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.​

 

[Jacques Vert]

QF1299 departed CFS ontime but the "hot and delicious" quiche was stone cold. Well done to the crew who put them back in the oven for a second try!

In seat 10A on the A220 right beside the engine. Bloody hell; don't ever try to tell me a Q400 is noisy.

At least the grenache is OK. Time for a refill but where is the crew?

 

[PrezRegan]

Chilling in the VA CBR Lounge - just been advised they don’t do spirits

Hope the weather is good in Melbourne - I’ve only got shorts for the weekend

 

[bPeteb]

Chilling in the VA CBR Lounge - just been advised they don’t do spirits

Hope the weather is good in Melbourne - I’ve only got shorts for the weekend

Brizvegas was super hot and humid this morning so in shorts on the bus down. Jacket and pants at the ready for when I get down there!

 

[Jacques Vert]

In seat 10A on the A220 right beside the engine. Bloody hell; don't ever try to tell me a Q400 is noisy.

At least the grenache is OK. Time for a refill but where is the crew?

1 hour 10 into the flight and our Cpt has finally eased back on the power; I can actually hear myself think for the first time and I managed to get a refill. Things are looking up.

 

[RooFlyer]

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

Whereabouts, coming out of Qantas arrivals? Total clown show here at HBA. I’m going to be late.

 

[serfty]

Whereabouts, coming out of Qantas arrivals? Total clown show here at HBA. I’m going to be late.

I think it's turn left as you exit T1.

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[NM]

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.

And the ginger glazed chicken was good too . No pics, but was enjoyed.

 

[Ade]

In MEL and checked in to hotel. Got the message from @AFF Editor about timings - super helpful. Will see everyone at the dinner tonight.

 

[n7of9]

There were heaps of people waiting for Skybus so I requested a Didi and TWO drivers cancelled I don't know why I bother.

I'm also now checked in to my little apartment with windows that open, and a balcony overlooking a carpark

 

[RooFlyer]

What did the others get to drink RF?

Similar table of reds and a fridge of beers, etc.

Now boarding Qantas fight with stairs. They make the ramps here in Tasmania but HBA doesn’t buy enough of them.

14yo bird

Announcement about power banks being within easy reach.

 

[Dantas]

Similar table of reds and a fridge of beers, etc.

Now boarding Qantas fight with stairs. They make the ramps here in Tasmania but HBA doesn’t buy enough of them.

14yo bird

Announcement about power banks being within easy reach.

We didn’t get the power bank announcement this morning. Enjoy the old banger and we will see you soon

 

[FishFood]

After a challenging stay in Ibis Budget Melbourne Airport, I'm checked into Melbourne proper. Unfortunately can't make the dinner tonight, hopefully someone can take my place

 

[PrezRegan]

There were heaps of people waiting for Skybus so I requested a Didi and TWO drivers cancelled I don't know why I bother.

I'm also now checked in to my little apartment with windows that open, and a balcony overlooking a carpark

Didi is garbage. I’ve never managed to get anyone to actually pick me up the times I’ve used it.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Arrived into MEL early; on the 901 to Broadmeadows. Easy peasy

 

[RooFlyer]

I think it's turn left as you exit T1.

My first attempt to reserve for flight arrival, and the flight isn’t listed.

 

[AIRwin]

Unfortunately can't make the dinner tonight, hopefully someone can take my place

They will have to like FishFood?

 

[bPeteb]

We literally walked out and into Skybus. Unless I'm going switchover dear, I didn't hear the power bank warning.

I didn't realise until @NM told me that the Indigo used to be the Holiday Inn. It was one of my work hotels back in the day.

It's one bijou room

 

[Jacques Vert]

On the train, see you all soon!

 

[Austman]

Unfortunately can't make the dinner tonight, hopefully someone can take my place

I could attend?

It’s less than 30mins walk for me.