2013 TransFormal

[Adrian]

Talking with Gina, I have edited the TransFormal 2012 video to remove a section that featured an interview that someone didn’t want shown.

I have therefore been able to send a copy of the full video to those who featured on it. But that is as far as I’m distributing it at present as Gina is currently in Europe.

I haven’t received much feedback as to what people thought about the ‘cut’ movie – but I plan to provide a “private” screening (if technically possible) at TransFormal this year.

[Adrian]

Two days into selling tickets for TransFormal 2013 we have guests attending from every state except WA and the NT. Over 1/2 the ticket sales are from outside NSW. So if you are thinking of traveling to be at this special event you will not be alone.

And the popular value tickets including very discounted accommodation are as popular as ever. Just 3 left when I last looked.

[Adrian]

Quote:

Just 3 left when I last looked.

All the Traditional Rooms at the Carrington Hotel sold this year in the first week. So TransFormal central should be a real buzz on Friday and Saturday nights.

Of course there are still plenty of other rooms on the same floor – so buy your ticket and be sure of reserving the room you want.

[JeniSkunk]

Amanda, how quickly are the tickets for the Grand High Tea selling this year?

Jenifur Charne

Moderator

Quote:

Depends what you mean by quickly – but I don’t have any idea how fast they sold in previous years. And sales in the first week are never an indication of long term sales rates. So no answer.

If you have a personal reason for needing to know the number of tickets remaining them email me please and take this off forum

Amanda

[Adrian]

A piece of Transformal Trivia.

One month into ticket sales and the graph below shows who is coming from where!

Interesting to note that 17% of the tickets are NOT from the eastern seaboard – what a solid vote of confidence in the value of attending (as if you would ever doubt that!).

Got your tickets yet??

[Adrian]

What sort of person are you?

Half the chairs at the tables are empty?
OR
Half the chairs at the tables are sold?

Either way – at a comfortable capacity for the Grand Dining Room we have sold half the seats.

Which means by my estimates there won’t be very many Colonial Rooms left for sale in the Carrington Hotel.

So if your plan was to come to the formal and stay overnight in the hotel….maybe now is the time to buy your ticket?

It’s only a suggestion! 💡

[Fay]

The analytical Engineers answer to your question is there are twice as many chairs as there need be! Similar to the half full or half empty glass of water question. The glass is too big.

I’ll be there to help in any way I can Amanda. I might be an old boiler but I love putting lights away in 5″ heels. Looking forward to another great weekend.

Hugs,

Fay

[Adrian]

Quote:

I was curious as to how the sales for the Grand High Tea tickets were going, as you’d earlier mentioned just how quickly the Traditional Rooms tickets had sold out this year.
Jenifur Charne

Sorry to appear a bit coy – but the ups and downs of ticket sales weigh very heavily on a promoter who stands to loose money if they don’t stack up. I’m not sure if knowing how the sales are going helps to sell tickets or not – it depends on what the listener thinks of the number. And as 99% of the listeners have little or no understanding of the practicalities of promoting an event I suspect they would not know how to fairly assess the number. At least I have the benefit of 3 years experience of watching the ticket sales roller-coaster ride – and let me tell you going in blind the first year was the cause of a lot of stress and anxiety.

So my strong preference is to share nothing about ticket sales till something is close to being sold out (or has sold out).

I will make one, final exception this year – and then please don’t ask. I offer the following statement without any commentary as whether it is good, average, or poor.

[ul]After a week of ticket sales all the traditional rooms are sold, and over 1/3 of all the other ticketed items have gone. In rough terms the 1st release tickets at the lower price have about 1/2 gone.[/ul]
I’ll let you know when we are down to the last few 1st release tickets or anything else is close to capacity…but till then…no more questions about numbers please.

[Adrian]

The weekend program is coming together quite rapidly – with some enthusiastic responses from event partners.

I can already announce an exciting addition to the program on Friday.

This year I have arranged a wine and cheese tasting to be held in The Carrington Cellars. This will include a presentation and tasting of a number of red and white wines together with sampling of some of the usual cheeses they stock.

The tasting will be scheduled late afternoon (provisionally 5:30pm) and will cost just $12. BUT everyone who attends will receive a $10 voucher to spend on wine in the cellars so the actual cost to attendees is just $2!!

I will be updating the web site to include full details of this new activity and, later this week, will open the booking system so you can purchase tickets.

