Venue 2012 National Gathering

Submitted: Monday, Oct 18, 2010 at 20:29
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I have discussed the venue with a couple of people who wish to be involved in organising this one but would like some general feedback from the wider site audience - Members and Visitors.

The Members Trips & Gatherings is a concept driven by the Members - not the ExplorOz team of management. We provide the online service to enable you to build a network of likeminded people that might wish to join you in convoy for a trip. Of course, trips are social occassions so great friendships are often formed and the whole concept of ExplorOz Trips & Gatherings has become very social - and that is just wonderful!

The idea of 1 of these events per year being coined the "National Gathering" has evolved to mean the major event on the calendar as they were originally designed to be hosted in a different state each year and in a fairly accessible location to give most people a fair chance of attending at least one Gathering at some point in time. It is typically expected that the National Gathering has the chance of being the largest gathering in terms of numbers as a result and is usually timed to fit in with school holidays etc.

Last year was a little different because it cooincided with the 10 year anniversary of ExplorOz so we wanted to see it be held in WA. We ended up with the job of organising it for lack of any volunteers!

I don't expect to see ExplorOz management or staff involved in the planning, of the upcoming 2011 gathering or future gatherings however it really depends on how things play out. We are conscious that our name is being used and of course it is important to protect our brand name and ensure that who ever is entrusted to be our ambassador(s) is doing it in a manner that brings about a positive representation of our business as that will be reflected by the activities being held and consequently the behaviour of those that attend.

The venue for 2012 has not been announced however I've had a few people approach me to ask if they could organise it. So far, two possible venues have been suggested: being Curtain Springs or Mt Dare in NT. I was going to create a poll and get the feedback of what you all think of these venues but think we need to discuss the venues more and be sure that these two options are suitable and consider some other suggestions and then put them to a Members vote.

Please use this post to discuss the 2012 National Gathering venue. Based on your ideas/comments etc we may get to create a list of 4 or 5 venues that we can vote on in a poll. I will only act as a mediator - not organiser or decision maker here. So please, go ahead and have your say.
Thanks, Michelle

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Reply By: Member - Mark G Gulmarrad - Monday, Oct 18, 2010 at 21:05

Monday, Oct 18, 2010 at 21:05
Michelle

" We are conscious that our name is being used and of course it is important to protect our brand name and ensure that who ever is entrusted to be our ambassador(s) is doing it in a manner that brings about a positive representation of our business as that will be reflected by the activities being held and consequently the behaviour of those that attend."

as an organiser of two (so far) gatherings i haven't yet come across anyone who has even looked like stepping out of line while on the trip,just the opposite in fact.like minded people doing like minded things i spose,cheers.
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Reply By: Joe n Mel - Monday, Oct 18, 2010 at 21:24

Monday, Oct 18, 2010 at 21:24
2 locations that spring "quickly" to mind that have room to "expand" if needed without any problems, are "remote" to suit the average Exoz chappy and have basic facilitys to service the basic travellers are
1) Top Spring pub ...... kinda central to most souther/eastern/western people, has campgrounds, pub, toilets ect ....
2) Hells Gate roadhouse ......... campgrounds, toilets, very basic roadhouse and a really nice spot, just not as "central" to some .....

Just a thought for you all to add to the "thoughts"..
Cheers
Joe
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Reply By: Member - Marc Luther B (WA) - Monday, Oct 18, 2010 at 21:43

Monday, Oct 18, 2010 at 21:43
Hi All

I have only been a member for a very short time, so I am not about to put my hand up for anything what so ever, such I feel would be offensive to the long term members.

If I may ask, what is one of these National Gatherings about ? Obviously it is a gathering, I am asking more about what needs to be organised and things like that.

Cheers
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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Monday, Oct 18, 2010 at 21:46

Monday, Oct 18, 2010 at 21:46
Marc,

I organised the 2009 National Gathering in St George QLD, after it was all over I created a Blog on the basics that I felt needed to be organised for a gathering.

Have a read of it for some info.


Cheers Kev
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Follow Up By: Member - Marc Luther B (WA) - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 01:31

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 01:31
Hi Sir Kev & Darkie

Thanks for that, I have had a glimpse, but will go through your blog carefully later on tonight.

Cheers
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Follow Up By: Hairs & Fysh - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 11:25

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 11:25
Hi Marc,
I attended the St George Gathering, Brilliant.
Kev & Sam did a great job all round.
Here is my account of the 2009 EO St George Gathering.
We are hopeful that we will be able to make it to Broken Hill for next years.


