AFF Gathering #15 in NTL 2021 **Rescheduled** to 21-23 October 2022

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Newcastle has been chosen as the AFF Annual Gathering destination for 2021, occurring over the weekend of the 22nd to 24th October. The average temperature range for October is 14.1ºC – 22.1ºC. The average rainfall is 72.5mm with 11 rainy days. It is NSW's second most populated area and Australia's seventh most populous, representing 1.95% of Australia.

The weekend is likely to take in a wine tour, owing to the proximity of the Hunter Valley. Please note if you are interested in attending a wine tour when indicating your interest for the weekend as this will help organisers make a good start on venues that can cater to our group size.

The lead organiser this year is a member that has turned up to many previous events, @Bindibuys.

Members that have offered help include: @support @Bindibuys @Princess Fiona

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Activities​

Friday 22nd October​

The dinner venue is The Landing Bar and Kitchen, located next to the Rydges on the water front. We will have the outdoor marquee all to ourselves, with the sides down for privacy. Menus are available online, and the exact kickoff time will be advised closer to the weekend.

Saturday 23rd October​

During the day will be a wine tour for those who have indicated interest/are booked for the tour and another tour – possibly dolphins – for those not attending the wine tour.

The dinner venue is The Wickham Boatshed, where some canapés will be followed by a two-course meal. There is a cash bar. The special guest is a local Newcastle breakfast DJ.

Sunday 24th October​

A tour of the city will follow on the last day, ending at Fighter World, located conveniently next to the airport.

Tentative Attendees​

This list simply indicates an interest in attending the event and additionally, the wine tour. Members are in order of response to the thread and are not ranked from silver to platinum (least likely to most likely to attend).

Username	Arrival Details	Accommodation	Wine Tour?	Departure Details
I love to travel			Yes
Bindibuys
Congewai
Lynda2475			Yes
AIRwin
kpc
Doug_Westcott	22/10 VA1593	Rydges	Yes	25/10 VA1594
samh004	22/10 QF1776	Novotel	Yes	24/10 QF2424
Townsend	Driving		Yes	Driving
Townsend +1	Driving		Yes	Driving
Mattg			Yes
kookaburra75	22/10 Driving	Noah's on the Beach	Yes	24/10 Driving Noon
kookaburra75 +1	22/10 Driving	Noah's on the Beach	Yes	24/10 Driving Noon
Matt_01			Yes
oz_mark
Drakecula			Yes
Drakecula +1
NM			Yes
NM +1
Eija			Yes	24/10 QF1567
RooFlyer		Novotel	Yes	25/10 QF1565
tuapekastar			Yes
serfty	22/10 VA1593			25/10 VA1594
JessicaTam			Yes
CaptJCool
Sprucegoose			Yes
Jacques Vert	Driving		Yes	Driving
Gem56	Driving		Yes	Driving
ellen10
Hvr	22/10 QF1564	Holiday Inn Express		24/10 QF1567
Major
Major +1
justinbrett
Simo			Yes
motef	Local	Local	Yes	Local
motef +1	Local	Local	Yes	Local
sharpinjr			Yes
sharpinjr +1			Yes
Fifa		Holiday Inn Express	Yes	24/10 Afternoon
Princess Fiona	Local	Local		Local
penegal			Yes
Ade			Yes
drron
mrs.dr.ron
BVT			Yes
admin
admin +1
Glider_	22/10 Train?			24/10 Afternoon
straitman
straitman +1
aleaf			Yes

 

[Princess Fiona]

I’ll be attending on the weekend. Will not do the wine tour as live nearby.

 

[support]

The latest news is that we have secured a dinner venue for Saturday night, but shall hold off on announcing the name and menus at this stage. We believe we can offer a set menu with pre-orders from a limited menu before the weekend to avoid alternate drop, however have a choice to make on the number of courses and overall price. A 2-course menu consisting of entree and main is $55, while a 3-course menu consisting of entree, main and dessert rises to $75. There will be a cash bar.

What are people's thoughts?

