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If we are going to get people from further afield than the monthly crowd, I think we would be well advised:
1. to have it over at least 2 nights running
2. to organise something gastronomical as well as astronomical for one or both nights, perhaps catered by a catering company so we don't have to worry about organsiation or cooking, just collecting fee for meal.
3. to give everyone at least a couple of months notice.
It is a bit of a way off, but one option would be the Australia Day long weekend in January 2006. The 26th is a Thursday - I'm not sure what the public holiday situation is, but if Friday is a working day, half the working population is bound to have a self-decared holiday that day, anyway. I think this is a better option than December because there is usually lots happening in December socially - work Xmas parties, school functions (for those of us with children), etc. Then again, there is the heat factor (and bush fires, blow flies and thermal currents) in mid summer, which could make things very uncomfortable if we wait until that time of year.
For it to be successful, some people will need to put their hands up to do some organising, and poor old Mike, who has enough on his hands keeping 403+ members from mutiny, shouldn't be lumbered with it. Let's not get too formal about it, though, cos we all want to have fun, and not get bogged down in too much detail.
If we use the Kulnura site, I reckon that we should collect a donation at least to be given to the site owner in gratitude for letting us use the grounds. (Incidentally, I have been wondering whether those of us who use the facilities each month shouldn't chip in a bit each month in that regard, but I digress). Kulnura would be ideal in terms of having a meals area and toilets set up, and wide open spaces for camping.
I agree with Greg Bryant that Kulnura is a good location in terms of its drawing area - handy to both Sydney-siders and Novacastrians, as well as Central Coasters.
It is always worthwhile considering what the purpose of such an event is, especially given that there are other star parties on the calendar around Oz for those who are interested in that sort of thing. What would be distinctive about an IceinSpace star party, for example? Maybe that prompts a more profound question, of what is distinctive about the Iceinspace community, generally? In that regard, my view is three factors:
1. The forum allows instanteous discussion about astronomical events and observing as they occur, rather than a rigid monthly or fortnightly meeting that may not always co-incide with a person's other commitments or interest;
2. Visitors to the forum can pick and choose whatever is of interest to them at the time, and ignore things that do not interest them, without being concerned about offending anyone (the anonymity of the 'Net); and
3. Everyone is so incredibly friendly and helpful, particularly to newbies who may not be at all comfortable walking in on a society function where they feel as if they know no-one and know nothing!
I would recommend that in light of the above, we avoid organising too rigid a program, and that our emphasis be upon newbies. For example, during the day we could have an owner of each of the main types of telescopes give a bit of a speil about how their scope design works, what it cost, how to set it up etc. We could also have someone give a beginners tour of the night sky.
I am very much looking forward to being at the inaugural NSW IceinSpace Star Party.
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