2026 VKFF NATIONAL
GET TOGETHER
ALBURY, NEW SOUTH WALES
GET TOGETHER
ALBURY, NEW SOUTH WALES
FRIDAY 30th OCTOBER 2026,
SATURDAY 31st OCTOBER 2026
&
SUNDAY 1st NOVEMBER 2026
SATURDAY 31st OCTOBER 2026
&
SUNDAY 1st NOVEMBER 2026
Above: Map showing the location of Albury, N.S.W. Map c/o Google Maps
DISTANCES BY ROAD TO ALBURY
- Melbourne to Albury - 331 km
- Canberra to ALbury - 338 km
- Sydney to Albury - 550 km
- Adelaide to Albury - 858 kms
FORMAL REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS
NOW OPEN.
YOU MUST REGISTER TO ATTEND THIS EVENT
(SEE BELOW)
NOW OPEN.
YOU MUST REGISTER TO ATTEND THIS EVENT
(SEE BELOW)
WHAT YOU WILL FIND ON THIS PAGE.
- Summary of the event
- including costs
- Registering for the event
- Sponsors
- Details on the Friday evening dinner
- venue
- menu
- Details on the Saturday proceedings
- venue
- presentations
- displays
- raffle
- attendee welcome pack, attendee manual, attendee certificate
- WWFF merchandise for sale
- Details on the Saturday evening dinner
- venue
- guest speaker
- quiz
- Details on the Sunday morning BBQ
- Details on the Sunday morning antenna construction projects
- Sunday afternoon VKFF park activations
- details on the Sunday evening dinner
- venue
- menu
- 2026 VKFF National Get Together merchandise for sale
- polo shirts, caps, beanies, mugs, stubby holders
SUMMARY OF THE EVENT.
The 2026 VKFF National Get Together will include:
- Friday evening dinner - 6.30 p.m. 30th October 2026 - Sodens Hotel (more information below)
- meal & drinks at your own cost
- Saturday presentations - 8.30 a.m.-5.00 p.m. 31st October 2026 - Commercial Club (more information below)
- Cost $25.00, which includes morning & afternoon tea
- Saturday evening dinner - 6.30 p.m. 31st October 2026 - Commercial Club (more information below)
- $36.00 for main course
- drinks at your own cost
- Sunday morning BBQ - 8.00 a.m. - Australia Park, South Albury (more information below)
- $15.00 for the BBQ
- Sunday evening dinner - 6.30 p.m. 1st November 2026 - Albury Brew House (more information below)
- meal & drinks at your own cost
You can attend any or all of the sections of the 2026 VKFF National Get Together.
But you MUST register to attend (see below)
But you MUST register to attend (see below)
REGISTERING FOR THE EVENT
You MUST register for this event.
'Walk-ups' to the event will NOT be accepted.
'Walk-ups' to the event will NOT be accepted.
1. Please use the registration process below.
2. Please ensure that you accurately answer all of the questions.
3. If your partner is also an amateur radio operator, please have them register separately.
4. When making an electronic payment, please include:
a. your callsign
b. a note that your payment is for the 2026 VKFF National Get Together.
Payment is to be made to:
World Wide Flora & Fauna - Australia
BSB 105-010
Account - 125945440
When your payment is made, you will receive an acknowledgment email. Please allow 72 hours
2. Please ensure that you accurately answer all of the questions.
3. If your partner is also an amateur radio operator, please have them register separately.
4. When making an electronic payment, please include:
a. your callsign
b. a note that your payment is for the 2026 VKFF National Get Together.
Payment is to be made to:
World Wide Flora & Fauna - Australia
BSB 105-010
Account - 125945440
When your payment is made, you will receive an acknowledgment email. Please allow 72 hours
SPONSORS
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FRIDAY EVENING DINNER - 6.30 p.m. 30th OCTOBER 2026
This is to be held in the Bistro at Soden's Hotel, 459 Wilson Street, Albury, N.S.W.
6.30 p.m. on Friday, 30th October 2026.