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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 11:30

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 11:30
Hairs,

I did need another holiday after it though hehehe

Cheers Kev
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Follow Up By: Member - Mark G Gulmarrad - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 11:33

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 11:33
Dave from broken hill need new eye glasses too
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Follow Up By: Member - Russnic [NZ] - Saturday, Oct 23, 2010 at 10:34

Saturday, Oct 23, 2010 at 10:34
Hi
I was at St George gathering and thought the organising ream had done a brilliant job
The camp fires, entertainment, raffles , along with the trips were brilliant.
Thanks Sir Kev and your team
The date is to late for me to attend the next gathering, so my apologies now to the organisers, been there done that as well.
Cheers
Russ
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Follow Up By: Member - Russnic [NZ] - Saturday, Oct 23, 2010 at 10:41

Saturday, Oct 23, 2010 at 10:41
I hate that that
Read TEAM not ream.
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Reply By: Member - GREENDOG - Monday, Oct 18, 2010 at 22:29

Monday, Oct 18, 2010 at 22:29
AYERS ROCK,Yulara camp ground,it's central to all states.cheers GREENDOG
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Follow Up By: Member - Marc Luther B (WA) - Monday, Oct 18, 2010 at 23:58

Monday, Oct 18, 2010 at 23:58
Hi Greendog

If that kind of idea is worth a thought, and I reckon it could be, then perhaps contyact with one of the Elders of the Arrente people to ensure enough area is put aside. If I am putting ymnose in where it doesn't belong, please just ignore what I have said.

Cheers
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Reply By: Fred G NSW - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 03:16

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 03:16
My two bob's worth is somewhere closer to Alice Springs. Curtain Springs is a favourite camp spot of ours, but stacks more attractions in and around Alice. After all, it is a gathering, not an outback adventure trip. Attendees can make their own adventures getting there and back.

Or we could all go up to Doug T's joint up at Mt. Bundy Station :-)))

Fred....Looking forward to Silverton.

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Reply By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 07:26

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 07:26
Hi All

Any where near Alice Springs sounds good to me, maybe a date should be suggested first, so people know what distance they will have to travel and time frame allowed.

Cheers




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Reply By: CraigFox - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 09:12

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 09:12
The majority so far have discussed central Australia, which is going to be convenient, as well as "sharing" the locations around the different states.

Can I suggest the Eastern MacDonnells out of Alice Springs - possibly Arltunga, or Ross River. This will still give people access to Alice Springs, as well as the possibility of getting to/leaving the gathering via some iconic tracks close to the location. It would also have all weather access, and members and visitors without 4wd would be able to attend.

My thoughts

Craig
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Follow Up By: Fred G NSW - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 13:18

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 13:18
We're on the same page Craig.......my thoughts exactly.

Fred.
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Reply By: Member - mazcan - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 12:49

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 12:49
hi
i have only been a member for 1 yr so am not altogether familar with the gatherings thing of eo apart from reading the eo blog and can see that everyone had a good time but i didnt go to wiluna
but have in the past enjoyed a few convoys and gathering etc with groups and it is a great enviro to meet up with people from all walks and make friends
to me i think central aus alice springs or somewhere near would be good as there are 4wd tracks leading to that place from every direction and about equal distance
but also realize that this can not always be a priority in choosing a site
and it would become boring to go to the same spot each year and will average out one way or the other in the end
just my thoughts at the moment
cheers
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Reply By: Robin Miller - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 13:31

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 13:31
I'd like to get a little more information about where the gatherings have been and how this relates to rotating thru the various states.

The membership base here shows 4 states NSW,WA,Qld and Vic with 500+ members and the next SA is way down at 200+.

Gatherings I know of or have attended are

2011 NSW
2010 WA
2009 QLD
2008 SA

So maybe its time for Victoria (again ?)


Another important fact in why we would go is that there needs to be an element of exploring Australia within a framework of a location that is more bushy than your average caravan park.
I felt the Warrenna (I never could spell it) event was an almost perfect match for the Explor Oz character.

I think it would be hard to find the right enviroment at Ayers Rock for example.
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Follow Up By: Member - Howard (ACT) - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 13:58

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 13:58
Robin,
you forgot the first EO national gathering- Birdsville 2005- with the rain 7 of us made it .a few more got in later after the roads reopened.

cannot find reference to or remember if there was an 06 event

Waraweena was 2007

perhaps your right Vic needs a go .

perhaps an opportunity to have something in the summer months with high country open while most of central and northern australia is closed.
cheers
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Follow Up By: Life Member - esarby (NSW) - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 15:34

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 15:34
Hi Howard.
I spent time in the Victorian High country last January. Great place and should be promoted more. How about your place. Steve

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Follow Up By: Flynnie - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 19:30

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 19:30
I reckon Victoria for 2012 too.

So many outback travellers are Victorian and it should be their turn to host.

Season anything except mid winter.Wiluna was COLD at night (middle of June not surprising) and I would like something a bit warmer than mid winter.

