Code of Conduct

Ready? Start!, has established the following rules and guidelines for all vendors, attendees, volunteers and staff. Below you will have information regarding how “Ready? Start!” handles various topics and may be used in conflict resolution. These rules are in place to ensure the event remains a fun and welcoming experience for all.

These rules apply to all areas of Ready? Start; rules that target specific ticket types will be specified.
Any decision regarding the interpretation of the rules will be at the discretion of the Ready? Start! primary staff.
If you are found to be in violation of these rules, disciplinary action may be taken, including removal from the venue and/or banning from future events. We expect you to follow these rules in the spirit in which they are written.
Generally speaking, we will interpret these rules at our discretion with common sense and with reference to commonly understood community standards.
These rules will be updated as circumstances and legal requirements change. For any inquiries or request for update, you can contact readystart.event@gmail.com

1. Condition of Entry

This policy details the rules that each attendant agrees to adhere to upon being granted entry to this event. Every entrant is expected to understand and follow these rules and in the spirit in which they are created. These rules are designed for the safety of all entrants, staff and volunteers alike. Please ensure that you are aware of them or disciplinary action may be taken.

All Attendees must adhere to the St Kilda Town Hall rules & Guidelines.
1. These have been unpacked within the Condition of Entry.
All Attendees under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a Parent or Guardian at all times.
Any theft, stealing, or damage of Ready? Start! or vendor property is not tolerated. We reserve the right to contact the Victoria Police in the event of any criminal activity.
Ready? Start! is not liable for any loss, damage, theft of attendees & vendors personal items.
Attendees are prohibited from bringing the following items into St Kilda Town Hall:
1. Alcohol
2. Weapons
3. Drugs
4. Explosives
Smoking or Vaping is not permitted inside the venue.
Entrants are not to be under the influence of alcohol within the venue.
No Animals or pets are allowed inside the venue, besides service animals as defined under Australian law.
Please do not touch Ready? Start! Property, particularly tech set-ups or cables.
Vandalism of the venue is not tolerated, this includes stickers/adhesive paper as well as posters, and writing on any part of the building.
No Balloons or other floating devices are allowed inside the venue.
1. Note that a floating device is listed as anything that can raise on its own but not be easily lowered - e.g. a helium balloon
Machines that create smoke, such as smoke machines, as well as any pyrotechnic device are strictly prohibited.
Ready? Start! reserves the right to refuse entry on the basis of any of the points listed on this document, behavior or rules broken otherwise.

2. Family Friendly Details

This policy details the rules of which must be followed to ensure that children and minors are protected and safe whilst attending Ready? Start! 2026.

Any minor (defined as a person under the age of 16) must be accompanied by a Parent or Guardian over the age of 18 at all times.
Do not swear or discuss suggestive content while in the presence of a minor.
1. This is defined as talking about the content while within reasonable audible distance of the minor, and not making an effort to lower your voice.
Do not wear overly suggestive clothing.
Please make an effort to treat minors and their parents/guardians with respect, as they are entrants too, just like you.

3. Filming, Photography & Media Policy

This policy details the filming and photography rules that both attendees are expected to follow as well as information on Ready? Start! Official sanctioned media taking photos/filming during the event.

Do not take photos or videos of other attendees, staff or volunteers without permission.
1. This is defined as taking a photo with the intent of centering the subject as the primary focus of the photo without permission. We do not expect you to ask all attendees in frame, just the people who are the subject of the photo.
2. Photos involving minors must also have express permission from their parent/guardian.
By entering the event and obtaining a ticket, you as an attendee accept that Ready? Start! official media may photograph or video you as part of the crowd from a wider, larger view.
1. Any photographs or videos taken may also be posted on our social media and website.
2. Photographs that are taken of your likeness (such as from far away, from behind while in our FGC area) do not need to have permission first.
3. Any official photographer that wishes to take photos that specifically center any particular attendee will ask for permission first.
4. If you wish to have any photos/videos that are primarily featuring you removed from our social media, please contact us at readystart.event@gmail.com.
Filming and recording is strictly prohibited in the bathrooms.
Any form of recording device must be clearly recognisable as a recording device. If you are unsure, please ask a member of staff first.
1. Any kind of hidden recording devices such as Meta Glasses or similar technology are strictly prohibited. All recording devices must be visible and clear to attendees, volunteers and staff alike that they are capable of filming.
If at any point you, as an attendee, are uncomfortable with any recordings or photographs of you, please talk to a member of staff, volunteer or security guard as soon as possible.

