By registering you have agreed to comply with these rules and regulations.

Your Responsibilities

Registrants are expected to

• Obey the camp rules.
• Be courteous and respectful to other Astrofesters and camp staff.
• Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.
• Not to touch equipment that is not yours without permission.
• Keep the areas you use clean and tidy. This involves removing all rubbish, and sweeping out the area (kitchen, bunk and bathroom) when you leave.

If you see an issue, contact a Committee member or Volunteer with red lanyard.

Illness

If you have any Covid / Flu / Gastro symptoms or similar illnesses, you should not attend the camp.

If you develop symptoms at the camp, isolate immediately, wear a mask, take appropriate tests (eg RAT) and inform the Committee. If the result of a test is positive, you are required leave the camp as soon as practicably possible.

In this event accommodation fees will be refunded.

The Committee will ensure there is hand sanitiser at key locations, and a small supply of RAT’s and masks.

Please bring with you a supply of masks hand sanitizer and a RAT kit.

Please use hand sanitiser before meals and frequently during your stay.

Arrival at Camp

The camp is open from 10am on Friday. Upon arrival, please register at Rubie House (the Committee House) (see site map). This is important as Lions’ Camp Duckadang requires a daily list to comply with fire safety regulations.

Registration is Open when the “Registration” sign is posted on the Rubie House doors.

Registration: 10am-12pm and 2pm-3.30pm each day. Final Saturday: 10am-12pm.

Registration times on the final Saturday afternoon don’t really exist as the programme is so busy. Just find a committee member (the people with the red or blue lanyards) and ask for the Registrar.

Please seek out a Committee member if you are not able to be “on-site” at registering times, (i.e. come up for one night and arrive late and will be leaving before the next day’s registration time).

When you register you will receive: a name badge (please wear it!), a bed / room / campsite number, two astrophotography competition voting forms and sponsor information.

There is no motor vehicle access to the campsite after twilight. Night parking areas are available outside the gate and in the lower field (site map)

Day Passes

These are required for all visitors who will be onsite between 9am-9pm. A Day Pass costs $15. Day pass holders should park along the road or in the allocated Night Parking areas. This way they can leave after sunset, without flashing the fields with their headlights.

Severe Weather / Unforeseen Events

In the event of severe weather or unforeseen events, the Committee will attempt to share information about these events within the limitations of the camp communications. Check for emails, the Astrofest website, face book page and the “Ice in Space” Astrofest thread.

Power

As power is available on site, no generators may be used. When walking tread warily to avoid power leads and other potential hazards.

For connecting scopes and equipment to 240v use only the safety switch distribution points. One outlet per person. If you need more, bring a power board.

To avoid power failure, the use of electric heaters / blankets, mains hair dryers and personal microwaves is strictly forbidden, either on the fields, in tents or in caravans.

UPS and/or battery backup is strongly recommended to protect delicate equipment.

Power stations have been set out across both observing fields. These are for everyone’s use. Plug into them with a power-board. Ensure your equipment is in good condition to ensure it will run without tripping the circuits.

If you are using power in any of the buildings, you are required to make sure any cables or equipment do not form a trip hazard. Think about bring suitable mats or tape.

The Committee will be able to test electrical leads if it is believed that a Registrant’s equipment is faulty and causing circuits to trip. Faulty cables and boards will be removed from use.

Clothing

Please be prepared for the cold by bringing multiple layers of clothing and bedding. The temperature commonly drops below zero on the observing field. Observing doesn’t require a lot of exercise so you will become very cold. Freezer suits or ski gear is popular observing wear. Jackets that cover your kidneys are ideal for keeping warm. Jeans are not warm; tracksuits are better especially layered with thermal underwear. A hot water bottle inside a jacket is a very good idea too. There is a Zip hot-water tap in the Dining Hall so filling one only takes a minute.

Bunk Houses

You will need to bring ALL bedding, including pillows.

Bunks have been allocated on the basis of registration and payment. Every attempt has been made to accommodate your preferences as indicated on your registration form. Each bunk will have names and numbers to make it easier to find. When unpacking, you may park close to the bunkhouse or kitchen, but please move your car into the parking zones when you have finished.

The two bunk houses, McDonald House and Jamieson House, are divided into dorms of four bunks without doors. Please enter and exit via the Amenities area to avoid disturbing other campers.

There is a Single Ladies area in Jamieson House that is curtained off for privacy.

Families with children are allocated to rooms in Bayley House. There are seven rooms with doors.

Each accommodation block contains communal shower and toilet facilities. All houses have 6″ thick single bed mattresses provided for each bunk. The bunk houses are open plan and quickly become cold if the outside doors are left open at night. Bring plenty of bedding: going home with unused blankets is much better than having to go home early because you were too cold to sleep! Be prepared.