Tickets will be limited in number (because of the capacity of the tasting room ) and will be available only to guests who have purchased a Weekend or Value ticket.

[Adrian]

An update for those who have already purchased their tickets to TransFormal 2013.

The provisional program for Friday through to Sunday has been published.
Check out the web site to get an idea of some of the exciting things happening in Katoomba in May.

T-off Transformal Golf is on again!
All the details are now on the web site.
Experience not necessary – just a interest in having good fun!
Reserve your place – a $15 deposit holds you a place.

Another new activity for 2013 – the wine and cheese tasting.
Tickets (at a nominal cost of $2 if you make a wine purchase) are now on sale.

ALL THE DETAILS HERE:
http://www.trannytix.com/transformal

[Adrian]

A message for everyone who has bought a Weekend or value ticket to Transformal

I have been asked how places on FREE workshops are allocated.

Things are changing this year to make my life easier…
In past years I ran an on-line booking system for all the FREE events that opened in the final weeks leading up to the event.

This year is different because I know that all those who are attending the workshops up to 2:30 on Saturday have bought weekend tickets.

So I’m just going to use paper sign-up lists that will be available at the reception on Friday night and afterwards at Transformal Central. Also – because things are so busy on the provisional program I’m informally planning two parallel threads through Saturday – which means I’m asking several workshops to run twice. We have access to a big room – so I don’t anticipate anyone will be “left out”.

[Adrian]

Would you like to be the hostess for lunch on Saturday?

Unfortunately Clare cannot make TransFormal this year, so I’m looking for a volunteer to make lunch at the Paragon Cafe go smoothly.

What’s involved?
– Contact the paragon before the event,
– Advise them of the likely numbers turning up
– Try to ensure everyone gets fast service as there is plenty happening at the Hotel
– Give advice to anyone looking for lunch

Best done by someone who has lunched at the paragon before….

Anyone interested?

[Adrian]

I’m still looking for someone to act as the contact point for lunch on Saturday.

And, as there are over 7 people in the hotel on Thursday night perhaps someone would like to either organise a meal, or at least act as a contact person.

[Adrian]

I’ve received many offers from members who are “closeted” to participate on the panel.

All I can say is collectively thank you – and I do appreciate you being prepared to talk to us all.

Before Peter and I make what is going to be a tricky call and select a panel, is there anyone coming to TF who is essentially full-time and who could add their perspective of the issues they face.

[Adrian]

There is time and a small room available for a breakout discussion on Saturday morning from 11:30 to 12:00.

If there is a topic that you would like to get together with a small group and discuss…then let me know… and the room could be yours.

It doesn’t have to be life, the universe and everything sort of stuff… just something that we might gain from discussing together face-to-face.

Suggestions? Volunteers?

[Adrian]

Deafening silence….

Hard to believe there is nothing interesting to talk about….

perhaps I should schedule an hour of silent meditation instead?

[Elizabeth]

Ok, so we have the opportunity to utilise a breakout room for half an hour discussion on any subject on Saturday, 11.30 to noon.
I really don’t think a subject is necessary; let’s just meet up, those who may be interested and see what comes up. I’ll attend, and if I’m on my own I’ll have a personal discussion, a bit like the sound of one hand clapping. I’m in, who will join me?

[Adrian]

The TransFormal program has now been finalised.
With about 22 activities planned over 3 days we ran out of space for any more!
Read all the details on the web site.

Tell all your friends!

And buy your tickets NOW!!!

[Adrian]

I have sent out a newsletter in the past few days to everyone who has purchased a ticket.
If you don’t have a newsletter – look in your spam/junk mail folder.

If you can’t find it there let me know…

Amanda

[Adrian]

Quote:

LAST TWO WEEKEND TICKETS UP FOR GRABS

I can only sell 2 more weekend tickets (or upgrade 2 dinner tickets to the full weekend).
So no more weekend tickets are on sale now.

After that we will only have dinner tickets to the formal left – but we have lots of those left!!!!

All gone!!!

Actually I think we might be a couple of tickets over the room capacity….for the workshops etc… but we will find a way to get everyone a seat (and meal).

BUT – plenty of tickets still for the formal on Saturday night.
And plenty of space to accommodate late bookings.

Just $109 for a great night’s entertainment – don’t miss it!

[Adrian]

For those who have purchased a ticket to the TransFormal Weekend:

The Information Pack is now available on-line.

