AFF Gathering #6 Ideas [2012]

[munitalP]

Not to mention a brewery or two

yeah, but do they make Harbin 1900?

 

[LiamR]

It depends what’s on offer. I recall in SYD the tarmac tour was offered, before it was discontinued, while in BNE we just did a trip to a koala sanctuary or some such, and there was golf on the Sunday for anyone keen.

So if OOL won I could probably see about a game at Royal Pines for instance on the Sunday, but there’s little aviation related things a big group could do on Saturday unless the DJ lounge is open by then

I know the owner/operators of the Aqua Duck Tours (those big machines that drive into canals) but I’ve never found them that interesting.

I know plenty of Aviation/Airline related things we can do at the Gold Coast, don't forget Brisbane isn't far away, we could almost finish the weekend in Brisbane doing events up there, and then everybody can fly out from BNE.

 

[samh004]

I know plenty of Aviation/Airline related things we can do at the Gold Coast, don't forget Brisbane isn't far away, we could almost finish the weekend in Brisbane doing events up there, and then everybody can fly out from BNE.

The idea is you focus on the city you’re in. If your idea of nominating the Gold Coast was to do everything in Brisbane then you have the wrong idea

You’re also not really showing off the city when you’re saying, lets go to Brisbane to finish everything up

It almost sounds like Gold Coast would be a bad choice if activities were focused on in Brisbane.

If Hunter Valley is selected can we do some of the things in Sydney? I know it’s a little further than Brisbane away, but it’s quite close by, ya know

 

[LiamR]

The idea is you focus on the city you’re in. If your idea of nominating the Gold Coast was to do everything in Brisbane then you have the wrong idea

You’re also not really showing off the city when you’re saying, lets go to Brisbane to finish everything up

It almost sounds like Gold Coast would be a bad choice if activities were focused on in Brisbane.

If Hunter Valley is selected can we do some of the things in Sydney? I know it’s a little further than Brisbane away, but it’s quite close by, ya know

I totally understand what you are saying, and the focus should be on the Gold Coast. However it wouldn't be intelligent to be so close to Brisbane without showing it off at least a little.

 

[samh004]

I totally understand what you are saying, and the focus should be on the Gold Coast. However it wouldn't be intelligent to be so close to Brisbane without showing it off at least a little.

Brisbane was shown off in AFF#4, and at that time we didn’t decide to show off Gold Coast.

 

[JohnK]

AFF Golf Challenge at Royal Pines sounds like a good idea.

 

[samh004]

AFF Golf Challenge at Royal Pines sounds like a good idea.

You should come watch the ladies play in February and work out where you need to hit the ball

 

[munitalP]

NOTE:

MY previous post was deleted without reason or explanation. The MO for this type of activity is to have a public discussion of venues then a final vote on venue. Melbourne and Sydney are not on this list as are other places people would attend. This thread is making a farce of the due process we have previously followed and action needs taking.


If someone does not agree to what i am saying, fine, but don't go deleting a post which meets all rules set by ADMIN on this site! This place is still democratic the last time I spoke with Clifford.

I call for a vote on venues, not a list derived from a previous thread which has little bearing on the next venue.

 

[JohnK]

You should come watch the ladies play in February and work out where you need to hit the ball

I am only Brisbane on the first weekend in February. From memory the Ladies Masters coincides with our local fourball championships.

And my problem is not knowing where to hit the ball. It is hitting the ball where I know it needs to be hit!

 

[Simo]

When I mentioned that BNE was omitted from the list I was informed that BNE had only had one in recent times.

Not sure how long ago MEL and SYD had hosted a AFF weekend.

 

[oz_mark]

yeah, but do they make Harbin 1900?

You've got me there. But short of holding the gathering in Harbin :shock:, might not be able to get hold of it anywhere else either.

(Unless I start a beer import business)

 

[samh004]

The MO for this type of activity is to have a public discussion of venues then a final vote on venue. Melbourne and Sydney are not on this list as are other places people would attend.

I seem to recall a thread of ideas, followed by the top ideas (if not all) in a poll (separate thread), followed by the winner being chosen and dates floated in yet another thread (with poll) followed by the winning bids organisation team selecting venues and events and members confirming if they’re coming or not. It’s actually a big process

But either way it needs to get moving as we’re already into 2012 and the usual dates are from late-September to early-November.