Camping

Camping sites will be allocated and you will receive your site upon arrival. Campers use the shower facilities of the bunk houses closest to their campsite (McDonald/Jamieson or Bayley) after 10:00 am. Remember that many attendees may have only gone to bed at dawn, so exercise courtesy and keep noise down around any sleeping quarters.

No mattresses may be taken from the bunk houses for use in tents

Caravans / Campervans

Caravans and campervans have numbered sites with varying widths between 4m and 5m. These are allocated by Registration and particular spaces may be requested but cannot be guaranteed.

There is limited power available in the Lower Camping Area: the power hub is located near the tennis courts. Note: This year there is no port-a-loo in the lower camping area.

Grey Water: Do not empty out containers or hoses onto the ground as it will seep into the water-table. Dispose of grey water only via the drains.

Electricity: There is limited 15-amp power on site. Please bring an adapter to 10-amp power, if required.

Vehicles / Parking

Vehicles can park on the observing fields and near the bunk houses only for unloading and loading gear / equipment. Once done, vehicles must be moved to the parking area near the pool and Hamilton Hall or to the road outside the camp.  If you intend to leave the camp during the day (eg shopping, sightseeing) you are required to park on the road (see site map page 10).

Driving within the grounds should be kept to an absolute minimum. Speed limit in the grounds is 5kph or walking pace only. This is for safety and to minimise dust. Vehicles should only drive on the mark roads within the camp.

No vehicles are to be driven on the grounds after dark except in case of genuine emergency. The main gate will be closed at twilight each night. There is no vehicle access to the campsite after twilight.

Vehicles arriving after dark or planning to leave after dark are to use the night parking bays outside the front gate or park in the Night Parking Areas. Use due care.

If parking near the main gate, be carefully not to block access to the neighbouring farmer’s field.

Parking locations may change in the event of rain.

Noise

Noise is always a problem for the sensitive person. Please use common sense and courtesy when dealing with this issue. Turn off phones / alarms or other devices that can produce noise in the bunk houses.

No noise, including use of showers, will be tolerated before 10am in and around all sleeping areas, including campsites and caravans.

Earplugs are available from Registration.

Children are not allowed into the playground tower before 10am, however use of play facilities under Hamilton Hall, and the put-put course is fine.

Areas without morning noise restrictions are: the Dining Hall, the Rotunda and Hamilton Hall. Again show courtesy to the late-night observers and keep any noise to the minimum even in these areas.

If you wish to listen to music / watch videos on the observing fields, use a headset.

Children

Children are welcome onsite. We have rooms set aside for families. As in all standard camping grounds parents should be aware of their children’s behaviour around other peoples’ equipment and the noise they make.

Bicycles are welcome but ridden only on designated “roads” within the camp between 10:00am and twilight. Bikes are not to be ridden on footpaths or within observing areas.

Children are not allowed into the playground tower before 10am, however use of play facilities under Hamilton Hall, and the putt-putt course is fine.

Due to continuing complaints, parents must be aware of their child’s behaviour around peoples’ equipment, the noise they make and their behaviour with other children.

Light Issues

The Queensland Astrofest is a RED light zone.

Please keep all light emissions to a minimum as a courtesy to others, e.g. Vehicle locking and interior lights, laptops, torches, headlamps, cameras, etc.

Most lights in buildings at the camp will be changed to red.

White light is not permitted after twilight on the observing fields, in bunk houses, tents, camper vans and caravans.  The only exceptions are for genuine emergencies, medical and safety issues.  White light can be used to pack up and / or cover your equipment in case of bad weather.

If you think you might need access to your car after dark, make sure any internal lights, security lights are either disabled or covered over.

Remember there is no driving after dark. If you are leaving during the night, you are required to park on the road outside the camp grounds.

Be aware of the light your set-up is emitting. The use of ultra bright LED’s, many of them are not red, and can shine a beam of light across the field. See a Committee member about some duct tape to cover any problem lights.

Green laser pointers cannot be used at the camp

“Exit” Lights

The Committee is aware of the bright “Exit” lights in buildings. These are a legal requirement and cannot be turned off or covered up. Interference with these lights will not be tolerated.

LED Head Lights

If you have an LED head light please see the Committee for a “brightness reducer”. Without modification these torches are too bright. DO NOT have them facing straight ahead, aim them downwards. Use a dimmer and the white LEDs must be disabled or filtered.

Laptop Usage On The Field

A laptop on the field must be set up in a box and with a red cover for the screen even when inside a screened hutch.

While it may feel that your light inside a hutch is managed, the glow from the outside of the hutch can light up the field. Reduce screen brightness to minimum and try to angle it away from others. Do not lift the red shield at any stage. If you need to see the screen clearer, use the light red gel with a neutral density gel on top. No matter how careful you are you will emit a noticeable bright glow every time. Please use red gel (professional lighting film) over all light sources. Red cellophane is not sufficient.

Red Gel

Red and neutral density gel will be available in various sizes (Phone, camera, A4, A3) There are two densities of red gel. The lower density may need two thicknesses, or an additional layer of neutral density, depending on the screen brightness, and your preference. Laminating the gel makes it more durable. The gel and laminating will be for sale at the Registration desk for a few dollars depending on size.

Telescope Fields

The Bob Grimes Observing Area, formerly known as the Northern Observing Field is designated as the Visual observing field where only dim red lighting must be used (including laptops and camera LCD screens etc.). The Central Observing Field is more suited to Astro-imaging where the policy for screens is more tolerant. See Astrofest etiquette for specific details.

AstroFeast

This year the final get together for the week, the AstroFeast, will be an AstroLunch. The AstroFeast must be prepaid. Lunch will be served in the hall. Vegetarian or gluten free food is available, but requires pre-booking. Please speak to the Camp Manager, about your request prior to camp starting (info@duckadang.com.au).

The Astrofeast will follow the talk from our Honoured Guest. After the Astrofeast, the Raffle will be drawn and the awards won during the week will be presented.

The meal will be alternate drop roast beef or chicken, desert will be chocolate mud cake or apple danish, ice cream or custard.  I think the desert will be alternate drop as well.

Cooking

Cooking is not permitted in ANY of the accommodation areas by order of Lions Camp Management. Registrants found doing so will be asked to leave immediately and in the event of a cooking fire, the registrants responsible will be held personally liable, as per Lions’ Camp Duckadang insurance policy.

The Committee will organise a walk in cold room and freezer.  Please keep the space you require to a minimum, as they both will be full by the final weekend. No Eskies are allowed in the cold room / freezer as they take up too much space. Please bring a bag / box to store your items and put your name clearly on it.

Registrants will have access to

• 2 microwaves in the Dining room
• 1 microwave in the rotunda
• 3 gas canister stoves in the rotunda
• 1 large BBQ in the rotunda
• Toaster and kettle in rotunda
• Zip boil in the Dining room.

There is NO access to the kitchen and related equipment located next to the dining hall.

There are a number of fridges / freezers located in the Rotunda area. These will labelled and be turned off and not to be used. This will help limiting power issues.

Due to power limitations, personal cooking equipment using 240v such as microwaves is not permitted.

BYO pots and pans and cooking implements. There are mugs, plates and cutlery available in the Dining Room. After meals please rinse your plates, cutlery and mugs before putting them in the dishwasher rack.

Water

Water is available at the camp. Water is available in the kitchen and drink fountains. Do NOT drink the water in the bathrooms as it is not filtered.

Laundry

There is a free laundry, with a front loader machine, at the rear of the kitchen with a washer and dryer if you need to use it. Bring your own washing powder.

Telephone Coverage

There is no / extremely limited mobile coverage at Camp Duckadang due to the hills and depending on your provider.

Telstra: Calls, SMS, some internet.

Optus: No connection

Vodafone: Needs to be determined.

Reception for Optus / Vodafone can be made at the cemetery outside Moore.

The Committee is organising a Telstra mobile phone for anyone to use at the camp. This is for mainly outgoing calls and SMSs only. The phone will NOT be monitored for incoming calls / SMS. We recommend arranging incoming call times with friends and family prior to camp

Roads and Walkways

There will be a number of roads and walkways to allow easy access to different parts of the camp.  Make sure you do not block access or setup equipment on them. Do not run cables across the roads and walkways.

Wildlife

The camp is in a bush setting. Attendees need to be aware of animals in and around the camp grounds. Wild deer have entered the camp grounds and snakes spotted near some sheds. Mice / rats have been seen in some bunk houses.

Pets / Assistance Animals

Pets are not allowed at the camp. Guide dogs and registered assistance animals are allowed. Please contact the Registrar if you are bringing a registered assistance animal.

No Smoking / Vaping

Smoking / Vaping is only allowed in two designated smoking areas. These are clearly marked and have cigarette butt receptacles. One is near the pool and the other is at the front gate. See the camp map. Smoking / Vaping is NOT permitted in any other areas, this includes camping and caravan areas and behind buildings.

Neighbouring Properties

Unlike some previous years, there is no access to the paddock that backs onto the northern border of camp. Please respect private property in the area. Do not block access to the fields near the main entrance to the camp.

Recreation Activities

The facilities available at/near the camp include:

Rotunda with seating and a gas barbecue

A cold water drinking fountain at the rear of the kitchen

Observatory with a 9.25 inch telescope

3m-8m deep reach of Brisbane River for fishing/canoeing

Quiet country roads to wander and enjoy the rural atmosphere

Bird watching

Two compact tennis courts and a basketball court.