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-   -   "Oz Fest #9" – Canberra Australia - Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-27, 2012 (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/communitybuzz/1254452-oz-fest-9-canberra-australia-memorial-day-weekend-may-25-27-2012-a.html)

ozstamps Sep 1, 2011 8:48 am

"Oz Fest #9" – Canberra Australia - Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-27, 2012
 
"Oz Fest #9" – Canberra, Australian Capital Territory - Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-27, 2012

There have been 8 successful OzFests so far - in Sydney, (twice) Brisbane, Melbourne, Hobart Tasmania, Cairns Queensland, Adelaide South Australia and Darwin in May this year.

There are near no other annual FT Doos outside the USA that have chalked up 9 years running AFAIK.

Polling of FT'ers on the Darwin thread, and via many private emails seems to have decided that the very narrow winner over Perth for the 200TWELVE venue should be Canberra - the capital city of the Australian Captial Territory. (For Americans - rather like the District Of Columbia.)

The location of which, for the benefit of our overseas members is shown below - right between Sydney and Melbourne. :)




Democracy rules supreme with all OzFest’s, and after some unofficial polling, and emails with Itsalongwaydown who also agrees on CBR, and several other regular attendees, I have started this thread today to officially kick off OzFest #9. :p

Hobart had 40 members signed up - pretty amazing seeing only one attending was a local, Cairns saw 59 turning up – just beating out by 1 the previous record attendance of any OzFest - number #2 in Sydney - 58 attendees.

Adelaide was a little too big, with 75 attendees, but not all of whom were active FT'ers causing some issues, and the slightly less accessible Darwin kept numbers down to previous sort of levels - 44.

The "OzFest #5" thread had about 50,000 page views, and attracted well over 1,000 posts, and set a view record for a FT Doo thread.

The “OzFest #6” got very near that, with about 40,000 page views and over 1,200 posts – a record number.

Only to be outdone by Adelaide OzFest #7 with 55,000 page views, and over 1,300 posts.

And Darwin #8 had over 57,000 page views - a new record - and about 1,100 posts, and 44 Platinum attendees.

MargoZ and I will certainly be among the first confirmed starters to attend, barring any calamities, and as with all the other Oz Fests, I'll be pleased to assist where I can, and if required.

Regrettably I do not have as much free time as I once did and can't add much to the mix as I know nothing much about the city, but hopefully we can get a Canberra local or three to step forward! ;)

Itsalongwaydown and I have been in contact several times today, (until well after midnight!) and Bill and Sue are also certain starters for CBR. Bill as always has offered to lend a willing hand in the planning and cat herding, that is associated with these large events. :)

Not to mention we hope they score a MEGA Suite as he and Sue did in Darwin! Their generosity is turning it into Party Central one evening was most gracious.

Other volunteers will I am sure add links to activities and suggestions for Canberra in the next few posts, so we get it all moving along.

Mwenenzi has offered really invaluable back-up to Bill and I and all the many others helping organise all the previous Ozfests, and I hope he’ll be able to assist again – I am sure he will "place-marker" several early posts to add to later.

He will hopefully be tracking attendees and hotels and activity sign ups etc via his legendary and super detailed Excel spread sheets, and trust he can join us in person for this one. These are incredibly time consuming to keep updated, and all attendees owe him a huge vote of thanks.

Serfty looks to be the “king of airline movements” for attendees to and from, and his most useful link to that aspect for Cairns and Adelaide and Darwin helped lots of members buddy up for Cabs etc, and book seats together, and cut costs etc.

And hopefully we can once again call on the falconea’s to be name tag supremos, and we are well on our way!

Markis who did a wonderful job assisting Sarah and Hubby in Darwin has said he will try and help out for Canberra - and hopefully all 3 can make Canberra.

There are a strangely limited range of ‘major’ brand Hotels in Canberra ... I'll let others expand on that aspect. That is a bit of an issue.

Having ONE central hotel location that most folks use, is a VERY large plus I always feel.

And it gives the organisers some leverage to extract a great group booking deal, instead of 50 FT’ers being like Brown’s cows and all doing their own thing.

