Central Coast Astronomy club

[Arthur Alchin]

Just a simple question from a simpleton.

Is there an astronomy "club" on the central coast (NSW) or is there only the get together on the new moon at kulnura??

It would be good to get together with some of the locals on a regular basis and share some information etc and maybe have a barbie ( not the dolly variety) and a beer /wine / capuccino etc.

I am sure there is a vast expanse of knowledge out there just waiting to infiltrate the heads of us newbies.

Arthur Alchin

[GTB_an_Owl]

Astronomical Association of the Central Coast (02) 4343-4735

this seems to say so Arthur - but i really don't know

Mike will answer this one i am sure

geoff

[Rodstar]

Arthur & Geoff, there was some discussion a couple of years ago about perhaps forming such a club. The view of those of us involved in the discussion at the time was that we wanted to concentrate our efforts on observing rather than administration, meetings, constitutions etc etc. Put simply, we could not really see any advantage, and certainly did not have the time, to be going down a formalised "club" path.

I very much enjoy the informality of what we currently have with the meetings at Kulnura. There is plenty of exchange of information (and often food and wine) at such events, without any of the administrative trappings.

In terms of astronomical outreach, the ASNSW certainly sees itself as having such a mission which would encompass the central coast area, and 3RF is also beginning to get involved in this regard.

I would personally rather steer clear of the politics that such clubs usually develop. There are a number of astronomy clubs in Sydney, one in the Hunter, and one in Newcastle already, if that is your bag.

What advantages do you see, Arthur, in setting up a formal club structure?

[Arthur Alchin]

I have worked with the health department for 30+ years and see no benefit at all in "formal structures"

If anything I find they are destructive to time and friendships.

I only enquired as to to find out whether the "central coast locals" have a venue where they congregate in the safety of numbers and share and enjoy more than once a month.

If there has been a move in the past to avoid a formal organisation i will absolutely respect the decisions by those who have gone before us, seeing as they have had the discussions and weighed up the pros and cons.

Arthur

[iceman]

Hey Arthur.

As Rod said, a few years ago a few interested locals discussed it, but none of us really wanted to get tied up in the politics and formal structure of an astronomy society. We didn't really have the time or inclination to do it like that.

So we continued with our informal monthly observing sessions, for Central Coast locals, as well as our visitors from Sydney and Newcastle areas.

For all of the other things, like catching up, chatting, asking questions, share and enjoy each others company etc, is all done here on IceInSpace, as well as the other star parties around NSW each year.

The beauty of the informal observing sessions is that everyone who is there, wants to be there and wants to be there to observe, or join in the good company and friendly banter.

2.5 years ago I didn't know a single person on the Central Coast that was into Astronomy - now there's a group of 6-20 of us (not just from central coast) who meet up at Kulnura each month and it's such a great, friendly time. There's probably about 20 members of IceInSpace who are from the Central Coast as well.. there's more out there than I imagined :)

[DARKMATTER]

I'm only new to all this and looking forward to your next Kulnura outing.

why don't you go along to Arthur?

I Believe you said previously all are welcome right Mike?

Paul.

[Rodstar]

Paul and Arthur, and anyone else interested is most welcome to come any and every time we meet. No need to give advance notice....please come along, and share our common passion for the stars (and nourishment)....:) :screwy:

[Deeno]

A peek through Rods 20" dob is worth the trip alone:jawdrop:

[nightsky]

G'Day,
Just to add my 2 bob's worth :P I agree with all thats been said above.In the early 90's someone put a add in the local paper asking if anyone would be interested in forming a "Astronomy Club" in the Gosford area, there was a great response and we held our first meeting in a spare room at Gosford Hospital, some were there to sell there goods,other's for power ie wanting to be on the committee etc the self appointed President (also a employee of Gosford Hospital) can't remember his name.Anyway things got out of hand (for me)with insurance,rules,and should we be incorporated and of course the usual politics and back stabbing etc etc etc. I know Andrew Murrell put his heart and soul into it and give a lot of talks and demo's,we also brought our Telescopes around to local parks for the general public and schools kids,
Andrew with his 20 inch and my 18 inch (telescopes that is :P )as did some of the other members.As for me I stopped going after a few months because of the all the politics etc. So Arthur if you want to chew the fat and have a cuppa and exchange views try it round a camp fire, go to Kulnura or and Ilford and stay clear of Clubs, not all clubs of course the ASNSW is a great club as are many others.
Cheers
Arthur
P.S. I must make the effort and get to Kulnura soooooon :)

[JohnG]

Hi

Ah yes, I was a member of the Central Coast Astronomy Club in the early days, as was my brother, don't remember much about the club though, as I was only a "grunt". I do remember going out to Warnervale Airport with other people on a few occasions for "dark sky" viewing.

I imagine that it is totally light polluted by now, been a while since I have flown into there.

Cheers

JohnG

[nightsky]

G'Day John,
Your surname rings a bell? just looked at your web page Great setup M8
Cheers
Arthur

[JohnG]

My brother's name was Greg, he was more involved with the club than me, I only attended when I was on the Coast, I was in the Cooma area then.

Cheers

JohnG

[nightsky]

G'Day John,
I remember Greg well,please give him my best regards :)
Cheers
Arthur

[JohnG]

Will do :thumbsup:

He lives in Lynchburg, Virginia in the USA now.

Cheers

JohnG

[ballaratdragons]

You guys that have had bad experiences with clubs must have been in the same situation I was in with the Society I used to be with. All meetings and bickering, but no observing.

But don't let that put you off forming a club in the future. It can work. We run our SVAA in an active observing way. The past has taught me much.

