What is it? Club section is an informal gathering of ASV members for the purposes of developing camaraderie within the Society and to share time, expertise and information on common points of astronomical interest. There are no prerequisites necessary to attend Club Section.

Getting There - Where and When Club section meets at the Society's clubrooms on the first and the last Friday of each month (public holidays excepted) between 8.00pm and 11.00pm. Members may arrive or depart the clubrooms at any time between these hours.

On Arrival There are no municipal restrictions on car parking in the vicinity of the clubrooms. On arrival, walk the length of the driveway and proceed directly to the property's backyard via the blue and white double gates (please do not ring the front door bell). The door to the clubrooms is immediately on the right beyond the gates. There is no need to knock, simply enter.

Who to Meet The Section Director will be only too pleased to welcome any new visitor to the clubrooms, explain the activities of the Section and exhibit the 20" (500mm) diameter telescope. The Director will introduce newcomers to other club members who have relevant knowledge and expertise to discuss any particular astronomical topic of interest. It is important that all visitors to Club Section (whether members or not) sign the Visitors' Book.

What Happens Then As Club Section is an informal gathering, what ensues depends upon the weather and who has attended. Generally speaking, there is a reasonable number of people present. Groups quickly form and reform to engage in different activities. Some will view the sky (on clear nights) through the society's 20" scope and/or other members' telescopes - others will use the computer for the many astronomical programs - still others may be involved with mirror making/testing or perhaps examining the astronomical wall posters, news boards or the magazines from the clubroom library and others may discuss various topics of interest over a cup of tea or coffee.

The 20" Le Marquand Telescope The observatory adjacent to the clubrooms houses the 20" (500mm) diameter Le Marquand telescope which has an f4 focal ratio. The telescope was made, almost exclusively, by dedicated ASV members and is available under the supervision of a trained demonstrator, for viewing by all members on Friday nights.

Other Club Activities Club Section may on occasion display a short video or film (less than one hour), or provide part of the clubrooms as the venue for a speaker on an astronomical topic. Advance notification of such events will usually be given. Attendance at these activities is only on a voluntary basis. The Historical Section also uses part of the clubrooms on one Friday a month to conduct their section meetings. The clubrooms are, in general, a home base for many other sections such as Computing, Junior Section etc. which use the venue on different days of the week.

On Departure Members may leave Club Section at any time between 8.00pm and 11.00pm. The only courtesy required is that members remain mindful of the clubrooms being within a residential area and that departure must be conducted as quietly as possible.