I think they were lying. 

Maybe tomorrow?

Perhaps they saw some merit in my suggestion that they hold off until after the last sitting day of parliament 🙂

Lots of contracts finish at the end of a fiscal year.

Im tipping Sunday night-US time..........................Richo.

Is there any official announcement of this change anywhere?

Yes, az, under Community at the top ^^^, then click eBay news.

In order to make these enhancements, we will be placing the forums in "read-only" mode for a few days, starting Thursday, June 27th.

After the updates are completed, you can continue to ask questions and talk with each other as you always do - your user name, previous posts and post counts will all stay the same.

There is also this new board to discuss your new community experience after the board changes.

http://community.ebay.com.au/forum/New-Community-Experience/500001539

More including the quoted paragraph above:

http://www2.ebay.com/aw/au/201306.shtml#2013-06-25165305

Thank you 🙂

is it read only yet?

or has that been and gone?

:^O  how bout that, answered my own question 

LOL chuk.

The date given of June 27, could be US time not EST.