Latest MatesFest News!

This page is for any MatesFest news, updates and announcements. View this page regularly to keep up-to-date.

MatesFest 2008 - Branson, MO

03/29/08
  • The MatesFest committee has decided on October 17th - 20th for 2008
  • The preferred accommodation for MatesFest will be the Tribesman resort. See the Planning Guide for more information.
  • Registrations are open. See the Submit Registration page. It's important that the MatesFest committee has accurate information about the number of people attending. If you think you can come but don't know for sure yet, go ahead and register, then let us know later if you have to change your mind.
  • Any questions can be posted in The Pub, or sent to any of the MatesFest committee members. See the MatesFest Committee page for contact details.
11/10/07
  • MatesFest 2008 will be held in Branson, MO.
  • Please see the Planning Guide for more information about Branson, MO.
  • The MatesFest committee will soon be deciding on a date
  • The MatesFest committee is currently researching preferred accomodations
  • Please welcome our new MatesFest committee member, Rachel! Thanks Rachel!

 

MatesFest 2007 - Grand Canyon, AZ

03/31/07
  • Dates have been decided - October 19th-21st, 2007
  • A "MatesFest Preferred Hotel" - The Maswik Lodge - has been researched, selected and posted on the Planning Guide page, along with other hotel information.
  • General information websites about the Grand Canyon have been posted on the Planning Guide page, for your interest.
  • Registrations are open - see the Submit Your Registration page. A number of people have already registered - see the See Registrations page.
  • The MatesFest committee will now focus on travel suggestions and activity planning - both for the Grand Canyon and Sedona.
  • Any questions can be posted in The Pub, or sent to any of the MatesFest committee members. See the MatesFest Committee page for contact details.

 

09/18/06
  • MatesFest 2007 will be in the Grand Canyon, Arizona!
  • Dates have not been set yet, although it will be sometime in September/October, 2007
  • Watch for new information soon
  • Registrations are open, but do remember that we don't have dates yet.

 


MatesFest 2006 - Virginia Beach

09/18/06
  • MatesFest 2006 has been and gone .. we had a ball!
  • Don't forget to check the photos - link above.
  • Thanks to everyone involved, it was a heap of fun. :)

 

08/02/06
  • The MatesFest Committee has been busy researching activities in Virginia Beach, and planning the MatesFest itinerary. Click on "Planning Guide" for more information.
  • Sue Hanson has become a MatesFest Committee member. Thanks Sue!
  • Remember to book your hotel room by August 15th to get the MUO group rates!
  • The MatesFest itinerary will be communicated soon to all attendees by email very soon.
  • New t-shirts are available in "Mates Stuff" for MatesFest 2006, designed as always by our resident cartoonist, Storm Robinson. Thanks Storm!

 

07/02/06
  • A hotel has been chosen for the MatesFest event - the Oceanfront Inn - due to it's proximity to the beach, access to group "get-together" areas, and the availability of group rates. Of course you are welcome to stay elsewhere if preferred.
    • Timeframe for group booking - September 15 - 18, 2006
    • 15 Oceanfront rooms including two double beds - more can be made available if required
    • September 15th and September 16th at $89.00 per night
    • September 17th at $59.00 per night
    • Rates are subject to 13% tax + $1.00 occupancy tax per room per night
    • Make reservations directly by calling 1-888-826-2326 and state "Mates Up-Over" as the group name to get the above rates
    • You must call to make reservations - Promo codes are not available for online booking
03/04/06
  • The location has been chosen for MatesFest 2006. This year the MatesFest will be in Virginia Beach, Virginia!
  • The date will be 16th - 17th September. Of course you are welcome to arrive earlier and/or leave later if you wish.
  • MUO mate, Rooee, has graciously volunteered to be our "Local Committee Member" for 2006. Thanks Rooee! :)

 

02/24/06
  • The MatesFest Committee has been somewhat reduced for 2006, due to babies and stuff. :) For this year, the MatesFest committee will consist of Pamm and Rose.

 


MatesFest 2005 - Seattle

04/02/05
  • A date has been decided for the 2005 MatesFest, and it will be the 13th and 14th August, 2005. Of course, as usual many people will arrive earlier and/or leave later.
  • New information is being added regularly to the Planning Guide page to help people plan their weekend. A general itinerary will be developed by the MatesFest Committee, however except for our traditional Saturday night get-together, you can choose to spend time with other MUO-ites, or do your own thing. :)

 

10/17/04
  • A meeting was held in New Orleans. Present were the MatesFest Committee members, along with all those who attended MatesFest 2004. It was decided that locations of MatesFest Events would be planned at each prior MatesFest, and not to rely on the far-from-accurate surveys & polls.
  • After considerable debate and discussion, it was decided by all present that MatesFest 2005 would be held in Seattle WA, in either July or August.
  • Given that we've had one MatesFest in the south-west, and another in the south, we figured we were due to go north. We have a large Aussie contingency in the Seattle area, so this will probably be a very well attended event.
  • We are hoping that this event will attract "family" orientated Aussies, as well as the usual party-goers. :)
  • We are also hoping to attract some of the Alaskan Aussies.


