Sub-Equatorial Penal Colony Australia

[Lt. Lily Shaw]

there is also a twice-annual steam rally somewhere in Victoria. I don't have the details on hand, but my fiance's dad goes at least once a year and runs his own steam engine (squee!)

Would it be this one? http://home.vicnet.net.au/~mstec/rallyfrm.htm

'Squee!' indeed.  My only steam engines are of a size which can be put away on a bookshelf afterwards. Someday when the children have grown I will learn enough to handle a real one.

i think the one i'm going to is called the lake goldsmith steam rally. i could be wrong. <-- edit: it's the 3rd and 4th of May!!!! It's close to Ballarat (my town) just about the same distance from Ballarat as Geelong is (which is a little way, actually.)
Everyone must go! it looks mega fun!

it's going to be exciting, i'll hopefully be taught how to run his steam engine (if he goes) but since it's expensive i probably won't be able to touch. <-- even though i argue that i'm responsible! i fired a kiln today, to 1280 degrees celsius. i can handle a little steam-powered goodness, surely.

ah, i was going to buy one of those little things! you can run all sorts of things on them, they're quite powerful ^_^ we should have some sort of Melbourne meetup or something, and frighten the natives a little.

[Lt. Lily Shaw]

also.... also....
ABNEY PARK ARE COMING HERE!!!

*sigh* i just had to get that out of my system

[Rowan of Rin]

Just a poke, oh Victorian residents. I really think we need a meet up, as it is currently seeming pretty lonely amongst all the emos and goths.

[Em]

I just discovered this thread...
I'm a Sydney..ish dweller.
 North-West Sydney to be more accurate.

[Hooligan_tuesday]

I've been reading the blog for a while, never realised there was a forum. I'm in Newcastle, about an hour and half up the coast from Sydney. Somebody more motivated me should definitely organise some kind of Sydney steampunk festival.

[Flynn MacCallister]

Helooooo everyone! I'd forgotten about this thread.

Give me about a month to finish exams (and I think school holidays will still be going on then, right?) and I'll happily sort something out for Sydney-and-surrounds people, probably centered on the Powehouse and/or Maritime Museum, unless you have better ideas.

Full steamgear will not be necessary if you don't have it or don't tend to wear it; ain't nothing that says a steampunk has to dress like an anachronistic neovictorian.

[Hex]

centered on the Powehouse and/or Maritime Museum

Full steamgear will not be necessary if you don't have it or don't tend to wear it; ain't nothing that says a steampunk has to dress like an anachronistic neovictorian.

I concur
I think it'd be good if we can get as much notice as possible, so we can keep our diaries clear for it.

[Rowan of Rin]

It is so unfair you get to have meetups 

We aint got enough (willing) people steaming away down here..*sigh*..

[Em]

It is so unfair you get to have meetups 

We aint got enough (willing) people steaming away down here..*sigh*..

Go to a cafe or chosen destination and sit by a mirror, many mirrors.

[Flynn MacCallister]

centered on the Powehouse and/or Maritime Museum

Full steamgear will not be necessary if you don't have it or don't tend to wear it; ain't nothing that says a steampunk has to dress like an anachronistic neovictorian.

I concur
I think it'd be good if we can get as much notice as possible, so we can keep our diaries clear for it.

Hex! I didn't realise you were still around!

And absolutely yes... Is around about the 12th of July (Saturday) a safe choice? (Like I said, I need a month to get free from exams...)




Hey, Sam, you're not quite eighteen yet, are you? Simile, who else is under-age? Just so I don't go and bank on a pub for a lunch or dinner venue, and then find some of us aren't allowed in.

[Hex]

centered on the Powehouse and/or Maritime Museum

Full steamgear will not be necessary if you don't have it or don't tend to wear it; ain't nothing that says a steampunk has to dress like an anachronistic neovictorian.

I concur
I think it'd be good if we can get as much notice as possible, so we can keep our diaries clear for it.

Hex! I didn't realise you were still around!

Yeah, I'm on at least every day, lurking most of the time. I check in here every time I go online. 

And absolutely yes... Is around about the 12th of July (Saturday) a safe choice? (Like I said, I need a month to get free from exams...)

Yeah that sounds all right.

[Samuel]

Ahhh, should be...

[Flynn MacCallister]

Neat. Also, you're not eighteen yet, right?

[Hooligan_tuesday]

Yeah sounds right enough, although preferably after Abney Park release the black and red stripy pants i want as pair of their merch. Which should be sometime next month is Cap'n Roberts live journal can be believed. Everything falls into place.

[Mary Weather]

Hi all ^_^ I hail from ye olde Canberra towne, but I'm originally from the Central Coast (I moved down here for university, but am not studying anymore).

[Ainuryn]

Good Evening Ladies and Gents(atleast it is whilst I'm currently putting this to AEtheric text),

I've decided that as my initial post I shall be responding to the Sub-Equatorial Penal Colony Australia roll call.

I am from Ipswich, Queensland, and I'm very new theoretically to the wonders of Steampunk.  I would have to say thought that I've been interested in everything that is Steampunk for quite some time, just I never realized there was a word for it.

Well unfortunately as short and unsatisfying that is for an introduction...that will have to do for now as time is against me and I must dash off before one of my minions decides to do something less than ordinary, and bring an ill-fate to themselves.

On that note I bid you all a fare well, and hopefully more shall be heard from me within this realm of intriguing communication,
Regards,
Lord Ainuryn Frost, Inquisitor

[Samuel]

Flynn, I AM 18, actually

I think we should also pop into strand hatters


!Random Bragging Point! my great uncle designed the strand and redesigned the QBV.

[Flynn MacCallister]

Really? Cool! Since when?

