Thread: Melbourne W.W.W. Show 19-21 October 2012

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Is it the photos, or is it very low on crowds and vendors?

Any photos of the forums stand?

I tried to take photos during gaps in the traffic so you could see stuff other than clumps of people. There were areas that were empty (ish) because the photos were taken early or the demos had people grouped in areas other than where I was. Here are some more stand photos and the first crew: Sturdee, doug3030, Michelle and KevM.

Originally Posted by Groggy

Why the parking guys can't get this sorted is a pain. They are NOT the event organiser, they are a rent-a-crowd parking mob. I'll make a point of raising this with the organizers.

Not wanting to hijack the Disabled parking issue, but it seems to be the parking attendants and the security people who are the flies in the ointment for everyone and I know the organizers don't want it that way because they went out of their way to help me when the situation that I am about to relate.

I finished my shift on the forum stand at 5:00pm and was heading to the ute to come into the parcel pickup area to pick up my lifetimes supply of gidgee that I bought in the morning. As I was leaving the pavilion I noticed that the gate to the parcel pickup area had been closed off. I spoke to the security guard and asked how I was going to get in to get my timber. I forget exactly what he said but the gist of it was that it was 5:00pm and everythig was closed. The only reason I did not take him to task was that a lady came out of the ticket booth and said that she would make sure the gate was opened by the time I got there.

I walked the 300m or so to the car and drove in and sure enough the gate was open. This was resolved so easily only because of the intervention by the lady who i think was one of the organisers. Organiser or not she used common sense and fixed the problem she was in a position to solve and I thank her for that.

But wait, there's more! I drove in to the parcel pickup, performed a U turn in order to get out through the front gate again as I have done EVERY time in the past. After loading my gidgee board and other small items, I went to drive out the gate.

As I am approaching the gate this goon with a security badge jumps out in front of me and stops me. He told me that this gate was an entry only gate and I needed to turn around and go out the other way. I asked him why the security man at the pickup point did not tell me I was heading the wrong direction when I turned around there, obviously intending to go out the same gate I came in. He told me that it was probably because they wanted to make my life miserable. Isnt that nice!

I had had a long day and I just didnt need the aggravation so i turned around, albeit making a point of turning round so that I deliberately blocked the so-called IN gate for as long as possible (this is the same in gate that the orgnisers caused to be opened again so I could get my timber). As I was turning, I noticed a sign on the gate" Do not block EXIT gate". I asked the goon why his IN ONLY gate was labelled an exit gate and he just glared at me. At that point I was tempted to just go out the gate, but he looked like he was going to jump on the bonnet and tear my windscreen wipers off with his teeth if i did, so in the interests of a quiet life I went out the other way.

It seems that the organisers have the best intentions but they seem to be let down by the security and parking people every year, I think that this is probably because they come from a company that has a contract with the showgrounds and have no other choice as to who performs these roles and no matter what these goons are told to do they do as they want.

I think it would be in the organisers' best interests to take these issues up with the people who they book the venue throughand get these contractors pulled into line.

DOug

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Is it the photos, or is it very low on crowds and vendors?

Any photos of the forums stand?

Compared to last year, low on vendors. Everything was spread out to make it look as though the floor space was taken up. I was looking forward to the wood boats that were usually there, but alas. There were a couple of timber vendors who didn't turn up. 043 Turning weren't there as was Solid Works, a company that sells toys plans and a couple of others that I can't remember. I can't say I was disappointed, but...

One thing. Carrolls, oh my. They put on a superb stand with many varied demonstrators. Ken Wraight worked tirelessly and the pyrography setup was brilliant. Jim deserves a great big thumbs up, a great effort. I'd also like to commend the interstate vendors who made the effort to come down. Great to meet up with a few forumites that I have swapped comments with over the years

I'm going again tomorrow and will make further comments then.

Thanks guys

Don't those posters look great

G'Day Greg,
Great job on the photos "THANK YOU".....makes one wish I'd been there.
Another huge well done on the posters on the WWF stand; they look great..
Top marks to all the helpers.
I hope everyone enjoys the show.
Cheers, crowie

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Don't those posters look great

They do indeed look fantastic. Craig did a great job and it shows the varied interest of the forum members, even has some of the mugshots of state forum get togethers, showing what a community the forum has become.


They also were a great draw card and made it easier to engage and talk about the forum.


Peter.

Originally Posted by Sturdee

They do indeed look fantastic. Craig did a great job and it shows the varied interest of the forum members, even has some of the mugshots of state forum get togethers, showing what a community the forum has become.


They also were a great draw card and made it easier to engage and talk about the forum.


Peter.

I agree completely with Peter

They were also very useful to show the many school students what could be achieved by mostly 'weekend warriors'

It is wonderful to hear the positive feedback regarding the Carroll's stand. I feel very fortunate to be involved with this very supporting informative group that Jim has beautifully put together. I have had the opportunity to speak with many woodworkers who have never heard or used our Livos oils and did not know what our premium finish looks like. So if you are in the area please come on down to the Carroll's stand and let me , Angela show you how you can achieve a quality finish using natural, food safe oils that are not only durable but easy to repair. Stains on show as well.

TL just spilt tea all over Groggy's computer and the table!

Originally Posted by Scott

TL just spilt tea all over Groggy's computer and the table!

Dobber!

Originally Posted by Scott

TL just spilt tea all over Groggy's computer and the table!

So how does Groggy's computer like its tea?

Just came back from the show, spent too much money, caught up with the guys on the Forum stand and had TL sneak up behind me and go Boo. I found the disabled parking good this year the guys on the gate spotted the permit and waved us in, they were even considerate about where I parked when I said had to get a wheel chair out all up it was a good day, and Mrs Phil enjoyed meeting the guys on the Forum stand.

Must be the day for it TL. I spilt my on tea over my drill press table, car key & garage door remotes, mobile phone and me. All cleaned up all working.


Must be slow down there no comments no more pics.

Originally Posted by Phil Spencer

Just came back from the show, spent too much money, caught up with the guys on the Forum stand and had TL sneak up behind me and go Boo. I found the disabled parking good this year the guys on the gate spotted the permit and waved us in, they were even considerate about where I parked when I said had to get a wheel chair out all up it was a good day, and Mrs Phil enjoyed meeting the guys on the Forum stand.

Good to hear the disabled parking has been addressed.

Does Mrs. Spencer know about Mrs. Phil? More importantly, has Mr. Phil caught on to what's going on? Or are you Japanese and all this can be easily explained?