AFF Gathering #17 in BNE on 18 - 20 October 2024

We're pleased to announce that the 2024 AFF annual gathering will be held in Brisbane, the sunny capital of Queensland!

The weekend of Friday 18 - Sunday 20 October 2024 has been chosen for the event. As per past years, there will be a welcome dinner on the Friday evening, optional activities on Saturday and a main dinner on Saturday evening. There may also be an optional activity on Sunday in the late morning.

All AFF members (and +1's, etc.) are welcome to attend. Most people usually fly in on Friday afternoon and leave on the Sunday afternoon/evening.

Your lead organisers for this year's event are @NM and @QF WP. Other Brisbane-based members are also welcome to volunteer to assist.

We'll update this thread over the coming months with more information about the planned activities, dinner venues and costs, which we expect to be similar to past gatherings. There will be a $5 registration fee per participant, plus the cost of any activities and/or meals that you choose to join.

For now, please feel free to let us know in this thread if you think you'll be able to make it! For those unfamiliar with the AFF terminology:

• "Platinum" means you're planning to attend and 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 AFF Leadership Team can provide support in terms of money collection and distribution, and editing this thread as needed. If something needs to be updated, please simply report the post with the update so anyone on the team can action it (starting a conversation only alerts one person).

We're looking forward to seeing you all in Brissie!

 

[AIRwin]

For those from interstate or out of town and if you are planning on using public transport, Qld has introduced a 50c fare trial from August till November.

Until February

 

[NM]

Thanks to all event attendees who have sent details via Conversation Message. I won't reply directly to each so that each message remains in my in-box in the order received. I have updated Post #3 with ll the option selections received via Conversations so far, so please review and ensure your details are accurate.

Its starting to get exciting in the lead up to the AFF Gathering 17. We will continue to clarify details as we lock them in. Lots of duck feet paddling hard under the water to pull it altogether.

The most helpful thing for us now is to begin to solidify numbers as we don't want people missing out due to capacity caps at venues, but we also don't want to drive up costs with large venues that we cannot fill. So a little juggling and multiple options being held as we begin to nail the numbers.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Spruce is plats for Friday/Saturday dinner. I will email NM regarding the activity. tnx

I might do the flight simulator (to the disdain of some) to see if I can upskill and walk the talk.

 

[Bindibuys]

Please include me and Congewai for both dinners - Friday and Saturday nights.

 

[NM]

I might do the flight simulator (to the disdain of some) to see if I can upskill and walk the talk.

We promise not to laugh, no matter the arrival observed ...

 

[Doug_Westcott]

Platinum for both Friday and Saturday dinners

 

[tdimdad]

Friday casual lunch (not a part of the official AFF program but a good way to get to know some early birds):
1 pm at Bird's Nest, West End. I've booked a table for 6 but will monitor this thread and add seats, if needed.

If you have any dietary requirements, please check their menu. If it looks like they don't readily cater for your diet, send me a direct message (conversation) and I'll let them know so they can advise what they can do.

 

[tdimdad]

Platinum for both Fri + Sat dinners, please. I'll send a DM to NM for diets.

Will skip the Saturday daytime activities, despite itching to do a flight sim. Next time...

 

[Matt_01]

I might do the flight simulator (to the disdain of some) to see if I can upskill and walk the talk.

@Sprucegoose did you ever get the opportunity to do the sim experience with QF when it was still a P1 thing. In the old days it was around 1.5 hrs as a guest touring the sims and getting a go at Mascot. Maybe @NM will put us together and we can cash and burn together

 

[Sprucegoose]

@Sprucegoose did you ever get the opportunity to do the sim experience with QF when it was still a P1 thing. In the old days it was around 1.5 hrs as a guest touring the sims and getting a go at Mascot. Maybe @NM will put us together and we can cash and burn together

@Matt01 At that time, I still took some things seriously and didn't do many P1 activities in those days. Of course, that has all changed, and I would be very honoured to be your first officer as we tackle Kai Tak—I know where to ditch, at least.

 

[straitman]

Sue Oz and I will be at Friday dinner IF our QF flight from AKL actually gets there on time or at a reasonable time.
Saturday something and Sunday something. Flying to MEL Monday morning.
Currently on an Alaska cruise with appalling internet so that’s all I can offer at this stage.

 

[Scash]

For those from interstate or out of town and if you are planning on using public transport, Qld has introduced a 50c fare trial from August till November.

Until February

Whoops...not sure why I said November! Good pick up. I did read this morning that both major parties have committed to keeping the 50c fares in place if elected.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Will be interesting to see what you are thinking that is aviation related for Sunday.

I have been looking to do this tour at some stage, it was mentioned as an attachment to one of the Brisbane rates notices.

Brisbane City Hall Museum and Clock Tower tour, I am adding a link here so I get around to visiting it one day.

Clock Tower Tours - Museum of Brisbane | MoB

Brisbane City Hall Tour - Museum of Brisbane | MoB

Discover the secrets of Brisbane's heritage-listed City Hall building with a guided tour in Spanish.

www.museumofbrisbane.com.au

 

[Katie]

Platinum - katie, Brisbane local, no flights or accom needed.
Currently interested in the Friday and Saturday night dinners.

 

[tdimdad]

Brisbane City Hall Museum and Clock Tower tour, I am adding a link here so I get around to visiting it one day.

Clock Tower Tours - Museum of Brisbane | MoB

City Hall is a nice place to visit and the tower offers nice views to the CBD. It's well worth an hour or two.

On a very different note but related to your own activities: if you do geocaching, Brisbane scene is a good one (better than how I experienced Sydney). There are hides for many styles and they are usually well maintained. Worth a few side steps to find some.

 

[serfty]

Will be interesting to see what you are thinking that is aviation related for Sunday.

I have been looking to do this tour at some stage, it was mentioned as an attachment to one of the Brisbane rates notices.

Brisbane City Hall Museum and Clock Tower tour, I am adding a link here so I get around to visiting it one day.

Clock Tower Tours - Museum of Brisbane | MoB

Brisbane City Hall Tour - Museum of Brisbane | MoB

Discover the secrets of Brisbane's heritage-listed City Hall building with a guided tour in Spanish.

www.museumofbrisbane.com.au

Interesting - currently 20 spots available for each of 10:30am and 11:30am ½ hour tours on Sunday 20th. No clock tower bookable for that Sunday currently but looking at the bookings in the next week, it may open up.

 

[NM]

Interesting - currently 20 spots available for each of 10:30am and 11:30am ½ hour tours on Sunday 20th. No clock tower bookable for that Sunday currently but looking at the bookings in the next week, it may open up.

Clock tower tour is definitely worth doing. I remember doing it as a young child and have been back several times since. Especially good as its free.

 

[FishFood]

Also realise I didn't mention the dinners, I'm confirmed for Fri + Sat

 

[bPeteb]

I'm a platinum for dinner Friday and Saturday. I'll check with bAlt. Daytime out for me as we'll be in the process of moving house that weekend

 

[AIRwin]

Daytime out for me as we'll be in the process of moving house that weekend

Optional activity can be helping you move?