Astrofest 2005!

[ving]

I dont know if its been posted here yet but I found this:
http://www.qldastrofest.org.au/

its queensland "astrofest" and it held on the 1st to 7th of august at linville queensland (you queenslanders have funny names :P)

anyhow, I just thought I'd point it out to any q/land people here that might be interested. looks like a decent program :) :thumbsup:

[h0ughy]

I am looking forward to travelling from Newcastle to Duckadang there for the event :D

[ving]

are you really going houghy or are you pulling my leg?
:)
just cant imagine too many novacastrians (sp) going tis a long haul...

[[1ponders]]

It's a big event up here ving. Its only about and hours drive from me:D Might have to take a sickie.

[ballaratdragons]

That sounds very good!

Our hope is that our IceInSpace Snake Valley Camp becomes as big and as popular by it's 2nd or 3rd year.

The similarities between the two is uncanny.(Equipped Kitchen, Lake, BBQ, distance from a Capital City, etc.)

Anyone attending Astrofest please feel free to share ideas with John (xstream) and me so we can develop and improve Snake Valley for the benefit of us all.

Wish I could get up there for it.

[h0ughy]

I am really truely going, with 12" LX200 and the PST!!!!!! :D And for the whole week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[astroron]

I will look forward to seeing all you iceinspacers there from the Wednesday to the sunday astroron

[astro_south]

Although I haven't registered yet, I am planning on being there Friday & Saturday nights (and maybe Thursday night if I can swing it). Be nice to meet up with you Houghy!

[h0ughy]

to say that i am looking forward for this camp is an understatement. Whats the weather like there in winter!

[astro_south]

It is pretty close to Astroron - I'm sure he will tell you it is cold :cold: !!! - even though its August

[astroron]

Hi houghy the temp can get down to -7c so lots of warm clothes for the night time but the day time is shorts and Tshirts from about 08;00.
PS Dont forget the Beannie astroron

[h0ughy]

Sounds like some interesting viewing, and maybe de-icing the scope!

[astro_south]

Of course - this is a couple of Qld'ers telling a southerner about the cold - shorts and a shirt will probably do you - bring an ice vest for daytime :D :P

[ballaratdragons]

And here I was thinking it might be a good trip up there to get away from the cold for a few days and you tell us it's -7!!!

I think I will stay here in my nice warm -2.

[Dennis]

Hey Ken & Houghy

Don't let Ron (the scouse git) spook you winter-hardened guys from "down South"; in the 10 years that I have been attending Qld Astrofest, on only 2 occasions was it warmer in the walk-in freezer (-4 deg C) that outside.

Mostly it hovers around 0 deg C and there is a great kitchen with a zip water boiler for warming cups of tea and coffee.

It would be great to see you guys up here. WARNING: Only once in 10 years have we lost the whole week due to bad weather and that happened in 1998 I think, when a few New South Welshfolk came all the way up.......but don't let that put you off.

Often, Mike & Don from Bintel visit to sell their wares, so you'll have some company.

Cheers

Dennis

[ballaratdragons]

Hmmm. Sounds tempting!

[h0ughy]

I am looking forward to the trip. a lot of driving but the result will be great. Do you have any happy snappy's of the area and the event from years gone by!!!

[Dennis]

Hi Houghy

I wrote an article, with pictures, for our club magazine for the 2003 event, which was the 10th year. I'll hunt it down and send it to Mr. Iceman himself to add to this site.

Cheers

Dennis

[h0ughy]

That would be nice Dennis :thumbsup:

[astroron]

:astron: :astron: Hi Houghy, the qld astrofest have a website with pictures and info,just go to Google and type queensland astrofest you will find it quite informative also you will find a regristration form. (Thanks for the complements Dennis). Regards astroron
Ishould have looked at the first post :ashamed:

[Dennis]

Hey Ron

No worries mate - I have never forgiven you for star hopping to that comet quicker than I could GoTo with my new beaut toy. See you in August at Duckadang?

Cheers

Dennis

[ballaratdragons]

There are no pics in their website. Only a group shot.

[astroron]

Hi Ken, if you go to page 68 of the January edition of Australian Sky And Telescope, there is an article about the Queensland AstroFest, it will give you some idea what its like . Regards astroron

[ballaratdragons]

Ron,

I only have the May edition. Only just started buying it. Thanks anyway.

