Show of hands - Aussies

[Angrypirate]

Maybe we could just get a sort of informal sub-club, kinda like the ZS radio club, and just try to organise 1 event a year or every 6 months?

[-Sonnenkinder]

as an chapter appeals to people it will grow and over time recruit more people to replace those that may leave... wouldnt it?

surely 6 central and primed local people in a pocket area can manage to remain current in their areas on an ongoing basis with an annual gathering in a different state each year?

logistically, south australia, nsw, act and vic can meet in the middle - the border junction middle which is only about 4 hours from each major capital (a day trip)... but then it would leave the rest having to come just a little farther... or to be fair make it a travelling order, different state each year and make it a chance to see different places as well as hanging out....

I'm closer to PNG than I am any major Australian city.

Your suggestion is sound, bunny. The one thing it requires that we have a shortfall on is people that have the time, inclination and commitment to keep such a thing going. It would have to be packaged somewhat differently to ZS is in the US, as well.

I read your post, and somehow thought "Annual ZS-OZ (because that's what we're going to call ourselves) Road warrior Trip"

I'd definately be up for that.

Hell, in six months, if things go right, I'll help fund it.


-Sonnen.

[Angrypirate]

It would have to be packaged somewhat differently to ZS is in the US, as well.
-Sonnen.

Hahaha now THERES an understatement

[gunn parker]

It would have to be packaged somewhat differently to ZS is in the US, as well.

-Sonnen.

In what way?

[aus.templar]

It would have to be packaged somewhat differently to ZS is in the US, as well.

-Sonnen.

In what way?

perhaps because we have less active members in our entire country that they have per state?

That and the fact our countries are roughly the same size makes travelling to meet others both inconvenient and expensive.

[gunn parker]

Ahh yes.
I think it would also take quite a while to get enough members to be able to do much of the charity and run meetings and so on.
Maybe you guys in the East would have more luck with numbers.
Cheers

[-Sonnenkinder]

It would have to be packaged somewhat differently to ZS is in the US, as well.
-Sonnen.

Hahaha now THERES an understatement

I think Mister Pirate gets the direction I was going there.

The emphasis ZS places on preparedness is non near existant in our society. With the notable exception of the Tropical North, I think that any emphasis placed upon disaster preparedness in the South-East and East Coast would fall upon profoundly deaf ears.

We'd essentially have to imagine ZS-OZ to be the Blue Hats of Zombie Squad, or perhaps more of a ZS Red Cross than anything else.


I think, rather than focus on founding a ZS Chapter on an unstable foundation of rotating, uncommitted ZS Forum members, we first attempt to stabilise and reinforce our existing group of participating members.

The best way I can envisage this happening is through some common, shared experiences.
ZS:Ohio can meet once a month. We can't, really. We can, however, just do something together for the hell of it, and rope along likeminded friends, and see what comes of it.



My .02c worth, at least.


-Sonnen.

[Angrypirate]

One aspect we could focus on around the NSW/VIC/ACT part of the country would have to be bushfires. Lots of people have very vivid memories of the recent fires, and we've all experienced the damage they can do, if only from an observers perspective. This would probably be a more appropriate perspective to take. Whats more, the NSW rural fire service (and no doubt the other states country fire services as well) have pages and pages on their websites about prepping for fires, so even if we can't convince people that ZS is worth joining, we can at least point them in that direction.

While the Zombie Apocalypse thing is a lot of fun, it would probably have to be a secondary recruitment tool rather than being the main way of getting people in. Hell, I remember ZS being featured on Triple J, a nationwide youth radio station, and there still wasn't any noticeable rise in permanent ZS-OZ members. Its related to the 'tall poppy syndrome' that psychologists and sociologists talk about with Australia - if people look like they think they're a little bit too good, a little too organised, or a little bit weird, they tend to get cut down.

We need to package ZS in a way that is suitable to Australian culture, possibly by starting people off with things which aren't too out of left field for them, maybe we could invent the 'fire bag', containing the things which are useful if you're driving outside the major cities and get caught in a bushfire. So, things like woollen blankets to cover yourself with, nonsynthetic clothing to change into if you have the time, water, energy bars and a first aid kit. Kind of like a 12-hour short term survival kit so that once the fire passes, even if your car isn't running you can wait for a reasonable amount of time for help without difficulty. Those of us in the major cities only really need one other ZSer to work with to maybe get some pamphlets going at things like ren. fairs or school fairs where there are lots of people in a relaxed setting with time on their hands to listen to us.

Once we've got people hooked with some mega-basic stuff like that, we can move onto other disaster stuff, and start the fun with Zombies once we have them convinced we're not all completely crazy.

Just an idea. No doubt severely flawed, but if it gets us thinking...

Edited for spelling

[TheGunslinger]

I like it.

I'm in the ACT and the 2003 bushfires are still pretty vivid around here, even 7 years later.

With the events that happened in Victoria last year, I'd be surprised if there weren't people who were at least somewhat interested in that sort of 'fire bag' down south of the border.

[GrimReeper]

I'd be up for some sort of regular meet up.

Maybe with knife violence on the rise people won't think I'm weird because I edc a tourniquet (among other things).