Meals and drinks at your own cost.
There is a dedicated, free parking lot available. There is also free parking accessible along Wilson Street and David Street.
The venue features a designated wheelchair-accessible parking lot and entry.
You MUST register to attend the Friday evening dinner (see the registration process above).
6.30 p.m. on Friday, 30th October 2026.
Meals and drinks at your own cost.
There is a dedicated, free parking lot available. There is also free parking accessible along Wilson Street and David Street.
The venue features a designated wheelchair-accessible parking lot and entry.
You MUST register to attend the Friday evening dinner (see the registration process above).
Above: Map showing the location of Sodens Hotel. Map c/o Google Maps
Above: a view of Sodens Hotel. Image c/o Google Street View
*Menu and pricing subject to change by the venue.
The venue for the Saturday presentations and Saturday evening dinner is the Commercial Club, 618 Dean Street, Albury, N.S.W.
Above: Map showing the location of the Commercial Club. Map c/o Google Maps
Above: a view of the Commercial Club. Image c/o Google Street View
Important information.
- All guests 18 years and above are required by NSW Govt law to scan into the venue with a licence or a form of photo ID.
- All entry prior to 10am is via the Elizabeth Street reception only (car park entry)
- The Commercial Club is a fully licensed food and drink venue. No food or drinks can be brought into the venue.
The Commercial Club has:
- over 900 free car parks on site
- full lift access
- full disabled access
SATURDAY PRESENTATIONS - 8.30 a.m. 31st OCTOBER 2026
Saturday morning commences at 8.30 a.m. sharp (Please do not be late). Please ensure that you allow sufficient time to check into the club with your identification.
There will be an introduction and welcome by our MC, Chris VK5FR and the VKFF National Co-Ordinator, Paul VK5PAS, in the foyer/piano lounge area.
A welcome table will be located inside Stanley Room C, manned by Sue VK5AYL and Peter VK3PWG, where you can collect your Welcome pack, including your name/callsign lanyard.
There will be a separate table in this room where you can collect your VKFF National Get Together merchandise. This table will be manned by Chris VK1CHW and Hans VK6XN.
This will be followed by presentations conducted in Stanley Room A and Stanley Room B. The presentations commence at 8.40 a.m. There will be a 5-minute window to allow people to move from one room to the next between presentations.
Morning tea will be at 10.20 a.m. - 10.50 a.m.
Morning tea includes tea, coffee, assorted muffins and apple crumble tart
Both rooms will break for lunch at 12.30 p.m.
After lunch, the two rooms will be opened up into one room, where further presentations will commence at 1.30 p.m.
Afternoon tea will be served at 3.00 p.m. This includes tea, coffee, scones with jam & cream, and lamingtons.
The day will conclude at about 5.00 p.m.
You MUST register to attend the Saturday presentations. Walk-ups will not be accepted (please see the registration process above).
The Saturday evening dinner will be held at 6.30 p.m. in the Waratah Room at the Commercial Club (see below for further information)
There will be an introduction and welcome by our MC, Chris VK5FR and the VKFF National Co-Ordinator, Paul VK5PAS, in the foyer/piano lounge area.
A welcome table will be located inside Stanley Room C, manned by Sue VK5AYL and Peter VK3PWG, where you can collect your Welcome pack, including your name/callsign lanyard.
There will be a separate table in this room where you can collect your VKFF National Get Together merchandise. This table will be manned by Chris VK1CHW and Hans VK6XN.
This will be followed by presentations conducted in Stanley Room A and Stanley Room B. The presentations commence at 8.40 a.m. There will be a 5-minute window to allow people to move from one room to the next between presentations.
Morning tea will be at 10.20 a.m. - 10.50 a.m.
Morning tea includes tea, coffee, assorted muffins and apple crumble tart
Both rooms will break for lunch at 12.30 p.m.
After lunch, the two rooms will be opened up into one room, where further presentations will commence at 1.30 p.m.
Afternoon tea will be served at 3.00 p.m. This includes tea, coffee, scones with jam & cream, and lamingtons.
The day will conclude at about 5.00 p.m.
You MUST register to attend the Saturday presentations. Walk-ups will not be accepted (please see the registration process above).
The Saturday evening dinner will be held at 6.30 p.m. in the Waratah Room at the Commercial Club (see below for further information)
Morning session - Stanley Room A
These presentations will commence after the introduction by Chris VK5FR and Paul VK5PAS.
The MC in this room for the morning presentations will be Chris VK5FR.
The MC in this room for the morning presentations will be Chris VK5FR.
Time |
Presenter |
Topic |
0840-0910 |
Marija VK5MAZ |
An introduction to the WWFF/VKFF program |
0915-0945 |
Malcolm VK3OAK |
How are VKFF parks added, HAMMap, & the VKFF Mapping project |
0950-1020 |
Chris VK1CHW |
Tips & tricks for VKFF Activators & Hunters |
1020-1050 |
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Morning tea |
1050-1115 |
Hans VK6XN |
VKFF park access, safety & etiquette |
1120-1135 |
Paul VK5PAS |
How to work a pileup |
1140-1155 |
Ivan VK5HS |
The basics of long path & short path propagation |
1200-1230 |
Peter VK3PF |
How to get the most out of Logsearch |
Morning session - Stanley Room B
These presentations will commence after the introduction by Chris VK5FR and Paul VK5PAS.
The MC in this room for the morning presentations will be Peter VK3PWG.
The MC in this room for the morning presentations will be Peter VK3PWG.
Time |
Presenter |
Topic |
0840-0910 |
Heath VK3TWO |
Meshcore |
0915-0945 |
Mandi VK3FQSO |
Geocaching |
0950-1020 |
Paul VK5PAS |
Signal reports |
1020-1050 |
- |
Morning tea |
1050-1120 |
Peter VK3ZPF |
CW & FT8 from VKFF parks |
1125-1155 |
Garrick VK3GJG |
Spotline - WWFF spotting & alerting system |
1200-1230 |
Sue VK5AYL, Peter VK3ZPF, & Chris VK5FR |
parksnpeaks app, portalog, & Fast Log Entry (FLE) |
Afternoon session
Time |
Presenter |
Topic |
1330-1400 |
Dave G4AKC |
Pedestrian mobile & bicycle mobile |
1400-1430 |
Sands VK9WX |
Operating from Willis Island VKFF-0574 |
1430-1500 |
St John Ambulance |
Snake bite & first aid |
1500-1530 |
- |
Afternoon tea |
1530-1600 |
Michael Naissen - Albury Wodonga 4WD Club |
Introduction to 4WDing |
1600-1630 |
Adam VK2YK |
Satellites from Flinders Island VKFF-0175 |
1630-1640 |
VKFF Team |
One minute silence for Silent Keys. Followed by a Question and Answer session |
1640-1650 |
Paul VK5PAS & Mark VK5MK |
Raffle draw & 2027 VKFF Get Together announcement |
1650-1700 |
Chris VK5FR & Paul VK5PAS |
Conclusion & group photogrtaph |
OUR MC
We are pleased to announce that our main MC for 2026 will be Chris VK5FR. Chris has performed the role of MC for previous VKFF National Get Togethers in 2025 in Canberra, 2024 in Bendigo, & 2023 in Renmark.
Chris will be the MC for the morning presentations in Stanley Room A.
Chris will be the MC for the morning presentations in Stanley Room A.
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Peter VK3PWG will be the MC for the morning presentations in Stanley Room B.
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PRESENTERS
Dave G4AKC
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Sand VK9WX
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Chris VK3QB
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Marija VK5MAZ
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Mal VK3OAK
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Chris VK1CHW
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Hans VK6XN
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Paul VK5PAS
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Peter VK3PF
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Ivan VK5HS
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Heath VK3TWO
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Mandi VK3FQSO
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Peter VK3ZPF
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For a detailed regime of Peter VK3ZPF, please have a look at.....