There are still a few last minute tickets available for just Saturday afternoon and evening. Purchase through TrannyTix by Credit Card or PayPal.

[Adrian]

I can announce the details of the first of many workshops being planned for TransFormal.
Ophelia from Cross Dress with Class presents:

Celebrate the fun of cross dressing by knowing what works and what doesn’t for your figure. Pride in your appearance is often the first step on a long journey of exciting nights out and days spent shopping for items to keep in that closet you no longer feel a need to hide within.

When: Saturday Morning (two workshops)
Cost: Free – included in Weekend and Value tickets

Bookings for this workshop are essential and can be made at TransFormal Central during the weekend.

[Adrian]

It gives me pleasure to be able to announce another exciuting new workshop for TransFormal.

Based loosely on the highly aclaimed ABC TV series Q&A,
T Q&A puts some of the best brains, hair styles and legs in our community together to thrash out the hot issues of being transgender.

On T Q&A the audience gets to ask the questions. It doesn’t matter who you are, or where you’re from – everyone can have a go and put their questions to our panel.

Energetic, opinionated and possibly informative – T Q&A brings Australia’s egalitarian and larrikin spirit into the Grand Ballroom of the Carrington Hotel.

The Workshop will start off our Saturday morning program – at 10am.
And the best news – it is FREE for anyone holding a Weekend or value ticket.

We are currently recruiting a diverse panel of volunteers – hopefully representing as wide a range of opinions as we can. If you would like to sit on the T Q&A panel please email Amanda to discuss.

[Adrian]

Arrangements have been made for those looking for a professional makeup session prior to our main event on Sat evening….

We have arranged two experienced make up artists to add that touch of glamour that will make your evening and photos truly memorable.

Katie and Jo will be offering 40minute appointments from 2pm onwards – with the last appointment at 5:20.

Cost $50 payable direct to the makeup artist.
RESERVATIONS ESSENTIAL
Full details on the web site.

T-off Transformal An update from Caroline on Golf.

For those not planning to pack a set of clubs along with the heels and dresses – you can hire a set at the course for $30.

Experience not necessary – just a interest in having good fun!
Reserve your place – a $15 deposit holds you a place.

ALL THE DETAILS HERE:
http://www.trannytix.com/transformal

[Anonymous]

Hi Amanda, I found the article on the Trannytix web site but couldn’t book through the link as it was not active. I was trying to book the last session at 5.30, I missed out last year for being too late and it looks like I’m too early this time.
Cheers…Karly

[Adrian]

Quote:

Hi Amanda, I found the article on the Trannytix web site but couldn’t book through the link as it was not active. I was trying to book the last session at 5.30, I missed out last year for being too late and it looks like I’m too early this time.
Cheers…Karly

The link for makeup sessions was only supposed to pop up an email to Caroline. Just email Caroline on the email shown.

But… given the text says

Quote:

Katie and Jo will be offering 40minute appointments from 2pm onwards – with the last appointment at 5:20

I’m not quite sure how you got a 5:30 appointment….perhaps an old web site page???????

[Anonymous]

I am a professional make up artist tgirl from Victoria. i am not sure about the rules regarding business etc? However I am good at what I do and available for make-up help on party night in Katoomba. if you are interest please email me at lizettetv@hotmail.com. Please note we are a business and non negotiable fees will be charged.

[Anonymous]

Hi Amanda, every time I go to the Trannytix 2013 Transformal home page, click on workshops, then scroll down, the Professional Makeup Sessions are listed as “details soon” with no active link. I have sent Caroline a message on FB and will also through TGR.
Cheers…Karly

[Adrian]

Quote:

Which means by my estimates there won’t be very many Colonial Rooms left for sale in the Carrington Hotel.

Just to correct a rumour that I’ve been hearing – there are still plenty of rooms available in the Carrington Hotel – including a reasonable supply of the popular Colonial Rooms.

If you ring up reception and ask for a room you will be told the hotel is full.

If you go to the reservation website and search for a room you will be told there are none available.

That is because we (and the other event that weekend) have a block hold on the entire hotel!

If you use the booking form you got with your TransFormal ticket and quote your ticket number to the hotel…
suddenly you will find there are rooms available!!!!

The only rooms the hotel cannot provide at the moment are the Premier Balcony rooms – because all 4 of them were rapidly booked out by people coming to TransFormal.

