2023 Conference – Sydney

Group photo at the welcome drinks at United Cinemas, Circular Quay, Sydney

The 2023 Conference of the Australian and New Zealand College of Notaries was held on 26, 27 and 28 October at United Cinemas, Circular Quay, Sydney.  The Conference was attended by over 60 members and their guests.

With a conference theme of Notaries – Vital for International Commerce, the 2023 Sydney Conference was a resounding success, especially considering the relatively short notice with which it was organised. This accomplishment was made possible by the generosity of Peter Mustaca (a non-executive Governor for NSW) and his family, who own the venue where the event was held.  Daltone House at Jones Bay Wharf provided a splendid setting for the unforgettable and entertaining formal evening event.

The conference featured a distinguished lineup of international and national speakers, including:

    • an opening message from Dr. Christophe Bernasconi, Secretary General of The Hague Conference of Private International Law,
    • Prof. Edward Santow, Industry Professor and Director, Policy and Governance Human Technology Institute, Why Does AI Matter for Notaries?
    • Justin Betar, President ANZCN, Notarisation: this is your Super Power!
    • Nigel Ready, author of Brooke’s Notary and Past President of the English Society of Scrivener Notaries, from the United Kingdom, Notaries sans frontiers – a perspective from the City of London
    • Ken Lord, Notary Public and ANZCN Board Member from New Zealand, Notaries, Crucial Cogs for Wheels of Commerce, Alchemists of Truth
    • John Kavanagh, Master Mariner and Notary from Queensland, The Notary Public and Shipping – a voyage of exploration,
    • Prof. Peter Zablud, AM, Past President of ANZCN from Victoria, Notarising Powers of Attorney for use internationally – it only looks easy!
    • Ron Usher, Notary Public from British Colombia and General Counsel, Society of Notaries of British Columbia, Preventing bank robberies, an update from the Canadian front lines
    • Emma Wagner, Forensic Document Examiner, The imposter syndrome: Fraudulent ID documents, and how to detect them, and
    • Rodney Marks, Comedian (a.k.a. Prof. Nyeteri Idontski) providing the an unforgettable evening address.