General Synod eNews No.21-22A
3 February 2023

Dear consultants, volunteers and visitors

Since we are very close to Convention now, there is a lot of material for you to read in this eNews. We suggest that you print it and keep it with you as you make your way to Convention. This eNews is also available for your reference on the General Synod website at Delegate Updates & News.

Our Victorian planning team has provided the following information to help you find your way from the airport to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). 

Finding your way to Convention

The MCEC is located at the western end of the Southbank precinct, immediately south of Melbourne’s CBD. Sky buses run regularly between the Tullamarine Airport and Melbourne City, departing every 10 minutes during peak times. The estimated journey time is 35 minutes (traffic dependent).

There is a free tourist City Circle Tram that runs around the city. Also, there is a Free Tram Zone spanning most of the CBD north of the Yarra River, where no travel card is needed. We strongly recommend that you do not drive into the Melbourne CBD, as parking is very expensive. For more information about transport options, including trains, trams and car parking, see Delegates & Visitors > In Melbourne.

Lost?

If you have difficulty finding your way to the MCEC or, once there, to the LCA Convention area, please call 03 9235 8000. A representative of the MCEC will help you to find your way.

Venue information

There are two main entry points to MCEC. Registration will be outside the worship/meals/exhibition space, from 4.30pm Thursday and from 7.15am Friday. 

Our two main rooms are about 800 metres apart. On Friday, there will be volunteers along the route to help guide people. MCEC staff can also assist you to find the locations for daily worship, meals/exhibition and the business sessions.

For dinner on Saturday, you will need to be wearing your lanyard, which shows you have paid for the dinner, to gain entry. 

For more information, including maps of the locations of the Synod rooms, see Delegates & Visitors > In Melbourne.

Registration and gathering worship

The registration desk will be open from 4.30pm on Thursday, 9 February 2023. Note that an evening meal will not be served, so you should factor this into your plans. We will however provide supper after the gathering service.

Please aim to arrive at the MCEC in plenty of time to register and to attend the gathering worship service at 7.00pm. You will also be able to register up until 10.00pm on Thursday and from 7.15am to 9.30am on Friday.

Convention dinner

If you have booked and paid to attend the Convention dinner on the Saturday night, please plan to be there at 6.45pm for a 7.00pm start. There will be a drinks package from 6.45pm to 8.45pm. Our guest speaker will be Pastor James Winderlich, Principal of Australian Lutheran College.

Closing worship

The closing worship service commences at 9.30am (AEDT) on Sunday, 12 February 2023. Once inside the MCEC, simply follow the Synod signs to the worship area. Synod volunteers will be available to direct you. The MCEC doors open at 9.00am, and you should be seated by the starting time of 9.30am. Please let your parish members know that the service will be livestreamed from the MCEC. The link will be found on the General Synod website at Worship and Prayer. 

Food and dining

There are many dining options alongside MCEC by the river and eastwards towards St Kilda Road, and there is a food court (west of MCEC), at the DFO complex – basement level. See more information at Delegates & Visitors > In Melbourne.

Explore

Melbourne CBD is nearby, and the Bourke Street Mall has a range of shops. There is late-night shopping on Friday evenings. There are also many cultural opportunities near the MCEC. Go to Delegates & Visitors > In Melbourne for more ideas.

Keeping in touch

We are looking forward to welcoming you to the in-person sessions of the 20th Convention of General Synod. Please continue to check your inbox and keep an eye on the Convention website. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns or questions.

Sincerely in Christ
Dr Nigel Long
Secretary of the Church