2001 Ozband Congress: Any Storm In A Port

[Guest guest]

At last night's Melbourne Meeting, it was decided to take the bull by the

horns and bring our first (hopefully annual) Ozband Congress back to basics.

Upon reviewing the facilities available at the Mt Martha Conference Centre,

it was realised that this place specialises in big shoulderpad corporate

conferences, with lots of digital this and speaker support that, which is

why the cost was hovering around $500 a head.

We certainly don't need that kind of conference firepower. The cost was

also chasing away a lot of the interstate Ozband members who we would really

like to attract ... we see enough of each other already.

Therefore, we decided to set some basic criteria and then work from there.

If it requires another series of polls, so be it, but the it was unanimously

felt that the 2001 Ozband Gabfest was heading in the wrong direction.

Here are some of the points we decided upon ... others who attended last

night's meeting (and took notes ... Gail?) may like to add to this ...

The congress would take place from 7pm Friday evening, March 16th with a

reception and conclude at around 3pm Sunday, March 18th, 2001 with an

afternoon tea.

The venue would be close to Melbourne, but offer opportunities for morning

and maybe afternoon walks. Places being looked at include town, St

Kilda, Brighton and Lilydale.

We should set a basic cost and work from there ... we chose $200 for

interstate members and $250 for Melbourne members, thereby subsidising those

attending from out of town. This may change as we look at hotels, but we

will endeavour to keep it close.

The accommodation would be 3 and a half to 4 star motel standard (Flag Inn)

with private facilities. There would be single rooms and suites for those

who want to share. No Grey Army Blanket, communal facilities or tinned

food. As we are only expecting maybe 30 people, we don't feel this will

knock out too many reasonably sized venues.

The hotel/motel we choose should have a reception room and/or restaurant.

Hopefully, they will be able to cover all of our meals, coffee, teas. We

will set the selections to be band friendly and include vegetarian/low fat.

Saturday dinner will be at a local restaurant which offers a band friendly

set menu and will be covered by the fee. Alcohol will be optional and the

responsibility of the individual.

Melbourne members will try and facilitate those visiting from interstate,

including picking them up at the airport, dropping them back and possibly

helping them extend their visit if they chose to stay longer.

Some of the possible sessions we discussed included Dixon, The Head

Band statistician and fill-meister to many Melbourne Bandsters, outlining

the State of the Band ... a nutritionist ... an exercise trainer ... various

Bandsters giving testimonials ... a clothes exchange (?) ... and the

congress should conclude by issuing some declarations regarding the

encouragement of support groups, publications, netsources and if we have

another congress in 2002 and where.

OK, Gang, let's start tossing this about again ...

Randall Berger

BioEnterics banded

@ 149kg Aug 11, 1997 (3 years)

Now 102kg (11-8-00)

57% of excess weight lost

BMI 33, down from 49

Current fill 3.2 ml

Prof. O'Brien

Melbourne, Australia