AFF Gathering #13 in SYD on 18 - 20 October 2019

[JohnK]

Gold for me at this stage.

I'll be in SYD that weekend but scheduled to play golf on both days.

 

[Buzzard]

And the dates are?

April 7

 

[oz_mark]

I do hope Cafe Sydney is the pick for dinner in Customs House as it has views and pretty good food. It is just across from the Circular Quay Station so very easy and bus stops and ferry stops right there.

Hmm, gives me an idea on where to stay.

In the meantime, must be time for another Perth catchup....

 

[cove]

Yes oz_mark where is @JohnM when we need him.
The current best smorgasbord is the Epicurean at Crown Towers and then Chez Pierre in Nedlands can work too.
Of course there are stacks of other places that are less hexxy price wise around Perth.

 

[JohnM]

Yes oz_mark where is @JohnM when we need him.

I'm at home - but not for long .

 

[Drakecula]

I was all set for this, then realised I have a roller derby game that weekend. I could have caught the Murray's bus too! Oh well, there will always be another one.

 

[support]

With 7 months to go until the event, the wiki is now together and linked (at the top), but if I have missed any +1's (or vice versa) please speak up so I can update the list. The list currently stands at 18 Platinum and 30 Gold, that if all came together would make for easily the largest dinner size.

Shortly I will need some volunteers on the ground to take up some of the slack for me. I shall be visiting Sydney at the end of March, but I'm not sure I'll get all the information I need at that point. I have identified the following members as being 'local' and attending: @CMA222 @Bazzi @albyd @SydneySwan @OATEK @gwilli1 @wanderer_au @Lynda2475 @daft009 @jch @mrsterryn

If any of these members – or perhaps any other locals – would like to step up to an organising position, I would be most grateful, and will add you to a private conversation to discuss options. A position can be any size, I realise planning and organisation can be a little daunting to some, as it was to me on my first occasion.

 

[jch]

I've got a pretty busy few months coming up but will be much less busy closer to the time to help out

 

[Doug_Westcott]

I’m Platinum for the event but haven’t booked accomodation or flights yet

 

[support]

I’m Platinum for the event but haven’t booked accomodation or flights yet

No rush (at this stage).

 

[Bindibuys]

We are booked into the Hilton Hotel on George St.
Driving down - so no flights.

 

[wanderer_au]

I've lost track of this thread lately - if we are looking for a "sweet spot" of price, value and central location, may I suggest this: Kirribilli Club | Great Times Harbourside

The balcony has nice views of the harbour, it has full conference facilities and it looks out over Wendy Whiteley's garden (I'm sure it was a topic on Australian Story at some point). You can't get more Sydney than that.

The food is OK for the "casual" night, but I wouldn't want it for the more high-end event. Non-Sydneysiders might have to prepare for dining to be pretty expensive. You spend money standing still and breathing in this town.

Club is accessible by train via Milsons Point and North Sydney railway stations, even by ferry (if you're willing to walk up the stairs and hill from water level, fine by me but those less mobile might find it hard yakka).

Just a suggestion.

 

[support]

I've lost track of this thread lately - if we are looking for a "sweet spot" of price, value and central location, may I suggest this: Kirribilli Club | Great Times Harbourside

It looks good.

I have already started making enquiries, but am yet to settle on anything. For all those following along though, the intention at this stage is to have a full day of activities on the Sunday, with an airport drop-off round 17:30, so if you haven't booked flights yet, try keep this in mind.

I did put out a call for help in post #144 – but only had 1 reply. Not being based in Sydney I may need someone on the ground at some stage to take on more of the role.

 

[oz_mark]

Yes oz_mark where is @JohnM when we need him.
The current best smorgasbord is the Epicurean at Crown Towers and then Chez Pierre in Nedlands can work too.
Of course there are stacks of other places that are less hexxy price wise around Perth.

'

Could do either - they would both me new experiences for me....

 

[Ewing]

I've lost track of this thread lately - if we are looking for a "sweet spot" of price, value and central location, may I suggest this: Kirribilli Club | Great Times Harbourside

The balcony has nice views of the harbour, it has full conference facilities and it looks out over Wendy Whiteley's garden (I'm sure it was a topic on Australian Story at some point). You can't get more Sydney than that.

Also a short walk from home for me! With some arm twisting I might even consider hosting some drinks again (I hosted AFF drinks a few years ago at my old place but haven't gotten around to it since) and then we could stroll down. Here's the view from my Chairmans Lounge


As for the event - Gold at this stage as October is traditionally a heavy travel month. It has been way too many years since I've made it to an AFF gathering so will try and make it work but I hate confirming and then pulling out so won't mark myself as Platinum until I'm certain.

(obviously local, so happy to help out as well)

 

[love_the_life]

Not overly familiar with Sydney dining though we've been to The Spice Room at Circular Quay - food was good but don't know if they have a private dining area. Restaurant Hubert is expensive and private rooms are too small.

 

[Skyhawk]

Gold for myself and +1. We are looking forward to being there.

 

[CaptJCool]

Gold for me

May I suggest Portobellos as you get upto Opera kitchen. (Great view of Bridge and opera house)




or for a higher end event Portside adjacent Opera house Home - Portside Sydney Opera House I went to A NYE event there. Drank myself silly on Moet for 6 hours!

or even Bennelong

 

[RooFlyer]

Random restaurant suggestion:

Belgian Beer Cafe
Porto Website Template.

Very central ( as in right down town). Haven't been they fit years, but I remember it as having a private area, or a large general open area.

 

[Ewing]

or for a higher end event Portside adjacent Opera house Home - Portside Sydney Opera House I went to A NYE event there. Drank myself silly on Moet for 6 hours!

Hah. Portside is my SOH secret. I always go there for drinks - usually far more civilised than the crowded Opera Bar below!

Used to be ECQ (now Hacienda) in the Pullman Quay Grand - that was always a ghost town and my secret retreat for over a decade but unfortunately for me (good for them though) the secret is out.