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.​

 

[Big John]

I’m using SkyBus, as always. Very convenient and definitely reliable. Then a tram from Bourke Street to the hotel. Easy, peasy, and that’s most important to me!

Will probably use Skybus as well, then free tram to hotel. I keep forgetting about the free trams within Melbourne CBD.

Interestingly both of my flights (SYD - MEL and MEL -SYD) are on A330s rather than 737s !

 

[AFF Editor]

I have a pageant on the Saturday, but Friday night and Saturday day are possibilities.

Let us know if you can make it, and we'll send you a link to the registration/payment form. We're still able to accept people for Friday evening and either of the tours on Saturday.

 

[AFF Editor]

If it's still available I would love to go to the yum cha on Saturday.

You can have @Steph123's spot at yum cha

 

[AFF Editor]

I'll go on the walking tour (I'm already going to yum cha)

Sure thing, you're welcome to join the walking tour. Since you've already paid for the other stuff, maybe just bring $20 cash if that works for you.

 

[kookaburra75]

To all of you celebrating this year's AFF get together have lots of fun, drink too much, eat too much, and talk too much. MrsK and I can't make it due to other commitments, but we will live vicariously through your posts of hangovers, tall stories and exaggerated tales of travel exploits.

 

[craven morehead]

Somebody got down a bit early

 

[admin]

Thanks everyone for registering and paying! Payments are closed off now - if you still haven't paid but intend to come, please send me a PM.

Super keen to see everyone down in Melbourne!

 

[Port Power]

I must be somewhere near @craven morehead, except I think he might be in the Executive Lounge. Or else he has a swanky desk! (I’m on the executive floor, but without lounge access. Pick me!)

My night view of the MCG.

 

[Big John]

Looking forward to seeing you all this weekend !

Could someone please tell me if there a booking made for the Friday night dinner and Saturday Yum Cha ?

If so, what name is the booking under ? AFF?

 

[Flyfrequently]

I must be somewhere near @craven morehead, except I think he might be in the Executive Lounge. Or else he has a swanky desk! (I’m on the executive floor, but without lounge access. Pick me!)

My night view of the MCG.

View attachment 482366

Yep, that is the Executive Lounge @Port Power !

 

[craven morehead]

I must be somewhere near @craven morehead, except I think he might be in the Executive Lounge. Or else he has a swanky desk! (I’m on the executive floor, but without lounge access. Pick me!)

My night view of the MCG.

View attachment 482366

Catch up this afternoon for a beer if you like? I'm on 18th floor about 10 m from the Lounge

 

[Lowjhg]

In the QF MEL J lounge waiting for the next flight to SYD to catch JQ62 for tomorrow!

 

[jumpjam]

Can you please confirm I've paid. Memory is a bit shot these days.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Now checked in for the Qantas flight tomorrow, see most of you tomorrow night.

 

[cove]

Tomorrow I am trying @Cruiser Elite preferred taxi service to get from Melbourne Airport into the city.
Have two drop off points so it will be a good test.
The taxi service phone number is 0430 066 077 and they pick up from the upstairs departures area.

 

[admin]

Can you please confirm I've paid. Memory is a bit shot these days.

Yep, you're all paid up

 

[RooFlyer]

Tomorrow I am trying @Cruiser Elite preferred taxi service to get from Melbourne Airport into the city.
Have two drop off points so it will be a good test.
The taxi service phone number is 0430 066 077 and they pick up from the upstairs departures area.

Cost to the city? Fixed?

 

[cove]

Well @RooFlyer I didn’t ask. My trip is in two parts and it will be more than Sky Bus.
You could call that number and get the cost.
I am heading to a business meeting so the fiscal fiend can help……

 

[somebol]

Just got in and on the SkyBus making my way to Pullman city centre

 

[anat0l]

I'll be staying at The Savoy on Little Collins. Mainly an advantage due to being across the road from Southern Cross Station.

Be a long day tomorrow of work then drive to airport then hop on board and arrive late in Melbourne, but looking forward to this weekend.