Details of the proposed Newtown
Jets Southern Aurora charter tour to Parkes.

Following several inquiries about the possibility of travelling on the Southern Aurora charter train to the Newtown-Group 11 trial match at Parkes on Saturday, February 19, here are the proposed tour details:

Depart Sydney Central on Friday, February 18, 2005 at 6.45am.

Three short stop-overs enroute to Parkes.

Arrive Parkes at 4.45pm.

The train will be stabled at the Parkes railway station precinct for both the Friday and Saturday nights.

Overnight sleeping accommodation is provided on the train on Friday, February 18 and Saturday, February 19.

The sleeping cars, lounge/bar cars and dining cars are all air-conditioned.

Catering and bar service is available on the train.

The price per head is $350, which is considerably less than the combined costs per person of a return airfare and two nights motel accommodation in Parkes.

There is a testimonial dinner for Brad Fittler at Parkes Leagues Club on the Friday evening, which will attract a crowd of over 600.

Newtown plays Group 11 at Pioneer Oval, Parkes at 5.30pm on the Saturday evening, followed by the Roosters v Parramatta NRL trial match. There is likely to be a crowd in excess of 8,000 at Pioneer Oval (which was used as a venue for an Australia v France Test match in 1990).

This entire weekend will be a tremendous showcase for the Newtown RLFC.

Return to Sydney by early evening, Sunday, February 20.

This is a wonderful opportunity to travel to Parkes on one of Australia?s iconic long-distance trains, to see the Jets in action in beautiful central-western NSW.

Parkes is a thriving regional town of more than 11,000 people, and Newtown visitors are sure to receive a terrific welcome.

We need to know urgently what interest there is in this trip. The Southern Aurora is regularly hired, especially by corporate users, and the club is required to book the train well in advance.

If you are genuinely interested, please contact Annie Mustow by Friday, December 17 on:

95500999 or amustow@labelcraft.com.au

All Aboard For The Colin Murphy Express!!