AFF Gathering #4, Brisbane, October 22-24, 2010

[JohnK]

Well, after considering all the feedback, we are happy to announce that AFF Gathering #4 will happen on the weekend of October 22-24, 2010 in Brisbane.

I am currently proposing that it will follow the same basic format of the previous gatherings:

1) Friday evening: Welcome drinks
2) Friday night: Dinner
3) Saturday: Local sightseeing adventure
4) Saturday evening: Pre-dinner drinks
5) Saturday night: Official dinner
6) Sunday morning: AFF Golf Challenge
7) Sunday Lunch, and possible sightseeing

Now, I would like some help in filling in the details of the above, in order to come up with an itinerary for the weekend. Any suggestions are welcome.

We have been thinking of a possible dinner venue of Stamford for Japanese Teppanyaki (assuming cost if feasible) and a restaurant down on Eagle St Pier or even Southbank. We will try to avoid any venues for dinner in Fortitude Valley and anyone that wishes to visit the Valley can do so after dinner.

I am trying to find a really nice place for welcome drinks on the Friday night. I thought there was a roof top bar on Edward Street but I cannot seem to find it now. Also as some of the people will be first time visitors to Brisbane I think pre-dinner drinks on the Saturday should be at the Mill which is also the venue of our regular Brisbane drinks nights.

Suggestions for drinking holes, and restaurant venues also gladly received.

The organising committee is made of Anat0l, Bundy Bear, samh004 and myself.

Please advise on this thread whether you will be:
a) Platinum: Confirmed
b) Gold: Probable
c) Silver: Possible
d) Bronze: Scratching

 

[JohnK]

Attendees list

Platinum

JohnK
Mal
samh004 +1 (sister)
oz_mark
munitalP +1
Bundy Bear
bossreggie +1
serfty
QF009 +1
PeteJ
kpc

Gold

drron
ejb
straitman +1
whereishome
PaulC83
Hvr
JeniSkunk
wijomas

Silver

thewinchester
tuapekastar
notzac
medhead
Flashware
Bob
docjames +1
Anat0l

Bronze

MAX_1

Updated up to post #99....

 

[JohnK]

Reserved for list of activities

 

[JohnK]

Why not start by saying I am Platinum....

 

[kpc]

Gold, hoping---->Plat, work depending. Might ask my +1 to come as well as she has never been to Brisbane:shock: (beyond the airport anyway!)

 

[drron]

Another Gold leaning towards platinum.

 

[thewinchester]

List me as a silver, as I'd really like to be there. However, my current travel and financial plans have me learning more towards bronze.

 

[MissBurrill]

3) Saturday: Local sightseeing adventure

I vote roller coaster!

 

[Mal]

Platinum for me.

 

[anat0l]

With SMD2 having shifted dates, list me as Gold, only because there is a possibility that in order to get some travel done that I might want I may have to miss this Do anyway.

Not many recommendations yet (need to do some research), but a couple to put in the melting pot:

• Bar: Groove Bar, branches on King George Square and the Santos building on Turbot (also serve standard food)
• Restaurant: Vapiano, located in the new Albert Lane on the Queen St Mall. A bit more in cost than your regular Italian restaurant, but the freshest tasting Italian I have ever had in a restaurant.

 

[ejb]

Gold here. It will depend on work.

 

[samh004]

I am Platinum, and my sister will be joining me too (might get her to register a username).

Can’t wait to start organising

 

[Mal]

I am trying to find a really nice place for welcome drinks on the Friday night. I thought there was a roof top bar on Edward Street but I cannot seem to find it now. Also as some of the people will be first time visitors to Brisbane I think pre-dinner drinks on the Saturday should be at the Mill which is also the venue of our regular Brisbane drinks nights.

I think the Transcontinental (down near Roma St station) has a roof-top bar, but not sure (It might only be for functions). There's also a hotel across from the Casino / Sciencenter which might have a roof-top bar... although it's name evades me.

 

[oz_mark]

Platinum here.

 

[JohnK]

I think the Transcontinental (down near Roma St station) has a roof-top bar, but not sure (It might only be for functions). There's also a hotel across from the Casino / Sciencenter which might have a roof-top bar... although it's name evades me.

OK that is a start. I will have to start doing some walking around to see what is available.

There is a roof top bar in one of the clubs in the Valley but I have been told to avoid that place at all costs.

I may go down to Eagle Street Pier for a walk one evening and see what is available and if possible get some menus and see if I can post them here.

 

[tuapekastar]

I have a potential clash, which I flagged when dates were first discussed, but please mark me as Silver at this stage. Thanks.

 

[anat0l]

As for dinner I think we should keep it to places with reasonable cost. By the way I do not believe $40 for a piece of steak and paying extra for chips or salad is reasonable.

I'm sure it will not be extremely difficult to find a place that will have something to appease most people, both for their palates and their wallets.

 

[Mal]

OK that is a start. I will have to start doing some walking around to see what is available.

Fridays is also an option and has great views over the river towards the Story Bridge, although will be pretty crowded on a Friday night. Perhaps they would block off an area? Drinks won't be cheap though.
Jade Buddah has similar views from their upstairs bar.

 

[JohnK]

Fridays is also an option and has great views over the river towards the Story Bridge, although will be pretty crowded on a Friday night. Perhaps they would block off an area? Drinks won't be cheap though.
Jade Buddah has similar views from their upstairs bar.

Good suggestions. Yes river views will not be cheap but I think we will not be there for more than a couple of hours before moving on to dinner.

 

[munitalP]

Platinum + 1

my preference is quality over cost, if a steak is good, I don't mind paying $40 for it then having a choice of extras I want, I'm not a fan of a rump, 2 fried eggs, coleslaw and fries!

I will however go with the flow, but judging from what I have experienced from the AFF'ers I have met till now, most will choose quality over cost, and this should be considered methinks.

Now to accept donations of hotel discount vouchers

Members of the peoples republic of Victoria, should we try for a qp catchup on the way?

Mr!