More than 2700 visitors from all over the world including Africa, the United States of America, Spain, the United Nations, Timor Leste, Malaysia and Japan - converged on Ivory's Rock for its recent Peace and Wellbeing Convention.
Speakers included Prem Rawat, bestselling author of 'Hear Yourself' and developer of the Peace Education Programme, educator Catherine Gavigan, Emeritus Professor Beema and Desmond Tutu Foundation trustee Paul Bloomfield
They presented updates on the Peace Education Programme, which has been introduced to 80 countries with 300,000 participants offered the opportunity to explore their inner resources of choice, hope, dignity and inner strength.
Organisers said Ivory's Rock was grateful to the 30 - 40 local contractors and staff who supported the facility to mount the convention.
Approximately $5 million was injected into the local economy with 1300 offsite guests staying in hotels, motels and Airbnbs in the region, shopping retail and eating out.
Guest staying on site also enjoyed the local Peak Crossing and Yamanto pubs, restaurants and other retail outlets in Yamanto, Boonah and Ipswich. Local businesses have benefited from the convention, for example, Ivory's Rock spent $52,000 at Budget Car and Truck Rental Ipswich hiring 34 vehicles.
The Ivory's Rock spokesperson said Budget was “wonderful to work with and so accommodating to our needs.”
Another $65,000 was spent at Sunfresh on linen hire and laundering for onsite guests and 200 motor homes and caravans were hired by guests, with some hire companies totally booked out for the week.
Many participants attending the convention will go on to travel and explore this region and around QLD. Laura from Mexico likes to travel to Australia following the convention.
“I enjoy visiting this distinct culture with friendly people, such a nice environment,” she said.
Ricardo from Nicaragua said the Australian environment was “very beautiful, very clean and green with friendly people”.
Lynne from the USA was impressed with the organisers of the convention and the facility, saying “Marvellous nature at Ivory’s Rock, it was well organised and a pleasant experience.”
Ahead of the Convention on 2nd of September Blair MP Shayne Neumann and Ipswich Council Deputy Mayor Jacob Madsen met with representatives from Ipswich Tourism and the Ipswich Chamber of Commerce to tour the facility
