Dear colleagues,

The theme of the conference is Across the Lifespan, commencing with the prevention and aetiology of cerebral palsy, progressing to early intervention of infants at risk, evidence based interventions, long term outcomes of key interventions (spasticity management, neuro and orthopaedic surgery), changing participation and quality of life and adult cerebral palsy outcomes.

15 key note speakers (10 international, 5 Australasian) will be a highlight of the scientific program. By learning from a range of presentation formats (keynotes, seminars, free papers, advanced practitioner workshops with experts, posters and round tables), participants will further their knowledge and understanding across the spectrum of cerebral palsy. Specific features of the conference week will be a meeting of the World Cerebral Palsy Registers, an international round table on spasticity management, an accredited course on early infant assessment and specialty seminars on the state of clinical practice in key disciplines (with local and international experts).

This program will attract the wide cross section of individuals involved in cerebral palsy. This includes those involved in the basic sciences, aetiology, cerebral palsy registers, neonatology, neuroscience, medical and allied health clinicians of all disciplines, students, service providers, policy makers and government representatives. People with cerebral palsy and their families and carers will have great interest in this conference and will be able to ask direct questions of the experts.

The conference will be an opportunity to network and set up international collaborations. As the cerebral palsy world is a small community, we have a unique opportunity to collaborate to help answer the many unanswered questions about cerebral palsy. Our hope is that by the close of the conference people will have not only learnt from the experts in their field, but also started working together. Sydney is an exciting city with friendly people - the perfect place for new collaborations to take place.

This is the ideal opportunity to take the holiday in Australia that you have always planned. Visiting Sydney in February (our summer) offers a taste of our alfresco lifestyle, and summer nights in Sydney are one of life's simple pleasures. The social program and optional excursions will maximise this experience for you. There will be plenty of time for networking with new friends while exploring the city's beautiful harbour and beaches. Take a 5 minute walk from the conference venue in stunning Darling Harbour to the CBD, or a 10 minute ferry trip under the Harbour Bridge to the Sydney Opera House. For your convenience, three hotels and apartment style accommodation has been block booked adjacent to the conference venue. Sydney is blessed with natural beauty, fascinating history and a casual sophistication - all waiting here for you to enjoy and explore!

We look forward to meeting you in February 2009,