+Calypso62 Posted March 1 Posted March 1 In Australia, "Mateship" is a cultural idiom that embodies equality, loyalty and friendship. It is a concept that can be traced back to our early colonial times. The harsh environment in which convicts and new settlers found themselves meant that men and women closely relied on each other for all sorts of help. In Australia, a 'mate' is more than just a friend and is a term that implies a sense of shared experience, mutual respect and unconditional assistance. Having said that, the term “mate” can also be used for the first time you meet someone, especially when you don’t know their name. For example, “Excuse me mate, sorry I bumped into you!!” or “Hey mate, are you geocaching?” or when someone needs help, “Hey mate, do you need a hand with that?” For the last four years, on the 8th May, I’ve held an event to celebrate one of the best things I like about geocaching, the Geo-Mates one meets through this great activity. It’s a time when we can catch up with old Geo-Mates and make lots of new ones, and celebrate that friendship. As many of you have done, I’ve made so many great geo-mates all around the world. My events are held at a local watering hole here in Sydney, with a very Australian name, The Ettamogah Hotel. Here is a link to this year’s event… GeoMay8 Day at the 'Mogah - 2025 Now, I thought I would advertise my event via the Geocaching Forums in the hope that others might like the concept of celebrating great Geo-Mates and would consider hosting a GeoMay8 Day Event themselves. It would be fabulous if GeoMay8 Day Events popped up all around the world. Who knows, if the concept catches on, perhaps one day Groundspeak might make this into an annual day such as International Geocaching Day or Earthcache Day. They might even offer a souvenir!! Wouldn’t that be great!! This year, GeoMay8 Day falls on a Thursday. My event is a dinner one. Perhaps you could host a half hour event at a local cafe, bar or a park, after work. I've hosted events in the city around lunch time and managed to get a few geocaching workers and visitors to attend. Whatever works for you. If you do get onboard and host a GeoMay8 Day Event, please post here and let us know about it. Here’s to a fabulous celebration of great Geo-Mates. Cheers, Calypso62 - Down Under 🦘 4 Quote
+Smitherington Posted March 1 Posted March 1 I like the idea. I remember that you posted about this last year. Any idea about how many GeoMay8 events happened in 2024? Quote
+Calypso62 Posted March 2 Author Posted March 2 Three events occurred in 2024. My event in Australia, one in Spain and one in Liechtenstein. I'm hoping this number will increase this year. I've reached out personally to geocachers here in Australia as well as overseas friends to see if they are willing to host an event. A geocacher from Missouri has come on board. It's growing. 😀 Quote
+Calypso62 Posted March 2 Author Posted March 2 11 hours ago, Smitherington said: I like the idea. Are you thinking of hosting a GeoMay8 Day event? Quote
+Smitherington Posted March 2 Posted March 2 I usually host my events on Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Not sure if I will but I am considering it. Quote
+Calypso62 Posted March 2 Author Posted March 2 (edited) 34 minutes ago, Smitherington said: I usually host my events on Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Not sure if I will but I am considering it. Hope you do. It would be fantastic to have another International GeoMay8 Day event. 😀👍😀 Edited March 2 by Calypso62 Quote
+NLBokkie Posted March 3 Posted March 3 That sounds like a really nice excuse for an event (like we need an excuse for a nice event ). I'm putting it in my calendar to organise something on that day. Thanks for the heads up and early warning! Quote
+Calypso62 Posted March 5 Author Posted March 5 A GeoMay8 Day event has been published in Lincoln, UK. I wonder how you play "Alright Mate?" Check it out....... https://coord.info/GCB3Z87 Quote
+Calypso62 Posted March 7 Author Posted March 7 GeoMay8 Day is slowly gaining traction. A GeoMay8 Day Cito event has been published in our Australian national capital, Canberra..... https://coord.info/GCB3XP7 Quote
+Calypso62 Posted March 12 Author Posted March 12 (edited) Another GeoMay8 Day event has been published. It will be hosted by kzooOtters in Kalamazoo, Michigan. https://coord.info/GCB46P9 There will also be a GeoMay8 Day event held in Busselton, Western Australia hosted by Pood. https://coord.info/GCB43Y7 Edited March 12 by Calypso62 Quote
+Calypso62 Posted March 19 Author Posted March 19 The sixth GeoMay8 Day event has now been published. It will be hosted by Kittykatch in New Plymoth, New Zealand. https://coord.info/GCB4H1G I'm just loving how this idea is growing globally. 👍😀👍 Quote
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