[Adrian]

Quote:

We are currently recruiting a diverse panel of volunteers – hopefully representing as wide a range of opinions as we can. If you would like to sit on the T Q&A panel please email Amanda to discuss.

I’m still looking for perhaps two more people to volunteer to sit on our panel.

To ensure a wide as possible range of opinions I am seeking the help of
– someone who is still very much closeted and currently unable to express themselves freely,
and/or
– someone who lives their chosen gender expression full-time.

If you have any doubts if you fit into these broad categories, or if you just have a burning desire to be on the panel, please contact me.

[Adrian]

New to Transformal in 2013 – our supper (or is that super) entertainment.

Leave plausibility behind on a voyage into the improbable!
As we challenge you and your team to sift through the unlikely, in search of the truth!
Join us as we explore the shaky foundations of our knowledge.
This is no trivia quest – this is a challenge to “Believe it….or not”.

Believe it or not – it is happening on Friday Night at the Supper Reception.

This event is FREE to Weekend and Value ticket holders

The TransFormal weekend from Friday is close to capacity.

If you want to enjoy the entertainment and workshops we have lined up then don’t delay in purchasing your ticket.

We still have plenty of tickets available for the Saturday night TransFormal.

Please tell your friends about this unique event!
And please support TransFormal

We have very few events to celebrate as a community in Australia. Without your active support there will be even fewer!

[Adrian]

On a similar topic…

LAST THREE HIGH TEA PLACES LEFT

I can only sell 3 more tickets to the high tea. If you are in Katoomba on Sunday afternoon then don’t miss the high tea – grab a ticket soon!

[JeniSkunk]

One item I noticed that was missing from the Essential Packing List section of the Registration pack is coathangers.
From reviews of the Carrington, and my own experience there last year, the small number of coathangers in each room is a nuisance. So bringing your own coathangers is important.

Jenifur Charne

Moderator

Quote:

Good point! I’ve updated it

[Adrian]

Breaking News!!

I’m excited to announce that Venus Vamp will be entertaining us at TransFormal. Venys Vamp is Sydney’s dark princess of Burlesque.

Some of you may have seen Venus recently at the NSW Art Gallery. She is the subject of a stunning portrait hung in this year’s Archibald Prize .

On the 18th May we will have the opportunity to see Venus live as she takes us back to the Weimar Berlin for a show of vintage decadence and carnivalesque delights.

Don’t miss this treat – buy your tickets NOW!

[Adrian]

Photography

Everyone is of course welcome to take their own photos at TransFormal (provided that you respect our photography policy)

[
But this year we thought it would be nice for everyone to have a special memento of the dinner of Saturday night.
So we have engaged a professional photographer Connie who will take lots of photos of you and your friends during the evening.
This way everyone has a permanent record of the event with lots of happy shots of themselves and friends new and old.

Don’t worry if you don’t want to be in the shot – Connie will ask for an OK! And red NO PHOTO stickers will be available as usual.

A disc containing photos of the whole evening will be mailed after the event to those who deposit $10 and their address in an envelope in a BOX which will be located on the Transformal Central wing (1st floor hotel) from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon .

[JeniSkunk]

Quote:

Photography
A disc containing photos of the whole evening will be mailed after the event to those who deposit $10 and their address in an envelope in a BOX which will be located on the Transformal Central wing (1st floor hotel) from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon .

Is it possible to pay that $10 in advance, via TrannyTix, and email the address info to Connie?

Jenifur Charne

[Adrian]

Quote:

Is it possible to pay that $10 in advance, via TrannyTix, and email the address info to Connie?
Jenifur Charne

No – sorry. This initiative is kindly being run by Caroline… and we both agree that a “low-tech” solution will work the best for us, and the photographer. Using Trannytix has a high set-up overhead and ongoing fees.

[Deleted User]

Apologies for the delay but our photographer hasnt yet sent me the master copy to enable me to send out copies to all that subsrcibed

appreciate your patience

will send as soon as possible

Caroline

[Jan_Wilson]

Hi Caroline,

Connie is probably so blown away by the beautiful images she cannot bear to part with them, I think.

It will be worth the wait.

Thanks and regards,

Jan.

[Deleted User]

Ladies,

Well at last I have the Master ( Mistress ? ) DVD and have started making copies but its going to take a few days ?? for me at the moment to complete the task. There are over 3 Gb of images on the disc and it takes a while !!.

You all look Absolutely … F A B U L O U S !!!!!! So Glad we chose to do this.

