Click here for enlargement of above photo

What a wonderful Rally it was, giving all the chance of meeting up with old friends we hadn't spoken to for a few years. The gathering place was Quercus Park, Carrick located in Tasmania for the 18th Anniversary Rally of the C.M.C.A. The seed for this event was sown some three years ago by the then President of the Island Wanderers Mr Don Mackrill who after seeking approval for the event spoke to and invited the two other Chapters on board to organise this memorable event. They elected Don as the Rally co-ordinator and Peter Rally Secretary. The volunteers were drawn from the three chapters and therefore there was no need for volunteers, with the exception of the Bowls co-ordinator, from other States. It was to be a truly Tasmanian event organised and run by the locals.
Day before Rally commences 1000 Motorhome's later the Rally begins
There was plenty to see and do over the Rally Period with nightly entertainment and light entertainment and workshops during the day there were many tours available, though it was just great meeting new and old friends around the motorhome's or at the daily happy hours. As this was our 18th Anniversary there was a large cake baked (13' by 5') ensuring that all at the rally received at least one piece, again as the family of the C.M.C.A. does well, it raised funds for the Kidney Foundation, Breast Cancer, Leukemia, local Fire Brigades. The amount raised, excluding the Kidney Foundation whose entrants raise their funds prior to the Rally, was in excess of $11000.00 plus there were 86 lap blankets knitted for elderly persons residing in elderly person homes in the district.
Volunteers at dawn on the first day of the Rally
Volunteer Co-ordinator's getting final photo and instruction
One of the most popular services on the Rally site was the Mini bus's called smiley buses that picked up rally entrants and transported them around the site. It wasn't unusual for many people to do a full tour of the site to look at the many and varied motorhome's.
Smiley (courtesy) Bus and Crew
Andrea's alternative transport Mini Penny Farthing
There are many things happen when you bring a large group of people together, of course true to form we had a couple decide to renew their vows to one another after so many years. This occurred with many friends, as the reception attested along with a properly decorated cake. Of course true to tradition the bride was late though you would have thought they were a couple of teenagers.
Wedding Cake
Bridesmaid and Bride
Bridesmaid and Bride
What would a Rally be without the mandatory game of Disc Bowls, the game that members of the various Chapters play with such passion that a loss can result in tears for some contestants. Again the Blue Gum Rovers took out five gold medals and was the dominate Chapter again. Unfortunately we do not have photo's of the winning teams.
Brian, Denis and Ben
Dorothy, Margaret and Margaret
CMCA Memorabilia Shop
We hope that you have enjoyed this page, there will be a much more comprehensive report appearing in the "Wanderer" the clubs monthly magazine. the Rally was an overwhelming success and space doesn't allow for the wealth of information available to be disseminated on this page.