Firstly, let me say that I have nothing against the Tasmanian Mini Club or Minifest - have advertised it in The Mini Experience, and will probably be going (finances permitting).
However, as Minis At The Mill has been held in the same location, on the same weekend in November, for the past 20 or so years, and is always an excellent event, there is no reason what-so-ever to expect Hotbricks to change the date of their event.
As this is only the third Tasmanian Minifest, it seems reasonable that the Tassie club should consider the dates of other long-standing events when choosing their dates.
This was a long-standing problem with the Queensland Mini Muster, being run on the same weekend as The Hay Mini Nationals for many years. Again, Hay has been around for 40+ years and there should be no suggestion of expecting the date to change to suit other events.
I had this argument with members of the committee of the Qld club for many years, that because their event is a very good event, people from interstate are torn between going to Hay or Qld, when many of them would like to do both.
It also makes it very difficult for me to cover two events so far apart on the same weekend, properly for the magazine. For my part, I went to Hay for two years, then Qld for two years, and so-on.
The problem has finally been resolved, with The Qld Mini Muster being held in August. Last year's event was excellent, and did not appear to suffer in any way due to the change of date - there was also a good number of interstate visitors.
Unfortunately, due to the venue no longer being available - on any date - the event is yet to be finalised for this year. Sadly, I will not be able to make it to Qld in August, as I will be in the UK for the Mini 50th events. (I will be in Qld in September, if that helps with a date guys).
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And its not as simple as just picking a day,
Sure it is, to a point. Event organisers do this all the time (ourselves included with our Grand Day Out). You find a date that suits, as far in advance as you can, and you then find a suitable venue available on that date. You may need to adjust by a week or two, but as long as you have plenty of lead time it shouldn't be too much of an issue.
Yes, the venue looks excellent. The same place as the 2006 event, near the Cenotaph on ANZAC Pde (is this Memorial Park?), which is right on the edge of Hobart city.
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Who did you protest to?
Anyone I thought would listen. Mainly the Willsons and Andrew Gliddon, who assured me they would, and probably did, pass on my feelings about it clashing with Minis At The Mill.
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Obviously there must be some quite stubborn people at both ends if they wont give a little bit
I don't think Hotbricks in SA have anything to answer for, as I explained above.
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And all for the good of the mini too
I believe it is in the interest of the Mini fraternity in general for all clubs to at least consider what long-standing events are on which weekends before planning their own events, to assure there is no clash, particularly if it is an event that interstate Mini enthusiasts are likely to wish to attend.
I realise this can't be done for all events, but when there are major, long-standing events, then it should be considered.
The four WA Mini/MINI clubs have put any past differences of opinion behind them and co-ordinated their efforts to hold combined events to celebrate the Mini's 50th birthday later this year. That truly is in the spirit of being for the good of the Mini.
I realise, too, that this year is exceptionally difficult, simply due to the number of events being held to celebrate the Mini's birthday. It seems every weekend there is some event that has the Mini as a featured marque.
The Victorian Mini Club (Inc) made the decision a long time ago to not hold their Minishow in August, so that it wouldn't clash with other events (even before many other events had been planned, but they always knew there would be a lot happening in August) and so as to not clash with the major UK birthday celebrations in August, which a lot of Aussies will no doubt be attending. Hats off to the VMCI for this foresight.
So, in summary, I think the Tasmanian Minifest will be an excellent event and worth attending. It is just such a shame that it is on the same weekend as Minis At The Mill in SA, which is always a good event and at least equally worth attending. Many people have already indicated to me they would like to do both events, but now have to choose.
Please take these criticisms in the vein they are intended, not as an attack on the Minifest or the Tassie club, but as an observation for other clubs to take note when planning any event.
Cheers,
Watto.
) as my story of last years journey made it into the VMCI magazine and i had a few enquiries from other members (might take an extra day or so to get up and back, just incase there a any cases of "mini-itus" along the way 
)
