On behalf of CAPGAN, it is a pleasure to welcome you to the 5^th Congress on Diarrhoea and Malnutrition. Darwin is an appropriate location to hold this Congress because it is a tropical city and Aboriginal children still suffer high rates of diarrhoeal disease and malnutrition. You will get an opportunity to hear more about this since there are sessions dedicated to the issues of Aboriginal Child Health.

Due to the distance and expense of travel to Australia, this is a smaller Congress than originally anticipated. However, we have an interesting programme and the smaller size of the Congress will facilitate meaningful discussion about the issues of diarrhoea and malnutrition. We are fortunate to have an excellent line up of speakers and I am particularly grateful for them agreeing to attend the Congress.

I would also like to thank the Australian Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition for hosting the Congress and particularly Geoff Davidson, Graeme Barnes and Ted O’Loughlin for their help in organising the Congress. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Convention Catalysts and our sponsors, without which the Congress could not have taken place. Finally, I would like to thank the administrative staff of the Northern Territory Clinical School for their contribution to this Congress. Genene McCurrie produced the Conference Program and designed the artwork. Pauleen Cass and Candis McLeod have assisted me as the local organising committee and worked long hours to ensure the success of the Congress - their dedication went far beyond the call of duty.

On behalf of the Congress, I wish you a pleasant and enjoyable stay in Darwin and hope that you have time to benefit from the unique features of the Territory.

David Brewster
Congress Convenor

Darwin is a tropical city which has 2 main seasons, the "wet" and the "dry". The average rainfall for the region is around 1705mm per annum. Darwin surprises most people because they’re not expecting a bustling, modern capital city of 105,730 people, sitting on one of Australia’s prettiest harbours. Closer to Indonesia than to Sydney, Darwin is an exotic mix of Asian, European and Aboriginal cultures with a distinctly Australian feel. The Northern Territory, with a total population of 192,882 has, Australia’s highest proportion of Indigenous Australians, many of whom live in remote locations.

Darwin has many interesting attractions which can be visited inexpensively, including –

• Mindil Beach Markets - Thursday evenings from 5.30pm - tantalising foods from many countries, entertainment and market stalls

• Parap Markets – Saturday mornings or Nightcliff Markets - Sunday mornings

• Indo-Pacific Marine & Australian Pearling Exhibition - located at the Wharf Precinct

• The Museum & Art Gallery of NT at Vestey’s Beach, Fannie Bay – excellent displays of Darwin history, flora and fauna, and Aboriginal art and culture

• East Point Reserve – for a sample of Darwin’s military history and sightings of wallabies

• Aviation Heritage Museum – for aircraft and aviation history enthusiasts

• Beaches – Mindil Beach, Fannie Bay, Nightcliff Beach–for sunset viewing

• Mandorah Ferry – for a view of the harbour –departs from Cullen Bay