News and Views -> Newsletter Dec 09
RMC CLASS OF 55
NOOSA HEADS REUNION
May 2010
Newsletter 16 December 2009
To: Classmates, Partners and Friends
As most of you know, the decision to meet in Noosa Heads in 2010 was taken at our final dinner in Adelaide last year. At this point we have 64 firm acceptances, which is a very promising start indeed.
The choice of May for the reunion has been made for the following reasons:
- The weather is usually very pleasant at that time of year (notwithstanding this year’s deluge!).
- The chosen period avoids all the school holidays.
- Accommodation availability should be about as competitively priced as we can get in this part of the world.
We have again opted for a three-day program as the basis for the whole-of-class activities in 2010. Provision will also be made for any golfers on the fourth day (more later).
The reunion proper will commence on Tuesday, 11 May 2010 and will conclude on 13 May 2010. Golf will be available on Friday 14 May for any interested parties. See
Reunion Rationale
Your Queensland classmates felt that we should try to emphasise the ‘Noosa Experience’ via arranged visits interspersed with some free time such as the walkabout in Montville on Day 2 and the time allocated for Hastings Street and Laguna Bay on Day 3.
We also made a conscious decision to not have ‘sit-down’ dinners on Days 1 and 2 in the evenings. Our view was that the cruise on the Catalina on Day 1 will provide a first-rate opportunity to move around and meet our old friends. The function will be catered by one of Noosa’s top caterers, Matt Golinski – some of you may have seen him on TV’s ‘Ready, Steady, Cook’ program. We will also have the services of Noosa’s own Jazz Factory band, and Lachie will coordinate music, noise level and suitable talking time for us all.
It was also the feeling of the group that after a full day’s travelling, a number of people might appreciate a restful evening on Days 1 and 2. If not, Noosa awaits you.
Accommodation
As usual, the organisers will not undertake the booking of accommodation. However, the following notes may be of assistance, especially for those unfamiliar with the Noosa area.
As a resort town, Noosa has a wide range of accommodation spread throughout the Noosa/Tewantin area. Ideally, for a reunion it would be best to get the maximum concentration of attendees in one venue, but in Noosa that might be difficult. The organisers have canvassed a number of places to stay and in their view the two most suitable are Noosa Springs and the Sheraton Noosa Resort.
Noosa Springs
This is a golf resort located about five minutes from Noosa’s Hastings Street. It boasts a first-class restaurant and excellent function room which will be the venue for our final dinner. Over recent years we have held a very successful class lunch there, and Peter and Julia Blyth recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary there. The resort has 34 two- and three-bedroom villas on the site. The two-bedroom villas have king size beds and each large bedroom has its own en suite bathroom. We have negotiated an average rate of $211 per villa per night over 5 days, including a full daily breakfast for two. See also page 3 of Annex B attached for daily rates for 3- and 4-day stays. If two couples choose to share a villa, the overall rate per head could not be bettered in Noosa Heads. Undercover parking for guests is free. Neil Felton and Lachie Thomson have both stayed at Noosa Springs if you would like to obtain another opinion.
Website www.noosasprings.com.au
Peita Ball, Events Manager
Tel: (07) 5440 3333
Email: peitab@noosasprings.com.au
The advantage of Noosa Springs is that it provides the best opportunity for casual contact between most of our classmates throughout their stay. If you wish to take benefit of the preferred rates we have negotiated see this page:Sheraton Noosa Resort
This is Noosa’s only 5-star hotel. It is situated in the heart of Hastings Street, Noosa’s tourism centre of gravity and right by the beach. We have been offered reduced rates of $290 a night with two breakfasts, or $265 per night with one breakfast. The rate is $240 per night without breakfast, and there are many coffee outlets and cafes all along Hastings Street. Parking fees are $15/day (self-parking); $25/day (valet parking).
Website www.sheraton.com/noosa
Simon Gillies, Business Development Manager
Tel: (07) 5449 4704
Email: simon.gillies@sheraton.com
Noosa Heads Motel
This motel (quite new) offers 23 one-bedroom units with king or queen size beds at around $200 per night with breakfast included. Undercover parking is free for guests.
Website www.noosaheadsmotelcom.au
Craig
Tel: (07) 5449 2873
Email: admin@noosaheadsmotel.com.au
Other Accommodation
Access www.visitnoosa.com.au.au for other options.
Booking Accommodation
It is suggested that you book your accommodation in Noosa earlier rather than later. Please make reference to the ‘RMC Reunion Class of 55’ when you make your booking at any of these venues. We would appreciate it if you can advise Peter Blyth of your intended place of residence in Noosa as soon as your arrangements are confirmed, as this will help materially with our transport arrangements.
Transport
We will include in our January letter information about airport/Noosa transport and hire car options for those who may require a personal vehicle in Noosa. Bus transportation in Noosa has yet to be finalised and the number of attendees will determine whether we need one large coach or a number of smaller ones.
Pick-up Points
These will be determined by the location of primary accommodation venues, but will probably be Noosa Springs and the Sheraton.
Registration Fee
As with previous reunions, we would appreciate it if a $50 registration fee per family or single attendee could be forwarded to me by 15 January 2010. This money is required to cover deposits and unforeseen contingencies and any surplus will be returned to our Class fund. This fee is not refundable except in the case of a cancellation due to health or family issues.
Cheques should be made payable to ‘P. Blyth – RMC Reunion Class of 55’ and mailed to PO Box 858, Noosa Heads Qld 4567.
Further Communication
We intend to issue the next instruction by 31 January 2010 detailing events, timings and associated costs, together with a preference sheet for attendance at the various activities. Every effort is being made to keep the costs of functions and transportation to acceptable levels.
Conclusion
Best wishes for a happy and healthy Christmas go to you all, and we look forward to seeing you in May.
With kindest regards,
Peter Blyth
(For and on behalf of Queensland Reunion Committee)