Alcoholics Anonymous eyes Toowoomba for convention

NATIONAL sobriety support program Alcoholics Anonymous will hold its 2020 National Convention in Toowoomba next year.

NATIONAL sobriety support program Alcoholics Anonymous will hold its 2020 National Convention in Toowoomba next year.

It will be one of the first times the conference will be held outside of a capital city, and will mark AA's 55th convention supporting reformed drinkers.

It will be held to coincide with the close of next year's Carnival of Flowers.

In a statement to The Chronicle, a spokeswoman for AA said more than 1000 people were expected to attend.

"This will be the first time that Toowoomba has hosted the convention, and only a handful of times it has been held outside a capital city," she said.

"AA is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

"About 1000 people are expected to attend the convention, which is being held to coincide with the end of the Carnival of Flowers when Toowoomba is at its radiant best."

The convention will also include participants from Al-Anon and Ala-teen.

AA holds more than 450 meetings a week across Queensland, and more than 20 weekly meetings in and around Toowoomba.

Locations include the Garden City, Warwick, Clifton, Allora, Gatton, Minden, Ipswich, Highfields and Dalby.

While the history of AA in the Toowoomba area is unclear, the spokeswoman said it was believed the first meeting was held in the district in 1948 after World War II.

It has since operated continuously.

AA will next year celebrate its 85th year worldwide, and its 75th year operating in Australia.

Delegates will stay at Downlands College for the convention from October 2-5 next year.

Anyone interested should see aanatcon2020.com.au.

Originally published as Alcoholics Anonymous eyes Toowoomba for convention