IIS Camp

[I.C.D (Ian)]

Is their a camp this year yes or no

[glend (Glen)]

No it was cancelled, there are some details in the usual thread I believe.

Your welcome to come astro camping with the people that go to Bretti Reserve northwest of Gloucester. Just follow the NSW Informal camping thread in the Star Parties sub-forum.

[I.C.D (Ian)]

Originally Posted by glend

No it was cancelled, there are some details in the usual thread I believe.

Your welcome to come astro camping with the people that go to Bretti Reserve northwest of Gloucester. Just follow the NSW Informal camping thread in the Star Parties sub-forum.

Thanks Glenn went to Bretti about 12 months ago there was a family from hell .It was all good till night then the male would start yelling and screaming threating his wife and family all night I think the guy was on ice but my wife will not go back.
Ian c

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Don't forget for those looking for a camp we have the SV camp coming up in a few weeks. Bit of a drive for those in NSW, but we have hot showers, cabins, a kitchen etc. (and the only ice is in the drinks!!)

Malcolm

[Allan]

Hey Malcolm, what's the biggest star party you have in Victoria? Is it the VicSouth Star Party, and how many attend? Cheers

[glend (Glen)]

Ian there are other locations we go to besides Bretti, just keep watch on the NSW Informal Camping thread is the Star Parties sub-forum.
Where ever you choose to go camping (outside of well organised astro events where your paying a fee for exclusive access and services like accomodation, power, etc, you run the risk of finding 'bad' people, and free camp reserves like Bretti don't have exclusivity in that regard ( you can find them in five star accomodation as well). I have only ever heard of two incidents at Bretti (including yours). You could go another 100 times and never have a bad time but that would be little comfort to your wife, and I understand that.
Perhaps one of the well organised events like SPSP, the Snake Valley camp in Victoria, or Qld Astrofest would be more suitable. If you do choose to do more informal astro camping then go in company of others from this forum. Good luck.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by I.C.D

Thanks Glenn went to Bretti about 12 months ago there was a family from hell .It was all good till night then the male would start yelling and screaming threating his wife and family all night I think the guy was on ice but my wife will not go back.
Ian c

As Glen said, you can find bad people anywhere, even in expensive caravan parks (my experience is that they are actually more prevalent in the paid van parks).
I have been to Bretti regularly over the last 6 years (4 or 5 times a year) always outside of "holiday periods" and never had a problem, actually, most people are friendly, sharing, and in bed by 9:30.

But I understand, you gotta make sure the missus is happy and feels safe.

But as Glen also says, you get that feeling of security when you travel with a group of us, we circle the wagons, and look out for each other.

Hope to have you along on one of our semi organised informal astro-camps in the future.

[iceman (Mike)]

Unfortunately I won't be holding an IISAC this year. It's a real disappointment to me, this would've been the 10th IISAC.

A combination of factors, including low attendance in the previous couple of years, as well as being very busy at work with some big KPI's to hit this quarter, mean I just don't have the time or willpower to organise it this year.

Apologies to those looking forward to it - i'm bummed too.

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Originally Posted by Allan

Hey Malcolm, what's the biggest star party you have in Victoria? Is it the VicSouth Star Party, and how many attend? Cheers

The biggest ones tend to be the ASV ones at Heathcote. I went to a Messier night there a few years back and there were over 250 there. Some of the ASV ones are only one night jobs, so if you want to stay longer than the designated "public" nights you must be an ASV member. VicSouth usually gets 50+ and the one back in November had over 80 registered.
Our Snake Valley get together is smallish. It is a fairly small site so we have a formal limit of 50. Over a 4 night period we often get around that number with people coming and going.
That said, I hope we run the friendliest camp in Vic! And while the facilities are basic, we always have hot showers, a full kitchen, meeting/dining room and we are only 30-40 mins out of Ballarat so easy to get to us or run into town for supplies.

Malcolm

[Allan]

Thanks Malcolm. I will try to make it down to Vic for a star party at some stage.

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Of course we are the home of star parties down here in Vic. The ASV runs 3 a year at Heathcote, there is Vicsouth at Nhill, 2 yearly at Snake Valley and Border Stargaze which while technically in NSW is only on the other side of a lake from Vic.
Some unkind souls may suggest we need that many to have a chance to get a clear night but the real reason is we Victorians love a get together!!

Malcolm