A Message from Conference Coordinator Chris Turner

Back in the mists of antiquity when I was first almost unwillingly thrust into the world of professional astrology I was acutely aware of how scattered and unorganised astrology knowledge was. At that time in Australia you couldn't even buy a decent astrology book let alone find a knowledgeable astrologer.

That was 35 years ago. Not that long in evolutionary terms. And look at us now! I gossip more with my friends in the US or Europe than I do with my next door neighbour. In my classes I have Americans, a Canadian and a young woman from Hong Kong -- and I teach them live! And now, for the first time, students in outback Australia, the jungles of the Congo or a Polar Research station at the North Pole will be interacting with the crème de la crème of the world's astrologers in real time. I am feeling the same sense of awe as my grandmother did when she actually saw men land on the Moon!

This has been and is a team effort. Firstly Ena Stanley with whom I discovered a common dream and who has been nothing but encouragement and enthusiasm from the first mention of the possibility of a Cyber Conference. Her constant excitement about the entire project was infectious. Julene Packer-Louis, who found herself my 1st mate. She kept my feet on the ground, was a wonderful sounding board, and somehow kept the ridiculous amount of Gemini between Ena and myself, in check. All this on top of a big family, a "normal" day job and a humungous teaching load. Ron Dankowich added the voice of Saturn to our discussions on which topics to choose, Cathy Rec managed to give us a budget out of thin air and Linda Furiate brought her media experience to bear when it came to publicity. Ed Perrone has been a positive genius. He has somehow kept us all grounded and his "techie" mind has managed to solve every problem we threw at him. It is thanks to him that we have such a wonderful and informative web site.

Then there are our speakers!! Over the months I have communicated with nearly 100 astrologers all over the world, renewing old friendships and in the process making new ones. The enthusiasm, encouragement and excitement about something new from all of them, whether they could take part or not, brought us all together in a new common goal. In communicating with them all, I really began to feel we were "Breaking Down the Borders." To the 60 astrologers who are the backbone of this conference, I say a very big thank you all.

Finally, without you, these speakers would not have an audience. It is you who makes any conference a success. This conference is not the same as a "normal" conference, there are no parties and no late nights for a start!!! At least not partying. What there is, is a chance to learn from the best there is. For the first time you can hear the world's best without having to mortgage the house, kennel the dog and quit your job to travel to the other side of the country or the world to hear them. There is a huge variety of topics here. I don't know how you are going to choose.

Some of these speakers you will have never heard of. That doesn't mean they are not as good as those you have. Everyone here is the best his or her country has to offer. Try them out and see for yourself.

To each and every one of you, a heartfelt "thank you," for enabling me to see a dream come true.

Chris Turner
Conference Coordinator