Kate and John (Scarlett Thunderbolt) would firstly like to thank the venue and the NSW team for organising a really enjoyable Wooli NR2017. We've been to two NatRallys now, Toowoomba NR2015 and Wooli NR2017, and we'll be basing the Mackay NR2018 on these experiences. One thing this year's event has made clear is that the best we can do is
keep it simple. Most OzSTOCers will have travelled a long way to get to Mackay next year, and cramming too much into the experience will not provide the best enjoyment. There's plenty to see and do if you're looking for activities, but for the rest of us we'll allow time to unwind, relax, socialise, have a beer in the sunshine and enjoy your surroundings. Our two weekend RTEs will offer members who haven't visited this area a chance to experience some beautiful tropical landscapes and memorable rides along the way.
The timing of the event on 10-12 August 2018 has been carefully planned to avoid any local or national public holidays, school holidays, Ulysses or Black Dog rides, Konvoy for Kids, or large local events such as QME (which gobbles up cheap local accommodation). It's also at a time of year when the weather will be warmer than that in more southern states, without the overpowering heat and humidity of high summer in the tropics.
For those who may be planning to come with a caravan/motorhome, we'd recommend booking your spot very soon. We're on the grey nomad route and much of the caravan accommodation is pre-booked months in advance. The event is within their peak season, so if you want to guarantee a place, do get in contact with the Big 4 Marine Tourist Park at
https://www.big4.com.au/caravan-parks/qld/mackay/mackay-marine-tourist-parkTel: 07 4955 1496
379 Harbour Road, Mackay, QLD 4740.
Cabins and tent sites are not in such great demand, so you can probably leave booking those a bit longer if you're not able to commit yet. We will publish prices soon, and when you book, please remember to quote OzSTOC so that we're grouped together. Please remember that you can keep prices down by sharing cabins. The holiday park has plenty of cabin accommodation varying from two to six people, and the camping sites vary from unpowered, to powered, to powered en suite, so there are options for every budget. If you're a Big 4 member, you'll receive a 10% discount. Once you've booked, please register, and if you're happy to share a cabin, say what cabin number you're in and how many beds you have available.
The Big 4 Marine Park is situated on Harbour Road, Nth Mackay, with the Marina, breakwater and Harbour Beach nearby. If you're feeling energetic, it's in walking distance from a small shopping arcade at Ungerer Street, 2km away, or more shops, takeaways and a pub at Evans Avenue / Malcolmson Street, 3km away. Otherwise, it'd be 5 minutes by bike or car, or there's a regular bus service into town from outside the holiday park. Stock up on grog and groceries when you arrive and you'll never need to leave...
We've found a spectacular venue for the rally dinner, but seating is limited to an absolute maximum of 80, including the guest speaker, so it'll be a first come, first served deal. Register promptly to secure your spot :-) Late comers may find themselves without a ticket to the ball and no fairy godmother to the rescue. However, the venue also does very good pub meals, even if you can't get into the function room, so it would not be an absolute disaster.
We're trying to keep costs down, and to this end we're appealing for any members who hold an MR or higher truck licence, to help with driving a 20-person Coaster bus on the night. As an added 'bonus', this role offers a non-drinking clause.... :-( If anyone is able and willing, please could you contact us. John (Scarlett Thunderbolt) and Chris (ST2UP) have already put their hands up, so you wouldn't be alone, but another couple of drivers would speed the transfers up.
If anyone would be willing to lend a hand with catering for the Friday night barbecue and breakfast on the Saturday and Sunday mornings, we'd love to hear from you. If you could let us know in the next couple of weeks that would be great. If we get no response, we'll be asking local organisations if they'd like to raise some money for their cause by doing the catering instead, but it seems to make more sense to keep the job with the members to cut down on admin and avoid the possibility of arrangements falling through. We are working on providing a marquee adjacent to the barbecue hut, with lighting and PA, seating and tables for everyone, which will provide an under-cover meal and club gathering space for the duration of the rally.
For those not arriving by bike or car, Mackay gets several flights a day on Virgin, Jetstar and Qantas; no TigerAir unfortunately, although they do fly in to the Whitsunday airport at Proserpine (an hour away so we can't offer pickups there, sorry). Kate will be available for Mackay airport taxi service for those who are coming in by plane. We can take 3-4 passengers and will have the closed trailer behind the car for luggage. However, if anyone else will have a car with them and is willing to make themselves available in case of need that would be greatly appreciated. In addition, there are always regular and maxi-taxis waiting to meet flights, but you're looking at a 10km ride to the Big 4, so it would be worth sharing if you happen to be on the same flight.
We're proposing to use lanyards at Mackay NR2018 with a pocket for name badge, meal tokens, etc. We're hoping this will prove easier than moving name badges from shirt to shirt, and will give those who currently have no name badge a club ID which could be used again at future events, local RTEs for example.
We really liked this year's rally shirt, so next year's will be based on the same idea, construction and fabric. They're smart, comfortable and a lot more useful than the T-shirt from previous years. We look forward to revealing the design closer to the time.
We're still working on getting prices and quotes for everything, and hope that up-front prices will soon be available to help you all plan and budget for this event.
John & Kate
Scarlett Thunderbolt
