AFF8: The Final Decision

[kevrosmith]

If CNS does win out: some brief comments on timing which may help pick when to visit:

The dry season is obviously preferable due to the warmer weather: July - September.

The Cairns Ironman Triathlon is Sunday June 8, so that weekend would definitely be best to avoid as everything will be busy and booked out.

Seems QLD, VIC and NSW winter school holidays align this year: basically first two weeks of July, so that would be best avoided too.

Cairns Show Holiday is Friday July 18, and a lot of locals leave town for the weekend, so the flights are busy out in the days leading up, but not too bad into town (seeing school holidays have finished).

My suggestion would be August or early September, before the Spring school holidays start to influence travel again.

Business-timed trips are best from SYD or BNE, with fewer Business-friendly timed options from MEL, ADL, PER etc.

 

[blackcat20]

On a slightly more serious note, the issue I have with CNS is that the airlines have really neglected CNS with their schedules, and a "weekend" do would force many of us to attend for only 24 hours (midday Sat to midday Sun), or take a day off work (Friday).

This is my concern also. Though I am lucky I don't work Friday. Depending on when it's held, flight costs can be prohibitive too (I've seen $600 return for September). Though I'd really love to go up there for the first time.

 

[turtlemichael]

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....gathering-7-hba-29-a-47524-17.html#post945525

Some thoughts on dates in Cairns I had earlier and still probably relevant. I am away until early July but may be able to help in the last stages, but not the early planning, if it is in Cairns.

 

[robbie1984]

That would be Water Bar & Grill Waterbar and Grill

Definitely the best steak and grill restaurant in CNS. Can highly recommend the Pork Ribs: best ever, and they are huge, and all the steaks are cooked perfectly. Great atmosphere, though a bit on the dearer side for prices (CNS restaurants aren't generally cheap though, unfortunately), and on the plus side for a large group, they allow individual payments at a table. Fantastic location along the waterfront, just down from the Hilton and under the Shangri La.



Or for something extra special, you can do OOL-SYD-BNE-CNS.

I haven't attended one of these, and wasn't very active last time it was in CNS. If it happens to settle on CNS, then I may be able to come along to a dinner event.

I second the Water Bar and Grill, great place! Always good service and the food is yum!

 

[Buzzard]

I voted for MEL first time but will not vote now as I am unsure if I could attend a CNS event.

Better leave the voting to those most likely to attend.

If work permits, I shall attend regardless of where the gathering is.

 

[drewbles]

I voted for MEL first time but will not vote now as I am unsure if I could attend a CNS event.

Better leave the voting to those most likely to attend.

If work permits, I shall attend regardless of where the gathering is.

Vote for MEL. CNS is too expensive to get to (and we've not had one here in 6 years).

I still believe that 'majority rules' is the format, and don't get why we need a second poll personally. The whole 'oh but there was less than 50%' thing is moot; people had their say, and the majority of the percentage voted for MEL

 

[samh004]

I think we should go to Outer Mongolia, but I suspect I may be on my own for this option...

I would like to go to Outer Mongolia, but think we may be pushing it for a weekend DO.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

I reckon we have a compromise, & settle for Lord Howe Island, it's about half way between the two contending destinations , accessible via BNE & SYD on Qantas link & I sure bet the majority of us haven't been there!

So how's that for a suggestion? Lol

Ok then..... Might not be to everyone's likening.

 

[Hvr]

So what happens if the preferred option of certain people doesn't receive the requisite votes? Will there be new 'final' votes until the right result is reached?

 

[JohnK]

I still believe that 'majority rules' is the format, and don't get why we need a second poll personally. The whole 'oh but there was less than 50%' thing is moot; people had their say, and the majority of the percentage voted for MEL

The OP of the previous poll was very clear. Vote for a location and then vote on a date for the most popular location.

Oh and 1 vote in front is still the most popular location.

 

[drewbles]

So what happens if the preferred option of certain people doesn't receive the requisite votes? Will there be new 'final' votes until the right result is reached?

Can you imagine if the federal election was re-held because someone didn't like the outcome?

Regardless, it is what it is. My comment stands about not attending an event in CNS though. I'm not a fan of QLD at the best of times, and FNQ is right out for me (mainly weather wise, but also due to hotel and flight costs). It would be nice to have an event in a 'major' city (HBA doesn't count, it may be a 'capital' of TAS, but it's not a big place). Plenty of accommodation options, lots to do, and with some planning, more possibility of options involving aviation related activities if people prefer.

 

[turtlemichael]

It's too expensive? I imagine the majority of members
are in Sydney and Melbourne so the functions should all be in either of those cities and for a bit of tokenism you could add in maybe Hobart, Adelaide and Brisbane at a pinch?

 

[markis10]

Can you imagine if the federal election was re-held because someone didn't like the outcome?

In my case thats exactly the case living in Griffith!

 

[kevrosmith]

(Not trying to argue with people, I really don't have any care-factor on the outcome of the location, just wanted to point out... )

Guess it's a bit like Preferential voting in elections, and/or the Olympic voting system: as lower-value candidates are discarded, votes are re-cast/re-counted.

 

[drewbles]

In my case thats exactly the case living in Griffith!

Well, there's always an exception

 

[Buzzard]

Vote for MEL. CNS is too expensive to get to (and we've not had one here in 6 years).

I still believe that 'majority rules' is the format, and don't get why we need a second poll personally. The whole 'oh but there was less than 50%' thing is moot; people had their say, and the majority of the percentage voted for MEL

OK, I just voted for MEL (and made it 50:50 with 17 ea) as there is more chance of me attending there. Flights are also cheaper and more frequent to MEL from ADL.

 

[Hvr]

(Not trying to argue with people, I really don't have any care-factor on the outcome of the location, just wanted to point out... )

Guess it's a bit like Preferential voting in elections, and/or the Olympic voting system: as lower-value candidates are discarded, votes are re-cast/re-counted.

And if that was proposed at the beginning then it would be fine. But the original poll was presented as a first past the post winner.

 

[JohnK]

Guess it's a bit like Preferential voting in elections, and/or the Olympic voting system: as lower-value candidates are discarded, votes are re-cast/re-counted.

The original poll was very clear that the poll was to decide the winner and MEL was the clear winner by 4 votes. Majority rule? You cannot turn around now and have another poll because a few people did not like the decision.

I also don't think the offline talk mentioned is a good idea.

Is the same thing going to happen when the date is decided? Dont like the date then petition for another date?

 

[Fifa]

I voted for MEL as it would be cheaper for me to get to .
And there are two Hiltons (instead of one) to choose from!

 

[medhead]

The Cairns Ironman Triathlon is Sunday June 8, so that weekend would definitely be best to avoid as everything will be busy and booked out.

Also clashes with the hkg lounge event so definitely out.

It's too expensive? I imagine the majority of members are in Sydney and Melbourne so the functions should all be in either of those cities and for a bit of tokenism you could add in maybe Hobart, Adelaide and Brisbane at a pinch?

Exactly. Unbelievable that a group of people who supposedly like to travel are unwilling to expand their horizons. Failing a willingness to explore you're 100% just hold these things in Sydney and Melbourne. Saves the polls, save that hassles with dates just set to a fixed date. All done and dusted boring predictable events for those who don't like change.

Stupid quote thing in the AFF app.