COMBS is committed to being Family-Friendly

COMBS is committed to fostering a family-friendly environment for all attendees. We understand the importance of balancing professional commitments with family life, and we are working to make our workshop as inclusive as possible.

What to Expect at a Family-Friendly Workshop

This workshop is designed to be a shared space where both professional and personal lives can coexist. To ensure a welcoming and productive experience for everyone, here’s what you can expect:

A Welcoming and Inclusive Environment: We want all attendees, including partners and children, to feel comfortable. This means you can expect to see families participating in various activities and social events, including workshop dinners. This is a deliberate choice to create a more integrated and supportive community.

Flexibility for All: The workshop schedule includes designated break times and spaces for attendees to step away as needed. This flexibility also provides a more relaxed atmosphere for everyone, with ample opportunities for networking and informal discussion.

Mutual Respect: As an attendee, we ask for your patience, understanding, and mutual respect for other people's needs.

COMBS Carers Support

COMBS is dedicated to ensuring that all members have equitable access to attend the COMBS Annual Workshop. As part of this commitment, COMBS Carers Support is available to all members, including HDR students, ECRs, AIs, PIs and CIs. This Support is designed to help address caregiving responsibilities that might affect your ability to register for or actively participate in the COMBS Annual Workshop. Please email Nicci with details of your needs so we can explore how best to support you.

2026 Annual Workshop Details

Location 

The 2026 COMBS Annual Workshop for the ARC Centre of Excellence in Microcombs for Breakthrough Science will be held at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, 1.5 hours from Sydney. 

Workshop Package Inclusions

Included in your workshop registration are:

• Accommodation

• All meals (breakfast, morning/afternoon tea, lunch & dinner)

• Poster sessions with drinks and nibbles - Monday, Tuesday & Thursday evenings

• Workshop formal dinner Wednesday night including drinks & fun

• Team building activity (Wednesday afternoon)

• Yoga & breathing sessions

• Access to venue facilities including a pool and gym

Venue information

Hotel Rooms

Single occupancy rooms 

COMBS has a mixture of Residential View, Ocean View and Ocean View Balcony rooms.  The room types will be allocated by the venue.

To view the rooms we have reserved please click here.

Twin share rooms - student accommodation

COMBS has a number of residential view twin share rooms, these rooms are the default room for students. Each room has two double beds with an ensuite bathroom.  You can nominate who you would like to share with when completing the registration form.

If you would prefer not to share a room you please discuss this with your supervisor.

Facilities

The Novotel Wollongong offers excellent facilities for you to enjoy throughout the workshop. With the hotel located just a one-minute walk from the beach, you may want to pack a beach towel!

For more information about the hotel's amenities, please click here

COMBS Team Activity - Wednesday afternoon

COMBS Annual Workshop attendees will be treated to a fun activity together Wednesday Afternoon check back here for more details.