All events
Past events
Serpentine Launch - 7th May 2023
May
07
2023 Past Event
Serpentine Launch - 7th May 2023
Serpentine Launch Site
10:00 – 17:00
The launch window will be open between 10am and 5pm. The flyers briefing will begin at 10am range will open immediately after the briefing. If you are planning on launching, it is mandatory to attend the briefing. IMPORTANT: This event is subject to weather and may be postponed. Confirmation will be made on the Thursday evening before the event with updates on social media and this event page. Launch Site Location: Our Serpentine launch site is located approximately 43km from Bendigo along the Loddon Valley highway. For those heading out of Melbourne, drive to Bendigo, and then out through Eaglehawk along the Loddon Valley highway (B260), after approximately 30 mins start looking for a bridge over “Bullock Creek” 3.5km from this bridge you will see a cluster of trees, and on your right you will see a gate, you can enter through this gate and drive to the launch site. Please approach the site slowly as we all don’t want to be covered in dust, and there maybe cables across the road. If you miss this entrance 6.5km from the creek you will see another entrance to your right, drive in through here and then right out along the track past the harvester shed, follow the road along the edge of the field until it makes a right hand turn, continue to follow this until your reach the intersection, where you will find our range head. If you continue down the highway and your reach “Serpentine” you have gone too far! For Serpentine the GPS coordinate of the entry gate is -36.50066, 144.01692 https://www.google.com/maps/place/36%C2%B030'02.4%22S+144%C2%B001'00.9%22E/@-36.50066,144.0147313,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x5c37ecb02ea5b157!8m2!3d-36.50066!4d144.01692 Keep your eyes open for the club sign identifying the usual access to the range off the highway. A modified (shorter) Flyers Briefing will be held at 10.00am sharp and anyone planning to fly must attend the briefing.   Certification Flights Please let us know if you will be attempting to Certify. Members attempting Level 2 are requested to advise the President, Isaac Sims in advance. There may be options to complete the written exam PRIOR to the launch weekend. Altitude The maximum altitude that we can fly is 23,500 feet AMSL. Flights above 13,500 feet AMSL must be requested and approved in advance by the committee. Registration To help us plan the launch, you MUST register for this event.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us via our website, facebook or instagram. We look forward to seeing you there!
Serpentine 2 Day Launch - 15/16th April 2023
Apr
15
2023 Past Event
Serpentine 2 Day Launch - 15/16th April 2023
Serpentine Launch Site
15-04-2023 10:00 – 16-04-2023 17:00
This is our annual 2 day launch event. The launch window will be open between 10am and 5pm on Saturday the 15th, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday 16th.  A dinner will be held on the Saturday evening. More details to follow. The flyers briefing will begin at the commencement of each days activities. The range will open immediately after the briefing. If you are planning on launching, it is mandatory to attend the briefing. IMPORTANT: This event is subject to weather and may be postponed. Confirmation will be made on the Thursday evening before the event with updates on social media and this event page. Launch Site Location: Our Serpentine launch site is located approximately 43km from Bendigo along the Loddon Valley highway. For those heading out of Melbourne, drive to Bendigo, and then out through Eaglehawk along the Loddon Valley highway (B260), after approximately 30 mins start looking for a bridge over “Bullock Creek” 3.5km from this bridge you will see a cluster of trees, and on your right you will see a gate, you can enter through this gate and drive to the launch site. Please approach the site slowly as we all don’t want to be covered in dust, and there maybe cables across the road. If you miss this entrance 6.5km from the creek you will see another entrance to your right, drive in through here and then right out along the track past the harvester shed, follow the road along the edge of the field until it makes a right hand turn, continue to follow this until your reach the intersection, where you will find our range head. If you continue down the highway and your reach “Serpentine” you have gone too far! For Serpentine the GPS coordinate of the entry gate is -36.50066, 144.01692 https://www.google.com/maps/place/36%C2%B030'02.4%22S+144%C2%B001'00.9%22E/@-36.50066,144.0147313,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x5c37ecb02ea5b157!8m2!3d-36.50066!4d144.01692 Keep your eyes open for the club sign identifying the usual access to the range off the highway. A modified (shorter) Flyers Briefing will be held at 10.00am sharp and anyone planning to fly must attend the briefing.   Certification Flights Please let us know if you will be attempting to Certify. Members attempting Level 2 are requested to advise the President, Isaac Sims in advance. There may be options to complete the written exam PRIOR to the launch weekend. Altitude The maximum altitude that we can fly is 23,500 feet AMSL. Flights above 13,500 feet AMSL must be requested and approved in advance by the committee. Registration To help us plan the launch, you MUST register for this event.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us via our website, facebook or instagram. We look forward to seeing you there!
