AFF Gathers: In Melbourne!! [1-3 August 2008]

[Kendall Roy]

I have a systems migration/upgrade which rules me out for any daytime events unfortunately.

Although if we were migrating to Windows Vista I'd probably need to rule myself out for the whole weekend + more.

 

[Mal]

QF73 has now been cancelled it seems, so no Flounging on the Sunday. Instead, there is an identically timed flight leaving domestic on a similarly named aircraft (737-400 instead of 747-400), however the experience will be nowhere near the same. Oh well.

 

[JohnM]

Unfortunately, I am now unable to make it.

 

[Keith009]

Lunch on Saturday still subject to confirmation, but otherwise....

Final itinerary

Friday 1 August:

19:00: Welcome drinks: Belgian Beer Cafe Eureka, Southbank


Saturday 2 August:

1000: Start the day by going up Eureka Skydeck

Lunch on Southbank

1530: Mid afternoon coffee: Pushka Espresso Bar, Pesgrave Pl, CBD (off Howey Pl, which is in turn off Lt Collins between Swanston and Elizabeth Sts)

1930: Dinner with The Industry:
Vialetto Ristorante
75 Hardware Lane, CBD (off Lonsdale St between Elizabeth and Queens Sts)
3 course set meal: $40/head, drinks are extra
Special guests:
Phil Gunter, Virgin Blue
Luisa Megale, American Express Australia

Post dinner drinks at Three Below, City Square
And after hours club crawl for anyone who's still up!

Sunday 3 August [late flights out recommended]

1030: Tram 96 to St Kilda Beach, followed by brunch on Acland St: Greasy Joe's

1410: AFL match at Telstra Dome
St Kilda vs Port Adelaide

Unfortunately the Victorian Young Labor conference, to which I've been elected a delegate, is happening the same weekend, and there is apparently no way I can proxy away my votes for the most crucial part of the conference, the ballot which occurs 11-1pm on Sunday 03August. So I won't be able to make it for Sunday brunch myself, but otherwise I've managed to pry myself away from the conference.

 

[Flashback]

Tell me please guys...... am I the only person staying at the Hilton now?

 

[Keith009]

Current guest list:

Guest List:

Attendees

Confirmed:

QF009, MEL
dot, MEL
serfty, MEL
Evan, SIN + MEL
MelUser, MEL
munitalP, MEL
straitman, MEL
Skoogle, SYD
Mal, BNE
oz_mark, MEL
sr81, MEL
tuapekastar, MEL
Bundy Bear, BNE (Saturday only)
jswong, WLG (Saturday only)
Flashware, PER
Will, MEL
anat01, BNE (Saturday dinner only)
THE TRIMMER, MEL (Saturday dinner only)

Interested:

sydbloke, MEL
openseat, MEL
Shano, MEL
littl_flier, BNE
thegurio, HBA
ric_melb, MEL
Alanslegal, SYD
baldman, MEL
v8Statesman, PER identifies as a Sandgroper
falconea
Mr falconea
taipeiflyer, LAX guest of QF009

Scratched/In doubt:
Lindsay Wilson, BNE
JohnM, PER

 

[serfty]

Tell me please guys...... am I the only person staying at the Hilton now?

Nup,

Jenny and I are staying there (on Saturday Night)

By the way QF009, there's a +1 for Dinner Saturday Evening.

I have purchased reserved seating for the Footy; $16 pp.

 

[serfty]

Melbourne Storm is scheduled to Host the Gold Coast Titans that week end. ...

... on Friday evening. Same time as the mighty Hawks take on the 'pies.

As for Saturday Afternoon, I guess this is not happening?

... Now if people are STILL interested, please please let me know and upon adequate expressions of interest (not less than 10) I will contact DJ to work something out. ...

Been away a bit lately ... and missed this - count me in ....

 

[straitman]

QF009,

I have a + one for the dinner also.