Discs will be mailed to you as per your address on your envelopes . I havnt printed anything on the discs themselves so theyre Cleanskins !!!

Thanks you for your patience rest assured I will get around to mailing them out as soon as i can.

Caroline

[Jan_Wilson]

Thanks Caroline for all your hard work.

Jan

[Anonymous]

Yes many thanks Caroline.
Trying to find some patience

[Deleted User]

Am mailing most of the discs tomorrow .. a few more still to do . !!

Hope you enjoy

Please note these pictures are copyright (C) Transgender Enterprises Inc all rights reserved. any unauthorised copying , transmission , in any form is
illegal and legal action may be taken for any infringements.

(TIC)

Caroline

[Deleted User]

All done ,, mailing the last 15 copies tomorrow morning

Hope you all enjoy its a great collection.

Caroline

[Anonymous]

Absolutely the best quality photo’s I’ve seen at any event, ever. She took the background of a stunning building and made it work, rich colours, stunning depth of field, sharp focus without that blinding flash that makes us look like shadowy ghouls… best evah!!!!

[Anya]

Agree totally. Caroline, well done for finding Connie.

Honorary Permanent TgR Photographer?

[Jan_Wilson]

Have just killed the last hour looking at the beautiful photographs.

Great Idea, great photographer and great fun.

Thank you Connie and Caroline.

[Deleted User]

A few have emailed me saying disc not yet received and that COULD be because you were in the second mailing group .
However if you havnt recvd in next few days email me and I will send another copy no charge.

I DO know from experience that Aussie post can sometimes deliver mail incorrectly . I would hope that any recipients would write on the envelope redeliver to address as WRITTEN !! I was very careful to ensure I wrote the adress correctly

Thanks to The Carrington for informing Amanda and I about Connie.

She really did enjoy the assignment and will be happy to do it again.

Ive passed on appreciation of her work to her
Cheers

Caroline

[Kristen_james]

Thanks again Carro. The pics are fantastic & capture a great night. May I say to those who haven’t been to TF yet, try & get a look at these photos somehow & see what you’re missing.

[Elizabeth]

I guess I was amonst the latter reciprients of the disc, but the wait was well worthwhile. Just one thing, the pic of the menu dated Saturday, 17 June 2013, tut! tut! the 17th was the Friday. Was that a set up?

[Anonymous]

Hi all. Please excuse my blondness but how did you get the photo CD ?
did I miss something ? (again) lol
I was probably looking out the window daydreaming when Amanda said “now listen carefully everyone”
Are the photos on here to view ?
Cheers
Aleesha xxx

[Kristen_james]

Those who were at TF & wanted to purchace the official photos, placed $10 in an addressed envelope at the Saturday night formal. Copies were then sent out to those addresses in the following weeks. I’m sure there is a way to still get a copy. Caroline is the person you need to get in touch with.

K.

If any of you missed ( somehow !) the chance to put your name down for the Transformal Photo album let me know and will try to work out something to suit

Caroline

PS Thanks Kristen for posting this

[JeniSkunk]

In discussions in the chatroom for venue ideas for an informal pre-TF dinner for Thursday night, the plan was worked out to go to the Canton Palace, 246 Katoomba St, Katoomba.
So far there’s 5 interested in going. Myself, Caroline and her wife, and Helen and amander.

Jenifur Charne

[Adrian]

Quote:

I’m still looking for someone to act as the contact point for lunch on Saturday.

Penny and Kristen have kindly volunteered to co-ordinate this event.

[Adrian]

For those who will be staying in Katoomba on Thursday night there is an important event on Friday morning. This year the 17th may is International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).

Quote:

RAISE THE RAINBOW FLAG ON Friday May 17th

Civic Square, Outside Blue Mountains City Council Building Katoomba, will be the scene for IDAHO & the Rainbow Flag Raising Ceremony organised by Blue Mountains IDAHO committee.

The day begins at 8am with a free breakfast,This Is OZ Booth and music, followed at 9am by speeches and the official flag raising ceremony. Everyone is welcome to attend.

I will be adding this event to the Weekend Program.

[Adrian]

I am pleased to announce a 6th (and final) volunteer on the T Q&A panel.

Sujay will be joining us at TransFormal and zie is delighted to provide another perspective on the transgender experience on our panel.