To note, the average cost of dinner for the previous 14 events has been $53. A total of 6 events have previously cost over $60 and 4 over $75.

 

[Townsend]

$55 for two courses sounds great! I m afraid that three courses is a little to much. zerg happy with a cash bar. Thanks Matt for your work arranging this

 

[justinbrett]

The latest news is that we have secured a dinner venue for Saturday night, but shall hold off on announcing the name and menus at this stage. We believe we can offer a set menu with pre-orders from a limited menu before the weekend to avoid alternate drop, however have a choice to make on the number of courses and overall price. A 2-course menu consisting of entree and main is $55, while a 3-course menu consisting of entree, main and dessert rises to $75. There will be a cash bar.

What are people's thoughts?

To note, the average cost of dinner over the previous 14 events has been $53. 6 events have previously cost over $60.

What precinct is it in?

 

[Princess Fiona]

What precinct is it in?

It’s on the waterfront / Harbour
My vote is for the 2 course option. I’m always too busy chatting to eat dessert and there will be some small canapés before the sit down meal with either of the menus.

 

[support]

Thanks Matt for your work arranging this

I didn't arrange the venue, it was another member of the team, and I'm not Matt

What precinct is it in?

Wickham I believe, but I am not crash hot on Newcastle suburbs.

 

[JessicaTam]

The latest news is that we have secured a dinner venue for Saturday night, but shall hold off on announcing the name and menus at this stage. We believe we can offer a set menu with pre-orders from a limited menu before the weekend to avoid alternate drop, however have a choice to make on the number of courses and overall price. A 2-course menu consisting of entree and main is $55, while a 3-course menu consisting of entree, main and dessert rises to $75. There will be a cash bar.

What are people's thoughts?

To note, the average cost of dinner for the previous 14 events has been $53. A total of 6 events have previously cost over $60 and 4 over $75.

The price isn't the issue for me - it is the amount of food. I rarely manage three course at the best of times!

 

[JessicaTam]

I’ll be attending on the weekend. Will not do the wine tour as live nearby.

Every weekend is a winery tour?

 

[justinbrett]

I didn't arrange the venue, it was another member of the team, and I'm not Matt

Wickham I believe, but I am not crash hot on Newcastle suburbs.

Ah got it - I assume near the yacht Club.

I also vote 2 course. I’m not really into deserts.

 

[RooFlyer]

2 courses for me, please.

 

[kookaburra75]

Same here, 2 courses is enough for us. As long as there is a Beef or Chicken option on the menu so I can swap with MrsK if she doesn't like her choice, I'm happy

 

[serfty]

Same here, 2 courses is enough for us. As long as there is a Beef or Chicken option on the menu so I can swap with MrsK if she doesn't like her choice, I'm happy

With pre-oerding, you won't need to swap ( unless MrsK likes the look of your serving more than theirs ).

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2 courses for me - rarely eat dessert.

 

[Major]

2 courses for us

 

[JohnM]

I'm a no-start.

Even if St Marko has arthritis in his trigger finger by then, I have to be in BME by 26 Oct to start this: Abrolhos Islands & the Coral Coast | Broome - Fremantle | 12 Nights | Coral Expeditions

Not risking any problems.

 

[support]

I'm a no-start.

I have removed you from the list

 

[Townsend]

I didn't arrange the venue, it was another member of the team, and I'm not Matt

Wickham I believe, but I am not crash hot on Newcastle suburbs.

oops sorry.

 

[support]

oops sorry.

It’s no worry. AFF support is handled by someone else and my identity is a common misconception.

 

[Mattg]

$55 for two courses sounds great! I m afraid that three courses is a little to much. zerg happy with a cash bar. Thanks Matt for your work arranging this

I think @Princess Fiona, @Bindibuys and @samh004 are the main organisers this time I'm still recovering from organising last year's gathering!

Two courses seems to be the consensus - sounds good to me.

 

[tuapekastar]

I'm for two courses as well. Struggle to eat three.

 

[Port Power]

I am sorry I will have to pull out. I’ve now booked a two week Australian journey over this period. You all have fun, now!