PIGS  in VIC

REUNION 2012

All members, partners, and associates are invited to attend the Reunion to be centred around the Sebel Albert Park Queens Road Melbourne between Friday 3rd August and Tuesday 7th August 2012. The Sebel is a 5 star hotel located in Queens Road between downtown Melbourne, St. Kilda and Prahran. The Sebel A.P. overlooks the Melbourne Grand Prix racetrack and the Albert Park Golf Course. Transport around Melbourne is easy as the trams run along St. Kilda Road with a tram stop a one minute walk away.

Accommodation

The Sebel is offering rooms at very special rates – these are 345 rooms available - refer the booking form enclosed. There are also several Hotels/ Motels / Pubs Apartments within a few minutes and downtown Melbourne has all sorts of places to stay 10 minutes by cab away. Refer to the 7RAR Victorian Reunion Accommodation Guide for alternate accommodations.

Reunion Programme

Programme outline is

Fri 03 August

We have an area for Registrations on the first floor where members can register their arrival, pick up goodybags/ tickets etc. Today the registration Office is open from 1600hrs to 1900hrs

Sat 04 August

Today the registration Office is open from 1000hrs to 1600hrs

A “Meet and Greet” function will be held in the bar commencing at 1600Hrs. Drinks at “bar prices”. Evening is free to begin sub-unit “Get-togethers”

Sun 05 August

Reunion Memorial Service  (approx. 11/2hrs) to be held at the Shrine of Remembrance commencing at 10.30 hrs – the Shrine is centrally located and a 10 minute walk from downtown Melbourne or the Sebel AP. PM is free time for sightseeing or the footy.

Mon 06 August

For the boys a Special General Meeting of the National 7th Battalion Association will be held at the Prahran RSL 301 High Street Prahran at 10.30hrs.

For the ladies the Prahran RSL is close to Chapel Street Prahran another of Melbourne’s great shopping experiences. As you’ll be bored stiff  at the meeting organize your own shopping meet and morning tea of course. PM is Free or we can organize the Albert Park Golf course for a round or the South Melbourne bowls club if enough interest is indicated to us on the Rego Form.

7 RAR Battalion Dinner to be held at the Sebel Albert Park commencing at 1830hrs. A 3 course meal with beer & wine drinks included in cost.

Tue 07 August

A “Recovery Day” Tour and BBQ lunch has been planned at the Vietnam Veterans Museum on Philip Island. This museum is run by an ex pig and is a truly magnificent testament to our soldiers who served in the funny country. Bus & lunch will be approx. $50.00. Our Ladies suggested an alternative and have organized a Ladies Luncheon at the “Rendezvous” cost will be about $50.00 + drinks and further detail will be published on the website or next newsletter.

General Info

Melbourne Entertainment

Shopping

Victoria Market

No doubt one of the best tourist attractions Melbourne has to offer, the Vic. Market is located at the northern end of the city - Clothing, Gifts, Souvenirs, Food etc. etc and within the Deli you can find the best tasting boreks made in Australia. To get there from the Sebel AP take any tram along St.Kilda Rd to Swanson & Victoria Streets. The South Melbourne Market (with the best Dim Sims in Victoria) is also worth a try. These attractions are magnificent examples of market shopping and always give better value than going to a supermarket!

Bourke Street Mall / Collins Street

Take on Myer, DJ’s, then combine all the leading fashion stores, then have a coffee in the “Paris” end of Collins Street. You and your partner can happily spend a day whilst tweaking the credit card balance. Take the same tram as above.

DFO-South Wharf

Finally the “NEW Discount Factory Outlets” (DFO) offers a gigantic variety of stores in all merchandise categories. Tram numbers 96 and 112 stop opposite the Clarendon Street entrance of the new Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre then follow the signed pathways via the Hilton to DFO.

Theatre

There is simply no comparism to Melbourne’s theatre entertainment with world-class shows.  “Her Majesty’s”, “Princess” and “Comedy” theatres are only the start. Make a night of it with dinner at one of Melbourne’s famous restaurants

AFL Football

The AFL season is in full swing (around Round 20) we anticipate games will be on at the MCG and Etihad stadiums on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The MCG also has a fascinating museum well worth a visit. We understand a rugby team also plays in Melbourne somewhere but, we suggest you visit their website for details as no Victorian in their right mind actually takes any interest!

Museums and Art Galleries

The Melbourne Arts Centre in St. Kilda Road houses the National Gallery of Victoria a very famous landmark for art fanciers. The NGV is also close to “Southbank” which is a fantastic shopping/ restaurant complex alongside the Yarra River and well worth a visit in itself. On the other side of the river is the Melbourne Aquarium. The Melbourne Museum is located next door to the old Exhibition Buildings  (Australia’s first Parliament House). If you do go to the Museum don’t forget to include a visit to Lygon Street Carlton for a pizza or pasta.

There’s plenty else to do in Australia’s most liveable city and we look forward to welcoming you. Most of all we look forward to catching up with comrades-in-arms we have not seen for a while, have a dam good chinwag and demolish a beer or 15.