[-Sonnenkinder]

While the Zombie Apocalypse thing is a lot of fun, it would probably have to be a secondary recruitment tool rather than being the main way of getting people in. Hell, I remember ZS being featured on Triple J, a nationwide youth radio station, and there still wasn't any noticeable rise in permanent ZS-OZ members. Its related to the 'tall poppy syndrome' that psychologists and sociologists talk about with Australia - if people look like they think they're a little bit too good, a little too organised, or a little bit weird, they tend to get cut down.

I remember that, on Triple J.

+1 to you, for using the ZS-OZ tag.


I would strongly suggest any push we were to consider to take place in conjuction with, or just after any Humans VS Zombies or Annual Zombie Shuffle event in your capital city. This year, HvZ had over 10,000 participants in Melbourne, and the Zombie shuffle the weekend afterwards was a wall-to-wall shambling horde of people.
Coupling an awareness push with such an event would make the profile-lift more of a certainty, with the end result likely being much higher. Year round involvement with HvZ will most likely engender higher retention of members, and give the Chapter a more 'fleshed out' sense of permanence and purpose, once coupled with the charity angle.
Much consideration would have to be given to ZS-OZ distancing itself from CONUS ZS, in regards to anything with the potential to be labelled as a 'paramilitary' or paramilitary-like activities.
The stigma attached to the survivalism movement of the pre 'noughties' is not one we wish to be associated, I would (safely) assume.

I think promotions and activities would be best considered with the mutual participation of other similar groups, such as the Toy Soldiers (of Dr Steel), Steampump, etc. Cross promotion at events, if suitable, would again lead to a higher level of recruitment, in addition to more events and activities to participate in.

I think, if we have serious support for this here, we need to hold a groupthink conversation.


And, Grim. If you're in Melbourne, I can give you some help with your day-to-day concern of personal safety.


Again, my .02c. Just some gristle to chew over.


-Sonnen.

[MarkyBoy]

Now GTFO out of our aussie thread!

HOW racist!!!

No it's not. They only mean it when they dance a Haka.

[TheGunslinger]

That's Kiwis!

[aus.templar]

I'm both, parents are both kiwi and I was until earlier this year when I got the surgery and became an aussie;) I was born here though

[TheGunslinger]

Lucky - otherwise I'd have to sling you out along with the pom (and that redneck who stuck his head in here earlier, too!)

[aus.templar]

Haha been here 18 of my 'nearly 20' years.

18months in NZ when I was 5 meant that I didn't get automatic citizenship. Couple holidays and school trips add up to probably about another few months...

[GrimReeper]

While the Zombie Apocalypse thing is a lot of fun, it would probably have to be a secondary recruitment tool rather than being the main way of getting people in. Hell, I remember ZS being featured on Triple J, a nationwide youth radio station, and there still wasn't any noticeable rise in permanent ZS-OZ members. Its related to the 'tall poppy syndrome' that psychologists and sociologists talk about with Australia - if people look like they think they're a little bit too good, a little too organised, or a little bit weird, they tend to get cut down.

I remember that, on Triple J.

+1 to you, for using the ZS-OZ tag.


I would strongly suggest any push we were to consider to take place in conjuction with, or just after any Humans VS Zombies or Annual Zombie Shuffle event in your capital city. This year, HvZ had over 10,000 participants in Melbourne, and the Zombie shuffle the weekend afterwards was a wall-to-wall shambling horde of people.
Coupling an awareness push with such an event would make the profile-lift more of a certainty, with the end result likely being much higher. Year round involvement with HvZ will most likely engender higher retention of members, and give the Chapter a more 'fleshed out' sense of permanence and purpose, once coupled with the charity angle.
Much consideration would have to be given to ZS-OZ distancing itself from CONUS ZS, in regards to anything with the potential to be labelled as a 'paramilitary' or paramilitary-like activities.
The stigma attached to the survivalism movement of the pre 'noughties' is not one we wish to be associated, I would (safely) assume.

I think promotions and activities would be best considered with the mutual participation of other similar groups, such as the Toy Soldiers (of Dr Steel), Steampump, etc. Cross promotion at events, if suitable, would again lead to a higher level of recruitment, in addition to more events and activities to participate in.

I think, if we have serious support for this here, we need to hold a groupthink conversation.


And, Grim. If you're in Melbourne, I can give you some help with your day-to-day concern of personal safety.


Again, my .02c. Just some gristle to chew over.


-Sonnen.

How so Sonnen?

[-Sonnenkinder]

I'm both, parents are both kiwi and I was until earlier this year when I got the surgery and became an aussie;) I was born here though

I'm on the team with maori blood in it, too.

Polynesian Maori, not NZ Maori, though.

BIG difference where I went to school.

[-Sonnenkinder]

Riots on the streets tonight, up my way. Going, on and off, for two days now.

...Old fashioned, spear and torch, mob violence.

Only in Wiepa.


...Or mogadishu.

[JCgoose]

I am keen for an NZW/ACT/Vic group

We've got half the required members in Canberra already if its only 6 so if theres another three or more of you out there we could get this stuff kicked off.

The comments about bush fire preps something I've not even taken into account yet. Might be something good to go over

[gunn parker]

My sister in law is in Canberra and we will be visiting her again next July.
Nice spot Canberra

[JCgoose]

My sister in law is in Canberra and we will be visiting her again next July.
Nice spot Canberra

If you're keen you me JackKnife and slinger should go for a drink or in town

[gunn parker]

Yes why not, it's a bit far off yet but we will be there for sure, staying about 5 days or so there.

[JCgoose]

PMed my number for when you're down give us a call and we'll meet up