When I held the 'Interested Parties' information night (I advertised it in the local newsletter), I stressed at the outset that the SVAA is NOT going to be a club of 'meetings', but a club of 'observers'. We have stuck to that policy.

Yes, there are clubs that are dominated by the founder/self-made President, and I was also aware of that danger too. I told the attendees that although I am starting the SVAA, I do not intend to be the President, and I'm not.

Why a formalised 'Club' then? Because we want to build an observatory out here in the dark. And to obtain grants, land, etc, you have to be formalised. We also have a club library were members can borrow books, EP's, Telescopes etc. making gear available to anyone wanting to be involved. Also, kids like to 'belong'. We are very interested in helping kids with Astronomy, and the library helps them. They can take the telescopes, binoculars etc home. We have a clubroom where we can sit & chat on cloudy nights which is a great meeting place, and visitors are always welcome and know where to find us.

As far as the 'Group Night Talk', it is held out on the observing field while looking at what is being talked about, not a picture of it projected on a whiteboard! Geez, the real thing is outside!!

We are fortunate to have members that just want to observe together, not bicker about who's turn it is to take the rubbish out.
Yes, we could be a group of observers without formalisation, but this way the library is always there, the clubroom is always there, the 'belonging' for kids is always there, and the observatory will one day be there.

Don't be afraid to form a club, just set some ground rules first.

And your first rule should be: Lots of fun observing together!
Your second rule is: put your spare astro stuff in the groups library for others (especially kids) to borrow.

Club matters can be discussed casually on the observing field when the need arises. That's how we do it, and the kids contribute with ideas too. And it's all one happy family discussing their clubs future at the same time as observing and enjoying our hobby.

[spacezebra]

Hi Ken

Its good to see that evolution in a club.

My society is keen to, and has now moved to a "limited meeting" format. After the formalities are over..

Astro presentation (focus on a constellation or planet) and then outside - sky tours and observing. Its not perfect - but its moving in the right direction.

Cheers Petra

[nightsky]

G'Day B D,
I'll be short here and go straight to one very important point.it's sounds like a great idea,but what happens when one of the kids or any visitors gets injured tripping over a tripod leg or something, you "Have" to have insurance and I might be wrong here,but as far as I know if your not "Incorporated" then you and those in charge can be sued. Don't think it can't happen it just takes one injury and a good lawyer and you and your home is gone. There's a lot more to it than just a good get together. Anyway I wish you luck and hope that you prosper in your project.
Cheers
Arthur

[Rodstar]

Arthur, you may be overstating that point a little.

We made enquiries when getting insurance for Lostock, and a year's insurance for an astronomy club would only be a few hundred dollars.

With the Civil Liability Act in NSW, which took effect in about 2001, it is much harder to bring personal injury claims like in the good/bad old days. I have runs hundreds of such cases in the past, but the personal injury landscape has totally changed in the last 5 years or so, there is a fraction of that sort of litigation going on these days, which in turn has made insurance costs less.

[ballaratdragons]

We have insurance! What a wierd comment to make. Do you really think we would have an Association without it?

We use the only Astro-based insurance in Australia. Laurie (Rajah) dedicated many threads ages ago trying to explain to people about this particular insurance that he helped set up with an insurance company!

What happens if little Johnnie trips over a tripod leg at Mikes 'Kulnurra nights' etc. How about the groups that meet as free agents, saying 'a club' is too much political back-stabbing. A law suit waiting to happen? Yep. But all they see is the 'hassles'. Don't form a legal club if you hate them that much, just list your regular participants and insure them!



Our whole membership is covered for public liability, personal and property damage, at club events, Camp, public nights, and if we go into shopping centres, schools etc. and it is only $92 a year!!!



Not that much to do EXCEPT have a good get together. Too many people get bogged down in Politics!

Good luck with our 'Project'? I didn't realise a registered, insured, Council-backed, legitimate Association was a - 'Project'.

[iceman]

They're not my Kulnura nights. I'm just an attendee like everyone else.

However it mightn't be a bad idea to get insurance for the regulars.

[ballaratdragons]

"Mikes" - Probably a bad choice of term. Sorry. I just associate Kulnura as something you held.

The only reason I am saying what I am saying is because Clubs don't have to be bogged down in Politics. Those days are gone of 'official' 'by-the-book' formal meetings.

If a person doesn't want to join a club, they don't have to. Thats what is good about free choice. But if you are going to meet as a group, anywhere, it is dumb not to, at least, have insurance.

It sounds like the Kulnura group practically is a Club anyway :lol:

Not much involved in naming it (Kulnura Observers Group or some such thing) and insuring the regulars.

Mike, PM me if you want and I can give you some easy tips about Insuring your attendees.

[nightsky]

G'Day Rod,
Thanks for that info M8, I was thinking back to the early 90's,it's good to know that it's all changed now for the better :) as there are a lot of "compo" types out there trying to get a few dollars for nicks you know the type pretending to slip on super market floors etc
Cheers
Arthur

[nightsky]

G'Day BD,
Seems I upset you with my comments and choice of words, I apologies and assure you that was not my intention. I was only passing on what I had experienced in the past.
Cheers
Arthur

[ballaratdragons]

Yep Arthur, I had a very bad experience with a Society too. All meetings (about absolutely nothing Astronomical), and working bees.

That's what helped me organise one that doesn't fall into the trap. Our President and whole committee are like-minded in that way: "stuff the meetings, lets observe!"

We arrange Camps, funding, treasurers reports, general business etc on the observing field as general chat! And anyone present joins in.

I am not 'Pro' clubs, as some are just a political nightmare. But I'm not 'anti' clubs either. After the other Society I was in, I thought I'd never be involved in one again. But a bit of forethought and planning and we have a great community with ours. It also helps to have the Mayor on board :whistle: