This isn't a bad idea.
Queensland was supposed to be next but there's also the thought that holding it on the same weekend every year at the same location has value as well (look at the Deni ute muster). I definitely think a poll is worth having, particularly on locations.
The original idea was to put the event at a central location (Gilgandra is about as central as we could get for the four highest population centres), then follow it up by moving to various states to let more people from those states come along and have fun.
Naturally the original event had more NSW people show than anyone else. We expected that there'd be more Victorians for this year's event but apart from Geoff, only ONE person from Vic had actually signed up. Note: we can't fork out money for shirts or hats and stickers and other stuff just based on the "I think I might come along ... oh fuggit, I might go wash my favourite bonsai pot".
I must also add that the committee was rather screwed around this year with numerous delays - probably not intended to sabotage the event but that was what the result was. We couldn't get a venue early enough, and when we finally could, some other bastards had "just booked in ahead of us" so we had to look elsewhere. As it was, we had to change weekends because of a conflict with other groups. I don't think this gained us much favour with potential attendees.
Personally, I'm determined that this won't happen again. Either we get a firm commitment from attendees (which means cash, people) or the event doesn't happen. We'll also make DAMN sure that once the venue is picked, we'll secure the date and start asking people to cough DEPOSITS. Not the full amount. Just a token $20 or so per car will do, so that we can get actual numbers much, much earlier.
Part of our problem this year was planning how much of everything to get. How many people were coming? How many cars would there be? How many people had experience in off-road recovery, first aid etc? We didn't know. There was a lot less hype this year too - I do think BossHog was a solid, driving force and kept the momentum up. He's obviously good at that sort of thing. Add to that the loss of committee members, plus Luke losing his job and we really were behind the 8-ball.
But, maybe we should learn from this and leave the bad shit behind and start with next year.
Where do we go? Janowen Hills 4WD Park has good camping facilities and 4WD tracks of various grades. Good? I've had this place recommended to me by several people so naturally it's high on my list of places to check out. Luke (now Chairperson of the committee) has been there and rates the place very highly. Are there other places that should be considered? We need to have the following facilities:
* Toilets - preferably flushing, NOT pit/composting
* Garbage disposal
* Showers
* Undercover areas in case of rain
* Mustering area for welcomes, speeches, handouts & photos
* Circle Work Area (see, "CWA" is NOT something purely for women).
* 4WD tracks close by
* Nearby destinations of interest
* Fuel
Losing ONE of these things shouldn't be considered an event-killer. It's also nice to consider things like this:
* Entertainment - could just be campfires, but roping Lee Kerneghan might be fun (that is ROPE with an O)
* Food - a supplied dinner on one of the nights goes down well
* A separate area for kids to play in away from the vehicles and traffic
* The possibility of night 4WDing
* Phone/mobile internet coverage
* Having the site to ourselves
These things were all covered by the committee. We had one night run last year, we opted out of the band which was good because we didn't quite have enough money to cover it (although we could have gotten Kurt Cobain with a Ouija board). Ados also fulfilled ALL of the other requirements - even the little waterfall (who remembers its name? Hickey Falls!) - and of course Siding Springs Observatory.
There might be more things to consider. If there are, tell us! Help us - we're not doing this for ourselves, it's for everyone!
Most importantly, be up-front. If you want to go, say so and stand behind it. If you would like to go but can't stand the prick that writes these interminably long posts and THAT is why you won't go, then just say so. Unless we get good, accurate feedback, it's very difficult to guess. We've tried crystal balls and the only thing the bitch said was that my great uncle was now dead (duh), I'd come in to money within the week (yes, I got paid) and someone I knew would become sick. Like that doesn't happen every day.
So, yes - this is a good idea. Get the discussion happening.