Peter VK3ZPF |
Garrick VK3GJG
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Sue VK5AYL
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Chris VK5FR
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Adam VK2YK
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DISPLAYS
- Icom Australia
- Comtek radio
- Meshcore
- Amateur Radio Victoria/Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award (KRMNPA)
- Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association (ALARA)
- A history of portable operation in Australia
- Ex-military radios for VKFF parks
- Satellite equipment for parks
- HF Radio Club
- Portable equipment display
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The displays will be contained in Stanley Room C.
DXCC CARD CHECKING
As an official ARRL DXCC card checker, Paul VK5PAS will be available to check QSL cards for the ARRL DXCC award. He can also check identification for those wishing to join the Logbook Of The World (LOTW).
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For QSL card checking for ARRL DXCC, please ensure:
- you have thoroughly read the ARRL DXCC instructional pages on the ARRL website
- you have completed the appropriate paperwork
- you have your QSL cards sorted in order
More information on the ARRL DXCC rules can be found at.....
For registering with LOTW, the following is required:
- a copy of your amateur radio operating authorisation
- a copy of one other government-issued document that shows your name & address, e.g. driver's licence.
More information on getting started with LOTW can be found at.....
RAFFLE
Tickets to a raffle will be sold at the VKFF National Get Together on Saturday. The raffle will be drawn on Saturday afternoon.
At this stage, there are over $1,000 in prizes.
Further details to be announced.
At this stage, there are over $1,000 in prizes.
Further details to be announced.
$200.00 gift voucher.
Two end-fed antennas, valued at $340.00.
end fed 4 band halfwave antenna, valued at $155.00.
Battery solder station valued at $146.95.
Four (4) x $50.00 vouchers.
Snake bite kit valued at $19.95.
ATTENDEE WELCOME PACK
Each attendee will receive a Welcome pack which includes:
- Lanyard with name badge
- WWFF promotional brochure
- VKFF National Get Together sticker
- pen
- notepad
- Albury Wodonga Visitor Guide
- certificate of attendance
- antenna construction instructions for each of the antennas
- Chiltern Mount Pilot National Park Visitor Guide
ATTENDEE MANUAL
This will be uploaded soon.
The Attendee Manual will feature all of the information from this page about the event in a PDF document.
The Attendee Manual will feature all of the information from this page about the event in a PDF document.
ATTENDEE CERTIFICATE
Each attendee will receive a special attendee certificate.
WWFF MERCHANDISE FOR SALE
WWFF merchandise will be on sale at the event, including:
- mouse pads - $15.00
- flags - $20.00
- stickers - $1.00
- desk mats - $40.00
SATURDAY EVENING DINNER - 6.30 P.M. SATURDAY 31ST OCTOBER 2026.
The Saturday evening dinner will be held at 6.30 p.m. on Saturday, 31st October 2026, in the Waratah Room, at the Commercial Club, Albury.
The meal will comprise a main course (alternate drop*) of either:
* An alternate drop (or alternate menu) is a catering service where waitstaff serve two plated meals to guests, alternating around the table, e.g. one guest receives Beef Cheek while the neighbouring guest receives Crispy Skinned Chicken.
Bar open for guests to pay for their own drinks.
The Saturday evening dinner will feature Chris VK3QB as our guest speaker. Chris is part of the VJ2L Lord Howe Island DXpedition.
You MUST register to attend the dinner.
The meal will comprise a main course (alternate drop*) of either:
- Beef Cheek (gf/df)
- slow-cooked with root vegetables, red wine tomato sauce, garlic mash, vegetables
- Crispy Skinned Chicken (gf)
- skin on chicken breast filled with roasted capsicum, baby spinach, feta cheese, oven-
* An alternate drop (or alternate menu) is a catering service where waitstaff serve two plated meals to guests, alternating around the table, e.g. one guest receives Beef Cheek while the neighbouring guest receives Crispy Skinned Chicken.
