OZ MEGA ALBURY WODONGA

[Oz Mega Committee]

A weekly update with 34 days to the OZ MEGA start:
The Committee wishes to thank all the teams who registered this week with our biggest influx over the last 7 days yet.
The grand tally went from 538 people last Thursday night to 652 with 114 extras. Any paid up registered teams after Tuesday 28th will be on next weeks list. All teams are listed on the "Registration TAB" on the website.
A reminder that after Thursday 8th March, the entry fee will be $75, so best to submit your form and banking this week.

We now have entries and will attends from New Zealand, Germany, the USA and Finland.
We are down to, 2 powered sites left to be paid for by next Thursday.

A reminder that one essential item you will need is a fold up camp chair of some sort, per person. Many will bring a fold up small table as well and we encourage that each night at the entertainment area.Arrange a few nibblies each night, enjoy the drinks on offer and sit back and enjoy one or all of the 4 nights.

After the 21 leap year events around the country and some pathtags drop offs, we will get a pathtag update from our OZ wide coordinators by next Thursday night.From then we will give twice weekly Committee updates with a final 10 days a daily update on all information.
The official hardback milestone book is ready for those in the hunt.A reminder you must be driving into the event site on a 999 denomination.
The Pathtag Party GCA4226 and Flashmob Events GC34BFC are being swamped with "Will Attends" , so if you have not put an intent in yet, we encourage you to get amongst the fun.

<Edited by Mod>

Looking forward to all this weeks 'Will Attends " and registrations to file in.
thankfully
Greg
President.

[Bundyrumandcoke]

Is there any ill effects for the area of the event (around the equestrian centre) due to the poor weather happening at the moment? My planned route to get to the event is cut in about a dozen places at the moment. Fortunately, its about 4 weeks till I head off, so hopefully all will be well by then.

Must be an omen or something, if I remember correctly, there was some fairly significant flooding in Wagga about a month before Mega 1.

Perhaps Oz Mega 3 could be farmed out to some severely drought affected area.

[Oz Mega Committee]

Is there any ill effects for the area of the event (around the equestrian centre) due to the poor weather happening at the moment? My planned route to get to the event is cut in about a dozen places at the moment. Fortunately, its about 4 weeks till I head off, so hopefully all will be well by then.

Must be an omen or something, if I remember correctly, there was some fairly significant flooding in Wagga about a month before Mega 1.

Perhaps Oz Mega 3 could be farmed out to some severely drought affected area.

You have a good memory
it was almost the same set of days two years ago that it rained heavily in Wagga one month out from the first OZ MEGA.But, that was great as it had been a drought for 15 plus years and it greened everything up. Also filled the small dam on site at Wagga.
So, firstly, we are glad its pouring now and not in one month. Although there are no guarantees on "perfect conditions" and " no rain " , during the MEGA.

There are some back roads closed all around Albury and Southern NSW at present. Expecting more rain Saturday but then the 7 day forecast is for around 26 degrees and fine sunny days.

As for the Equestrian Centre itself, i can tell you it is a very a good all weather location.All the powered sites, camping, registration and other areas are all raised up by about 3m from the lower areas. There is a huge dam in the middle of the complex 100m long and 50m wide that most water filters into.
But, this is listed as an outdoor event.Its prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
thankfully,
Greg.

[Oz Mega Committee]

A Oz Mega Committee update:
After many phone calls and emails , we would like to give all attendees an update on the MEGA site at Albury after all the rain.
After a weekly trip to Albury on Monday , i did a close up inspection of the Albury Wodonga Equestrian Centre after all the recent downpours.I was amazed at how dry it was and how good the drainage system is. The huge dam in the middle is 100m by 50m and about 3/4 full.There were a couple of wet patches out in the cross country section but basically really good.
For the tent campers, these areas are raised a few metres above the lowest points. The powered sites spots are beautifully grassed and would be hard pressed to turn to mud.
The road around the 79 powered sites is crusher grit and 4 cars wide at about 16m across.
The Committee there has recently purchased one of the best polo fields mowers that can also do all the camping areas and is doing a great job.
I have never seen the place greener or better.
Remember, that many parts of this location are at Olympic standard .
So, we can tell you with great confidence , that the MEGA site is a top all weather location that can handle all sorts of conditions.
The city is starting to get into geocaching mode with its first 3/4 page geocaching article in the Bordermail last Saturday conducted by haveanez.
Next update will be tomorrow night with our weekly update. All the new teams will be going on the website plus updates on other items.
thankfully,
Greg
President.

[CraigRat]

But what about the spiders??

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-08/s ... pe/3877566

[the farmers 5]

But what about the spiders??

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-08/s ... pe/3877566

Very true and it made the stories on the local prime news tonight.
The story is exactly how it is. The locations are just out of town a few km's .

