FOR ALL THOSE WITH AN INTEREST IN BRITISH INDIA STEAM NAVIGATION (BI)

Previous events - See Events page for future reunions

Most of the arrangements for the Brisbane BI Revival in October are now complete: the reunion will be held for three days over the weekend of October 12-14, based at the Hilton Hotel. The location on Queen Street Mall in the heart of the city offers an array of shopping, restaurants, bars and coffeee shops, as well as additional accommodation in other hotels. The Hilton is close to Central Station, Myer underground bus station and the river ferries - all are within walking distance.

The Hilton occupies 17 floors of the Wintergarden Centre and has all the usual hotel facilities. In the lower floors of the centre are many shops and a food court, plus theme bars including the Britannia Inn, Mulligans - an Irish bar - and the Prince Edward bar. In view of its name and emblem. the Britannia Inn might, it is hoped, be encouraged to make some special arrangements for the weekend.

Programme
The functions listed here will be the only organised events. All will be as casual as possible, Queensland style.

• Friday Oct 12: Welcome barbecue in the Tropicana area next to the swimming pool at about 1830
• Saturday Oct 13: Luncheon river cruise on board one of the River Queen vessels (right). A choice of two menus will be available and the vessel has bars. If enough people book this event, the party will have exclusive use of the vessel.
• Sunday Oct 14: Sunday curry lunch at the Tastes of India restaurant on the boardwalk at Southbank. The BI party will have exclusive use of the restaurant. (Alternative choice for those who do not want curry).

Taste of India is next door to the Maritime Museum which has information about the Quetta sinking in 1890. It is also the home of the the coal-burning tug Forceful (pictured below), whose funnel is very similar to BI's. The tug was orginally registered in Australia by W A Mackay and D J Mackay representing the Inchcape group. Reunion organiser Pat Pattenden is arranging short cruises on the vessel on the Sunday for all those who would like a nostalgia trip.

For anyone wanting to extend their stay, many hundreds of attractions and sights are in the area. The Sunshine Coast is 75 mins and the Gold Coast 60 mins away - both connected by motorway and trains. Pat recommends extensions are taken following the BI weekend as a major event in the week beforehand means hotels will be crowded.

Mark Kenyon (ex BI) of Remi Kenyon Travel in Auckland, NZ is assisting with travel arrangements for the Brisbane reunion. You can contact Mark for more information about the Brisbane reunion and to enquire about travel and accommodation via these pages.

To request more reunion information, make a booking for the reunion weekend or ask for travel advice simply complete the online enquiry form. Mark Kenyon will respond quickly to all enquiries.