The May "Memorial Day" weekend seems very popular with USA based Flyer-talkers, and that is the weekend that was most favoured by far. We have bowed to that request and again chosen that weekend - as we have for all other OzFests. Around half the attendees are US based each OzFest.

That public holiday in the USA is Monday May 28, 2012. Remember if you LEAVE Sydney on the afternoon of Monday May 28, you ARRIVE back in the USA also on the morning of Monday May 28. Tons of time to get back home, unpack, have an early night and get organised for a day at the office next day etc.

Mid afternoon is the flight time back for United, who have direct daily flights from SYD to the west coast (to both LAX and SFO) ex Sydney.

Near all USA attendees fly UA to OzFests to either MEL or SYD. In several of the last years there have been Double EQM deals announced for May, to the enormous joy and delight of those who had already booked! :cool:

DRIVING to CBD from Sydney is a cinch – a few hours. A bit further from MEL.

The weather for the past 8 "Oz Fests" has been in general, superb and sunny. Despite June 1 - a few days later, being our official Winter start date. Even in Tasmania our most southern city, we were truly blessed with unusually nice weather.

Canberra WILL be a weather challenge for sure, but fingers crossed.

Those words "Snowy Mountains" right next to Canberra on the map above, are there for a reason! ;)

I get the feeling this as usual, may also turn out to be a very long thread. :)

Glen

ozstamps Sep 1, 2011 8:49 am

MargOz and I will kick this off as firm attendees. :)

Nine ozfests in a row for me. :)

Itsalongwaydown Sep 1, 2011 8:54 am

Sue Oz and I will be there of course :!:


........ and we will have attended seven in a row.

Fredd Sep 1, 2011 9:41 am

Kathy and I are looking forward to it already. IIRC this will be our sixth consecutive Oz Fest.

A big Thank-You to the organizers! ^

Brian

restlessinRNO Sep 1, 2011 10:29 am

Please consider me a definite maybe at this point. I have been fortunate to be able to attend the last 7 Oz Fests, and DRW was certainly one of the best. :-: Another big thanks to the organizers.

dedehans Sep 1, 2011 12:00 pm

Two more Yanks already booked into SYD on 25th...so need to add the rest of the trip....on a separate PNR, of course...

falconea Sep 1, 2011 3:54 pm

Name tags
 
Reserved for future use.

falconea Sep 1, 2011 3:57 pm

Mr Falconea and I will be there.

Audrey

dedehans Sep 1, 2011 4:05 pm


Originally Posted by falconea (Post 17038294)
Mr Falconea and I will be there.

Audrey

Your pdf photos and writings of DRW will be hard to beat. I printed it out and cherish it.

Bundy Bear Sep 1, 2011 4:15 pm

There is some chance I will be there but not a guarantee, I already have an event clash.

Mwenenzi Sep 1, 2011 4:40 pm

Updated 07:45 24th May (Aust time) up to post 602 & for PM/emails
 
Update 17 March
Oz Fest 9 Activities as post 225 <-- click link for more details
As organized by the Oz Fest 9 crew (*A Flyer, HVR, fifa, SQ421, itsalongwaydown) ^

Update 8th May:- see post 373

===
Attendees to be updated from time to time. Please PM error's & omissions
email:- [email protected]

Platinum - Confirmed (in order of confirming will attend including PM & emails)
  1. ozstamps SYD
  2. MargoOz SYD
  3. Itsalongwaydown SXE
  4. Sue Oz SXE
  5. Fredd SEA
  6. Mrs Fredd SEA
  7. restlessinRNO RNO
  8. falconea MEL
  9. Mr falconea MEL
  10. dedehans MLB
  11. Perthite MEL
  12. Perthite_+1 MEL
  13. kpc SYD
  14. kpc_gf SYD
  15. serfty MEL
  16. To Market to Market MEL
  17. chchkiwi CHC
  18. fifa NSW, Au
  19. Mr fifa NSW, Au
  20. upup&away ORD
  21. monitor NYC
  22. Franny NYC
  23. BiziBB SYD
  24. Mrs BiziBB SYD
  25. spaceman IAD
  26. gvdIAD IAD
  27. HVR CBR
  28. SQ421 CBR
  29. QF WP BNE
  30. Mrs QF WP BNE
  31. rugbyskier CBR
  32. pooch SYD
  33. lowjhg SIN
  34. FriendlySkies DEN/LWC/PWM
  35. *A Flyer CBR
  36. jswong WLG
  37. mhnadel IAD
  38. JohnK BNE
  39. tuapekastar MEL
  40. tuapekastar_+1 MEL
  41. skyring CBR
  42. penegal MEL
  43. g-day SYD
  44. ntddevsys NZ
  45. PeteJ CBR
  46. eightblack SIN / MEL
  47. sanjose22 CBR
  48. sanjose22_+1 CBR
  49. sanjose22_+2 CBR
  50. Bundy Bear BNE
  51. JohnSydney2000 SYD

