International Lions president Barry Palmer was here for the convention as part of his world tour. He came to Bathurst from the US and is heading to Korea tomorrow.

Mr Palmer will use the convention to talk about this year's theme, Follow Your Dreams, a topic he said was close to his heart.

Mr Palmer is from Berowra, north of Sydney, and has been a member of the Hornsby Lions Club since 1976.

In addition to his Lion activities, he is a recipient of the Australian Medal issued by the Australian Government, the Australian Childhood Cancer Research Award and the Spastic Centre of NSW Award. He was a pioneer volunteer at the Sydney Olympics and a member of the Australian Paralympic Committee.

Other guest speakers at this weekend's conference include past council chairman Bob Buckley, Sydney University's chairman of ophthalmology Professor Peter McCluskey and cartoonist Mick Joffe.

The convention began late yesterday afternoon with a mayoral reception.

Delegates are mostly from the Sydney area, as well as the local district which covers an area from Bathurst to Wagga and across the Central West.

One of the organisers, Lynn Campbell, said the convention would bring a significant amount of money into the Bathurst economy, which organisers had tried to spread around as much as they could by holding events at various venues while they are in town.

A sightseeing program has been created for delegates to enjoy and other highlights of the weekend include a visit to historic Abercrombie House for afternoon tea, a dinner dance at Panthers, a heritage walk around Bathurst with Judith Dunn, a visit to the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum with a wine tasting, a golf and bowls day.

Delegates can also visit the National Motor Racing Museum and take a drive around Mount Panorama.