Socially Speaking The conference was a great opportunity for networking and the carefully planned social events worked wonderfully. The Opening Drinks at ACMI set the scene and there was a definite buzz in the air as old colleagues caught up and introductions were made. The special conference themed 'Southern Currents cocktail' added to the excitement. The conference dinner at the Regent Theatre was an opportunity to dress up and also to recap on the first day's sessions. Delegates met for champagne in a chamber and then were ushered into a cavernous dining room lit with what seemed like hundreds of candelabras. Our dinner speaker, Melbourne crime writer Shane Moloney was able to tie law librarianship in with crime fiction and was most entertaining, but perhaps even more entertaining was the sight of librarians limbo-ing on the dance floor.  
 
First-time delegate As a librarian new to the law, the Australian and New Zealand Law Librarian Conference provided an insight to developments both within the profession and the potential that is available through technology. Of particular interest was the Law Library Microform Consortium speaker Jerry Dupont from Hawaii who discussed preservation in digital publishing and the libraries participating in the preservation of legal information. Further details about this can be read at www.llmc.com. As well, Southern Currents provided not only a great opportunity to meet with other law librarians but also to work alongside one of the Pacific Scholarship winners, Susana Macanawai from the Fijian Institute of Judicial and Legal Education in Suva. 
Presentation highlights The Shifting Landscape The first paper of the Conference was delivered by Peter Moon. Titled "The Shifting landscape: new technologies and future directions" it certainly introduced some exciting new concepts about technology and information access and challenged long held beliefs in the hierarchical and evaluated sources of information favoured by librarians and lawyers alike! Peter introduced us to, and explained, concepts like 'unworthy knowledge', IPv6 and 'fortress knowledge'. He provided us with concrete examples of how current technologies such as podcasting and wikis can be effectively implemented to create and add value to the knowledge store of our business organisations, and quite cost-effectively! This was a paper which challenged and excited us with possibilities both available now and heading our way in the not too distant future: exactly the scene-setting required to get the conference off to a welcome and stimulating start. 
Electronic Interface and Boundaries
James Robertson from Step Two Designs challenged delegates to take a new look at search – from how we design our search engine screens to the layout of search results. James emphasised the importance of usability and suggested that a move towards simplicity is long overdue. While librarians may be adept at using advanced search engines, the majority of our users only want to access a simple search engine and be presented with clear and easy-to-read search results.
This presentation offered a refreshing and though provoking perspective which resulted in ongoing discussion. 
Technology and the Courts
Justice Simon Whelan from the Supreme Court of Victoria provided a frank overview of the technology and the courts project, currently underway in Victoria. Justice Whelan spoke about the progress of electronic case management, electronic presentation of evidence and the many challenges inherent in this project.
The ultimate aim of the project is seamless use of technology in the courtroom and the establishment of a single electronic registry for all the Courts in Victoria. The hurdles faced by the project are quite significant – ranging from usability of the technology and change management within the courts and tribunals. The Southern Currents Committee 
And here is a photo titled 'Lisa’s Fab Shoes - Dinner (with Jerry)' .jpg)
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