4. Security & Safety

This policy details the members of staff, volunteers and security guards that Ready? Start! have been appointed to keep the venue and all attendees safe at all times. Remember that the staff, volunteers and security have been appointed to keep you safe and ensure that the venue is fun and accessible to all. Please listen to what they have to say and follow their instructions at all times.

Security personnel that have been appointed by St Kilda Council are present at all entrances and exits to the venue, as well as roaming the hall.
1. They will be clearly recognisable.
2. They have the same jurisdiction as any other staff member or volunteer. If you wish to appeal any kind of decision made by them, please contact us at readystart.event@gmail.com.
Volunteers are placed in various places around the hall and venue. They will be easily recognisable and can be approached if they are not busy.
1. Ready? Start! volunteers will be wearing high-vis vests at all times.
2. 1-2 roaming volunteers will be present in the hall at all times. If you need a volunteer, please attempt to make contact with them first.
3. Some volunteers are placed behind tech desks and are undertaking other important administrative duties. If they look busy, please either wait until they are done or approach a different volunteer.
4. If it is an urgent matter, attendees are permitted to approach any volunteer, security guard or member of staff.

5. Harassment

This policy details any kind of behavior that Ready? Start! considers harassment. If you are the victim of any of these behaviors, please contact a security guard or volunteer as soon as possible.

The following behaviors are considered in violation of our behavioral rules. When reported by volunteers or other attendees, the appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.
1. Verbal abuse
2. Physical abuse
3. Sexual harassment
4. Intimidation/bullying/psychological harrassment
5. Stalking, photos without permission
6. Damage to belongings or cosplay
7. Disruption to organised events
Continued behavior after being told to stop will result in removal from the venue and/or banning from future events.

6. Clothing and Cosplay Rules

This policy details guides for clothing that attendees are allowed to wear, as well as guidelines for cosplays that attendees may wish to wear in attendance of the event.

Hate symbols and iconography is strictly prohibited.
Exposure of genitalia, buttocks or breasts is prohibited.
Do not wear clothing that depicts any suggestive media.
1. This rule will be analysed on a case-by-case basis. If you are wearing something that a staff member or volunteer deems as unacceptable, you may be asked to remove the clothing or be removed from the venue.
No overly sexualized costumes or clothing.
1. If re-using this costume from a previous event and it is sexually explicit, please cover up any sexually explicit areas.
Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times, particularly covering the soles of your feet.
All prop weapons must follow state legislation as depicted in the Victorian Control of Weapons Act 1990 and the Firearms Act 1996.
Props may be no longer than 1 metre in length
Props may not be made of wood or metal.
State legislation (VIC Control of Weapons Act 1990 and Firearms Act 1996)
All prop firearms need to be capped with bright colours, i.e. an orange tip, to ensure that they are visibly toys and not real weapons. Any breach of this rule will result in refusal of entry and/or having the prop taken away.
Cosplayers are required to identify themselves to staff and security at the entrance to the venue if they are carrying any prop weapons.
The onus is on the attendee to prove to staff that their prop is acceptable and safe.
Some guidelines on how to determine if a weapon is a prop weapon are listed below.
1. Weight - needs to be light enough to comfortably hold in one hand (think EVA foam vs real metal)
2. Moving parts - if the weapon has moving parts it will be scrutinized by security and volunteers more thoroughly.
3. Sound - if the weapon makes noise it needs to be obvious that it is a toy sound (think laser noises, prerecorded).
4. Orange cap - all firearms MUST have an orange cap on them.
5. If the weapon does not meet any of these standards, we will (in order).
  1. Apply orange tape to the weapon if it is almost deemed suitable.
  2. Take away the weapon temporarily while you enter the venue so that you can enjoy the event, and you will receive it back upon exit.
  3. Refuse your entry to the event.
If you are in doubt of any of these guidelines, please view this PDF from Police Victoria.