[astro_south]

BD

check out the SAS website ( http://www.sas.org.au/ ). They have a page there of Astrofest photos (link labelled "Click here to see photos of QLD Astrofest 2004") including years gone by.

[ballaratdragons]

Andrew, on my to have a look now. Thanks.

[ballaratdragons]

Hehe, I saw Ron in there with his cannon. Recognised a couple others too.

Love the binocular chair! Thanks for that Andrew.

[xrekcor]

Iwas planning to go to last years event. But from memory astro toys or Astrofest was the choice, and astro toys won!! :ashamed:

But thanks for reminding us Ving, will try make it this year. :D

It would be good to meet up with a few of the IceInSpacers

I would be happy to wear my free promotional IceInSpace jacket too! :D

Just looking at the program. It only seems to mention Friday and Saturday as having events on. What happens on the other 4 days?

Ok I'm going, I'll want to be there for Peter Read - "Secrets of Building Your Own Obsession..." on Friday. So head up first thing Friday morning. And stay through until Sunday.

Astro_south, dumpie, westsky... you guy's going?

regards

[astro_south]

Rob

I'm registered for Friday and Saturday nights. There will be a bed for you and Jake in Brisbane if you wish to come up here on Thursday evening - break the trip up for you and make you more refreshed to observe Friday night - up to you mate. PM me closer to the date.

[[1ponders]]

Fingers crossed, I'll be there, maybe Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

[xrekcor]

Andrew sounds like that could be a go! what time you thinking of heading up there Friday?

Was even thinking of the possibility of heading up Thursday, to do some observing.

I guess the first few days are for people to settle in and get some observing done before the weekend events happen.

regards

[astro_south]

Rob

It will be early Friday morning I head up. Want to get setup before all the activities on Friday - I want to attend Peter Read's talk as well!

[astroron]

I will be at Duckadang from Wednesday onwards camped in the Big Dob field, come up and say Gd,day.astroron

[h0ughy]

I will do just that. I will be there from monday night and leave on sunday.
:2thumbs:

[astroron]

:thumbsup: I look forward to seeing you. astroron

[xrekcor]

astroron & Houghy

I think I'll do the same, it will be great to meet both of you, will be there from Friday morning on.

catch you there, Mmmm wouldn't mind winning that PST :love:

regards

[h0ughy]

yes they're great value, mind you photography through one in near impossible :D

[Dennis]

Hi Guys

Here is a picture of the accommodation facilities. The two main dormitories have several "open" rooms off a main corridor, each one with two bunk beds (i.e. 4 beds in total). One dorm is for "all nighters" meaning that noise is prohibited until after 10:00am allowing you to catch up on your beauty sleep. Each dorm has its own toilet and shower facilities. There is a family dorm too, for mums & dads with ankle biters.

Also attached is a photo of one of the observing paddocks showing the dorms and kitchen.

If you register and pay before the 1st July you will be in the running for a chance to win 6 nights accommodation at next years Queensland Astrofest. Note that although you can register on-line, you CANNOT pay on-line.

There are no Credit/debit cards or EFTPOS facilities at Camp Duckadang although some of the Suppliers (e.g. Bintel) will accept your credit card when making equipment purchases, by completing a form and when Mike returns to Sydney, he debits your card. There is a reasonable small-town supermarket in Kilcoy, a 50 minute drive from Duckadang.

If anyone has any other questions, please let me know and I’ll try to answer them.

Cheers

Dennis

[iceman]

So who's going to print out a bunch of IceInSpace pamphlets and leave them laying around the place? :)

Who's the appointed publicity officer for the weekend? :poke: :D

[Dennis]

Hi Mike

At previous Qld Astrofests, all registrants received a free “goodies” bag which included pamphlets from sponsors, advertisers, etc. I'll enquire to see if they are doing the same this year. If so, I would be happy to pass on any material for inclusion in the bags, as some of the organizers are in our club, the BAS.

Also, in the dining room, there is a table where you can leave stuff for people to pick up and read / take with them. Most years we have approx 100 attendants to give you an idea of numbers.

Cheers

Dennis

[h0ughy]

dennis,

I will be camping in a tent, what toilet and shower facilities are available for camping.

[xrekcor]

Houghy

I heard they stick a hose and a bucket at the rear of ya tent :D

regards

PS: an extra $2 you get a tarp for walls

[h0ughy]

WOW, I HOPE iTS WARM WATER :rofl: