ICV26 - Excursions

Excursions and Events

	The excursions and events for the 26th International Congress of Vexillology are set out below. The programme is as currently planned and may change in some of its details as we get closer to the event.
	Thursday, 27 August 2015
	Two weeks commencing 27 August	Public display of historic Australian flags and flag-related items at the Amaze Gallery, State Library of NSW, Macquarie Street. The main items to be shown are the Bowman Flag of 1806, which is rarely displayed and the Wentworth - Bland flag of 1843, which has never been publicly displayed.

	Sunday, 30 August 2015
	5:00 pm - 7:00 pm	Informal welcome drinks and catch-up - at The Grace Hotel in the Marra Room on Level 2. (no charge - included in registration)

	Monday, 31 August 2015
	9:00 am - 9:45 am	Official Opening Ceremony - at Congress Venue

	4:15 pm - 7:30 pm	Sunset Harbour cruise (includes drinks and canapés)(included in registration)
		M.V. Jerry Bailey is a 21.5 metre long catamaran with a large main deck, upper deck and viewing areas on foredeck and side decks. Be at Pier 8 at King Street Wharf before 4:15 pm - vessel departs wharf within 15 minutes of arrival as vessel can't stay at public wharf beyond its allocated time.

	Tuesday, 1 September 2015
	12:30 pm - 2:30 pm	Flag display at Observatory Park. A large signal flag mast has been erected in the grounds of the Sydney Observatory on the location of the original Fort Phillip Signal Station from 19th Century. With multiple halyards, an impressive display of flags is flown daily. Noted vexillologists John Vaughan will explain the flags and raise some historical flags of Australia. Transport will be provided to/from venue and a light lunch (included in registration). Group Photo at the flag mast.




	4:00 pm - 6:00 pm	FIAV General Assembly
		to be held in lecture hall of Congress Venue

		Details of Agenda were advised by FIAV in Info-FIAV No. 39

	6:30 pm - 8:00 pm	FOTW informal meeting (0ptional)
		A venue has been arranged for an informal meeting of participants in the Flags of the World mailing list, website and Facebook page. Will be held in Duntroon Room at Barracks on Barack, a registered club at 5-7 Barrack Street. Flags Australia will provide an open bar of beer, wine and soft-drink. Venue open from 6:00 pm, with meeting due to start after FIAV General Assembly ends.

	Wednesday, 2 September 2015
	7:00 am - 11:30 am	Bus travel to Canberra - pick-up at Grace Hotel, Menzies Hotel and near corner of Clarence and Par Streets. Sorry for the early pick-up time, but it's a long way to Canberra. A "breakfast pack" will be provided on the bus and there will be a 30 minute rest stop and morning tea enroute. There is no capacity to delay the buses, even if you tell us you are "almost there".
	11:30 am - 12:45 pm	Australian War Memorial (AWM) - Annex The AWM is both a war memorial and a large museum. It has the most significant collection of flags in Australia, a number of which are on public display. Most of these flags are Australian flags used in various conflicts and captured battle flags. The AWM does not glorify warfare, but acknowledges the contribution of Australian soldiers, sailors and airmen and educates the public about the conflicts they were engaged in. 2015 is particularly significant, as it is the Centenary of the Gallipoli landings by the ANZACs. The ICV participants will initially visit the AWM Treleor conservation and storage annex in Mitchell. At the Annex ICV26 participants will be shown flags and other special collections items that are not normally on public display.
	11:30 am - 12:45 pm
	1:00 pm - 3:00 pm	Australian War Memorial public areas, particularly the First World War Gallery, which has a number of flags on display. A buffet lunch will be provided in the Western Courtyard Gallery of the Australian War Memorial)
	3:00 pm - 3:45pm	Buses departs AWM and travels to Mt Ainslie Look-out for a panoramic view of Canberra. The buses will then travel to Australian Parliament House. Companions will go from National Gallery of Autralia to the AWM at 2:45 pm.
	4:00 pm - 5:00 pm	Australian Parliament House Opened in 1988, most of Parliament House is built into Capital Hill. An 81 metre flagpole made from stainless steel flies an Australian flag 6.4 x 12.8 metres as symbol of the nation's legislature. Not the largest, but certainly the most dramatic flagpole. A guided tour will include a close-up look at the main flagpole from the garden roof and the main foyer with its large marble staircase leading to the Great Hall and the Chambers of the Senate and House of Representatives. Included in the public spaces is a painting of the opening of the first Parliament in 1901, and a 1297 copy of the Inspeximus issue of the Magna Carta (one of only four such copies in the world).
	5:15 pm - 6:00 pm	Visit to the Avenue of Flags on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. The flags of all the countries with embassies and high commissions in Canberra are displayed. A late afternoon tea will be provided.
	6:00 pm	Bus departs Canberra for Sydney
	8:00 pm - 9:00 pm	Dinner at Mittagong RSL Club (hot and cold buffet, included in fee)
	11:00 pm - 11:15 pm	Arrive at Sydney hotels

	Thursday, 3 September 2015
	12:00 pm - 1:30 pm	Australian National Flag Day ceremony - Martin Place ICV26 participants are invited to attend the annual National Flag Day ceremony in nearby Martin Place, which is a public celebration of the Australian National Flag. National Flag Day is 3 September, which was the day in 1901 that the design of the Australian flag was chosen in a public competition. The ceremony is conducted by the Australian National Flag Association, NSW Branch and includes guest speakers, a band and the break-out of a large Australian flag. The presence of the international vexillological community will make this a special event. ICV26 participants will be asked to briefly parade their national flag (supplied) on the podium of the amphitheatre.

	Friday, 4 September 2015

	6:00 pm - 9:30 pm	Closing Dinner and Awards
		ICVs traditionally end with a banquet, which includes the announcement of various awards by FIAV. These include The Vexillon (sponsored since ICV13 by Flags Australia) which is awarded to the person regarded as having made the most important contribution to vexillology during the two years between flag congresses. FIAV also recognises the best paper delivered at the Congress. The location for the Closing Dinner is the Royal Automobile Club Australia, 89 Macquarie Street. The charge for the dinner is additional to registration fees for delegates and companions, though the cost is partly subsidised by the Sponsors. The evening includes pre-dinner drinks and canapés in the ISC Room and dinner is served in the elegant Macquarie Room, accompanied by beer, wine and soft-drinks. The dress standard will be business suit or smart casual. A shirt with collar is required by the club's dress code. FIAV medals and other medals and decorations may be worn.