2006 Australian National Rally of

Mercedes-Benz Clubs in Canberra.

INVITATION TO REGISTER to Members of the authorised Mercedes‑Benz Clubs.

 General

 1. The purpose of this 'Invitation to Register' is to obtain positive responses from members of addressee     clubs to attend the 2006 Australian National Rally of Mercedes‑Benz Clubs to be held in Canberra, Australia, over the period Friday 14 ‑ Monday 17 April 2006.

 2. A further purpose is to gather data, where appropriate, about members' wishes regarding extended stays in Canberra and venues that they wish to see during those days.

 3. For practical reasons, attendance at the Rally is being capped, initially, at 240 participants, which is about the number which attended the 2004 Rally in Brisbane. There is a possibility that this cap may be lifted to 280 participants later in 2005, leading the organising committee to decide to maintain a 'waiting list' of members who register after the 240 cap has been reached.

 4. The Rally Committee would like all Australia‑based members, if possible, to drive their Mercedes‑Benz cars to Canberra and to the various daytime events. The Committee also recommends, strongly, that as many members as possible stay in the official Rally hotel. The Rally package fees, details of which follow, represent good value, and other large events, such as the National Folk Festival, are routinely held in Canberra over the Easter period resulting in strong demand on accommodation availability.

 5. The Rally has been developed on an 'all inclusive' basis ‑ there will be no need for participants to go to their pockets to meet Rally‑related costs. There are two categories of participation in the Rally: 

a. Rydges Residents’ Package: in this full package, the attendance fee of A$930 for one couple covers three nights accommodation (Standard Superior Queen Room), three full buffet breakfasts, two lunches and two morning teas (Saturday & Sunday), three evening functions (Welcome Cocktail Party, Buffet Dinner and Gala Dinner), bus transport to and from the two latter functions and entry fees to all touring venues. The attendance fee for a couple with a third person staying in one of the above rooms is A$1240. The attendance fee for one person staying alone in one of the above rooms is A$680. The attendance fee for a couple with two young children staying in one of the above rooms (the children not attending the evening functions) is A$1030.

 b. Non Residents’ Package: in this limited package, the attendance fee of $490 per couple ($245 per person) covers all of the inclusions of the Rydges Resident's Package except the three nights accommodation and bus transport. The Non Resident's Package therefore includes the three breakfasts in the Rally hotel and all other meals and entry fees. The Rally Committee views the breakfasts as an integral part of the Rally, being a prime opportunity for participants to socialise, to hear any last minute announcements and to begin each Rally day in the best possible way.

 6. The cost structure outlined is made possible by the great generosity of DaimlerChrysler Australia / Pacific Pty. Ltd and a number of other sponsors who have contributed financially and in kind. All Rally Sponsors will be clearly identified in Rally papers and in other ways during the Rally.

Rally Outline

 7. As is the custom, the 2006 Rally is to be socially oriented. The program incorporates three evening functions in three different venues each of a standard which befits the marque. There are two days of touring by members in their cars, viewing a mixture of national institutions and aspects of Canberra depicting pre and post Federation times. For this touring, participants will be divided into groups to match venue capacities, and groups will be guided by hosting members. All participants will see the same venues over the two days. International participants will be transported in hosting members' cars and mini‑coaches. Monday is left free for attendees to visit additional venues if they wish (a guide map will be provided), mix informally or take advantage of an early departure to beat the Easter traffic.

 Rally Program

 8. Friday 14th April

·         Registration at Rydges Capital Hill Hotel, cnr National Circuit & Canberra Avenue. The Rally Registration Desk at the hotel will operate from 10.00 am (earlier by prior arrangement) and will provide detailed individual briefings to participants on arrival. Rooms will be available for occupation from 2.00 pm, or earlier by prior arrangement only through the Rally Registration Team. Early rally guests will be given first priority as rooms become available. 

·         Welcome Cocktail Party at Rydges Capital Hill. A three hour food and beverage package has been arranged.

 9. Saturday 15th April

·         Buffet Breakfast in Rydges Fig Tree Cafe (open from 6.30 am). 

·         Members form up in their touring groups (these will be defined in Rally papers issued at Registration on Friday) between 8.15 and 8.45 am.

 ·         At 9.00 am, groups set off on guided tours. Over the two days, members will experience an 'Urban Tour' and a 'Rural Tour', both offering a snapshot of Canberra and its environs. Visits to the following venues, each with guides and presentations, are planned for Saturday and Sunday:

a. Calthorpe's House; back to the 1920s ‑ 40s. A real surprise.

b. Black Mountain; the best view in Canberra.

c. Australian institute of Sport; where the fittest bodies are made. Test yourself!

d. Mount Ainslie; the Parliamentary Triangle at your feet.

e. Lanyon Homestead; home on the sheep's back since the 1850s. Rural history.

f. Tidbinbilia's Deep Space Communication Complex (Tracking Station); where the past is seen now ‑ via Mars Surveyor, Cassini, Galileo and Ulyssess.

 ·         At midday, all groups will gather at Government House, Yarralumla where a 'spit roast lunch' will be served by Scouts Australia in the gardens. The Governor‑General, Major General Michael Jeffery, has been invited to join us informally during this time. Subject to the Governor-General being present in Canberra that day, tours of Government House will be conducted by House staff. We will depart from Government House by 3.00 pm .

 ·         Groups complete their tours, and return to Rydges Capital Hill.

 ·         From about 4.30 pm, participants can get together informally at Rydges 'Inbargo' Bar ('Rally Happy Hour') prior to the evening function.

 ·         At approximately 6.30 pm, those staying at Rydges Capital Hill board buses to take them to Rydges Lakeside Hotel, to enjoy a two course buffet dinner, beverages included. Buses will return members to Rydges Capital Hill at about 10.00 pm. Timings will be confirmed at the Rally. Non Resident's Package participants will need to arrange their own way to and from the buffet venue.