The Oz Mega attendees wont have to worry though ,as this is only happening in Wagga and the mega event is in Albury.
This is of course providing they dont get windblown south as per the story.

A stunning story still.
Arachnophobia 2 Wagga Wagga

[Oz Mega Committee]

The next website upgrades have all been completed tonight.
The pathtag coordinators have checked in around OZ and we seem to have well in access of 600 for the Sunday night raffles so far.This total will climb by event time.All pathtags can be dropped off at the event by teams and raffle tickets can be purchased at the event for the Sunday night draws.
Our new registration total is 667 people .A reminder that you must be registered to attend. All teams will be greeted at the gate and checked off the registration list on arrival. You will then be directed to your powered site , camping area or day parking spot if staying offsite. We can now guarantee every team entry an official geocoin, registration pack, tourism pack and all game sheets and giveways no matter how many attend.

New stallholder http://www.ozmega.com.au/ has his new logo and website now listed on the stallholder page.
A reminder to start collecting those TB's from around the country .Bring as many as you like and place them into the inventory when your ready.Large areas have been designated for TB's, geocoins and pathtags.

There will be a TB list to fill in,at the registration tables on arrival , if you have something unusual at the event. This can a TB dog, t-shirt, car, or even a hot air balloon as seen at Wagga. You can list your team name and item without the number. Its up to the geocacher to find them.Normal travel bugs are not for this list.

There will be a cut-off point shortly for official name tags . Every single person attending will have their first name, team name and state on a logo'd name tag.We would like every person to have one including guests and sponsors,so we need those registrations in quickly for the printers or if you have extras attending please email the team and first names through to Committee.
thankfully,
Greg
President

[Oz Mega Committee]

Committee update:
The latest group of paid registered teams will be listed on Thursday night. If you complete both by Wednesday night, you will listed as well.
All the powered site spots are now fully confirmed and paid for with one reserve on standby.

The Committee would like to welcome our newest Sponsor in http://www.ozmega.com.au/
Some of the stalls will be doing images on items ,so dont forget to bring your team logo , avatar or photo as an image on a USB thumb drive.
Teams are starting to collect TB's and geocoins for the event and if you have some already, you are welcome to place them in the inventory.Easter Sunday at 3 pm will be the time all TB's and geocoins will be allowed to be picked up and taken on to destinations .Books will line the tables for you to list your team name and which TB's/ geocoins you selected.This way Committee can chase up many TB's and geocoins that often remain in an event, weeks or months later.

Back Thursday night with the next round of updates.
thankfully,
Greg,
President.

[lemmykc]

Sorry, quick question. I haven't registered yet because we are still making plans (being Easter Weekend and all). Are registrations still open??

[Oz Mega Committee]

Sorry, quick question. I haven't registered yet because we are still making plans (being Easter Weekend and all). Are registrations still open??

Yes, Registrations are still open until the Monday of the event which is 2nd of April .

But, to make sure you get your Rego through and banking correct , best to submit it shortly.
Also there will be a cut off date for " personal name badges " with logo's and your first name, team name and state/ country.
After this closing date , it will be hand written at the event.
You will want the official look one as plenty of geocachers are still using the colourful Wagga name tags at events , so you will tend to do the same for future events with the Albury nametag.

thanks for the question,
Greg.

[covert]

Registrations need to be in by Friday the 24th of February, to be guaranteed a OZ Mega Geocoin and registration pack

Have registration count exceeded the amount of geocoins ? Will non recipients of registration pack / Geocoin receive a partial refund ? I am yet to register

[Oz Mega Committee]

Registrations need to be in by Friday the 24th of February, to be guaranteed a OZ Mega Geocoin and registration pack

Have registration count exceeded the amount of geocoins ? Will non recipients of registration pack / Geocoin receive a partial refund ? I am yet to register

Every single team that has registered or is about to register will receive an official geocoin at the event.
We will also guarantee everything else listed on the registration page for future teams about to enter.
There will be a whole heap of other items in all packs on arrival not mentioned on the website.
thankfully
Greg.

[covert]

How big are the powered sites ? ( in feet or meters)

[Oz Mega Committee]

y

How big are the powered sites ? ( in feet or meters)

The 79 powered sites were booked out last October.If you want to go on the reserve list,you will be NO 2 reserve.
All powered sites are now paid for,so your chances are not good.Best to just do the camping or if you have a caravan ,you can use a generator.
The sites are standard of approx' 10 m by 10m.
Plenty of caravan parks around Albury .Best get
your bookings organised quickly as its Easter anyway and other events are on at Albury as well.
Greg.

[covert]

y

How big are the powered sites ? ( in feet or meters)

The sites are standard of approx' 10 m by 10m.

Thanks that's all the information I was after....