Sujay is a sociologist whose work has focused on sex, gender and sexuality, as well as LGBTI ageing, with extensive publications and conference presentations. Zie has taught and researched at The University of Queensland, conducted training in sexuality, sex and gender for health care and community sector workers throughout Queensland.

Sujay is also the LGBTI Elders’ Wellbeing Project Officer for aged care service provider Evergreen Life Care. The project aims to deliver health and wellness capacity building programs to older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people and service providers across NSW.

In this context I have invited Sujay to provide a short introduction to the Elders’ Wellbeing Project in the Library during Saturday afternoon. More details will be in the weekend program.

[Adrian]

Tanja’s popular Breast Form Store workshop is an open house this year – no fixed time to get there.
Just drop-in from 2:30 onwards as your schedule permits.

[Adrian]

I’ve just received an updated accommodation list from the Carrington Hotel.

This year we have booked 92 room/nights at the hotel!

This rises from 7 rooms on Thursday night to 37 rooms on Saturday.
As in previous years there will be another small conference held in the hotel over the weekend (they specifically wanted to book when we were there!!) and we have left a few spare rooms for “regular” hotel guests.

So there should be a nice mix of people in the hotel.

Enjoy!!!

[Anonymous]

I’ve just arrived back home to Canberra. I spent the whole drive back reflecting on what a wonderful weekend we all just shared. It was great to catch up with those of you I had the privilege of meeting last year… and also wonderful to meet so many new people this time round. I didn’t think it was possible, but for me, this Transformal was even better than last year’s.

There really is just not anything that compares to the opportunity to connect with people face to face. The diversity of people, and the positive vibe of complete acceptance made those connections even more powerful, real and special.

I was really inspired by the engagement people had with the TQ&A panel and the follow up discussion. I really think that the discussions we started this year are the beginning of something very powerful and exciting.

Thank you Amanda, and everyone else involved, for making this event happen. There is nothing like it that happens anywhere else in the country.

Such a very special thing.
Can’t wait for Transformal 2014 already

If ever any of you wonderful people are travelling through Canberra, please make contact with me. I have a spare room that I would be happy to offer to any of you.

Peter

[Anonymous]

Well said Peter, I can only reflect your thoughts. Wonderful!!!

[Anonymous]

Peter,

I had to leave on Saturday, but not before I was one of those in attendance on Saturday morning for the Q and A session. Thank you very much for your participation as one of the panel members, after learning about your story during the seven visual vignettes from the Friday night I was enthralled and that carried over to the Saturday morning session where I was informed, confronted and challenged by the panel’s comments. There were times during the workshop when I wanted to comment and give an opinion or proffer and idea, but Amanda’s ability as both a benevolent tyrant and facilitator thwarted my ideas.

Thank you for your open and frank comments and your honesty in what has been (and probably still is) challenging transition. If I could be so brave.

Helen

[Petra]

Peter , i was lucky enough to attend this years Transformal and like you i had a fantastic weekend and came home feeling so good , the girls my partner and i met over the weekend were great & so friendly and to catch up with girls we met from 2011 Transformal was just amazing .
Cant wait for next year and this time around i think we shall make it a longer weekend , thursday to monday sounds good
Big thanks to Amanda another great job and to all that helped thanks .

Petra

[Adrian]

Here is the official picture from TransFormal 2013 – proof that we had a great time and the sun shone (for the 4th year running).

Can I take this opportunity to thank everyone for making my weekend so enjoyable and rewarding. For me 2013 was the best so far by a long margin.

Organising the event is a roller coaster ride of logistical, emotional, and financial challenges. This year the excitement and enthusiasm at the hotel was so invigorating I forgot how exhausted I was! I really felt I was in a big family of friends and I enjoyed all your conversations. Once again I am indebted to the growing band of volunteers who helped out in so many ways and gave me the opportunity to sample the infectious atmosphere.

A big thank you to you all – you were a wonderful group to organise for.

[Sophia]

So agree with all, what a fab weekend! I was sad I missed the second forum of the Q&A discussion, I was preparing my display for my presentation immediately after. However the first session with themes of community, relationships, health, opened more of a door to this magical wonderful world. The panel inspired safety to step just that little bit further in terms of being more active, whether that be on a personal level or a community/ies based level. Speaking with others it also had similar effect
The weekend had many aspects to it. The wine tasting was marvelous! great tastes and local produce nibbles! Reception dinner, quiz and the heart rendering short films what a start!
Next day of presentation/workshops, discussions, what substance! On to lunch with friends new and old more workshops/chats, then the wonderful glam, yum food, and dynamic band at the formal yes I was the crazy dancer just can’t help myself when I hear good music!
Thank you one and all, sitting with friends later on the night, it was so apparent how warm our hearts felt for the experience.
blessings Amanda/Caroline/ respective partners and /TgR community.