Gold Probable- Maybe

Silver - Interested

Bronze - can't make it
  1. Mrs Spaceman IAD
  2. Seanthepilot HKT/BKK
  3. qwertyuiop Aust
  4. QF WP mini # 1 BNE
  5. QF WP mini # 2 BNE
  6. anat0l BNE
  7. Flashware LHR
  8. Mrs Flashware LHR
  9. Taezar BNE
  10. dedehans_+1 MLB
  11. BondAir007 USA
  12. TWAB747nomore DCA
  13. birder CBR
  14. wijomas AKL NPE
  15. drewbles MEL
  16. harvyk CBR
  17. DUflyer SYD
  18. Kiwiflyer WLG
  19. Jinxy MEL
  20. storyteller BNE
  21. Driving by DCA DCA (no reply to PM's)
  22. carlousmoochous CBR
  23. Trooper CBR (no reply to PM)
___________
Oz fest thread on AFF

Links to Oz Fest 9 flights as serfty post 19 & 350

Mwenenzi Sep 1, 2011 4:41 pm

Activities & Who is doing what:

Oz Fest 9 Activities as post 225 <-- click link for more details
As organized by the Oz Fest 9 crew (*A Flyer, HVR, fifa, SQ421, itsalongwaydown) ^

===
Update 17th May from post 478

Folks, a big email has just gone out to all registered attendees. Please read it carefully.
<snip>
Important Information
Below is a map of the venues and accommodations for OzFest. Hopefully it will assist you with orientating yourselves while in Canberra.
Note that all the restaurants are in the same area and all are within 10 minutes walk of the Crowne Plaza, Novotel and Rydges Lakeside.
Please visit http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=...50514,0.076218
Update 15th May from post 436

Originally Posted by *A Flyer (Post 18575633)
Please note: If you have not registered or paid, the final date for credit card payments through BundyBear is Friday 18 May. After this date you must use a direct deposit or Paypal to pay.

Update 9th May from post 377

Originally Posted by *A Flyer (Post 18539264)
To those who have not registered The drop dead date for registrations for the dinners (both Friday and Saturday) is Midnight AEST on Sunday 21 May...

Update 8th May:- see post 373

====
Friday 25 May 2012
- Opening Drinks at Honkytonks
- Welcome Dinner at Blu Ginger Indian Restaurant
Saturday 26 May 2012
- Sheep Station Tour and Cultural Experience with Traditional Australian BBQ Lunch
- Australian War Memorial and Mount Ainslie Tour
- Oz Fest Saturday Dinner at Milk & Honey Restaurant
Sunday 27 May 2012
- Parliamentary Triangle Tour
- Dinner: as post 559. 24 signed up

Registrations are taking place through EventBee this year.
Please visit http://www.eventbee.com/v/ozfest9 to process your registration.
Please read all instructions carefully to ensure that your registration is properly processed.
Any inquiries should be directed to [email protected]

To guarantee a place on the tours the deadline to book is 7 May. At that point, the bus size may be adjusted down to match numbers.
To guarantee attendance at the other events (eg dinners), deadline is 21 May.

==
From rugbyskier's post 263 for Rugby Sat 26 May

I'll pass on the Saturday dinner as I'm planning to go to the Super Rugby match between the ACT Brumbies and the Queensland Reds, however I will be able to join the group for dessert as the match will finish around 9:15pm. BTW, if anyone is interested in going along please PM me as I may be able to organize discounted or complimentary tickets through the ACT rugby community.