Club Social & Presentation Night - 4th April 2023
Apr
04
2023 Past Event
Club Social & Presentation Night - 4th April 2023
Golden Gate Hotel
18:30 – 21:30
Join us for a social get together and presentations at The Golden Gate Hotel in South Melbourne. We have a ripper presentation arranged for our Club Night this Tuesday, 4 April at the Golden Gate Hotel, South Melbourne. You will not want to miss this. Angelo Di Grazia of the Space Association Australia has generously offered to present to our members the "current and planned activities and status of the Space Program. Angelo is incredibly knowledgeable and up to date with everything that is happening in the world of the "Space Program". His research and style of presentation will make this Club Night one to remember and talk about in the future. Don't miss it! Join us for dinner from 6.00pm onwards or the Club Social and Angelo's presentation starting at 7.00pm
Serpentine Launch - 26th March 2023 CANCELLED
Mar
26
2023 Past Event
Serpentine Launch - 26th March 2023 CANCELLED
Serpentine Launch Site
10:00 – 17:00
Due to the ongoing fire risk, the first launch this year at Serpentine is CANCELLED The Working Bee and Club Social will still go ahead.                        
Club Social Evening - Sat 25 March - Bridgewater Pub
Mar
25
2023 Past Event
Club Social Evening - Sat 25 March - Bridgewater Pub
18:30 – 22:00
This is a scheduled CLUB SOCIAL evening starting with dinner at the Bridgewater Hotel following the club working bee at the range. Even if you cannot make the working bee, please join us for dinner and club social at the pub prior to our launch on Sunday. We will schedule the same for the Saturday of our two day launch and the second working bee on 9 September. Please register (free) so that we can arrange for the pub to cater for our numbers. They are usually very heavily booked on weekends.
Serpentine Working Bee - 25th March 2023
Mar
25
2023 Past Event
Serpentine Working Bee - 25th March 2023
Serpentine Launch Site
10:00 – 17:00
Saturday prior to our Sunday launch will be a club working bee to undertake maintenance and preparation work on our range equipment for the upcoming launch Season. We will also do some work around our equipment storage area to clean-up the site, remove debris, and cut grass. We will have an informal social event and dinner on the Saturday evening.   Launch Site Location: Our Serpentine launch site is located approximately 43km from Bendigo along the Loddon Valley highway. For those heading out of Melbourne, drive to Bendigo, and then out through Eaglehawk along the Loddon Valley highway (B260), after approximately 30 mins start looking for a bridge over “Bullock Creek” 3.5km from this bridge you will see a cluster of trees, and on your right you will see a gate, you can enter through this gate and drive to the launch site. Please approach the site slowly as we all don’t want to be covered in dust, and there maybe cables across the road. If you miss this entrance 6.5km from the creek you will see another entrance to your right, drive in through here and then right out along the track past the harvester shed, follow the road along the edge of the field until it makes a right hand turn, continue to follow this until your reach the intersection, where you will find our range head. If you continue down the highway and your reach “Serpentine” you have gone too far! For Serpentine the GPS coordinate of the entry gate is -36.50066, 144.01692 https://www.google.com/maps/place/36%C2%B030'02.4%22S+144%C2%B001'00.9%22E/@-36.50066,144.0147313,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x5c37ecb02ea5b157!8m2!3d-36.50066!4d144.01692 Registration To help us plan the activity, you MUST register for this event.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us via our website, facebook or instagram. We look forward to seeing you there!
GO FOR LAUNCH - Drouin Launch - 4 March 2023
Mar
04
2023 Past Event
GO FOR LAUNCH - Drouin Launch - 4 March 2023
Drouin South Airfield
09:00 – 14:00
The flyers briefing will begin at 9:00am and the range will open from 9:15am until 2:00pm. As the briefing includes critical information for flyers, anyone wishing to fly MUST be on-site to attend the briefing. Range setup will begin at 8:00am.  *************************************** Please note, this event is subject to weather and can be postponed. Confirmation will be made on the Thursday evening prior to launch with updates on social media and this event page. *************************************** Altitude: The launch ceiling for the Drouin site is 2,000 ft. Registration: To help us plan the launch, please register for the event. We just need to know how many will be coming in your group/family. Registration is free. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us through our website, facebook or instagram. We look forward to seeing you there!
