AFF Gathering #18 in MEL on 21-23 November 2025

Save the date! The 2025 AFF annual member gathering will be in Melbourne from 21-23 November 2025.

There will be a welcome dinner on Friday evening, a more formal dinner with two fantastic guest speakers on Saturday evening, and optional activities throughout Saturday and Sunday.

All AFF members and their friends & family are welcome to attend. Most people usually fly into the host city on Friday afternoon, and leave on Sunday afternoon/evening. Of course, if you're a Melbourne local, the flying part is optional.

You can read more about the planned activities, dinner venues and costs and post #2 of this thread.

There will be a $5 registration fee per participant, plus the cost of any activities and/or meals that you choose to join.

If you'd like to attend, and haven't already done so, please complete the registration form by clicking on the link below. Once you've done this, please also post your flight/hotel details in this thread!

For those unfamiliar with the AFF terminology:

• "Platinum" means your attendance is confirmed and you have booked flights/accommodation
• "Gold" means you're likely to attend but will need to confirm at a later time
• "Silver" means you're unlikely to attend at this stage
• "Bronze" means you're unable to attend.

The entire AFF team looks forward to seeing you in November in Melbourne!

Registrations have now closed.​

 

[Tacce73]

I'm here, Skybus, Tram and then a stroll through the Park. Gotta love early check-in. What to do now? Check out the Star Wars thing at the Museum, Hit up the shops - noting beats a bit of retail therapy, or catch up on some sleep?

 

[Big John]

I'm here, Skybus, Tram and then a stroll through the Park. Gotta love early check-in. What to do now? Check out the Star Wars thing at the Museum, Hit up the shops - noting beats a bit of retail therapy, or catch up on some sleep? View attachment 482511

Lining up for Skybus now. Star Wars Lego booked in for this arvo. See you all soon !

 

[goldenhorn]

I have rebooked myself onto QF455 direct into J. Thank god for travel insurance!

@Ade @goldenhorn @CaviAck let me know if you need lounge access help at SYD T3

Thank you kindly for the offer. Unfortunately, no other options for me in Ballina, so I'm going direct BNK-MEL and arriving 6pm.

I'm here, Skybus, Tram and then a stroll through the Park.

I'm doing Skybus too. To get the tram to Pullman, do you need a special pass/ticket or can you use a c/card? (Sorry - haven't been to Melbourne for many years.)

 

[Ade]

Slightly OT - I have been flying JQ 4 times in the past two weeks, sometimes for work, sometimes because I couldn’t find CR seats on QF/VA - and the more I fly JQ, the more I’m happy to pay QF/VA … man, JQ is @&$-$/);&&$)(-

 

[LinaLee]

Thank you kindly for the offer. Unfortunately, no other options for me in Ballina, so I'm going direct BNK-MEL and arriving 6pm.

I'm doing Skybus too. To get the tram to Pullman, do you need a special pass/ticket or can you use a c/card? (Sorry - haven't been to Melbourne for many years.)

No cc touch on. PTV is still in the Middle Ages in IT world. You’ll need a myki to be official or do what everyone else does but I’m not saying that’s what you should do though

 

[Tacce73]

Thank you kindly for the offer. Unfortunately, no other options for me in Ballina, so I'm going direct BNK-MEL and arriving 6pm.

I'm doing Skybus too. To get the tram to Pullman, do you need a special pass/ticket or can you use a c/card? (Sorry - haven't been to Melbourne for many years.)

I have a Myki but didn't use it as I caught Tram #48 on Collins St to the Spring St stop and got off there and walked through the park. If you do what I did, it's free. If you stay on until you get to the Pullman (2 stops) it's $5.50 and I believe you can tap with cc, but not sure.

No cc touch on. PTV is still in the Middle Ages in IT world. You’ll need a myki to be official or do what everyone else does

Really still no cc. Wow didn't know that.

 

[LinaLee]

I have a Myki but didn't use it as I caught Tram #48 on Collins St to the Spring St stop and got off there and walked through the park. If you do what I did, it's free. If you stay on until you get to the Pullman (2 stops) it's $5.50 and I believe you can tap with cc, but not sure.

Really still no cc. Wow didn't know that.

It’s a beautiful day today to walk.

 

[RooFlyer]

Hang on - aren’t the CBD trams free? Can’t I just walk on st Collins and off at Spring St?

 

[Dantas]

New MEL Uber pickup area is good! And only $57 to Pullman.

 

[LinaLee]

Hang on - aren’t the CBD trams free? Can’t I just walk on st Collins and off at Spring St?

Yes correct. The free tram zone ends there. Not the stop in front of the Pullman.

 

[Oscarq]

Hang on - aren’t the CBD trams free? Can’t I just walk on st Collins and off at Spring St?

Trams are free in the main city square block Spring St to Spencer St, Flinders St to Latrobe St. As mentioned up thread returns to paid fare before Pullman Hotel.

 

[AIRwin]

Here's the map of the Free Tram Zone:

https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/stategovernc45d-cftw-production-c9ca/media/Project/TransportWebsite/Forms/Free-Tram-Zone-Map.pdf

 

[Mickeyc747]

Gold. We may be able to attend dinner if we line up a sitter early enough.

I am lead to believe you are now Copper like MDW and myself lol

 

[VPS]

Have fun everyone. Sorry I can't be there to join in the fun

 

[DejaBrew]

Wishing everyone a great weekend ahead (from a rainy Toyama 富山)!

 

[RooFlyer]

Enjoying the ambiance of the QP at HBA. Packed to over flowing, as usual.

 

[Kiwi]

On QF445 now. Nice to see some sun and blue sky after rain in Sydney.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Now on skybus

 

[bPeteb]

Enjoying the ambiance of the QP at HBA. Packed to over flowing, as usual.

View attachment 482529

View attachment 482527

View attachment 482526

What did the others get to drink RF?

 

[bPeteb]

The bus from BNE is full to busting but @NM and I are being looked after nicely up the front. The new beef salad was quite nice. Nice enough that there is none left.