Flynnie
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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 19:33

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 19:33
Around the Sept school holidays is a good time to hold a gathering. It is not too hot but not too cold as well. Might be a bit different for Victoria and Tassie though ;)


Cheers Kev
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Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 19:36

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 19:36
Make it the Qld school holidays though :)

Andrew
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Follow Up By: ExplorOz - David & Michelle - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 20:59

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 20:59
Howard,
I have added a response to the bottom of the thread regarding where to find past gatherings.
David (DM) & Michelle (MM)
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Reply By: Isuzumu - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 19:52

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 19:52
For my two bobs worth, I think there should be annual state gathering as well. there is a lot of us who can not get the time to travel to say Alice Springs, as we only get two weeks at a time off at that time of year.
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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 21:08

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 21:08
Chinchilla Melon Festival will be the QLD State one ..... Just for you Bruce :)


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Follow Up By: Trevor R (QLD) - Friday, Oct 22, 2010 at 09:22

Friday, Oct 22, 2010 at 09:22
I personally would like a venue where I could lock the hubs in a bit more (Warraweena was very good but too cold in my opinion). Somewhere like Landcruiser Mtn Park has all the facilities for those wanting them and all the possibilities to go as hard as you like on some crazy tracks or just sit around a bush environment and chat among some great people. There must be other venues like this all round the country which would make a great national gathering venue.

Cheers, Trevor.
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Reply By: ExplorOz - David & Michelle - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 20:58

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 20:58
A few of you have queried where to find info on past gatherings?
Use the Members menu tab (top of site) - scroll down to Trips & Gatherings (or Click Here, then click the link to View Past Gatherings - (or Click Here.

Thanks,
Michelle
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Reply By: Member - Marcus T (VIC) - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 21:08

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 21:08
After speaking to Michelle at Wiluna on my way home I checked out both Mt Dare and Curtin Springs as possible gathering sites for 2012. Both indicated to me that they could handle the numbers. Apparently now Curtin Springs is too close to a bitumen road and Mt Dare is too remote. I found Mt Dare very cold and unaccommodating to overnight visitors using one of their cabins. Curtin Springs has Eyres Rock, Mt Connor and various other trips nearby. Other suggestions could be Kurumba, Tibooburra or Glen Patrick in the Pyrenees Mountains of Victoria. I have also volunteered to assist with the organising of the 2012 Gathering.
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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 21:13

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 21:13
What about Tassy hehehehe

But then again we'll all need passports hehehehe


Cheers Kev
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Follow Up By: Hairs & Fysh - Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 21:24

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010 at 21:24
And double the population while we are all down there.



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Reply By: Robin Miller - Friday, Oct 22, 2010 at 14:30

Friday, Oct 22, 2010 at 14:30
Ok, its time to stop stuffing around.

I propose that the 2012 gathering be held in Victoria at Talbotville
in the week beginning monday the 16th April.

2012 is a long way away and none of us can be sure
of where we will be then so I personnaly think a gathering shouldn't be
finalized sooner than a year before it is held.
But also a gathering shouldn't be held unless it has widespread bi-partisan
support (Code - for a group organizing not just 1 or 2)


Some Logic for the above.

It will be time for Victoria to hold one.

This venue is a very large free camping area surrounded by a river
which can accomodate 100+ vehicles.

Its still warm in April with low rainfall.

The time suggested is after Victorian school holidays
but within the holiday periods of NSW,SA,WA (Not Qld).
This is important as it guarantees accessibility and gives time for
interstaters to get home.


Accessible by 2 wheel drive, camper trailers ok, (caravans are a push)

In state forrest, stacks of bush and fires and dogs ok.

Surrounded by an unparalled selection of 4wd tracks of all levels.

Rivers are low, tracks not yet slippery and great drives can be had without
feeling intimidated.

Just the drive in, is a visual experience via the steep winding but 2wd road.

4 long drop loo's, seem to handle 100 people ok (at a push).

Safe mines and lots of walking tracks to explore , even canoe a river.

Other advantages - no tap water or power, plenty of river water.

45 mins to Dargo town for basic supplies, also makes for a night out at a great pub.

Dargo has bookable accomondation, wineries and all the usual stuff of a one horse town.

Robin Miller


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Reply By: ExplorOz - David & Michelle - Friday, Oct 22, 2010 at 16:44

Friday, Oct 22, 2010 at 16:44
Thanks for all the great discussion here from so many. Do you think we are at a point now where you'd like me to put the venue suggestions into a poll and we can take it from there or is that not necessary now?

After a venue is voted on, then some more volunteers will need to step up and take it on from there.

Michelle
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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Friday, Oct 22, 2010 at 16:46

Friday, Oct 22, 2010 at 16:46
I reckon leave it till early to mid next year ;)

I'll assist in the organising of it as well :)


Cheres Kev
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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Tuesday, Oct 26, 2010 at 10:31

Tuesday, Oct 26, 2010 at 10:31
If ts at Talbotville I am happy to assist inb teh arranginising also
.
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Tuesday, Oct 26, 2010 at 11:09

Tuesday, Oct 26, 2010 at 11:09
I don't know Bonz - have you got the chardonay yet ?

Think its a bit early also - but certainly needs to be decided a bit before the 2011 event.



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