The College's first Conference and the first ever conference of Australian and New Zealand Notaries.
We held our collective breath. We need not have worried. The Conference held at historic Old Parliament House on 25 and 26 October 2008 was a resounding success.
Key note speakers included prominent New Zealand academic, Professor Noel Cox who presented an address on the future of the Australasian Notariat, and Anti Money Laundering expert Joy Geary who discussed the likely impact of the Anti Money Laundering and Anti Terrorist Financing legislation on the conduct of notarial practice.
The Attorney General of Australia, the Hon. Robert McClelland MP was our special guest at the Conference Dinner. In his supplementary remarks to the official speech, the Attorney pledged the support of the Australian Government to the notariat and to the College. At the request of the Shadow Attorney General, Senator George Brandeis who attended the Dinner, the Attorney also committed the support of the Opposition.
Following his speech, the Attorney was made an Honorary Fellow of the College. His Certificate was presented by the College's distinguished patron and first Honorary Fellow, Professor John Harber Phillips AC, FANZCN (Hon), QC.