Bar open for guests to pay for their own drinks.
The Saturday evening dinner will feature Chris VK3QB as our guest speaker. Chris is part of the VJ2L Lord Howe Island DXpedition.
You MUST register to attend the dinner.
SATURDAY EVENING GUEST SPEAKER
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The guest speaker will be Chris VK3QB, the team leader for the June 2026 DXpedition to Lord Howe Island.
Lord Howe Island is VKFF-0295. 
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QUIZ
A quick and fun table quiz will be held at the Saturday evening dinner. It will involve members of your table answering fifteen (15) simple and not-so-simple questions about the WWFF/VKFF program. A certificate will be awarded to each member of the winning table.
PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES
At the Saturday evening dinner, Paul VK5PAS, the VKFF National Co-Ordinator, will present certificates to VKFF Team members, guest speakers, and others who have assisted in the 2026 VKFF National Get Together.
SUNDAY MORNING BBQ BREAKFAST - 8.00 a.m. 1st NOVEMBER 2026
A Sunday morning BBQ breakfast will be held at Australia Park, 619 Ebden Street, South Albury. The BBQ breakfast will commence at 8.00 a.m. on Sunday, 1st November 2026.
The breakfast will include bacon & egg rolls, orange juice, tea & coffee.
There are plenty of parking options on Ebden Street or Wodonga Place.
The public BBQs are well-maintained and are underneath a shelter. The area is positioned under generous shade trees.
There are public toilets nearby.
The VKFF Team will have a portable amateur radio station set up in the park.
This will be where the Sunday morning antenna construction projects will take place (see below).
Please note that you MUST register to attend the BBQ (see registration process above).
The breakfast will include bacon & egg rolls, orange juice, tea & coffee.
There are plenty of parking options on Ebden Street or Wodonga Place.
The public BBQs are well-maintained and are underneath a shelter. The area is positioned under generous shade trees.
There are public toilets nearby.
The VKFF Team will have a portable amateur radio station set up in the park.
This will be where the Sunday morning antenna construction projects will take place (see below).
Please note that you MUST register to attend the BBQ (see registration process above).
The undercover at the BBQ location
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The red stars indicate parking options
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SUNDAY MORNING ANTENNA CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
This is to be a choice of constructing one of the three options below:
a. a linked dipole (under the supervision of Ivan VK5HS)
or
b. OCF dipole (under the supervision of Hans VK6XN)
0r
c. tape measure yagi (under the supervision of Peter VK3ZPF and Paul VK5PAS)
a. a linked dipole (under the supervision of Ivan VK5HS)
or
b. OCF dipole (under the supervision of Hans VK6XN)
0r
c. tape measure yagi (under the supervision of Peter VK3ZPF and Paul VK5PAS)
Linked dipole
This project will be under the instruction of Ivan VK5HS.
Ivan VK5HS
The cost for this project will be $35.00.
This antenna will be able to be used on 20, 30, 40, & 80 m.
The following material will be supplied:
- dipole centre piece
- wire winders
- wire
Not supplied (which you will need to bring):
- coaxial cable terminated at one end PL259 and the other to suit your radio.
The dipole centre piece and the wire winders are being kindly provided by Mark at TET-EMTRON.
All other parts are being sourced by Ivan VK5HS.
All other parts are being sourced by Ivan VK5HS.
OCF dipole
This project will be under the instruction of Hans VK6XN and Gerard VK2IO.
Hans VK6XN
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Gerard VK2IO
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The cost of this project will be $35.00.
All material will be supplied, which includes:
All material will be supplied, which includes:
- 38mm toroid
- 70 mm length of 60mm OD PVC pipe
- 2 x 60 mm ID PVC end caps.
- 6 x small zip ties.
- 1500 mm of 14 AWG figure 8 cable.
- SO239 socket for coax feed.
- Antenna wire cut to 40m half-wave dipole length (+ a bit for tuning).
- 2 x solder lugs.
- 2 x ss bolts + matching wing nuts.
