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The Kimberley Rally was indeed a tranquil setting in the shadow of Mount Roland, beside the Mersey River where we were to witness Trout rising, Swans & Cygnets paddling past and Platypus swimming back and forth at dusk; all whilst sitting by the camp fire. An idyllic location? It certainly was. On our arrival we were met by our Chapter President and Host Ian who quickly directed us to our parking spot for the rally and then whisked us off to the coffee and tea facilities where we chatted with our fellow Chapter members and members from interstate and caught up with the latest news.

Setting up for the Rally	Gathered around "Old Yellow"

It was great to meet up with CMCA Members who visited our state last year and decided to come down again to enjoy our hospitality plus get away from the heat that other states are currently experiencing. Wednesday evening saw most of us, after the happy hour, cooking our meal on the Chapters barbecue and then gathering under the shade of the trees by the river to watch the platypus play or just have a good chat and continue the happy hour.

Enjoying the cool river breeze	Dusk by the River and Fire

Thursday dawned another fine sunny day which saw the remainder of our members drive in, as we were only fourteen kilometres from the township of Railton we were able to obtain bread, groceries and newspapers every day of the rally; with a roster system operating amongst us for the Railton run. It didn't take long for the disc bowls to get going and as usual there was strong competition prevailing on the other hand most of our ladies were busy knitting squares for the Horsham National Rally plus Robin was demonstrating her quilting skills which some ladies were watching with envy.

Robin doing her quilt work with Evelyn knitting	Other ladies knitting squares for lap rugs

Even though Chapter Members were enjoying themselves we were mindful of the problems other countries and their people's were facing due to the devastating Tsunami. It was decided to conduct a raffle with goods sourced from our motorhome's. From wine to baked beans along with a gift voucher from Casino Village, the proceeds were $900 all up which included plenty of personal cash donations from members and a matching donation from the Chapter. Also we had David Boon's "Walk for Hope" team visit us raising money for the Bone Marrow Institute for Leukemia and other Cancer's research. Again members opened their hearts and placed money in their collection tins, along with a donation from Chapter funds, all up we believe donations would have been in excess of $200

David Boon's "Walk for Hope" Team	Paul & Gordon with David Boon

Thursday certainly was a busy day with heaps to see and do, so after the usual happy hour, as the afternoon cooled we cranked up the barbecue and cooked the usual free sausages and hamburgers for all members and visitors. After our meal the three separate fires were loaded with wood and we all settled in to be entertained by Doug with his guitar singing country and western songs as well as a few old favorites thrown in. Then off to bed after quite a few us having an extended happy hour.

Uncle Dick & Jim with Sausages & Hamburgers	Eddie being served with Don cooking onions

Friday dawned cloudless with a very slight breeze, with eggs and bacon wafting about it was obvious that most were up and about getting ready to celebrate the last day of 2004 and welcome in the new year. It was time to do the paper, bread, and grocery run into Railton where the shop keepers welcomed the new business and most were keen, in true country fashion to glean as much information as possible about our Rally and us. We had come across a supply of free range eggs at $2 a dozen which was great and it wasn't long before we had purchased all stocks, though with the cackling of the hens it wouldn't be long before the egg supply would be replenished.

Just taking in the excellent aroma's	Ian attending meat on the spit with Gary looking on.

Then it was all go getting the meat and salads together for the evening meal, the Chapter has plenty of experience with rotisseries so it wasn't a problem catering for in excess of 120 members and visitors this also included desert. With the committee working well into the afternoon the New Years celebratory meal was ready to be served by 7pm. With the Chaplain Clarry bringing up people in an orderly fashion it didn't take long for all to be served. After grace and a period of silence for those that perished in the recent Tsunami we commenced our meal. We had a most enjoyable meal with the succulent beef and lamb and the salads excellent with beautiful fruit salad and ice cream for desert. There were seconds available. What an excellent meal, it easily rivaled our Christmas Dinner Rally.

Meal being served by our Ladies	Death of the "Haggis"

After our meal, the festivities gathered pace as Midnight approached and we were all suitably entertained by our gifted musician members attending the rally they were: Doug-bagpipes Basil-guitar Doug-guitar Ivan-piano accordion Leo-button accordion Gloria-tamborine Hilda on vocals., to hear the bagpipes blending in with the guitar players and piano and button accordions was really a treat. Our musicians played everything from country and western, old time and australian folk music with a couple of our chapter members singing along with the musicians We also had a rendition from members of the "Island Wanderers Song" suited to all travellers which no doubt will be sung at the forth coming Combined Chapters Rally. So midnight arrived and we all heralded in the new year with party pops and sparklers and the mandatory blowing of horns, all this under a beautiful canopy of stars, did our musicians tire? no way mate! and we just kept singing as a group even if at times we forgot the words to a song; it didn't matter the fun just continued complete with much laughter.

Our musician's Doug, Basil, Doug & Ivan	Fires stoked waiting for the entertainment to start

Saturday dawned and the rally came to life a little later than normal, as there was meat left from yesterday the rotisserie was started again and we had hot beef and lamb sandwiches for lunch there was plenty for everyone. Most of us just lazed around the camp recovering from celebrations of the previous night and in the evening we had another impromptu concert which was very entertaining though most of us were in bed by 10pm. Sunday we had a conducted tour of the Kimberley boutique olive farm which we found very informative and interesting. As some of our members were leaving us today to travel home others would be moving out tomorrow so we bade them farewell and safe travels. Then it was relax for the rest of the day and enjoy the surroundings and a few of the more hardy members went swimming, so it was a new year has dawned and we will meet again at St Helens for our next Rally point.

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