GO FOR LAUNCH - Drouin Launch - Saturday December 3rd
Dec
03
2022 Past Event
GO FOR LAUNCH - Drouin Launch - Saturday December 3rd
Drouin Launch Site
08:00 – 14:00
The flyers briefing will begin at 8:30am and the range will open from 9am until 2:00pm. As the briefing includes critical information for flyers, anyone wishing to fly MUST be on-site to attend the briefing. Range setup will begin at 7:30am.   *************************************** Please note, this event is subject to weather and can be postponed a week. Confirmation will be made on this Thursday evening prior to launch (December 1st) with updates on social media and this event page. ***************************************   Altitude: The launch ceiling for the Drouin site is 2,000 ft.   Registration: To help us plan the launch, please register for the event. We just need to know how many will be coming in your group/family. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us through our website, facebook or instagram. We look forward to seeing you there!
VRA AGM / Xmas Social Event
Nov
30
2022 Past Event
VRA AGM / Xmas Social Event
Golden Gate Hotel
18:30 – 21:30
Joins us for a social get together and presentations at The Golden Gate Hotel in South Melbourne Members are welcome to arrive after 6:30pm and order drinks and a meal. The formal AGM will be held at 7pm. The agenda is: Confirm Minutes of Previous AGM Presidents Report Financial Report General Business Election of Committee Members (President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, and general committee members) If you wish to stand for election for any of these positions, or you wish to submit an item of general business, please do so in advance of the meeting. General Business items cannot be added to the agenda at the meeting. To register your interest in standing for a committee position, or if you have an item of general business to address at the meeting, please email our club secretary at p.plevier@hotmail.com Only current members of the VRA can stand for election or participate in the AGM.  However, we welcome any of our rocketry community and their families to attend the AGM as observers.   2022 BALLS Experimental Rocket Launch Following the AGM, David Wilkins will provide a presentation on his recent trip to BALLS 2022 in the USA, including lots of photographs. BALLS is THE premier Experimental Rocket Launch in the world. BALLS brings together dedicated rocketry enthusiasts devoted to the leading edge of non-professional rocketry activities for the best demonstration of experimental design, using today's best technologies, and probably the largest non-professional rockets seen anywhere. BALLS is a venue for projects that should NOT be flown at other events or locations due to safety considerations and potential altitudes. This may include, but is not limited to, LARGE rockets, complex staging or clustering, metal rockets, self-designed and/or fabricated rocket motors and new technologies being developed or proven. Swap Meet We will also have an informal swap meet running at the meeting.  If you have any rocketry related items that you would like to sell or swap, you are welcome to bring them along.  We will have a table set up at the back of the room.  Please have a note on them with your description, name, and asking price. Propellant and pyrotechnics cannot be brought to the venue, but you can still have these for sale. We will send out a list of items for sale in advance of the event if you wish to have your items on that list.  Prior to 15th November please send a photo, description, and price indication via email to isim0009@student.monash.edu We are disbanding the club library, and books and videos from the library will be available if people wish to make small donations to the club for the items. We encourage our rocketry community to attend this event.  It not only helps you participate in the running of the club, but also helps us cover the costs of hiring the venue as we have to achieve a minimum spend by participants for food and drinks to subsidise our costs.  
GO FOR LAUNCH - Drouin Launch - Saturday November 12th
Nov
12
2022 Past Event
GO FOR LAUNCH - Drouin Launch - Saturday November 12th
Drouin Launch Site
08:00 – 14:00
The flyers briefing will begin at 8:30am and the range will open from 9am until 2:00pm. As the briefing includes critical information for flyers, anyone wishing to fly MUST be on-site to attend the briefing. Range setup will begin at 7:30am.   *************************************** Please note, this event is subject to weather and can be postponed a week. Confirmation will be made on this Thursday evening prior to launch (November 10th) with updates on social media and this event page. ***************************************   Altitude: The launch ceiling for the Drouin site is 2,000 ft.   Registration: To help us plan the launch, please register for the event. We just need to know how many will be coming in your group/family. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us through our website, facebook or instagram. We look forward to seeing you there!
Serpentine Flood Damage Working Bee
Nov
06
2022 Past Event
Serpentine Flood Damage Working Bee
Serpentine
09:00 – 17:00
The Loddon Valley has experienced severe flooding in past weeks, and our Serpentine Launch Site has been underwater at levels between 300mm and 1 metre.  The damage to the farm has been substantial, with the addition of huge damage to this years crops which will have significant financial impact to the farm's owner. We will have a working bee at the site to support the farmer's remediation works and also to clean-up the areas where our club's equipment is stored. A BBQ lunch will be provided. It is essential that you register for this event so that we can understand numbers for catering, work allocation, and in order to contact you in advance.   We have also established a flood donation system to help support recovery at the site.  More details can be found here: https://victorianrocketry.org.au/public/shop/products/flood-donation  
**CANCELLED** - Drouin Launch - Saturday October 29th
Oct
29
2022 Past Event
**CANCELLED** - Drouin Launch - Saturday October 29th
Drouin Launch Site
08:00 – 14:00
Due to poor weather this event has been cancelled