General Information
Last updated 27 March, 2008

Contents:

• Final COG Guidelines
• General Information
• Weather Problems
• Mid-week Walks
• Bookings
• Field Trip Programs
  • 2007
  • Longer trips in 2007

• Field Trips Reports for Past Years.. (see what you missed out on)
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2001
  • 2000
  • 1999
  • 1998

General Information

All details, including meeting arrangements, contact for organisers and bookings, are published in COG's monthly Newsletter Gang-gang and here on the web.

The programs, as outlined below, may be subject to change.

Contact Jack Holland (Jack.Holland@ea.gov.au or phone 6288 7840 [ah] or 6274 1434 [bh]) for general enquiries about field trips.

Visitors and members are welcome on field trips, but on booked trips COG members have preference.

Weather Problems

COG Field Trip leaders will always be at meeting points. Where weather is a problem, a decision will be made on the spot about proceeding. For weekend field trips, check with the organiser.

Mid-week Walks

There is no organised leader for mid-week walks; participants meet at the designated place at 9am and self-organise. Notice of mid-week walks will be posted here during the year.

Bookings *

Bookings for field trips are only required where indicated*. If you book and later have to cancel, please let the organiser know.

COG Tours Cancellation Policy - Payment of Deposits

Please note that a condition of accepting a booking on a COG tour is that you confirm with a deposit within one month of booking, unless other arrangements are made with the organiser. Details of the amount and where to send payment etc are provided in Gang-gang and in these pages; individual reminders to pay deposits are not given.

Places may be allocated to others on wait lists where deposits are not made within a month.COG arranges tours with companies, which operate under commercial conditions (eg they may have to outlay deposits for accommodation and services etc provided by other people which may not always be fully refundable).

Whether a tour goes ahead is dependent on a minimum number of people, and we encourage wait lists to draw on in the event of cancellations. In the past, due mainly to being able to find replacements, either through a wait list or by advertising, it has been possible for COG to arrange refunds where cancellations have occurred (less a small cancellation fee to cover admin costs in some cases).

However, deposit refunds depend on the cancellation/refund of deposit conditions of the particular operator, and are not automatic. Conditions are specified for each tour either in Gang-gang or in a special flier for the tour. This is a summary of the policy.

Deposits

• are due within a month of booking a place.

Cancellations

• Conditions of the tour operator will apply to cancellation and refund of deposit; in most instances cancellation and deposit refund will be possible up to a specified date (less cancellation fee)
• A cancellation fee between $15 and $30 (to cover costs) will generally apply
• After final monies are due, refunds (less a cancellation fee) are dependent on being replaced on the tour
• Cancellation should be advised at the earliest possible time by phone direct to the COG organiser
• Travel insurance is recommended for tours, particularly the longer ones

Overseas Tours

• Expressions of interest are sought first to ensure there is enough interest; this does not require an immediate deposit
• Deposits are due once we have the numbers, and the dates and draft itinerary are agreed with the operator; this can be some months after expressions of interest and a firm commitment must be given at that time
• Cancellation after a deposit has been paid may result in forfeit of all or some deposit monies, depending on the timing of cancellation and if there is any loss to the operator or COG; the minimum cancellation fee is $30
• Once final monies are paid, refunds are dependent on being replaced on the tour (travel insurance should be acquired).

Any enquiries about these conditions to Jack Holland ph 6288 7840.