Wikimania 2010/Bids/Melbourne

Wikimania 2010 candidate cities:
Amsterdam - Gdańsk - Oxford

A panorama of the Melbourne skyline from Yarra's Edge, Docklands at twilight.

Melbourne is a city of 3.8 million, the second largest in Australia, located in the state of Victoria. The city is a booming hub of culture, society, and business. Melbourne's Wikimedia community is especially strong.

Conference venue

• UM? Daniel (talk) 06:38, 27 July 2008 (UTC)
  • Could do worse. A few other ideas here. —Giggy 13:33, 29 July 2008 (UTC)
  • UM worked well for LCA. Aliasd 04:20, 30 July 2008 (UTC)
• How about the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Center? --220.253.34.81 11:22, 8 October 2008 (UTC)
  • Good idea. Let's try it! Joe9320 08:14, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

Sponsorship and budget

• On our bid, maybe we can put Telstra as the major sponsor? It's the main telecommunications company in Australia. And maybe some other sponsors as well. Joe9320 08:18, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

Travel

Melbourne has two major airports, The most convenient to the centre of town being Tullamarine. Tullamarine is a major international hub, with services to most major Asia-Pacific destinations. As is the case with most Australian capitals, Melbourne is a long road or rail journey from any other major Australian centre, and flying should be a major consideration for those wishing to visit other Australian cities.

Tullamarine has reliable and frequent bus shuttle services to the city centre. These buses are separate from the city's public transport ticketing system.

Melbourne has a reasonably efficient 19 line train system, with a central loop structure. Melbourne has the most extensive tram system out of any city in the world. There are over 300 bus lines, and some free tourist services.

Bus, train and tram fares

Check the Metlink website for bus, train and tram fares.

Local team

• Well, I think I should be behind it, but we need a couple of others who are older. Joe9320 08:54, 7 November 2008 (UTC)

Supporters

We are looking for people interested in the idea of holding Wikimania in Melbourne, with all the Australian states working together to make sure this happens. Signing your name doesn't mean you have to do work, but is simply a way to gauge interest from interested Wikimedians. If you would like to help write the bid, however, that would be appreciated too.

Names are ordered alphabetically by username. Currently there are 16 supporters of the proposed idea, with 2 New South Welshmen, 6 Victorians, 2 Queenslanders, 2 South Australians, 2 Western Australians, 0 Tasmanians, and 0 from the Northern or Australian Capital Territories giving their personal support. The other supporters come from other parts of the world.

1. Aliasd
2. Anonymous Dissident
3. Daniel
4. James R. (E)
5. Fatal!ty
6. Alex G (Giggy)
7. Gnangarra
8. John Vandenberg
9. Majorly I'd love to go to Australia.
10. Mattinbgn
11. Andrew (Orderinchaos)
12. Patrick H
13. ~ Riana ⁂
14. Steve Crossin
15. Tosão 22:30, 9 January 2009 (UTC) Well,i want to help!
16. – Thomas H. Larsen 06:29, 20 October 2008 (UTC)
17. Joe R.B. (I'm not giving my surname!) 08:05, 22 October 2008 (UTC)

Miscellaneous

• The date for the conference should be July 8-14, 2010, but at that time it will get cold there, so bring some winter clothing. Do you agree? Joe9320 08:50, 7 November 2008 (UTC)

Pros and cons

Pros

• Wikimania has never been held anywhere in Oceania before.
• Melbourne is a very feasible location for Wikimania in terms of accommodation and venues.
• Large and experienced base of Wikimedians in Australia (and especially in/around Melbourne).
• Great cultural and social diversity.

Cons

• Most Wikimedians live outside of the Southern Hemisphere. This may make travel a problem for many.
• Travel to and within Australia can be expensive (well, not actually to the Australian residents, but for international visitors, yes).
• If Melbourne is selected Wikimania 2010 will have the largest carbon footprint - EVER!