[Terri_2]

Thank you Amanda, you just keep making them better & better
This was my fourth event & I’m already saving for next year
The workshops this year were really helpful towards one’s self confidence
Thank you & all your wonderful helpers
Terri

[Anonymous]

yes i am going to say what all the rest are saying it was the best one and i think we shad give three cherss to amander for doing a good job and i did not what the week end get here but it has so we will have to what for next year chat with you all by posts or in the chat room

[Anonymous]

I had an amazing time at TF and would like to thank Amanda and others for putting it all together. I made new friends, had a wonderful time and can’t wait to do it all again.
Staff at The Carrington were also great.

[Kristen_james]

I’d also like to give my thanks to Amanda, Caroline & all who contributed to this years TF. I had a wonderful time again. The Carrington is such a great venue & Katoomba is starting to feel like home. Well done to all who came along. Hopefully they all enjoyed the experience as much as I did. :cheers:

[Deleted User]

In many ways I enjoyed TF 2013 more than the last three.

The Carrington once again proved herself a great venue for us .

Delightful to have some new Girls attending and of course lovely to meet all those friends from previous TF’s.

Thanks to those who said YES to the CD Photo Album. I havn’t received the Master copy yet but rest assured I will mail out youir copy as soon as I can.

Meanwhile enjoy the photos you have taken yourselves.

Thanks Amanda once again for your commitment in putting the T into Katoomba in such style.
Rebecca , Great band loved them!! XXX for your work .

Caroline

[Anya]

After this TF weekend, my third, I can safely say that this event keeps getting better and better.

The growing range of activities surrounding the Transformal evening, which offer lots of little spaces to chat informally with others and make new friends, have just about become the main event.

Many thanks to Amanda and everyone else who combined forces to make all this happen.

Anya

[Anonymous]

At the risk of just repeating what the others have posted before me, I just have to put my two cents worth in.
Transformal 2013 was great and it is such a unique experience.
I also want to personally thank Amanda and her helpers for giving me and everyone else such a great opportunity to have a great weekend with other people “just like me”.
A BIG thank you from me.

[JeniSkunk]

This year was the second TransFormal I attended, and I feel it massively surpassed last years. The Carrington was brilliant. I caught up with friends form last year, and met some new ones.
Thursday night’s pre-TransFormal dinner went well. Canton Palace was a great venue. Thanks to Caroline and her wife Annette, amander, and Helen for attending.
Friday afternoon’s art gallery and cultural Centre visit was a great idea Amanda. Thanks for coming up with it. I want to go there again.
The Wine and Cheese Tasting was a great success. I found a currently made wine that bought back memories of a wine from my childhood. On the way out, I bought some dark chocolate and nougat.
The fun game devised by Amanda starting Friday night’s proceedings was great to play. The tasty dinner and great chatting which followed was a good slow down form the humour of the game. Then to finish the evening with the serious videos. This whole combination effortlessly beat the Reception from last year. Thanks very much Amanda.
More workshops, some following on from the videos, made the Saturday daytime more busy and lively. The 2 serious workshops I attended needed another hour a piece at minimum. Thanks to Tanya from BFS for putting up with my questions and quibbles in finding my new forms. Ophelia’s workshop wasn’t what I was expecting, but was definitely fun.
A choice of meals at the Formal was a big improvement on last year. A brilliant band, which didn’t deafen anyone, had most folks up on the dance floor. I don’t think anyone wanted to go outside to Champagne Charlies to chat this year.
The Sunday morning photo was fun, the birdie is just so cute! The shopping was fun, but just too short, it should have started earlier. I scored a great set of jewelry on it, so I finished it very happy.
The Grand High Tea on Sunday afternoon was a gracious way to wind down from the excitement of the weekend. As I said last year, it’s worth going to in its own right. I wore my new jewelry to the tea.
Dinner on Sunday night started with a mix-up. Amanda was playing billards when she should have been at Champagne Charlies gathering up the bulk of our number. Her small group departed for the Old City Bank without letting those of us waiting at Champagne Charlies know what was going on. Our larger group went first to the Avalon Restaurant to see if she was there, no luck, then we broke up in to 2 groups, the smaller one which stayed at the Avalon, while the rest of us went to the Old City Bank, where we found Amanda. The staff at the Old City Bank handled our sudden influx with smooth aplomb, easily coping with our large party. I found a new pizza to enjoy, had a wonderful time chatting, and utterly lost track of time.
Monday morning, though, was an unexpected surprise. Due to the Sydney Writers Festival, the Dining Room was closed and breakfast had been moved to the Ballroom. It meant I couldn’t get a group photo of us having the breakfast which makrs the end of TransFormal.
After Breakfast, Karron offered me a lift down to Faulconbridge to collect my new ugg boots. I gladly accepted the offer and another surprise awaited me. Karron was first going to Echo Point, which I’d not had a chance to do last year. We took plenty of photos of the place, though with the wind, I quckly felt the biting chill. After the photos, we had an early lunch and swapped contact info, then drove down to Faulconbridge chatting all the way. At faulconbridge, Karron liked my new ugg boots so much she had to get a pair of her own. 😆 We then drove to the nearest station I knew would be staffed, Penrith, which was also on Karron’s route. More chatting filled in that part of the drive. Thanks very much Karron, for the lift and for going to Echo Point.