 

[serfty]

Given there appears to be no specific DJ journey as part of the travel; I'm likely to be on JQ35 the Sat afternoon SYD-MEL (3:15pm-4:45).

With this I'll have lunch at the SYD Flounge.

Currently the Light fare is $81 (with CC).

I can guest on in for this.

Are any interested?

 

[anat0l]

Given there appears to be no specific DJ journey as part of the travel; I'm likely to be on JQ35 the Sat afternoon SYD-MEL (3:15pm-4:45).

With this I'll have lunch at the SYD Flounge.

Currently the Light fare is $81 (with CC).

I can guest on in for this.

Are any interested?

Bundy Bear and myself will be on JQ35 (or at least proposed to be). None of us can get in to the FL, but I think Bundy Bear has been holding out to try the FL (I haven't tried them for lunch; only breakfast during the AGM).

Since you can only guest one person in, talk to Bundy Bear.

 

[JohnK]

I have purchased reserved seating for the Footy; $16 pp.

Is that all? That is ridiculously cheap. I wish I was there....

 

[Skoogle]

Given there appears to be no specific DJ journey as part of the travel; I'm likely to be on JQ35 the Sat afternoon SYD-MEL (3:15pm-4:45).

With this I'll have lunch at the SYD Flounge.

Currently the Light fare is $81 (with CC).

I can guest on in for this.

Are any interested?

How about QF136 SYD-MEL?
Gets into MEL at ~9:50 and probably enough time to make it to the Eureka Skydeck.

Note:The $160 eDeal is double the Light fare.

 

[serfty]

How about QF136 SYD-MEL?
Gets into MEL at ~9:50 and probably enough time to make it to the Eureka Skydeck. ...

Meh ... I'll be in the air flying from MEL at that time ...

 

[jswong]

I'll get in about 09:30 on NZ7 from AKL so will not make the Skydeck. Don't do heights in any case

Jeff

 

[Kendall Roy]

Put me down as a 50/50 for sat night dinner.

Will know closer to the date.

 

[Shano]

Unfortunately downgrading from interested to not attending as I am flying back from KUL (via SIN) on the Saturday night.

 

[dot]

Hi All, The planned lunch on Saturday on the Florence Floating Restaurant has fallen through - I cannot get them to respond to any phone calls, emails or web form enquiries. I think they may have gone bust.:shock:

So... the agenda has changed slightly. Saturday lunch will now be at 3 Station Pier in Port Melbourne. From Eureka Tower, a short walk to the other end of Crown Casino to Spencer street (along the river) will enable us to catch a #109 tram to Port Melbourne. When the tram reaches it's terminus, the restaurant is a very sort walk toward the bay. All up (Walk and tram ride) I would expect it will take 20-30 mins to get there from Eureka. If you drive, it would be much shorter - 10 mins or so - but then you would miss out on the river walk and the tram ride.

For those who don't know Melbourne, Station Pier is where the Spirit of Tasmania (I and II) ferry docks at and occasionally cruise ships as well.

This is the Restaurant

The location can be seen on this Google Earth map

Their web site sucks (see - http://www.3stationpier.com ) but the restaurant has had generally good reviews and a menu that most could choose something from.

I have tentatively booked to 20 people, but need to get the numbers finalised by the 29th of July. I am asking for those that want to attend the lunch to let me know (in public or via PM) over the next two weeks - preferably sooner if possible.

 

[Keith009]

Thanks so much mate - looks fab! I'm in of course.

 

[straitman]

Subject to the Sun, Moon and Stars lining up appropriately I expect that we'll be at:

Friday Night drinks though we could be late. -- 2 people
Eureka Skydeck -- Maybe.
Lunch at Station Pier -- 2 people
Dinner -- 2 people
Post dinner drinks at Three Below -- unlikely but possible
Sunday Tram 96 to St Kilda Beach, followed by brunch on Acland St: Greasy Joe's -- 2 people though we may go by car so we can disappear toward home.

Staying at HI on Flinders. (Sorry Flashware)