Click here for enlargement of the above photo

Triabunna on the sunny East Coast of Tasmania was the venue for our Chapter Rally, held on the grounds of the Tandara Hotel/Motel. The weather was great with just a cool breeze and an excellent reception from the local residents, what more could we want. With most of the Rally Participants arriving on the the friday and with six (6) Blue Gum Rovers staying over from their rally the previous week, it had all the earmarks of a good time weekend.
We were not let down, our hosts Peter and Marlene Lambert had taken care of every little detail and assured us a good time as well as the freedom of the the Town. This was demonstrated by the attention and service we received from the Hotel/Motel and local residents. On the Friday evening many decided to enjoy a counter tea with everybody commenting not only on the quality of the meal also the quantity, there was not one groucho.
Fishermen's Wharf Triabunna Rally Site Tandarra Hotel/Motel Triabunna

The menu besides the usual pasta dishes and schnitzels also boasted fresh Tasmanian scallops, crayfish, deep sea trevalla and steaks that were at least two inches thick.
Also we were lucky enough to catch happy hour with the pots (10ounce) of beer and glasses of wine at two dollars, it couldn't get any sweeter and the sweets, well what can I say chocolate heaven!
After the meal our hosts Peter & Marlene had arranged for the owner from Elphinstone Engineering to come along to talk about his industry, could be boring some thought, well, that was not the case for you could hear a pin drop during his presentation. To hear how a small fishing community has benefited by this mans foresight and genius. The world class standard of engineering for the timber, mining and equipment for Antarctica is absolutely nothing short of magnificent. Included was a slide show developed following the request of the French Government for him to go to Antarctica to view their operation and design specialist equipment that could handle the freezing temperatures and the terrain. Needless to say that the equipment Elphinstone designed and manufactured is now standard issue for other countries in Antarctica. We then retired to the Rotunda and the warm fire to discuss the excellent presentation, both the talk and slides.
strolling down to the information centre Mayor Cheryl, host Peter & Jill, Parks & Wildlife

With a little rain through the night we awoke to another fine day, at 10 am we all strolled down to the Triabunna information centre, located on fisherman's wharf, where we were enlightened on the features and history of the area by our Rally Host Peter, Peter went on to explain that the Township of Triabunna with a population of around two thousand has heavy engineering, a Woodchip plant plus a timber mill and a fishing industry all exporting overseas, Peter explained that it was the only municipality that exported both fish and chips overseas.
The Mayor of the Municipality Cheryl welcomed our chapter to the area and hoped that we would enjoy our stay. She indicated that she was the first lady Mayor elected for the area and the first female engaged when the Taspulp woodchip mill first opened. Cheryl stated that the municipality is the oldest rural municipality in Australia, though Triabunna was only a small fishing village in the early days its potential as a farming, timber, fishing, heavy engineering, fish meal factory and woodchip mill and as a tourist destination is now being fully realised. With plans for marina's and housing development it is expected that the area will boom and new business's are expected to open their doors to cope with this change.
Strolling around the information centre Looking at the various brochures with the Mayor

Jill from the Parks & Wildlife Service gave an authoritative talk on Maria Island that is only three quarters of an hour by ferry from Triabunna. The islands claim to fame, is as a convict settlement and then an Industrial area and now as a National Park. The island predates Port Arthur as a penal settlement with most of the convicts transferred from Sarah Island at Strahan on the west coast. During the industrial era of Maria Island there was a cement works and though established early last century and lasting only a short time the original Silo's can still be seen today. The whole island is now a National Park and the ferry runs several times a day from Triabunna for day trippers, there is also limited accommodation on the island though all food etc has to be carried in by tourists. Jill informed us the Island teems with wild life some of it introduced due to possible extinction in other areas, these animals have found the island central to their needs and have bred accordingly.
We thanked those responsible for the session it was really enjoyable, so we all wandered back for a barbecue under the motel/hotel Rotunda and to discuss the information acquired from the morning session, it was really great.

Back at the Barbecue Lazing around under the Rotunda after lunch
After the barbecue we had our General Meeting and then most wandered off down around the village to explore the old Sand stone houses and the old convict era military houses, the area surrounded by sea and farmland is beautiful and the pace of life is gentle and serene.
18th Century Sand Stone Military Barracks Processing Factory for Tasmanian Scallops

Saturday evening saw us back in the Hotel/Motel and in the lounge area that the owners had curtained off for our use, we had counter teas again and they were lovely along with those beautiful Sweets. After our meals we had a travel forum where several Chapter Members spoke of their travels around australia over the past ten years or so. it was very informative and many questions were posed and answered.
As we had quite a few first timers who were about to embark on their first motorhome holiday to the mainland, they were chuffed at the chance to question and look over maps and travelogues of others while asking questions. Great isn't it being welcomed into the Chapter Family and finding information that will assist future travels. The Travel session went for nearly three hours with everyone participating, it was great and enjoyed by all.
Sunday came and it was time to wind up what had been a tremendous weekend, our hosts Peter & Marlene can be proud of the way they put it all together with a true family feel about it.
So it was we said our farewells after lunch and we all headed our different ways home to work and others, just a few kilometres up the road to spend the night at Saltworks Point and then home to get ready for the next Rally.
Sunrise at Saltworks Point A short time later looking out of the bedroom window
Monday morning at Saltworks point was a little chilly though the scene across the bay to the sunrise was spectacular well worth the extended stay after the rally. So after breakfast and our final farewells it was back to the reality and home, what a wonderful time had been enjoyed by all.
June
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