This year’s Congress will take place from Tuesday 6 June to Thursday 8 June 2023.
Monday 5 June – Travel to venue and welcome event at 5pm local time
Tuesday 6 June – Day 1 of National Congress Meeting
Wednesday 7 June – Day 2 of National Congress Meeting and Congress Dinner
Thursday 8 June – Day 3 of National Congress Meeting (half day) and return travel
RACV Goldfields Resort, 1500 Midland Highway, Creswick VIC 3363
All expenses, including travel, food, and accommodation, will be covered by the Union.
Casual. The venue is 20 minutes north of Ballarat. Average temperatures in June are highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C – pack your winter woolies. During the meeting you will be approached by union staff to take updated headshot photos.
The union office will arrange for flights for delegates:
5 June – to depart from their nearest capital city or provincial town and arrive in Melbourne by midday local time; and
8 June – to return home after 4pm local time.
Additional accommodation and/or flights for regional delegates will also be covered by the union. Alternative arrival and departure arrangements will be booked by the union office.
We ask delegates, where possible, to get a lift to the airport with family or friends. If this isn’t an option for you, please let Mel Brown know at melissa.brown@fsunion.org.au and a short term digital Cabcharge card will be sent to you so that you can catch a taxi.
Victorian Delegates have the option of making their own way in their car, car pooling with another Victorian Delegate or making their way to the airport to catch a bus with the interstate Delegates. Delegates who drive their own vehicle can claim expenditure for their kilometers using this form: Expenses Claim Form – Congress Delegates
Buses will be arranged for Delegates and staff from Melbourne Airport to RACV Goldfields on 5 June with an estimated departure of 1pm. The same buses will collect Delegates and staff from RACV Goldfields on 8 June with an estimated departure time of 1pm.
There is ample free parking at RACV Goldfields. We recommend that you drive to the reception entrance and drop off your bag, park your car and walk back to the entrance.
The union office staff have taken care to provide details of any allergies and dietary requirements to airlines and the Congress venue. Many of the meals that will take place during the Congress will be buffet style, so we do ask that Delegates check with venue staff that it does meet any dietary requirements you may have prior to eating.
The timing of flight arrivals on 5 June and the subsequent bus departure time (1pm) will mean that some delegates will not have received a lunch meal on their flight. We ask that if that is the case for you, that you collect any checked luggage and grab something to eat in the airport prior to getting on the bus.
On 8 June lunch will be provided to delegates prior to departing for the airport. Depending on your flight departure time, you may need to purchase dinner at the airport.
The union has been committed to safety during the pandemic, leading campaigns in relation to paid pandemic leave, paid vaccination leave and PPE for customer facing staff.
Noting that many Congress Delegates, staff and their family members are high risk for COVID-19, the following measures will be taken before, during and after Congress. We ask that Congress Delegates commit and adhere to the following:
1. We recommend that delegates make contact with their general practitioner in the coming weeks (prior to Congress) to enquire as to their eligibility for a booster COVID vaccine.
2. Stay at home if unwell. If delegates have signs or symptoms of COVID-19, such as: cough, fever, sore throat, fatigue, loss or smell or taste, vomiting, diarrhoea or shortness of breath, please do not commence travel or attend Congress.
3. Prior to travel, take a RAT and only commence travel if the RAT is negative.
4. We recommend that all delegates flying, wear N95 masks while in an airplane.
5. Maintain physical distance where possible during travel.
6. Use hand sanitiser frequently during travel.
1. A COVID-19 Special Events and First Aid trained FSU Staff member will be tasked with implementing the COVID-19 Safety Plan and with advising Delegates and staff of their non-compliance. Repeat non-compliance by Delegates or staff will be passed on to Mel Brown for referral to the National Executive for determination.
2. RATs and masks will be available throughout the Congress Meeting and associated events. All delegates and staff will be supported should they choose to wear a mask during the Congress.
3. If a person becomes unwell at the Congress meeting or associated events, that person will be asked to isolate in their room until they can provide a negative RAT. Once a negative RAT is provided, the person may leave isolation, but will be required to wear a N95 mask until symptoms subside.
4. Delegates and staff will be asked to practice good hygiene and will be reminded as frequently as possible to use hand sanitiser stations and hand washing facilities that will be readily available for attendees and staff.
5. Frequent cleaning of high traffic areas will be arranged.
6. Floor markings will be on display for one way foot traffic in places such as food areas, encouraging social distancing and the use of separate entries and exits, where possible.
7. Maximised ventilation where possible (opening doors and windows) where appropriate and with weather permitting.
8. Tables during Congress Meeting day events will be allocated and will be set up cabaret style.
If you develop symptoms in the week following Congress and test positive to COVID-19, please advise the union so that other Delegates can be notified to enable them to test and take precautions.
The FSU is committed to ensuring all its gatherings, including meetings, functions and events, are free from all forms of harassment, including sexual harassment. Attendees have a right to be safe and respected and we ask that all attendees act in accordance with these values.
We encourage all Delegates to complete this (free) online Fair Work Commission short course – Workplace sexual harassment.