"The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) is the peak body for prostate cancer in Australia. It is dedicated to; funding research into the cause, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of prostate cancer, raising awareness about prostate cancer; and providing support, information and advocacy to men and their families impacted by prostate cancer.
During 3 glorious days on the Gold Coast his year, the PCFA 2010 International Advancing Quality of Life conference saw almost 1,000 delegates gather at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre to participate in a unique learning experience in regards to treatment options, disease management, prostate cancer research and health promotion.
The Hon Paul Lucas MP, Deputy Premier and Queensland Minister for Health officially opened this conference that brought together scientists, nurses, medical practitioners, community organizations, allied health professionals, public health advocates, support group managers, health promotion professional and government representatives. However the Deputy Premier’s speech was over shadowed by the amazing singing of belladiva.
As conference manager, my brief was to find a group who could open conference by singing 3 national anthems without backing and raise the hairs on the back of every listener’s neck. belladiva delivered. Standing on an understated stage with minimum backdrop and lighting, they sang unique versions of the Star Spangled Banner, Oh Canada and Advance Australia Fair. Conference crowds are notoriously tardy in taking their seats and many more were still coming in when the performance was almost over. I have never head a call for an encore of an opening ceremony but I did that day. Nor was it the last time.
That night belladiva were the headline act at the 500 plus delegate gala dinner. To thunderous applause belladiva performed magnificently. Repeated calls for encore were met with enthusiasm until I knew that we must let them go or the dinner would never end! Conference is over for 2 years, but every day some one rings and talks about it. And the topic of conversation is always how wonderful belladiva were."
Graeme Higgs (International Conference Manager|State Manager- Queensland) Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia