Victorian Sub-Aqua Group (VSAG)

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Victorian Sub-Aqua Group (VSAG): Announcements

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VSAG Annual General Meeting

Dear VSAG Members,

VICTORIAN SUB AQUA GROUP (VSAG)
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

SEPTEMBER 17TH 2009

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was announced in the August-September issue of Fathoms is now confirmed.

VENUE: Bells Hotel Corner Coventry and Moray Streets,South Melbourne

TIME: 7PM for finger food.. 8PM for the AGM.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Agenda:
1. To approve the minutes of the 2008 AGM
2. To receive the Annual Report
3. To receive the Treasurers Financial Report
4. To elect new members (Directors) for the committee
5. To present Club awards and recognitions
6. AOB

Thanks
Alan

Posted by BUBBLEDIVER on Sat, 12 Sep 2009 04:10 AM (331 reads)
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AIMA/NAS Part 1 Course

Mark Ryan is running an AIMA/NAS Part 1 course over the weekend of 17/18 October 2009.

AIMA/ NAS is the collaboration of The Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology (AIMA) & The Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS).

This is a 2 day introduction to maritime archaeology. Focuses on aspects such as pre-disturbance, or in other words, non-intrusive surveys of shipwreck sites.

These courses don't run very often, so if you're interested, book now. I have!

Cost: $220

Location: Aquability
16 Balcombe Road, Mentone Victoria, 3194

Duration: 9 am - 5 pm both days

Phone: 9585 7277
Email: info@aquability.com.au

See www.aima.iinet.net.au/...manas.html for course details.

Posted by lloyd_borrett on Sun, 09 Aug 2009 10:37 PM (320 reads)
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Ex-HMAS Canberra Project Update

28th September 2008

In Brief

Work continues with ship preparation with the project still on target for a likely scuttling date sometime in early 2009.
An Information Forum was held to provide an update to the dive community and other interested parties.
Sub-committees are continuing with their work to support the scuttling and ensure that the final dive site and experience is the best possible for all.

Information Update Evening
VARS held an Information Forum on the evening of 8th September at Bells Hotel in South Melbourne. This forum was advertised through dive shops and dive clubs with invitations sent to other stakeholders including VRFish, DSE, Tourism Victoria and Birdon Group. The evening was very well attended with some 100 interested divers as well as representatives from VRFish and Birdon.

Attendees were brought up to date with progress on the Canberra project with presentations from all sub-committee convenors. Opportunities were provided for questions or concerns to be raised and answers were provided wherever possible. Where answers were not immediately available, it was undertaken to provide advice as soon as possible via the website.

Feedback from participants indicated that the evening was very well received.

Sub-Committee Reports

Site Management - Convenor: Alan Beckhurst
A potentially serious issue arose during the last month with questions being raised as to the depth of the agreed scuttling site. A consultant engaged to provide a report to government on the suitability of the site suggested that the site was of insufficient depth – based on Admiralty charts showing a depth of 21 to 24 metres. This concern necessitated a further site survey by VARS committee members. Four committee members conducted a survey on 27th September. This survey included a comprehensive surface review using depth soundings as well as a 300 metre underwater swim across the proposed dive site by two committee members. The survey results are as below.

The proposed scuttle site consists of an oval shaped sand bowl surrounded by a low reef. This sand bowl is located 0.85 nautical miles west of the J4 submarine. The oval is 0.15 nautical miles wide and 0.30 nautical miles long, with the long axis running from SW to NE. The bowl is almost flat with a pure sand bottom (no pebbles, rocks or outcrops). The depth of the bowl is between 30.0 metres and 28.5 metres (confirmed by two independent depth gauges with readings taken every 25 metres of a 300 metre bottom swim from south to north). These readings were used to calibrate the depth sounder on the surface vessel. At this stage no probings have been taken to confirm the depth of the sand. However, based on observations by the two divers and the depth confirmations, there is a strong belief that this represents an ideal location for scuttling.

It is suggested that the Admiralty charts relied on by the consultants do not include this sand bowl but rather are an indication of the surrounding reef, which does have depths of 21 to 24 metres in this vicinity.

A report will be provided to the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) outlining the survey results. Hopefully this will alleviate the concern raised.

Work continues to ensure that the final arrangements for site access take into account the needs of all stakeholders whilst enabling the best possible arrangements for diver access both by commercial operators and club and private divers. This work is likely to continue for the next few months. It should be noted that VARS role in this is to ensure maximum consultation and input and to act as a conduit to government. VARS does not formulate policy – all we can do is to try and influence government direction.

Ship Preparation - Convenor: Jason Salter
The Birdon group continues with the task of preparing the ship for scuttling. VARS is maintaining a close liaison with Birdon and with the consultants engaged by DMO (the project manager) who are providing advice to Birdon. Work-to-date on the ship is progressing well. All efforts are being made to produce a result which complies with all safety requirements yet delivers an outstanding dive experience. VARS is very happy with this work so far and believes that the finished product will be the best ship so far in terms of the dive experience.

VARS hopes to be able to arrange an open day closer to the scuttle date so that interested parties can view the finished result before Canberra goes to her final resting place.

Fund Raising / Membership - Convenor: Warrick McDonald
All VARS members are encouraged to purchase a T-shirt to support the activities of VARS between now and the scuttling date. This T-shirt is available on order either from VARS or via your local dive store (within Victoria).

Marketing / Promotion - Convenor: Bryan McGoldrick
A variety of marketing activities including the production of a 3D interactive video are currently being pursued. Some funding has been secured with more being investigated.

Scuttling Celebration – Black Tie Ball – Convenor: Mick Jeacle
A Black Tie ball is being planned to celebrate the scuttling. This event will be held sometime in February and promises to be “THE” event of the year in the dive community. Watch this space for information over the next month. Numbers will be limited – so be ready to book your ticket as soon as the final arrangements have been made.

Posted by Anonymous on Sat, 04 Oct 2008 01:32 AM (368 reads)
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Photo Competition

VSAG PHOTO COMPETITION
25TH APRIL-16TH JUNE 2008

VSAG is to run another members photo competition during the time frame above.

VSAG has had dive trips to Jarvis Bay and the Queenscliff Queens Birthday long weekend during this time.

Diving has continued in the bay and on the outside reefs and wrecks,so there should be many great photos to be put for the competition.

So for those happy snappers who took photos in the above time frame..send them please to Alan Storen.

Prizes will be awarded for the best pictures

Only two photos per entry please..photos should be from underwater.

Winners will be third,second and first…each to win a prize.

Prizes will be judged by Dave Bryant from Seapics.

Posted by BUBBLEDIVER on Sun, 27 Jul 2008 05:38 AM (358 reads)
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VSAG Monster Xmas Party - Sun 9-Dec-07

VSAG has put all the final arrangements in place for the end of year Xmas party.

Our party this year will be at the Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron right on the shores of beautiful Beaumaris Bay, Port Phillip Bay.

The date is this Sunday 9th December from 12 noon... Cost is just $30 per person... Drinks are from the bar at normal bar prices.

Enjoy a BBQ meal from the esteemed VSAG master of the lamb spit roast Mick Kakafikas!!

Huge array of raffle prizes... The best on offer for many years!!!

Book in with the treasurer Andy Mastrowicz
on 0402 060 711

Very Happy