Jenifur Charne

[Adrian]

Thanks Jenifur for the lovely recap of your weekend. It was a pleasure to see you so obviously enjoying yourself!

But……

Quote:

Dinner on Sunday night started with a mix-up. Amanda was playing billards when she should have been at Champagne Charlies gathering up the bulk of our number.

Oh.. poor Amanda –
not allowed to go off duty –
even if the only thing she promised in the program was a place to meet up for a casual meal!!!

After helping everyone from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon I felt I’d done my bit… and as many know I don’t like large group meals.
I was glad to see that everyone found a meal and no one was left looking for company. And I enjoyed a nice quiet conversation with Liz!

[JeniSkunk]

Quote:

Thanks Jenifur for the lovely recap of your weekend. It was a pleasure to see you so obviously enjoying yourself!

But……

Quote:

Dinner on Sunday night started with a mix-up. Amanda was playing billards when she should have been at Champagne Charlies gathering up the bulk of our number.

Oh.. poor Amanda –
not allowed to go off duty –
even if the only thing she promised in the program was a place to meet up for a casual meal!!!

In the Registration Pack the meeting point for Sunday night’s dinner was supposed to have been the Carrington Bar, which to most of us meant Champagne Charlies.
Where the group I was a part of comprehensively failed was none of us tried to seek you out to find out where we would be going for dinner. We very foolishly just assumed that you were running late in getting to Champagne Charlies. 😳

Quote:

After helping everyone from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon I felt I’d done my bit… and as many know I don’t like large group meals.
I was glad to see that everyone found a meal and no one was left looking for company. And I enjoyed a nice quiet conversation with Liz!

Great to hear you had a fine Sunday dinner. Our larger table did as well. Your point about the size of the table I was at, has me thinking ahead, should there be another TransFormal. A few tables of 8 at the Old City Bank for the Sunday night.

Jenifur Charne

[Anonymous]

To you Amanda for doing what most of us would not have the energy to do. I admire and respect you for having the guts and the strength to put on such an event. It was my first time, but will not be the last, i meet some very cool people and got over my fear of carpaccio all in one weekend. You are a champ!

i am Lizette by the way, was on your table for dinner ( having a bit of a name crisis at the mo). X

[Adrian]

A sample of the things people have said about TransFormal 2013….

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a totally positive experience.

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Just gets better every year.

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the workshops were a lot of fun to join into

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i had the best time in my life

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The atmosphere engendered closeness and sharing.

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The weekend has been so invaluable to me, and I am sure I will always remember this as a tremendously important step (or leap) on my journey.

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The Carrington is just magnificent and the staff are exceptional.

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I went with my partner and I had an absolutely fabulous time.

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The band were amazing

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The atmosphere of the whole weekend, so positive, supportive and friendly.

There are also plenty of positive suggestions for how the event could be improved.

But I need more responses to make a call on the future direction of the event. If you attended and haven’t completed the survey please do it NOW!!!

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it will always be remembered as it was such a life changing event for me.

[Anonymous]

great weekend thank you Amanda and all who helped yours kindly Nicole