In May we broke the news that our next big event in Victoria would be in 2025. We mentioned it wouldn’t be a Mega… because it will be even BIGGER – Victoria’s first ever Block Party – The Sunbury Event (GCAP417). Mark your calendars for March 22-23! This rare opportunity to add a new cache type to your finds simply cannot be missed (the stats hounds are no doubt already drooling over the opportunity!).
Did you know? According to project-gc, there are currently only 8, yes 8, Victorian cachers who have logged this cache type. Australia wide, there are only 32!
What Makes a Block Party Special?
Forget about Scott Cam and Shelley Craft – this Block Party is all about geocaching! Aside from being a unique icon/cache type, we’re combining the best elements of our mega events with unique Block Party action. The worldwide release of Block Parties for 2025 (which were previously only held in Seattle, and only between 2011 and 2015) is to help celebrate 25 years of Geocaching. A key part of the privilege of being allowed to host a Block Party, instead of a Mega, is the ability to join the global celebration of 25 years of Geocaching. So, expect a distinct 25 year flavour right across the event and associated activities.
Did you know? On 2 May 2000, ‘selective availability’ was removed from the Global Position System (GPS). The very first geocache (as we now know them) was placed by Dave Ulmer and shared via a newsgroup on the internet on May 3, 2000. It now exists (mostly for posterity) on geocaching.com as GCF – The Original Stash
No doubt many of you have been itching to hear more about what’s in store, so here is one of many updates to come in the lead up to March 2025.
Introducing…. Your Event Mascot!
With the Block Party being located in Sunbury, on the urban fringe, it is home to a number of indigenous fauna species, providing a rich range of choices for our mascot. After deliberating over a shortlist of fantastic options, the committee has settled on….
Ornithorhynchus Anatinus (meaning duck-like bird-snout), or the platypus as it’s more commonly known (meaning flat-foot).
The platypus is endemic to the east coast of Australia, and is well represented within the Hume region, living in Emu Bottom Wetlands, which includes Jacksons Creek.
A baby platypus is known (among other terms) as a puggle, which just so happens to rhyme with muggle. So please welcome, our Sunbury mascot…. Muggle the Puggle!
Fun Fact: Melbourne Water conducts platypus monitoring throughout its catchment area. In 2015, the largest platypus discovered in the monitoring program was found in Jacksons Creek, weighing in at an impressive 2.7kg! If you happen to spot a platypus in the wild, you can report your sighting and assist with ongoing research & conservation of this iconic species by visiting platypusspot.org for more info.
Event Details
Don’t forget to keep updated on all our Block Party news by engaging in the following channels:
- GC Event – Log your will attend at GCAP417 – The Sunbury Event
- Facebook – Follow us at The Sunbury Event – 2025 Block Party
- Website – Read all about the event at geocachingvictoria.com.au/the-sunbury-event
- Subscribe – Don’t miss any of the updates by subscribing to our blog below.
Further accommodation options have been added to the website, with plenty of camping, cabin & Hotel/Motel options provided. Some have special rates available to event attendees so be sure to check it out.
Sunbury Block Party Committee
An event of this magnitude requires the support of a team of many people to be successful. Central to this success is the the event committee. We’ve assembled an all-star team to make this event unforgettable and are thrilled to introduce ConnieandRick, Crack’n’LeeLee, BFMC, FMH1977, and ILookedThere who are hard at work, firming up the many block party elements including mascots, merchandise, information sessions, event related caches, ad labs and much more! You can read more about your block party team at this link.
Want To Get Involved?
Over the coming months we will be reaching out to the community for volunteers to assist with various support activities in the lead up to, and during the event. Every little bit helps, and you can support the event experience for all involved with as little as a few hours of your time. In the interim, if you would like to get involved in some of the background activities as we build up to the event, you can email sunbury2025@geocachingvictoria.com.au. No experience necessary!
We look forward to sharing more details with you over the coming months. Stay tuned.