 10. Sunday 16th April

·         Buffet Breakfast in Rydges Fig Tree Cafe.

 ·         Participants form up in their touring groups by 8.45 am ‑ groups as per Saturday.

 ·         By 9.00 am, groups set off on guided tours.

 ·         At midday, all groups will gather at Rond Terraces, on the northern shore of Lake Burley Griffin and at the southern end of Anzac Parade. This location provides excellent views of the National Carillon, National Gallery, High Court, National Library, Parliament House, National Museum and Captain Cook Memorial Water Jet. Lunch will be 'boxed' and brought with you from the hotel. During lunch members will be able to walk the very short distance to see Blundell's Cottage, built in 1858 as one of the outlying shepherd's huts of the Duntroon estate. (The small entry fee to this optional venue is not included in the two Rally Packages.)

 ·         Groups complete their tours and return to Rydges Capital Hill.

 ·         From about 4.30 pm, members if they wish can again meet informally at Rydges 'Inbargo' Bar ('Rally Happy Hour) prior to the evening function.

 ·         At about 6.30 pm, those staying at Rydges Capital Hill board buses to take them to the National Gallery of Australia, for the Rally Gala Dinner. Buses will return members to Rydges Capital Hill at approximately 11.00 pm. Timings will be confirmed at the Rally. Non-Residents’ Package participants will need to arrange their own way to and from the Gala Dinner venue.

 11. Monday 17th April

 ·         Buffet Breakfast in Rydges Fig Tree Cafe. This is the final stage of the formal Rally Program, and participants will have the opportunity to make their farewells.

 ·         Check out time for those departing is 11.00 am. Late departures that day require advance arrangements (up to 6.00 pm they are subject to availability at 50% of the Rally room rate, and beyond 6.00 pm the full day rate is applicable).

 Rally Accommodation

 12. A total of 100 'Standard Superior Queen' rooms have been reserved at a negotiated reduced price at Rydges Capital Hill, the official Rally hotel, and more can be taken if required, subject to availability. All bookings must be made through the Rally Registration Team; the hotel staff have been directed to refrain from taking direct bookings.

 13. Rydges Capital Hill offers all the normal facilities expected of a quality hotel, such as guest laundry / ironing and valet service, gymnasium, pool, sauna, spa and solarium. Undercover security parking has been enhanced in 2005 and spaces are guaranteed, at no extra charge, for those occupying hotel rooms. A patrolling security guard will also be provided by the hotel in the carpark between the hours of 9 pm and 7 am.

 Name Badges

 14. The wearing of name badges helps people to get to know each other, an important factor when clubs come together such as for a National Rally. However, name badges are NOT being provided for this Rally, the Committee preferring to rely on all participants bringing with them their own club name badges. This will have the advantage of displaying not only a participant's name but also the membership club. Please remember this when leaving home to come to the Rally!

 Extended Stays

 15. Rydges Capital Hill has offered beneficial rates of accommodation and breakfast for those who arrive earlier or stay later contiguous with their Rally stay. To obtain this concession, participants must book their rooms through the Rally Registration process, but payment for the extra period is an individual participant's responsibility direct with the hotel. The rate is $189 per night per couple, covering Standard Superior Queen Room with full buffet breakfast each day. 

16. For those arriving earlier or staying longer, the Mercedes‑Benz Club of the ACT has offered to arrange visits to national institutions / tourist attractions. Where numbers warrant, club guides will be available. (The venues to be visited as part of the Rally program are identified in para 9 of this paper. Some institutions /attractions that could be visited prior to or after the official Rally period are listed in Part 2 of the Rally Registration Form attached.) If you wish to avail yourself of this offer, please indicate in the Registration Form those places that you wish to visit.

 Registration and Payment

17. The attached Registration Form includes a question for those members who have some difficulty in their mobility. This is to assist the organisers in making arrangements to ensure that no one is disadvantaged at those venues involving walking tours eg at the Australian Institute of Sport and Lanyon Homestead. Please provide the information sought if applicable. Also note that Rydges Capital Hill has six rooms fitted out for disabled people; if required, please indicate on the form.

 18. There are two options for payment:

a.      in full at the time of registration, to be lodged by 31st August 2005; or

b.      in two equal instalments. the first to be lodged by 31st August, and the second by 15th November 2005. Members adopting the first option (ie who register in full by 31st August)      will be entered in a Free Draw, with the winner being announced at the Rally.

 19. Available methods of payment include credit card (but only Bankcard, Visa and Mastercard), cheque, and money order. Where participants choose to pay by instalment using credit card, the authorisation provided by signing the Registration Form provides authorisation for two automatic debits against the card account by the Rally Treasurer at the appropriate dates.

 20. To meet contractual arrangements, there has to be due observance of a strict refund policy. Accordingly, after 15th December 2005 there can be no refunds of moneys previously paid.

 21. Please complete the attached Registration Form, and post or fax your response to the Rally Treasurer. Contact details are:

 a.  By post: (available for all methods of payment described in paragraph 19)

The Treasurer, 2006 Australian National Rally

Shop 7, Queens Court, 118 Queen Street

Woollahra, NSW 2025, Australia

 b. By facsimile: (available for those paying by credit card)

02 9328 1768

 Websites

 22. This Invitation to Register and accompanying Registration Form, with earlier notices about the Rally and links to sponsoring organisations, will be available at two websites from the beginning of July 2005:

 the ACT Club's website                                   mbspares.mbz.org/rally.htm

the NSW Club's website                                 www.mbcnsw.org.au

 Website users are asked to print the Registration Form from these websites, noting that there is no facility for internet payment. Send your remittances in accordance with paragraph 21.