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The early bird registration for the 11th World Zoroastrian Congress (11WZC)from June 1-4, 2018 will be AUD 499 (nearly Rs 25,000), it was announced in the first week of August. The amount entitles the participant entry to the Congress venue at The Astral Rooms in the Crown Complex convention center, to avail of a souvenir gift bag, two days of morning and afternoon tea, two conference lunches, and the opening and closing dinners. The early bird offer is for limited seats or until the seats are filled out, reiterate the organizers. The rates applicable for children aged six to 12 is AUD 250 (Rs 12,500) and for those between two to five years of age AUD 100 (Rs 5,000).
"Registration is open to all global Zoroastrians, their family members and friends,” according to the website                 www.11wzcperth.com.au. They have sought to keep "the Congress registration fees as low as possible” to facilitate maximum global participation, noted a circular from Mahrukh Pestonji on behalf of the 11WZC organizing team soliciting sponsorships, donations and advertisements from local and international businesses for their print publications like souvenir/program booklet as also the website.
The accommodation packages start at AUD 315 (Rs 16,000) per person on twin sharing basis for a four-day, three-night stay, and AUD 379 (Rs 19,000) for a five-day, four-night stay. The accommodation charges will include stay in a centrally located three star hotel/apartment near the venue with daily buffet breakfast, return airport transfers, all taxes, fees and handling charges, Goods and Services Tax. For those not staying at the Crown complex, the drive to the alternative hotel venues is approximately seven minutes for which the fare would work out to five dollars (Rs 250) per head assuming there are four passengers in a taxi.
Since most of the serious discussions and presentations concerning global Zoroastrians and organizations have been scheduled for the second and third day of the Congress program (see "Countdown to 11WZC,” Zoroastrians Abroad, Parsiana, June 21, 2017) delegates are free to avail of tour options on the other days. The first and fourth day of the Congress program gives an option of half day tours with lunch included. The first trip for AUD 75 (Rs 3,750) for adults and AUD 44 for children (Rs 2,200) to Kings Park, Live Gold Pour, Perth, Fremantle and Swan River includes a drive past the scenic Swan River and the famous Swan Bell Tower, visit to the Perth Gold Mint and view a live Gold Pour demonstration (entry fee included), drive past the Western Australian Cricket Association grounds, view of the State War Memorial and Eternal Flame at Kings Park, tree-top walk at Kings Park and a spectacular view of the Perth skyline, the stunning Cottesloe Beach, Fremantle Port and its famous cappuccino strip.
The second half day Swan Valley Wildlife Park, Winery and Chocolate Tour inclusive of lunch costs AUD 90 (Rs 4,500). A visit to the famous wine region of Swan Valley, local wine, chocolate, liqueurs and food product tasting are included in this second tour with a visit to the famous Caversham Wildlife Park (entry fee included), hand-feeding of kangaroos, taking a picture with koalas and enjoying a farm show, with a visit to Molly’s farm for a sheep shearing demonstration, whip cracking, milking a cow or hand feeding a lamb.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another half day trip to Swan Valley Brewery with lunch, also for AUD 90 (Rs 4,500) includes a visit to the famous wine region of Swan Valley, to the local brewery, local wine, chocolate, liqueurs and food product tasting, viewing a huge range of home-made jams, preserves, olive oils, sauces, dressings, spice mixes and desserts. The full day tour to Rottnest Island for delegates will cost AUD 171 (Rs 8,550) for the ferry + bus + lunch option, AUD 118 (Rs 5,900) for the ferry + bike experience, and AUD 90 (Rs 4,500) for a visit by ferry.
Around the same time that the packages were announced, the treasurer of 11WZC as also of the Business Association of Western Australian Zoroastrians and the Zoroastrian Association of Western Australia, Darayes Divecha passed away on August 2, 2017, mentions the website. Having migrated with his family from Karachi in 2013 he "took a leading role in volunteering his time and efforts... (and) was willing to assist in any manner... He was involved with the costing of the Congress and served diligently,” noted a tribute by Congress chair Firoz Pestonji.