Urgent - Queensland Astrofest 2023

[thunderchildobs]

I am reposting the following with the permission of the Qld Astrofest Registrar, Tony.

(For the Mods, please allow the post to remain here for a few days before moving to the community area. It is important that the news to visible to as many people as possible.)


Dear Friends of Astrofest,

As you are no doubt aware, the Queensland Astrofest is fast approaching. It is slated to occur from the morning of August 11th until the morning of August 20th.

So a bit of background: Many attendees may not know that the Queensland Astrofest originated as, and still is, a multi-club activity. In previous years two representatives from each of the astronomy clubs in South-East Queensland would organise this event. Last year we ran the event with only three representatives; one each from the Brisbane Astronomical Society (BAS), the South East Queensland Astronomical Society (SEQAS), and the Astronomical Association of Queensland (AAQ). Currently we are a committee of one. This is not viable in the short or long term, so I need to ask a couple of questions to determine if we are to run the Queensland Astrofest in 2023.

Given that we expect to have fees similar to last year, that is approximately $45/night for an adult:

I would like to get an indication to roughly how many people would attend this year (e.g. 3 adults, 4 nights), and
How many would be able to devote time to their time to the committee.

Ideally we would require five members on the committee, about five helpers to attend the camp for two days before it opens to set-up, and at least the same at the end to pack up as a bare minimum.

Unless we have very strong support on the committee and attendance, this year’s event is not viable. Please respond to this email by Sunday evening so we may decide what direction to follow.

Please email responses to registrar@qldastrofest.org.au



Sincerely



Tony Surma-Hawes

Registrar

QLD Astrofest

www.qldastrofest.org.au

[thunderchildobs]

For those who do not want to be on the committee, but still wish to help you can help with the camp setup /packup. This includes things like
1) moving items from the storage area to where they are needed.
2) Installing the red lights
3) Setting up the light shields over the windows.
4) Setting up the power cables to the observing fields.
5) Marking out camping / caravan areas.
6) Placing the sleeping labels on beds.
7) Setting up the camp office.
8) Setting up the rotunda cooking area.

The setup generally occurs on the Wednesday, Thursday before the camp.
The thing to remember is that you are there to help setup the camp. Not to setup for your equipment early. That said, there is generally enough time to do your own setup anyway.

If you cannot help with the setup, there are plenty of other things you can help with.
1) Show first timers around the camp.
2) Help others moving gear.
3) Keeping the rooms clean.
4) Emptying the bins.
5) Moving the tables / chairs around.
6) New from 2022, monitoring flood levels :)

[QLD_Astrofest]

Thanks Brendan.

For ease of determining the level of interest in attending Qld Astrofest, the committee, or helping out, could you please email registrar(at)qldastrofest.org.au before Sunday night, replacing (at) with @.

Thanks everyone.

[h0ughy]

I couldn't think of a better way of getting the most out of astrofest. Count me in to help wherever I can. It's an institution, best in Australia.

[thunderchildobs]

Hi David,
if you haven't done so already, could you please email Tony with your response at
registrar@qldastrofest.org.au

thanks

[h0ughy]

Emailed it twice, because it's nice

[Drac0]

Emailed my intention to attend.

For anyone from NSW who would like to go but lacks transport, I may be able to fit in an extra, travelling from the South Coast of NSW. Can go via the coast or inland, depending where you are located. PM me if interested.

Cheers,
Mark

[h0ughy]

Brendan,
Did Tony receive our pleas for help. Has there been a decision

[thunderchildobs]

Tony received a number of responses, but I don't know the details.

Tony and Anne-Louise have organised a small "Friends of Astrofest" meeting on Tuesday (23/05) to discuss the Astrofest options and the responses received.
I guess Tony will post an update sometime towards the end of next week.

Brendan.

[h0ughy]

Thanks for that info Brendan. It would be brilliant to become a Happy fester;)

[alan meehan]

I would love to attend it may be my last

[thunderchildobs]

Thanks to all the people who responded for committee positions and with offers to help.

Enough people volunteered to form a viable committee for 2023.
A few more committee members would be nice to help spread the workload.

The committee is having a meeting with the Duckadang management late this week or early next week to discuss the camp.

Tony will post a formal update after the meeting.

Any questions please email registrar@qldastrofest.org.au

Brendan

[Drac0]

Fantastic to hear Brendan. This will be my first astro get-together of any type really, so looking forward to it & hoping to make it an annual holiday trip.

Cheers,
Mark

[thunderchildobs]

This thread has served its purpose.

Any further Astrofest information can be found in the "Queensland Astrofest 2023 Aug 11 to 20" in the "Star Parties" forum.