Nearly 200 delegates from Bendigo Bank branches across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory arrived in Ulladulla on Monday for a two-day conference.

The conference, being held at the Ulladulla Civic Centre, will include presentations and work groups with delegates spending a full day working yesterday (Tuesday) and half day today (Wednesday).

Delegates were welcomed by Bendigo Bank’s Milton Ulladulla Community Bank branch chair Tony Hardman with a brief address before Members for Gilmore Joanna Gash officially opened the event.

During the conference, Milton’s Ross Collins was given the chance to speak on his roll with the Milton branch as a junior observer.

A highlight of the conference was a keynote address by Youth off the Streets founder and CEO Father Chris Riley.

But the conference has not been all business.

The event kicked off with a welcome reception at the Ulladulla Ex-Servo’s on Monday night with cocktails from 6.30pm followed by dinner.

The socialising continued last night (Tuesday) with the official dinner at the Mollymook Golf Club.

While the delegates were busy working yesterday, their partners enjoyed a more leisurely day – heading out to check out what’s on offer at Cupitt’s Winery.

Mr Hardman said he was happy with the attendance at the conference and that members of the local Bendigo Bank team had been looking forward to showing the Milton-Ulladulla region off to visitors from across the state.

“We have encouraged people attending to include an extra day or two before or after the conference to check out the area properly.

“Hopefully we may even get a few repeat visits from this.”

The conference will end today following a final wrap up by NSW/ACT state manager Chris Bone.