MatesFest 2004 - New Orleans

07/18/04
  • New MatesFest T-Shirts have been designed by our wonderful cartoonist, Storm. These really reflect the spirit of the MatesFest gatherings. To buy one or even just to look, visit the MUO Store.

 

05/29/04
  • A "Things To Do" section has been added to the "Planning Guide" link. This has been put together by the MatesFest Committee and includes a wealth of information to help plan your MatesFest weekend.
  • Design has begun for our first MatesFest T-Shirts. Watch for upcoming news!

 

04/05/04
  • MatesFest 2004 polls have indicated a preference for the weekend of 16 & 17th October, 2004 - in New Orleans.
  • Some people will arrive on Friday 15th, and/or leave on Monday 18th. Plan your weekend the way that best suits you.
  • Rene' as usual has been very pro-active in finding hotel information so that people can start planning the weekend.
  • See the "Planning Guide" for Rene's hotel research and some general New Orleans information.
  • More information coming soon!

 

11/02/03
  • The MatesFest 2004 polls have finished, and the majority votes were for New Orleans in October, 2004.
  • The MatesFest Committee will decide on an exact date, and make this public to all of the community.
  • Thanks for participating in the polls!!

 

08/22/03
  • The MatesFest 2004 polls have begun! Please help us decide where and when MatesFest 2004 will be. Submit your Preferences and help make the necessary decisions.
  • This year the MatesFest will be held in the South or South-East. If distance is a deciding factor for you, don't worry .. we will get around to your neck-of-the-woods eventually.
  • Pamm has agreed to continue as leader of the MatesFest committee. Thanks Pamm!
  • Gaynor Jones is a new committee member. Welcome Gaynor!

 

05/24/03
  • The MatesFest Committee has begun making plans for MatesFest 2004. Watch the MatesFest page for news!
  • Committee members are listed under the "Contacts" link to the left.

 


MatesFest 2003 - Las Vegas

05/28/03
  • MatesFest 2003 Photo Gallery Pages has been added to Mates Up-Over. See Photos link to the left.

 

05/16/03
  • The Great Aussie MatesFest, 2003 has arrived. We are in Las Vegas!

 

04/19/03
  • Less than four weeks to go for MatesFest 2003! We have a good size crowd all meeting up in Las Vegas .. some arriving as early as Thursday 15th May. So that we don't crowd the message board with MatesFest stuff, arrangements are now being conducted by email. Of course, if you suddenly decide to go at last minute, you are welcome, welcome, welcome! Please contact Pamm, or any of the MatesFest Committee members.
  • For those who are definitely going, you might find it easier to get around if you print up a couple of simple maps, accessed from this Map of Las Vegas Strip Hotels and Casinos.
  • Pamm and Rene' are putting together a flexible itinerary for get-togethers which they'll email out to everyone well before the big weekend. Don't forget to contact them with your preferences and suggestions.
  • Linda is putting together a list of people .. where they'll be staying, when they'll be arriving and leaving, and cell phone numbers. This also will be distributed beforehand.

 

11/03/02
  • Hooray! Finally, due to the surveys people submitted, a final date has been decided on for the "Great Aussie MatesFest 2003". The event will be held in Las Vegas, on 17th & 18th May, 2003. This is far enough ahead so that people can begin planning, yet close enough to begin looking forward to it.
  • There is a new survey up, to address some general organizational preferences, so if you believe you are able to attend, do submit your opinions.

 

09/30/02
  • Due to popular demand via the MatesFest survey, it has been decided that the "Great Aussie MatesFest 2003" will be held in Las Vegas! Woo Hoo!!
  • MatesFest 2004 will not be held on the West Coast, to be fair to those who are travelling a long way for 2003 and to those who will be unable to attend in 2003 because of distance reasons.

 

09/07/02
  • The new "Great Aussie MatesFest 2003" Page has been officially made public. This will help enormously in the planning and organising of the event.
  • An informal "MatesFest" committee has been put together, with Neale Clark as the lead. Committee members can be seen on the "Contacts" link. This committee has been formed from the Mates Up-Over community of enthusiastic "MatesFest" supporters. If this becomes a yearly event, we can form an elected "formal" committee.