- 1 x self-tapping eye-bolt to hang balun.
This will be able to be used on 40, 20, 15, 10, 6m. It can be used on the WARC bands with a tuner.
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Tape measure yagi
This project uses a steel tape measure as the radials, a 1-inch PVC pipe as the mast, and 3D printed couplers to link the radials to the mast.
This project will be under the instruction of Paul VK5PAS & Peter VK3ZPF.
This project will be under the instruction of Paul VK5PAS & Peter VK3ZPF.
Paul VK5PAS
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Peter VK3ZPF
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The cost for this project will be $35.00.
The following material will be supplied:
Not supplied (which you will need to bring):
The following material will be supplied:
- 1 " PVC pipe 1 metre length
- steel retractable tape measure
- 3D printed couplers
- solid core wire
- heat shrink
- screws
Not supplied (which you will need to bring):
- coaxial cable terminated at one end to suit your handheld
The VKFF Team will provide tinsnips, a cordless drill, a heat gun, wire strippers, tape measures, and a solder station.
The printed couplers have been printed on the 3D printer of Paul VK5PAS.
The printed couplers have been printed on the 3D printer of Paul VK5PAS.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON VKFF PARK ACTIVATIONS
Are you new to the VKFF program, or would you like to pick up some tips from experienced VKFF park activators?
On Sunday, you'll have the chance to participate in a VKFF activation with experienced activators.
On Sunday, you'll have the chance to participate in a VKFF activation with experienced activators.
- Barnawartha South I16 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4551 - Garrick VK3GJG
- 22 km southwest of Albury
- Bonegilla Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-4631 - Paul VK5PAS
- 14 km southeast of Albury
- Chiltern Mount Pilot National Park VKFF-0620 - Chris VK1CHW
- 51 km southwest of Albury
- Fell Timber Creek Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2087 - Mark VK5MK
- 14 km southwest of Albury
- Ryans Lagoon Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2186 - Tony VK2VIC
- 23 km southeast of Albury
- Wodonga Regional Park VKFF-0980 - Peter VK3ZPF
- 8 km south of Albury
SUNDAY EVENING DINNER - 6.30 p.m. 1ST NOVEMBER 2026
The Sunday evening dinner is to be held at 6.30 p.m. on Sunday, 1st November 2026, at the Albury Brew House, 618 Dean Street, Albury, N.S.W.
Meals and drinks at your own cost.
Meals and drinks at your own cost.
*Menu and pricing subject to change by the venue.
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Below are known venues where people attending the Get Together will be staying.
Albury Regent Motel
666 Dean Street, Albury, N.S.W.
Ph. (02) 6021 8355
666 Dean Street, Albury, N.S.W.
Ph. (02) 6021 8355
For bookings made prior to 1st July 2026, the motel is offering rooms for $145.00 per night if you mention that you are there for the 2026 VKFF National Get Together.
2026 VKFF NATIONAL GET TOGETHER MERCHANDISE FOR SALE
Polo shirts, baseball caps, coffee mugs, & stubby holders featuring the 2026 VKFF National Get Together logo are available for order.
Please send an email to [email protected] detailing your order (please include your name & callsign) and place your money into the VKFF bank account as per below:
World Wide Flora & Fauna - Australia
BSB 105-010
Account - 125945440
Your merchandise will be available to collect on Saturday at the Get Together.
Please send an email to [email protected] detailing your order (please include your name & callsign) and place your money into the VKFF bank account as per below:
World Wide Flora & Fauna - Australia
BSB 105-010
Account - 125945440
Your merchandise will be available to collect on Saturday at the Get Together.
Men's Polo shirt
Cost - $36.00
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Colour options:
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Women's polo shirt
Cost - $36.00
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Colour options:
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Cap
Cost - $26.00
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Colour options:
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Mug
Cost - $21.00
Features the 2026 VKFF National Get Together logo on the front and the WWFF logo on the rear.
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Colour options:
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Stubby holder
Cost - $12.00
