George, Stan & Rover Reunion

It’s been a while. I have been extremely slack in updating you on the reunion plans. Apologies for that. We are right in the middle of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival at the minute….so I’ve had some…..diversions. It's also taken me 25 attempts to upload a couple of pictures in this post.
There seemed so much to tell that it was difficult to know where to start so this account is based on emails that have been flying between us over the last couple of weeks…..hopefully it all makes some sort of sense.

The Melbourne gang of John, Sandy, Peter, Margaret, Graham and Barb (+ husband Andrew) met up on Sunday October 15, and really there was hardly any change in appearances – give or take the odd wrinkle or two - amazing. Anyway it was a good day and we hope to arrange another some time over the summer months. Besides catching up on the last ten years or so we also tried to fine tune arrangements for the reunion. I think we went with the KISS principle- Keep It Simple Stupid.

So here is how we see things being organised

Monday to Friday March 19-23
People arrive in Melbourne. Do your own thing - Melbourne sightseeing/activities or trips to country Victoria, whatever. Possibly casual get-togethers in evening. We will organise Melbourne accommodation once we know your arrival and departure dates, and any special or particular needs.


Saturday 24th
Daytime: - Melbourne sightseeing.
Evening: BBQ at Graham's place in Rowville, which is about 30km South East of the city.
I won’t bore you with all the details we discussed. Besides, we need to keep some things as a surprise!

Sunday 25th
Marg suggested a visit to Werribee Open Range Zoo on the Sunday – nostalgia for some, and a new experience for those who missed the Africa trip. Two for the price of one – Africa in Oz. We all agreed to this idea and Marg later sent me this information on the Zoo and what they do (hey, I’m a poet, and I didn’t know it):

Entry fee to Zoo is $22. Seniors Concession $20. A group discount is available if you pre-purchase in excess of 20 tickets, therefore $19.80 with the 10% discount.
Zoo opens 9.00am - 5.00pm and safaris commence at 10.30am and go to 3.40pm, lasting for 40 minutes. However understand that some earlier safari departures go for some of their special or group tours, probably starting at 10.00am. I asked if we purchased tickets on a group basis whether we could book a time for a vehicle and was advised to ring a day or so before to try and organise, at least on the same bus, although I would also like to book a time for a safari as the earlier you go the better as you see more animals, and it also avoids the crowds.

A picnic ground is available at the zoo. If you want to book a group picnic size where BBQs are available it costs $70 and is under cover, otherwise you just take pot luck in the general picnic area which is free of charge. A kiosk is also situated in the zoo grounds and offers fast food and snacks. It may be better to have the picnic at the zoo rather than Werribee Park, as there is a charge of $12.50 to enter the park and the Mansion. This would make things a little expensive. There is however a Joint Zoo/Mansion ticket at $30.80. I believe a bit rushed to cover the Zoo and the Mansion, therefore probably not worth paying the extra to go to the park.

Some options are:
- Canoe Safari. Takes maximum of 18 people and lasts for two and a half hours. Cost $50 which includes canoe safari with equipment (you paddle), zoo entrance, safari bus tour and a stop on the river bank for morning tea. This leaves at 9.30am in the mornings.
- Open Vehicle Adventure with morning tea provided. $57 which includes admission. Takes maximum of 12 people and last 2 hours. Departs 9.30am Sundays and bookings essential.
- You might also be interested to know there are additional options of staying overnight on an "Out of Africa Night" at $205per person in 4 star luxury tents with an African BBQ feast, campfire and African drumming lesson. Maximum of 26 people, or else an option of a "Roar and Snore" night costing $150, which includes tent accommodation and dinner.

In view of the above information my recommendation would be to go the zoo (purchasing group tickets once we knew numbers) and trying to book an early safari departure, and either take a picnic lunch with us or just buy something at the kiosk. There is plenty to keep people occupied for some time at the zoo, once the safari has ended. We could then, as Barb suggested, head off to Queenscliff for a little look and across on the ferry to Sorrento for say 3 nights accommodation which may be more relaxing than returning to Melbourne accommodation and then going to Sorrento, however the latter option may be preferable for those departing on the Monday or Tuesday or who have some other plans.


Sunday night 25 to Tuesday night 27
We agreed on Sorrento as best place for an optional short break because, with people have varying departure dates, it’s so much easier to get back to Melbourne, and, as Barb and Andrew live in the area they offered to accommodate any late arrivals. They also offered their yacht for anyone wanting a nautical experience. Barb sent this picture and cautioned: "Our yacht is no 50 ft luxury vessel, just a 25 ft Catalina - but at least you don't get your bum wet .. and we can accommodate a dozen or so would-be old salts for a bit of social sailing...visiting the stinky bay seals and hopefully sighting a few dolphins."



As I mentioned in my last email to everyone, Barb has checked out accommodation alternatives in the area and had this to say on the place she recommended:

"In my opinion I don't think I will find anything more suitable for your needs. The lodge is casual and comfy with plenty of space for everyone. It has a very large open plan kitchen/living/dining room area, all kitchen equipment is supplied, the dining area has long trestle tables (perfect for sitting around and catching up on old times) the living area has plenty of couches to collapse in, there's a large TV, internet facilities, etc. and out the back is a great BBQ area. The bedrooms have the usual beach-house pine bunks, double and queen beds all freshly made up. It’s not a glitzy modern place with stainless steel everywhere and manicured lawns - or a B&B with starched sheets and postcard pretty gardens - its just like a nice big family beach house set among the tea-tree."

"I suggest arriving on Sunday evening because you could move straight in on arrival, however if the booking starts on the Monday you wouldn't be able to check in until 2 pm ...much more relaxing to have all day Monday free to do the "tourist things" (or sleep-in if desired!), As I mentioned to Marg, I'd be only too happy to buy the breakfast etc. supplies and have them there ready for your arrival so that everyone can just relax and enjoy themselves...you would only need to give me a shopping list! "

From everyone's emails (re: their plans), it appears that most would be spending a couple of days down at Sorrento, with a few staying on until Friday - so we won't need ALL the accommodation for the entire midweek.

Barb provides these tips for visitors to Sorrento:

"The Great Ocean Road - for those wanting to head across the bay to Lorne etc, its very handy from here on the Sorrento-Queenscliff car ferry which runs every hour 8am - 8pm.

Getting to and from Melbourne - If anyone wants to get back to/from Melbourne without a car, the excellent Peninsula Bus service runs approx. every 45 mins Sorrento-Frankston (& vice-versa) and meets the Frankston-Melbourne trains. "

Marg has found this proposed list of Events on in Melbourne (which have to be confirmed) that you might want to factor into your plans:

15-18 March. Formula One Australian Grand Prix
16-25 March. Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
16-25 March. Melbourne-Osaka Cup Yacht Race (Lou - this could be a cheap way to get back to Japan!)
17-1 April FINA Swimming World Championships
17-1 April Free FINA Cultural Festival
20-25 March Avalon Air Show
28-1 April Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show



From all correspondence I have received, my estimate of the number of people who will be coming for the reunion weekend is about 25.

OK, so that's how things stand at present. Once you have decided on your travel plans, please let me know your arrival and departure times so that we can make arrangements for your accommodation, and to get you to the City or airport, when you leave.

Marg has again dived into her diary and written an account of the trip around Oz. That should be the subject of the next post.