The Second Australian SA Conference was held over the weekend of May. Some 16 members attended from various parts of Australia. The conference was a milestone for SA in Australia in many ways. One meeting was open to non-sexaholics. A number of business decisions also were made:

• the establishment of an Australian newsletter to be distributed with Essay within Australia;
• the creation of a National Service Committee to oversee the newsletter;
• to make an Australia-wide phone number available to all groups.

Although we are small in number there is a great spirit and networking among members throughout Australia. The phone companies must be making a fortune! For me the conference was a chance to become more a part of (the fellowship). I went to the conference with fear and control — and left with joy. Am I willing to go deeper into the program, willing to identify and surrender more and more? The conference showed me I was not alone, that others are committed to working this program and gaining progressive victory over lust.

The spirit at the conference reminded me of something from page 17 of the AA Big Book: “We are people who normally would not mix. But there exists among us a fellowship, a friendliness, and an understanding which is indescribably wonderful. We are like passengers of a great liner the moment after rescue from shipwreck.”