2026 ANZURA Conference – Burra SA
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We invite you to join us for this year’s ANZURA Annual Conference 30 October – 2 November 2026. It will be held at the lovely Paxton Square Function Centre in Burra, South Australia, two hours’ drive north of Adelaide and 30 minutes from the Clare Valley Wine Region. The Paxton Square Function Centre is a heritage listed centre, originally created in 1895 when Burra was becoming a vibrant mining town. The rustic Paxton Cottages, which were originally used as miners’ cottages, surround the precinct and will be used for our accommodation. The entire centre has been elegantly refurbished with contemporary and modern furnishings and is close to the wineries in Clare and the Barossa.
Making God’s Providence Visible in Our World: How do we do that?
Providence does not mean that God has decided all things for us and in advance. God loves us too much to do that, for that would be nothing short of cosmic tyranny. 118:10.1 (1304.3)
There is much that takes place in our world that is hard for us to understand. Natural law is seemingly cruel, heartless and indifferent to the universal values of the good, true and beautiful. However, real and long-term providence becomes increasingly discernible as we reach upward from the material to spiritual.
Reaching up and holding a philosophy of divine providence will be the focus of this conference, along with an exploration of how we might share such a widened perspective with those who have lost faith in God, partly due to the cruelty and heartlessness which often makes one cry out: “Why does God allow this?” How can we help to widen the philosophic and religious perspective of those in our orbit? These “What can we do?” and “How might we say it better?” questions will be a vital element of each presentation, for we are partners with God in making providence visible.
A Point of Interest
Not too far from rural Burra is the birthplace and childhood home of the polar explorer, Sir Hubert Wilkins who, some may know, was a good friend of Dr Sadler and a Forum member in the early 1940’s. He was a devoted student of the Urantia Papers and generously donated to the first printing of the book. His childhood home now serves as a historical museum to preserve his memory, and we will be visiting this homestead as an excursion during the conference.
Wilkins embodied a deep trust in higher guidance throughout his extraordinary journey. He is renowned for his achievements as a polar explorer, aviator, photographer, naturalist, and philosopher. During his active career, from the early 1940s he spent a week or more each year in Chicago, usually reading the Urantia Papers for at least eight hours a day, and visiting with his friend Dr Sadler. Wilkins generously donated to the first printing of the book, then during the last three years of his life carried it everywhere in his rucksack – including to the Arctic and Antarctic. The spirit of this man who navigated both the Earth’s extremes and life’s uncertainties with remarkable composure, resilience, and vision invites us to reflect on our own relationship with God and how our choices contribute to the tapestry of evolving humanity and universe meaning.
Start making your plans now! Note: Public transport there and back is not easy so if you’re flying in and out please take note of the transport and travel information to ensure you will be there in time to catch a special bus. Keep updated with those details and registration information on ANZURA’s website at: 2026 Conference Burra.