That's the spirit, Margo - about time you returned. Mike will survive!

Best wishes to Mike.
Alan

For me it would be Sydney in April or Cairns in June.

I can do Cairns,too.

Sydney would be great as that's where I live, but Cairns would be fine too. Perth gets a bit expensive and it's a total of 8 or 9 hours flying so I'd prefer not to have it in Perth. However, I'll go with the majority though.

I can't wait to meet everyone, I was really sorry I couldn't get to Melbourne. If we decide on Sydney and wanted a walk, there is a great walk from The Spit Bridge to Manly.

Just a thought, how about making it Canberra in honour of Neil.

I hope I can make it wherever it is but June and July out for me in 2011 as I am in Bali in June for a week and then to Europe probably late June to enable being in Berlin for a conference first week of July .

shandy that's a great idea.

Hi everyone,

I've been a bit disinclined to bring this to the surface with Neil and all, but I'm sure he'd probably want me to get things moving along just the same.

Cairns seems to be getting quite a few votes doesn't it? Gee that'd work for me I'd have to say. Now June/July seems iffy for a quite a few so I'm thinking of..........

Cairns in May 2011!

Well, that's my vote anyway - I'd love to see as many people as possible attend. So folks what are your thoughts?

I'd be happy with Cairns in May. Or the Gold Coast.

My thoughts are that May might work because it's not school holidays, so should be able to get some decent fares & accommodation deals - and Cairns or Gold Coast weather might be a nice change from the cold in the southern/eastern States.

Both also offer a good range of things to do within easy reach, so if people wanted to stay an extra day or two, it might be a nice mini-break.

If it is in Cairns I guess that most of the organisation will be done by Pat and myself. Pat we could progress along the Esplanade, eating a drinking as we go.

Am I right in guessing that it should include a weekend? The 21st is out for me as I have a tour booked. How about the weekend of the 28th & 29th. As a second choice the 14th and 15th.

If I am to run the group tour as I suggested, maybe that could be on a Friday with the GTG proper on the Saturday evening. This would give those who can only make a very short break the chance to attend the GTG and get back for work on Monday!

Suggest we vote for date first and then start worrying about the details.

I would love to come! Cairns for the weekend might work for me, I'll know closer to the time.

On enough notice to buy well priced tickets or use frequent flyer points to travel ,Cairns in May is possible for a long weekend so I can also visit friends in Palm Cove .Happy to go to Sydney as well or Adelaide or Brisbane .

Stormbird - you have mail.

I'd have to say I'd be happy with either date Alan - would others mind letting us know your thoughts.

Now regards the onus on you both Pat and Alan - It's a tough job but somebody has to do it! But thank you in advance.

Anytime in Cairns is fine with me, as long as there's a few months' notice. Was sorry to miss the Melbourne GTG, but had already planned a trip to Turkey.

Don't worry, stormbird, Alan and I can handle it if Cairns is decided - I guess where actual GTG is held will depend on whether people want to stay in town or one of the northern beaches, such as Trinity Beach or Palm Cove, where there's no shortage of good spots to dine and wine.

Despite talking about eating our way along the Esplanade I would plumb for one of the northern beaches.

Votes on dates please and does it have to be over a weekend?
from above, "The 21st is out for me as I have a tour booked. How about the weekend of the 28th & 29th. As a second choice the 14th and 15th."

For me, yes, it would need to be a weekend.

Either 14th/28th would be fine with me.

Definitely a weekend and the 28th is good for me!

I really hope I can come. It woul dhave to be a weekend.