Sarah's Sibling Review of
2007 Australian WHS Conference

On the weekend of the 5th - 7th of October, 2007, our family hosted the Wolf-Hirschhorn bi-annual conference. It was held in the Barossa Valley, South Australia with 15 families attending. We welcomed 2 from VIC, 5 from QLD, 2 from SA, 5 from NSW and 1 from New Zealand. Four of these families and their children were new to our family (Elliot, Eden, Gemma and Leah)

On the Friday we got together for lunch and then went for a tour around the Penrice Quarry. Friday night, Dad (Noel), did a bus shuttle run for families who were staying at Tanunda and brought them to Angaston for a meal, which was held at Roaring 40's. Saturday, was guest speaker day. The first speaker was Kate Strohm, from Disability SA, who spoke about siblings. She spoke to the parents about being aware of the needs, both physically and emotionally, of the siblings. The second speaker was Rachel's Chiropractor, Jim Johnson and his wife, Judy. Jim spoke about the benefits of chiropractic care. Then we heard from another of Rachel's doctors, Doctor Sinclair Bade who spoke about the benefit of nutrition and biomedicines.

While the guest speakers were happening, family and friends were outside (and inside) doing all sorts of activities with the WHS kids and the siblings. There was Tony from Barossa Trike tours who came for 4 hours and gave everyone a ride around Angaston on his bright yellow three wheeled trike, Even the WHS kids who didn't want to wear a helmet got a chance to have a ride, not on the open road, but around the schools oval, Later in the afternoon, a wildlife park (Remambi Park) came with 5 various animals for everyone to pat or hold. We had a chance to feed the sugar glider and have a look at it's baby the pouch, there was the python, that anyone game, could hold, Then there was the goanna, that had a broken back and a pottaroo that hopped around the circle for everyone to pat We also had the chance to pat a baby crocodile, Even the parents loved looking at these animals. 

The WHS children were also treated to a paint lesson by Hannah's Uncle Keith- . These paintings looked great that he so patiently did with each child. Rachael has hers framed and hanging in her room. We also had the chance to do a little craft activity which my Auntie Leanne organised for my mum. The children could decorate a small trinket box, or an aeroplane, or a dinosaur or a crocodile. I think some of us painted more than one. We can't forget the 7 puppies, they got lots of cuddles and just to let you all know, the puppies slept well for the next 2 days.  Meals were catered for by local business, 

Sunday was relax day. For those who wanted to, we met in the morning (actually, It was more like mid morning) and went to the first winery, Yalumba. After this we ventured to another school in Nuriootpa (Redeemer Lutheran) for lunch, lunch was made easy, we had Subway provide salad rolls and cookies for everyone. From here, we went to another winery, Wolf Blass and then onto a local lookout, Menglers Hill, Our evening meal was at the Vine Inn for chose who wanted to attend, it was here that we had to say goodbye to all of the families, which was really sad.

On Monday, there were several families who hadn't left yet, so we decided to take a drive through the Adelaide Hills. We went to the Whispering Wall, Gumeracha toy Factory, Woodside Chocolate factory and ended back In Keyneton at the Henschke Winery. 

I'm glad my parents took up the challenge and organised the conference, I hope we can do it again sometime, (Mum says not for while). I loved seeing everyone again and can't wait to go to Queensland in 2009. Not only looking forward to the conference but also the theme parks. Rachael hasn't stopped talking about Thomas, Jesse and Ryley. We had a great time, hopefully, so did everyone else.