Packing the Essentials

I'm packing my conference bag for Connections2025 today as I will be leaving home soon and taking a circuitous route to Brisbane.

My Conference Bag - Please say G'day if you see me carrying it

As I was sorting through my Blogger Beads and other conference necessities on the kitchen table Mr GeniAus said "You're not taking all that stuff with you!"

My curt reply was, "Of, course I am."

Blogger Beads

Among the essentials in my GeniAus bag are Blogger Beads (I have a couple of spares), Business Cards (even though I don't have a business - they are contact cards) and Conference Ribbons (leftovers from earlier events. 

Conference ribbons from earlier events.

I don't expect to see a lot of ribbons at this event but I'm still bringing a few along. The ribbons and beads add a fun element to the serious learning we'll experience at the event.

Hatstands at Connections2025

Hatstands Passau, Germany November 2024

Seven years ago today, as I was preparing for Rootstech, I compared myself to a hatstand with many hats on board. I had several roles in addition to being an Ambassador from Australia.

I won't be wearing as many hats at Connections2025 but will still be busy. 

Please take a look at that post from 16 February 2018, https://geniaus.blogspot.com/2018/02/your-hatstand-at-rootstech.html. 

Which hats will you be wearing in Brisbane?

Prepping for Connections2025

I'm repurposing a post from 2019 as I prepare for my journey to Brisbane for Connections2025.

The GeniAus bag

If you are looking for me at the event just seek out the little old lady with the distinctive bag. Please stop me and say G'day.

Here is my list. Highlighted is what else I must still do

• Airport transfer - I'll book an Uber to take me to the hotel when I arrive  in Brisbane
• Books - A couple of unread books that I will ditch once read. Will also download a few eBooks from the local library onto my phone.
• Purchase and pack breakfast bars, liquid breakfasts and healthy snacks for breakfasts in room.
• Pack Clothes - always a challenge
• Deliver Paddy to his second home where he loves playing with his mate Freddo.
• Flights - Booked, Seats are allocated so no need to book in online.
• Hotel Accommodation - All booked.
• Luggage - I take one small carryon for the plane basically because I can't pack batteries and laptop in luggage for the hold. I can't understand why so many people carry large bags on board - they must pack the kitchen sink. 
• Maps - will rely on Google maps on my phone.
• Mobile Phone and Internet - My Telstra package will cover that. Battery pack not longer needed as I can usually find a power point or USB connection
• A Notebook - I lose loose bits of paper.
• No need to buy a Go Card for travel on public transport. I can use a credit card to tap and go. 
• Pencil Case - a few pens and pencils and a small ruler that has a magnifying window (Handy for reading small print or old handwriting).

Nifty ruler with magnifying window 

• Pills and potions - All sorted, have packed an emergency 'just in case' kit of favourites. A few days supply in handbag in case I part company with our bags.
• Clean off some SD cards - will use camera as a backup in case phone battery dies.

Storage for my SD Cards

• Technology: Digital camera and charger, Laptop, Portable 4 TB HDD Drive ( I download and tag my photos religiously most days), Chargers,. Most of this stuff lives in a purpose designed case that doesn't get unpacked between trips. Of course my mouse will be travelling with me, I can't get by without my mouse.
• Scan Travel Docs - Include copies of prescriptions for drugs and glasses, health report from GP, Credit cards, Driver's Licence. Save onto phone, hard drive, Google Drive and computer. 
• Travel insurance - covered by annual policy
• Walking stick - needed for uneven paths.
• Water bottle - Can fill once I have passed through security at airport.

My Travel Tech setup 

Specifically for Event

• Find out names of Genimates who are travelling to Brisbane - encourage them to use Bluesky for communication
• Blogger Beads - which ones will I wear?
• Follow fellow event attendees on Bluesky
• Have light day bag for conference - My Geniaus bag is unique so won't be confused for others
• GeniAus Business Cards 
• GeniAus Ribbons - have a few leftovers to take
• A Notebook - I find writing notes helps me to reinforce my learning
• A Schedule - put everything into my Google Calendar. Needs to be accessible on my phone.
• Technology - I take a few extra toys when attending a conference as I may want to blog, vlog or interview genimates. Will my dual headed microphone for interviewing work with my new phone?
• Reminders - will use my Google calendar for that too.
• Set dates and times for Group photos - Bloggers, NSW genies etc. 

