So to another objective of the Darwin trip. The others were to see friends and catch up on the South Alligator story but the meeting was the AusIMM Annual international Uranium Conference, so very important for me from a professional viewpoint.
Lots of old friends and professional contacts to catch up with as well as being there to support Dider when he gave his paper on the first day - and then he supported me when I made a presentation about the South Alligator on behalf of Mike and myself at the end of the first day.
The venue was the new convention centre down on the waterfront and I was a bit disappointed that the disabled access was so poor generally and various aspects of the layout were rather inconvenient compared to other locations in Darwin and other venues in Australia.
Anyway the meeting went well. Plenty of attendees from 6 or 7 countries and some very interesting papers.
On Wednesday evening we had a gala dinner which was great fun as I met up with a lot more old friends.
Thursday evening we had a public information night with members of the public invited to hear presentations about all aspects of the uranium production cycle and then ask questions. I had two slots. The first was about the remediation of uranium mines in Australia and world wide; and the second was a presentation about the work of IAEA on "safeguards" the non-proliferation work of IAEA. It all went well with both pro- and anti- nuclear proponents in the audience but no madly rabid debates. A reflection that the world is slowly learning about nuclear power and how it is perhaps an essential element in the future security of the world's energy supply as well as being a help in the battle against climate change.
I also confess that at luchtime on Thursday Didier and I went off to my favourite art gallery in Darwin - Framed at Stuart Park -to look at some paintings and he bought a really nice pair of aboriginal "mimi" figures . It really is a super spot to pick up quality art, especially aboriginal art.
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