Mwenenzi Sep 1, 2011 4:41 pm

Updated 17:30 18th May (Aust time) to post 500 & for PM/emails
 
Hotels
Please PM error's & omissions. email:- ozfest at mail.com (NOT gmail)

*A Flyers great map work: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=...50514,0.076218

Crown Plaza web site
1 Binara Street, 2601
North the Lake Burley Griffin, between Allara & Bunda Sts, near the Casino & to the east of Vernon Circle.
Itsalongwaydown & Sue Oz
Fredd & Mrs Fredd
restlessinRNO
falconea & Mr falconea
kpc & kpc_gf
serfty & To Market to Market
chchkiwi
monitor & Franny
BiziBB & Mrs BiziBB
fifa & Mr fifa
spaceman
pooch
QF WP & Mrs QF WP
mhnadel
dedehans
gvdIAD
ozstamps & MargoOz
penegal
(Sat)
jswong
bundy bear
JohnSydney2000

Hyatt web site
Commonwealth Avenue. ACT 2600.
South of Lake Burley Griffin, to the north of Parliament House, south of Crowne Plaza
upup&away
FriendlySkies
eightblack

Novatel web site
65 Northbourne ACT 2600
North of Lake Burley Griffin, near corner of London Circuit / Northbourne, to the north west of Crowne Plaza.
tuapekastar & tuapekastar_+1
perthite & perthite_+1
penegal
(Fri)

Rydges Lakeside web site
London Circuit
North of Lake Burley Griffin, to the south west of Crowne Plaza.
JohnK
g-day


Rydges Capital Hill web site
Near Parliament
ntddevsys

Locals
HVR
SQ421
rugbyskier
*A Flyer
skyring
PeteJ
sanjose22
lowjhg


Unknow at 18th May
..

Wotif.com.au for Canberra commercial accommodation web site

From post 48:

Originally Posted by rugbyskier (Post 17065824)
..For those with a sporting bent, there's a big rugby game on in Canberra on the Saturday night that weekend. The Super Rugby tournament has teams from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa and the Canberra team, the Brumbies, will be playing the reigning champions, the Queensland Reds, at Canberra Stadium. ...

May make accommodation more difficult :( See posts 56 to 67

Mwenenzi Sep 1, 2011 4:42 pm

About Canberra & Australia
(click on the blue link)

Canberra facts & figures
Visit Canberra Australian Capital Territory Tourism (Government site)

Canberra Tourism ACT commercial site
E guide Canberra commercial site
Canberra Convention Bureau

Canberra Airport
Flying to Canberra
Driving to Canberra
Trains & buses to Canberra
NSW Rail Map


http://www.lonelyplanet.com/australi...nberra/sights/
http://www.cdscc.nasa.gov/
Canberra Web Camera - City Hill

Australia compared to the USA
Australia vs USA map

Mwenenzi Sep 1, 2011 4:43 pm

History Of Oz Fests click for map
Oz Fest 1: 2004 22 attended Sydney [how it all started The very first]
Oz Fest 2: 2005
58 attended Sydney
Oz Fest 3: 2006
28 attended Brisbane
Oz Fest 4: 2007
57 attended Melbourne
Oz Fest 5: 2008
38 attended Hobart
Oz Fest 6: 2009
57 attended Cairns
Oz Fest 7: 2010
79 attended Adelaide
Oz Fest 8: 2011
43 attended Darwin
Oz Fest 9: 2012
51 attended Canberra

8 :-::-::-::-::-::-::-::-: FTer for attending all 8 previous Oz Fests
ozstamps

7 :-::-::-::-::-::-::-: FTer's for attending 7 previous Oz Fests
QF WP
restlessinRNO
Serfty


6 :-::-::-::-::-:FTer's for attending 6 previous Oz Fests
Itsalongwaydown
Sue Oz
MargoOz
kpc
To Market to Market
Bundy Bear
gvdIAD
JohnSydney2000

185 individual FTer's have attended Oz Fest 1 - Oz Fest 8 at an average of 2.08 per person


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