Hope no one minds if I start this thread off, but I'm just home after a fantastic weekend at Bowna north of Albury. A big thanks to the ASAW committee & volunteers for their efforts in organising this star party, and I hope it becomes an annual event.
We had some problems with the weather, but I still got some good observing in on Friday. A local bloke Mick Nolan and I had great fun till about 3am chasing down globular clusters in his 10" SCT. The ASAW had really good events & contingencies planned, so I don't think the poor weather Sat bothered anyone. Highlight for me (and many others) was 'eavesdropping' on Rob McNaught talking to David Levy via live audio link.
Anyway, I've got a few photos to post - included are 'astro photos' which I'd rather post here to show that we at least had a taste of the potential of this site. Thanks again everyone, and it was great to catch up with lots of 'names'!
Yes - well the scope never got out of the tent, but the son-inlaw and myself still had a good weekend.
The Resort looks like it will be a great venue for future events.
I for one, appreciated not having to take my own camping gear with the usual setup and pulldown tasks - and the packing and transporting.
The onsite tent option we took was just great - pretty warm inside, double bed and bunks with mattresses that you COULD sleep on, fridge, stove, kettle, toaster - what more could you want? (there was even a small heater)
The organising committee had pretty much everything under control (accept the weather) and they must be congratulated on their efforts.
I for one, hope i can attend their next one.
we did a trip to Wodonga on friday (so that i could say i have been out of NSW).
called into the Ettamogah Pub for a beer and a burger on the way back.
and the only time we got lost was at the resort when we couldn't find our tent site after booking in (that's what happens when you go the wrong way down a one way street and can't see the numbers on the side of the sites)
didn't get to do the Astrodome, but that was our fault, too much other stuff to do like drinking beer and doing the vendors stall on saturday.
I had a wonder time, the journey from Melbourne was easy and the resort was such a great location for a star party. It was nice just too up pack the car and get straight to work doing the things amateur astronomers do. It was also great to catching up with old friend, particular Bob Price who I had not seen for ten or so years, what a wonderful gentleman and making new friends as well. To Petra, David, John, Anna and those on the committee, you did a fantastic job in organizing such a successful event even with the weather the way it was.
Book me in for next year; I am packed and ready to go.
Firstly I would to start with a huge thanks to all of our guests if there is anything that impresses me most is your patience and commitment to your passion.
I have been flicking through the evaluation sheets that many of you completed before leaving on Sunday and despite the weather you still had a good time. I would like to say you have given us some excellent suggestions especially regarding public viewing and new star party guests. We will be working on those two in particular to make your time here next time more enjoyable.
One of ASAW key aims was to raise the awareness in our region of astronomy. We achieved this with well over 600 people visiting, a combination of being on-site or during the Public viewing from Friday morning to Petra and I finally leaving at 5pm Sunday afternoon.
The CosmoDome was a hit but the man in the orange NASA suit was a bigger hit, many thanks to Miles who has more patience and stamina than anyone I know. He survived 25 straight sessions running the CosmoDome starting at 9am Friday to finish sometime around midnight. Yes we did let him have a few bottles of water and a bite to eat.
Don Whiteman headed an all star guest speaker list setting the day off on a great note. One of the most successful moments and there were many of those was the interaction between Rob McNaught and David Levy, you could hear a pin drop. Although it started off with some minor technical difficulties our sound crew Rob Bruce and our guests perservered only to be rewarded with a monumentous occasion. Well done to Petra for pulling that one off.
Another one of those moments was Rob McNaught winning a Deep Sky Planner from Knightware.
Many thanks to Rob, David and Don for agreeing to be a part of our inaugural event, there is not much that can be as special as that. Many thanks to Mike Salway, we hope you are feeling better and look forward to seeing you next time well done to Kate and all of the prize winners.
Mick Laws meteor cratering and balloon rocketry were highlights with both the kids and adults having a ball. I am buying a paddling pool, cocoa and flour tomorrow.
As it turned out the best viewing night was Friday after 10pm some dedicated amateurs were up till 4am viewing with one of our dedicated volunteers well done Mick Nolan.
