Qld Astrofest - a big thank you!

[Dennis]

I would like to publicly thank Tony, Ann-Louise, Pat Pearl and the rest of the Organising Committee, as well as their band of cheerful helpers, for planning, organizing and running another enjoyable, fun and stimulating Astrofest.

I spent three years on previous organizing committees. Astrofest has gone from strength to strength since then, with heaps of improvements and additions, so whilst I have some insight into what it takes to manage these events, I cannot now imagine what effort, time and energy it takes to pull them off as successfully as was achieved in 2006.

From being there over the full 7 days and 6 nights, I was continually amazed at how smoothly and well organised the event was. Whilst there were some minor hiccoughs, and as always with these undertakings, some lessons learned, I salute, applaud and execute cartwheels for the dedicated people that delivered yet another Qld block busting extravaganza.

I don’t know how you guys and gals do this, with families, full time jobs, etc but everyone I spoke with had nothing but praise for you and the event.

Some of the personal touches, like Ann-Louise making privacy curtains for the hallway doors, made me realize how much thought and care went into the whole event and program.

Thanks Tony, Ann-Louise, Pat and everyone else, for making the event such a memorable and enjoyable affair!

Cheers and see you there next year!

Dennis

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Hear, Hear, Dennis. An alround fantastic event. The first mark on next years calendar will be for the astrofest. Book me in already.

[Dennis]

Hey Paul

It was really nice meeting with you too, as well as the other IIS team, not to mention the pleasure of conversing with your G-11.

Cheers

Dennis

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

y'know some people think I'm very witty and a great conversationalist, but little do they know what is actually sitting in this chair typing away with all the witticism. You're onto my secret


We'll have to get together again soon Dennis. It was a real pleasure meeting you. Unfortunately I didn't get to pick that brain of yours about your Jupiter capture and processing skills.

[ving (David)]

privacy curtains?!
sounds like it was well organised

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Even the Swedish belly dancers

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I missed the Belly Dancers, that must have been earlier in the week.
A great effort from all the organisers. Did they actually get to do any observing?

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

They came in the fire truck Jeanette. Talk to Lawrence and Bob. They were on about them all week.

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by ving

privacy curtains?!
sounds like it was well organised

Hi Ving

The two main dorms have communal corridors running down the middle. The external door to this corridor is the single red door at the gable end of the building.

This door leads into the corridor, and as you walk down the corridor, there are open door ways on the left that lead into each sleeping cubicle, which contain 2 sets of bunk beds (4 beds in all).

The toilets and showers are off to the right of this main corridor. So for the females, there is little privacy as there is a constant stream of traffic going up and down these corridors, to access the male cubicles, toilets and showers.

Ann-Louise keeps a couple of cubicles for married couples only (with no children), and a couple of cubicles for single females. To give a little more privacy, Ann-Louise sewed some nice drapes (Maroon in colour of course), with a thick lining to reduce noise and light ingress, for the female only cubicles. A thoughtful and loving gesture I thought.

Cheers

Dennis

[iceman (Mike)]

After organising IISAC earlier this year, I know how hard it is to organise an event like that, so I tip my hat to anyone who gives up their considerable time and energy for the cause.