When I mentioned that BNE was omitted from the list I was informed that BNE had only had one in recent times.

Not sure how long ago MEL and SYD had hosted a AFF weekend.

Umm I don’t know the beginnings but this year will be the 6th event. I’ve only been going since AFF#3… it was a good event though, despite that beer hall

AFF#5 = Canberra
AFF#4 = Brisbane
AFF#3 = Sydney
AFF#2 = Adelaide
AFF#1 = Melbourne

Thank to markis10 below for filling in the blanks

 

[markis10]

FYI past AFF gatherings have been held as follows:

1. Melbourne
2. Adelaide
3. Sydney
4. Brisbane
5. Canberra

Hence the options presented for the poll as shown which seems to have gained something of a OOL flavour today. Like Ozfest, I have issues with having a Australian/Oz event overseas, does not sit right but thats just my two cents!

 

[vitagen]

Its probably good to look at an overseas event after we have done at least once all the capital cities in Oz?

 

[munitalP]

I seem to recall a thread of ideas, followed by the top ideas (if not all) in a poll (separate thread), followed by the winner being chosen and dates floated in yet another thread (with poll) followed by the winning bids organisation team selecting venues and events and members confirming if they’re coming or not. It’s actually a big process

Where?

My point is this process has NOT taken place

 

[markis10]

Where?

My point is this process has NOT taken place

Post 1 has a link back to last years thread where traditionally it is discussed amongst the attendees of the event the options for the next event, with the choices summarized quite nicely by OzMark in this post:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-gathering-5-cbr-oct-26132-44.html#post532320

 

[admin]

I don't intend to take this thread off at a tangent, but I do feel its important to respond publicly to munitalP's public post

NOTE:

MY previous post was deleted without reason or explanation. The MO for this type of activity is to have a public discussion of venues then a final vote on venue. Melbourne and Sydney are not on this list as are other places people would attend. This thread is making a farce of the due process we have previously followed and action needs taking.


If someone does not agree to what i am saying, fine, but don't go deleting a post which meets all rules set by ADMIN on this site! This place is still democratic the last time I spoke with Clifford.

I call for a vote on venues, not a list derived from a previous thread which has little bearing on the next venue.

Last night, your post was put in the moderation queue by a moderator because the moderator felt it was unacceptable. This morning I (plus other moderators) reviewed the post and agree that it is not acceptable, and have therefore permanently deleted the post.

Your post did not meet AFF guidelines. It contained unacceptable language and the mods and I considered its tone to be unnecessarly aggressive. As it has been said many times, one can better make a point using thoughtful and considered language.

Furthermore, publicly posting your suggestions for AFF Moderators is not acceptable. Thats exactly what the "Report a Post" feature is for.

I won't be commenting on this any further on this thread, and I'd like it now to get it back on topic.

 

[samh004]

Okay, I have a question, with Gold Coast leading the way quite nicely, when does the poll close and a winner decided?

 

[serfty]

Okay, I have a question, with Gold Coast leading the way quite nicely, when does the poll close and a winner decided?

The initial reason for this thread was not about finding a "winner".

The thread was about gathering ideas - the poll was about suggestions only. i.e. it is NOT binding.

The discussion was basically started in October during AFF #5 and then about four weeks ago it was suggested a venue be chosen soon as we were then only 13 days from the end of 2011.

As posted and agreed with by the OP:

...

I think it would be better to open the playing field of suggested cities first, then create a poll. I for one would be saying Melbourne. Others would be saying other things. ...

Good point.

So, if you have other venues you would like put up, please do not hesitate to post them. There's some guidelines to follow from the earlier posts:

Some thoughts as the organiser of this year's event.

Firstly, there should be at least two people from the chosen area ready to take responsibility for organising the event. If no one from an area nominates then that area maybe that area is not viable.

Secondly, should the vote be open to everybody or only those who have attended at least one of the previous, say three DOs?

Just a thought because there may be 45 votes but only 15 or so people attend.