Uuuuhuhumhaha, I rarely actually go into Strand Hatters (or Anton's, for that matter) anymore... the guy recognises me and keeps giving me "buy something or get out" looks. But, sure.

And snazzy. That's quite cool.

[Samuel]

since June 4.

but wouldnt that be great - ? a gaggle (what is the grouping for steampunk, anyhoo? a coggle?) of eccentrics in a hatters.

he'd either go into cardiac arrest or fall off his chair in bewilderment.

not that a cardiac arrest wouldnt throw you off a chair.

[Flynn MacCallister]

Happy birthday! (I wasn't sowrong...)

I think some time ago in Metaphysical it was decided that the collective noun is a goggle of steampunks.

I was thinking also of doing lunch in Hyde Park, (nice, and photo ops) but it's already looking as though the day will involve a fair amount of trekking... which is fine by me, but I don't know about everyone else.

[Jaqhama]

G'day all

Jaq here, in Southern Sydney.
My good lady Shalako-Lin and I thought we might pass on a couple of places in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney that are filled to the brim with paraphernalia that many of you will enjoy perusing.

First off is Pickering's Bookshop and emporium located at the top of the main street in Katoomba.
A huge shop, filled with thousands of books of all types as well as antiques and 'things'.
Upstairs is a comic book section and a clothing section.

One can spend hours within and will seldom escape without having made the odd purchase.

Second on the list is (I don't know the name of the place) another emporium of all things unique from jewelery to kitchenware, books, a huge selection of old era clothing (including many hats) shoes, bags, furniture and etc etc.
Again a huge downstairs and upstairs section.
Located in the main street of Blackheath (turn right off the main highway if headed west). The wonderful shop is on the right hand side as you walk down the street. One can hardly see the place unless one steps inside. It's past the Ivanhoe Hotel and before the bookshop.

Lin and I found the shop by accident and wandered around looking at all the marvelous items they had inside for ages. Highly recommended...more clothing at this shop that at Pickering's.

Once winter is over Lin and I will again ride our motorcycles up to Katoomba and Blackheath and spend half a day at each shop, we like them that much.

Cheers: Jaq and Shalako-Lin.

[Jaqhama]

Oh yes...Lin and I were gutted we missed the Age of Iron festival in Lithgow recently.

We will most certainly be there next year. It looks wonderful.

http://www.ironfest.com.au/

[Em]

Ah, Katoomba. I love it up there. If you're one for teapots I'd suggest Bygone Beauties in Leura. I believe the owner has the largest collection of teapots in the southern hemisphere.
I think the Winter Soltice festival is on this weekend, I'd love to go but I don't think I can.

[Flynn MacCallister]

First off is Pickering's Bookshop and emporium located at the top of the main street in Katoomba.
A huge shop, filled with thousands of books of all types as well as antiques and 'things'.
Upstairs is a comic book section and a clothing section.

One can spend hours within and will seldom escape without having made the odd purchase.

I love that place! Makes me sneeze like mad, but I'll put up with it for that shop.

Second on the list is (I don't know the name of the place) another emporium of all things unique from jewelery to kitchenware, books, a huge selection of old era clothing (including many hats) shoes, bags, furniture and etc etc.
Again a huge downstairs and upstairs section.
Located in the main street of Blackheath (turn right off the main highway if headed west). The wonderful shop is on the right hand side as you walk down the street. One can hardly see the place unless one steps inside. It's past the Ivanhoe Hotel and before the bookshop.


Lin and I found the shop by accident and wandered around looking at all the marvelous items they had inside for ages. Highly recommended...more clothing at this shop that at Pickering's.

That's not the huge one with the mezzanine level and the tiny café in the front, is it?

Once winter is over Lin and I will again ride our motorcycles up to Katoomba and Blackheath and spend half a day at each shop, we like them that much.

Cheers: Jaq and Shalako-Lin.

Nice to 'meet' you!

If you flick back a page in this topic, I'm trying to arrange a Sydney meet-up on the 12th of July, if you're free and interested...?

[Jaqhama]

That's not the huge one with the mezzanine level and the tiny café in the front, is it?

Yes that's the place...cafe sort of off to one side as you walk in. I've visited Blackheath and other parts of the mountains hundreds of times and only recently found the shop. It's certainly well hidden from the street.

Nice to 'meet' you!

Thank you. Well met yourself.

If you flick back a page in this topic, I'm trying to arrange a Sydney meet-up on the 12th of July, if you're free and interested...?

Lin and I are always interested in meeting new people...however we both often work on weekends and having checked my diary I see I'm already rostered on for that Sat.
I'm guessing Lin may also be working that Sat. She works many of them.

Perhaps in the warmer months ahead we could arrange a meet up for a weekend in the Blue Mountains?
I actually know of a wonderful lookout/picnic spot that few tourists or even locals ever visit. Easily accessable by a normal car or even a bicycle. Very close to the Hydro majestic Hotel. (Which is another excellent place for views. It used to be a great place for high tea...but in recent years many parts have been closed and the staff seem to feel that they don't need the hassle of passers by dropping in.)
There are many victorian style hotels to stay in, in the mountains. The refurbished Carrington in Katoomba. The Hydro Majestic. Quite a few others. Lin and I used to be regulars at the Redleaf Resort. The full english breakfast is simply superb. Not to mention the indoor pool, fireside bar and games room. Beautiful golf course across the road...don't play myself, but it's a nice walk around in the mornings. We're friendly with the couple who now own a motel in Blackheath so we've stayed there the last few times. Basic but affordable if one wants to save money. You can even get a room at the Ivanhoe in Blackheath for as little as $35 a night. There's also a caravan/camping park at Katoomba and Blackheath.  (A C&C park at Lithgow to keep in mind for the next Iron Festival also.)
Spring is a great time to visit the mountains. Not too hot nor cold.