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!

 

[somebol]

asked and got a desktop fan... a bit better now

 

[NM]

The NM printer and guillotine have been working overtime for the last few nights completing the final preparations. Delivery drivers have been regular visitors to our residence. Now to work out if we need to use the NM Bus to transport everything to the venues or if we can squeeze it into the less voluminous vehicular transportation commodity.

The excitement is growing as the weekend approaches.

Two more sleeps to go (unless I take a papa-nap tomorrow afternoon).

10 more work meetings to endure.

Two more morning coffees to maintain my aging body.

Looks like the NM Bus will be staying home. Friday night requirements fit into a single small box. Saturday night fits into 2 boxes, a back pack and small carry bag. So going to fit the less voluminous transport option nicely.

Printing is almost complete. Mrs NM has the task of folding menus tomorrow. Just the PDB vouchers to be drawn up, printed and guillotined and then we will be able to consider our personal packing!

Just received a call from our hotel asking what time we expect to be arriving, if our stay is for a special occasion, do we require car parking, confirming free breakfast to be included and if there is anything else they can assist with. Great service, I must say.

one sleep and a Pop-nap to go

 

[somebol]

I’ve been told that the air con had been fixed.
Stepping out to meet friends so hopefully my room is nice and cool when I am back

 

[jxv]

heads up to members staying in The Sebel. The hotel currently has air con issues and no eta for a fix.
my room has been quite warm despite curtains closed and air con running at lowest setting.

You could go out on your balcony and if you are at the back you should wave to us sipping wine on our 14th floor balcony of the Oaks Apartments opposite.

 

[NM]

The NM printer and guillotine have been working overtime for the last few nights completing the final preparations. Delivery drivers have been regular visitors to our residence. Now to work out if we need to use the NM Bus to transport everything to the venues or if we can squeeze it into the less voluminous vehicular transportation commodity.

The excitement is growing as the weekend approaches.

Two more sleeps to go (unless I take a papa-nap tomorrow afternoon).

10 more work meetings to endure.

Two more morning coffees to maintain my aging body.

Looks like the NM Bus will be staying home. Friday night requirements fit into a single small box. Saturday night fits into 2 boxes, a back pack and small carry bag. So going to fit the less voluminous transport option nicely.

Printing is almost complete. Mrs NM has the task of folding menus tomorrow. Just the PDB vouchers to be drawn up, printed and guillotined and then we will be able to consider our personal packing!

Just received a call from our hotel asking what time we expect to be arriving, if our stay is for a special occasion, do we require car parking, confirming free breakfast to be included and if there is anything else they can assist with. Great service, I must say.

one sleep and a Pop-nap to go

 

[FishFood]

At the VA lounge in PER. Do I get the dubious honour as the person who has travelled the furthest (3607 km)?

 

[Sprucegoose]

Clearly I looked too young to be asked if I had a Seniors card
Sighs

The last time we met, you were a spring chicken!

Post automatically merged: Today at 7:30 PM

heads up to members staying in The Sebel. The hotel currently has air con issues and no eta for a fix.
my room has been quite warm despite curtains closed and air con running at lowest setting.

I may ask for a UG to the Sofitel. How will the Olympics go if we can't fix the AC?

 

[Sprucegoose]

heads up to members staying in The Sebel. The hotel currently has air con issues and no eta for a fix.
my room has been quite warm despite curtains closed and air con running at lowest setting.

I have contacted the manager, and these issues were fixed today.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I think there is no separate charge for transfers within a certain timeframe

Would that be above or below 5 years?

 

[dxwell]

The penultimate ticket for the penultimate hour

Years ago, I had a CIO who thought that penultimate was the most bestest version of ultimate.
Many a speech he made where plaudits were given with the superlative penultimate!

 

[RooFlyer]

At the VA lounge in PER. Do I get the dubious honour as the person who has travelled the furthest (3607 km)?

Probably. 2880km for me HBA-MEL-ADL-BNE.

 

[gwilli1]

Head up those flying out SYD/CBR/NTL , storms predicted for tomorrow afternoon/evening . I'm happy to be travelling in the morning. Looks like MEL may have storms during the day also.

 

[serfty]

Head up those flying out SYD/CBR/NTL , storms predicted for tomorrow afternoon/evening . I'm happy to be travelling in the morning. Looks like MEL may have storms during the day also.

Watching closely ... may be opportunities to fly ahead.

 

[Bindibuys]

Head up those flying out SYD/CBR/NTL , storms predicted for tomorrow afternoon/evening . I'm happy to be travelling in the morning. Looks like MEL may have storms during the day also.

Arriving late morning, so hopefully will miss the storms at airport, but meeting school friends at 4pm at South bank, may have to add travel umbrella.

 

[boomy]

My overseas trip got canceled which means I’m staying home in BNE this weekend. Is there any room to join dinner tomorrow or is it fully booked?

 

[AIRwin]

My overseas trip got canceled which means I’m staying home in BNE this weekend. Is there any room to join dinner tomorrow or is it fully booked?

It'll be good to see you! Any roomy for @boomy ?

 

[RooFlyer]

@NM , right now ...

 

[CaptJCool]

My overseas trip got canceled which means I’m staying home in BNE this weekend. Is there any room to join dinner tomorrow or is it fully booked?

Hey
@boomy

Worse case is I can tag team with you as I gather we will all be Chewing the Fat and we pay on the night - well it’s likely someone will bail on the day …

PS Jungle Bird and QLD Scallops plus Chorizo (Moda with Javier - @ The Barracks)