I suggest there be more debate on this before there is an actual vote on a location. This might be a chance for people to volunteer to organise the event if their area is successful?

Thats a very good point HVR. When we done the Sydney gathering, there was good attendance by the majority of those who voted, however, there was also no attendance by others who at the time were also very vocal about what should be done, where to go etc. FWIW, the gathering SYD was organised (primarily) by 2 AFFers in Melbourne because of the reasons you have mentioned above. We were lucky in so far as others (Sydney based) made a huge effort in locating bars etc that the SYD gathering was well attended and enjoyed by all (except a loud oom par band at dinner)

As someone who has organised one and been heavily involved is several other Oz Fests I feel suitably qualified to comment.

Invariably it will come down to the same couple of people who take ongoing oversight from year to year but they don't have to do all the organising. These people are the ones who ultimately need to make the real decisions, after all the other input, about where, when and how the gathering happens.

A couple of basic questions need answering.

1. Are there a couple of people who are willing to provide the oversight each year?
2. Does the gathering need to be in a different location each year?
3. Does the location get voted every year from scratch OR is it important, to a point, to continue a rotation for as long as possible?
4. Does the location need to be in major cities or if the answer is NO then how small does it go?

I agree that there should be at least two local people from the area nominated. It is possible without someone but it really is difficult.

IMHO the voting needs to be open because 'normally' people will attend where & when possible if they have had input. You cannot expect all people who voted for location 'B' to necessarily go to location 'A' as it may not be possible or practical for them. They voted for their choice because it worked for them whereas the other locations may not.

Some who vote will not turn up as their circumstances will have changed for several reasons including something as simple as what I did this year and double booked myself by mistake.

If you can have a few people who do some organising functions from year to year then all the better. For example at Oz Fest,

• serfty keeps lists of flights,
• Mwenenzi runs the spreadsheets of who is doing what,
• Falconea produces name tags etc.

I'm sure you get the picture.

Anyway just my thoughts for consideration.

 

[anat0l]

The initial reason for this thread was not about finding a "winner".

The thread was about gathering ideas - the poll was about suggestions only. i.e. it is NOT binding.

I suppose there is an 'inherent' problem with the poll in that although the AFF stalwarts here knows what is going on, for those who are relatively new to either AFF or the AFF Gatherings, the poll unnecessarily (or unintentionally, or unfairly) "limits" the thoughts as to where the AFF Gather might be.

The end result may be almost the same (i.e. someone suggests Gold Coast and a whole ton of people like or post support for the idea), but the way it arrives there is not necessarily as equitable as it could be. Someone might stumble on this thread and look at the poll and remark, "Hmmm.... Melbourne's not in the list, and I'd rather not go anywhere else besides Melbourne, so looks like I'm an auto-out", and worse, they don't end up commenting.


Nevertheless, given the history of the first five Gatherings, for the benefit of those reading about Gatherings for the first time (and to reinforce it for those who have been regulars) there is an inherent trend / prejudice / rule / guideline / whatever that (in an unintentional following of FlyerTalk's Oz Fests) a different location be proposed for each Gathering (until such time that finding new places to hold the event becomes unfeasible). This is the reason for the poll choices headlining the set of locations provided (which precludes the major centres, having already been host cities). However, that's not to say we can't consider a city again if it is popular enough (after all, two OzFests have been held in Sydney). Anyone supportive of this idea of allowing previous venue cities, or are most just indifferent and wouldn't mind either way if a "new" or "old" location was selected?


As for my personal opinion as to where to have Gathering #6, I am indifferent. In fact, I am not even sure of my schedule this year to fully commit myself to the event. (That sounds rather negative, but unfortunately it's the truth - a decision will only result much closer to the cemented date of the Gathering). I am not more supportive of Gold Coast than any other venue (even the ones in NZ, albeit a rather ambitious undertaking), although I will say that if Gold Coast ultimately is chosen, I would not see value in "including" some events in Brisbane (apart from possibly farewelling people at BNE who choose not to fly to/from OOL for whatever reason). If it is going to be a Gathering at the Gold Coast, then it should feature the Gold Coast and not Brisbane.

Maybe, for my own selfish sake, I would not support Gathering #6 to be in Brisbane!