The reward for me personally was to catch up with good friends to be a part of something special and to be supported by a simply terrific team.
To all of our sponsors many thanks for your committment and support to making the event memorable.
Hi Guys, yep it was a great event and i will post something a bit more elaborate later as i still have to sort through abour 500 pic's.
So have a look at this lot, and I'm sure you will be able to pick out the people and their.
As you can see there was plenty of mixing, playing, musical stuff, eating and drinking and Moon crater making for the kids, also the Salwys walked out with most of the door prizes, lucky buggers .
Anyway it was a great event, and my hat off to all those that made it possible.
I had a wonder time, the journey from Melbourne was easy and the resort was such a great location for a star party. It was nice just too up pack the car and get straight to work doing the things amateur astronomers do. It was also great to catching up with old friend, particular Bob Price who I had not seen for ten or so years, what a wonderful gentleman and making new friends as well. To Petra, David, John, Anna and those on the committee, you did a fantastic job in organizing such a successful event even with the weather the way it was.
Book me in for next year; I am packed and ready to go.
It was great catching up with you and Roger I am dissappointed I didn't see you both before you left, so look forward to our next meeting. No doubt Petra will have a reason to pop in to the shop to buy something.
Hi Guys, yep it was a great event and i will post something a bit more elaborate later as i still have to sort through abour 500 pic's.
So have a look at this lot, and I'm sure you will be able to pick out the people and their.
As you can see there was plenty of mixing, playing, musical stuff, eating and drinking and Moon crater making for the kids, also the Salwys walked out with most of the door prizes, lucky buggers .
Anyway it was a great event, and my hat off to all those that made it possible.
Cheers Leon
As always great pics Leon, I think we should all consider you the photographic ambassador for star parties.
It was great catching up with you and Roger I am dissappointed I didn't see you both before you left, so look forward to our next meeting. No doubt Petra will have a reason to pop in to the shop to buy something.
Cheers
Dave
Hey Dave
Haven’t you heard, after your and Petra return from your little overseas trip and Roger’s get back from his were heading up that way again, looking about November, to fix Bob’s Navy binoculars. I think Petra maybe organizing there a little get together at Bob’s place.
I don't have time to write a full report of my family's experience at BSG yet, but I will take the time in the next few days to post some pictures.
Thanks to the ASAW and the BSG organising committee for a fantastically planned and executed event. It's a shame the weather didn't co-operate but that's the hobby we persist with
The facilities were first class (for a star party!) and made the weekend more enjoyable. The walk down to the dam looked close, but I swear it's about 1.5km each way! The water appears to recede before your very eyes The Cosmodome was great! The cabins were excellent. Disc golf was fun!
Many thanks to the sponsors who donated great prizes for the competition - especially to Bintel, Mogg Adapters and Camera House. My wife Kate was fortunate enough to win the 10" Lightbridge in the door prize! We're very excited.. she said she'll let me use it occassionally But I think she needs some cold weather training before she's ready to use it It's gotten me excited to do some visual observing again, since the 12" on EQ6 isn't really setup for comfortable visual use.
It was great meeting new friends and catching up with old ones again. Great to put a face to the names i've seen on the forums, including Rob_K, Leon, JohnG, tempestwizz and more.
Unfortunately I came down with the flu on the Friday and felt like crap on Saturday night, so I couldn't spend the time socialising with everyone. The flu stuck with me for the whole time down in Bright too and is only now starting to leave me.. just in time to go back to work on Monday.
Thanks again to Dave, Petra, John and Anna especially. Always a pleasure in your company. Also to Rod and his family, Gary and Mai, Roger and Anthony from Bintel, Geoff (owl and starkler) and of course everyone else I've forgotten.
Good luck with the next event and I'm sure it will be just as successful.
Thanks for posting the photos guys. You all look so beautiful!! Couldn't make it this time but hope to catch up with you border folk sometime soon. Wanted to go observing this w/e but right now I'm all flued out...
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But I think she needs some cold weather training before she's ready to use it 
