. I am looking forward to where it will take PFD and who we will be able to help in the future.

By Sharon Scott

< BACK TO INDEX