Have I forgotten anything?

The Thoughtful Ancestor

Earlier this year I was delighted to find that one of my submissions for the Connections2025 Conference had been accepted.

My topic is: The Thoughtful Ancestor: leaving a large footprint for future generations

Image by bobschwenkler from Pixabay

The Synopsis: Researchers spend enormous amounts of time, effort and money on their projects but, if they have not made arrangements before they are dead, the fruits of their labour are likely to end up on a rubbish dump. 

The purpose of this presentation is to make attendees reflect on their practices and to guide them in making decisions to ensure that their work is preserved for future generations. 

In this presentation I hope to cover: Evaluating your collections, Cleaning up your files, Documenting your wishes, Appointing a successor: person or institution, Writing up a clear summary of your collection, Leaving funds for curation.

I'm aiming to make this a practical presentation with many suggestions for leaving a large footprint. In addition to a physical footprint I will mention the emotional legacy we leave for our descendants. 

I feel a serious case of nerves approaching as I strive to put together a talk worthy of the event. When I peruse the program I see that I am in the company of esteemed and experienced presenters.

On my recent return from overseas I created a Powerpoint file to use as a mind map/plan for my presentation. It's time to give up dabbling and get moving as my file is due to be uploaded in less than than a month. I am now in serious research/preparation mode. 

My presentation is after lunch on the last day of the conference so the audience members are likely to be suffering from information overload. I will have to make it light and lively to keep them engaged.

There are a few speakers I would really like to hear at the event but as we are scheduled at the same timeslot I will have to miss Andrew Redfern and David Ryan. I hope there is some audience left for me!

Roll on March. 

Genimate Judy is returning downunder

Over the past few years I've had the opportunity to hear Judy G Russell, The Legal Genealogist, speak on genealogy topics on three continents. I managed to nab Judy for an interview at Rootstech in 2016 where she spoke to me about her genealogy journey and her first trip downunder. 

I have been fortunate to have several opportunities to socialise as well as learn from Judy.

Judy enjoyed an Aussie Pub meal with genimates on her first visit to Sydney 2016
Back L-R: Rosemary, Judy, Helen, Melissa, Lilian
Front L-R: Kerry, Alona Jill

After one of Judy's presentations in Sydney I wrote this:

It is rare that I lavish praise on genealogy presenters but Judy is excellence in presentation personified. She knows her subject, she looks professional and acts professionally (although we casual Aussies encouraged her to discard her jacket in the 36c heat), she oozes passion and enthusiasm, injects humour into her presentations, involves her audience : she delivers on all counts.  I am sometimes concerned at the quality of presenters that are sent down under, Judy (and a couple of others are exceptions). https://geniaus.blogspot.com/2016/02/judy-sailed-in.html

I was so thrilled to hear that Judy, who was a keynote at Congress 2018 in Sydney, would be presenting again at Connections2025 (aka known as Congress) in Brisbane.

This recent media release for the organisers of Connections2025 tells more of  Judy's story.

Don't dilly-dally

 Hope to see YOU in Brisbane

25 Stackpole Street Wishart, QLD 4122 PO Box 1467, Carindale Qld 4152 www.connections2025.org.au convenor@connections2025.org.au Brisbane | 21 – 24 March 2025

EARLY BIRD – ends 30 November 2024 If you are still to register for Connections Past-Present-Future consider the following: The daily registration fee for the conference is $260, if you register for the Friday only it does not include the Meet and Greet, which would be an additional $33. If you register for two days of the conference only, the registration fee is $520. If you register for all three days of the conference it is $515, and this includes the Meet and Greet and with Early Bird registration the  price is $395. The Conference Dinner, which is on Saturday night, is an additional $66 at Early Bird pricing. Masterclasses on the Saturday and Sunday are filling fast and are $75 per class. Lunches are of your choosing, but you do need to be aware of the venue’s trading restrictions. Early Bird pricing on lunches provided by the venue is $25. See below. Parking  is $10 on Friday and is free on Saturday & Sunday. See Conference Parking Tours on the Monday are Optional.