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As has been the case over the last couple
of months, many Chapter Members left their home base a day or so early
staying overnight at their favourite rest area prior to going on to our
Bothwell Rally. This Rally was to be no different with many meeting at Lake Dulverton at Oatlands, as a matter of fact it could be said that it may have been a mini-Rally for there were 15 Motorhome's staying overnight, as usual most went walkabout seeking out the many second hand shops and garage sales etc. Evening saw us at the local hotel enjoying a counter meal and rekindling friendships and later continuing on the happy hour with a few ports etc. |
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| Lunch with the Ducks at Campbell Town | Overnight stay at Lake Dulverton Oatlands |
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Next morning saw a few go walkabout
around the lake and view the many features, such as the foundations of
the Flax making factory that operated during the years 1940-44 to assist
the war effort. There were many wind gouged rock formations that legend
has it were the shelters used by aborigine's. Many were to visit the local
park near the lake to view the many excellent wood carvings. |
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| Wood carvings at Lake Dulverton | Wind hewn rocks at Lake Dulverton |
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As our Rally was being held at the Bothwell
Area School, we needed to work in with the normal school hours. In view
of this; a few stayed put for lunch and others travelled on through the
countryside sight seeing. Stopping at the rest area called the "Pub
with no beer" for lunch three kilometres short of Bothwell. |
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| "Pub with no Beer" Rest Area | Castle Hotel Bothwell circa 1791 |
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When arriving at Bothwell we had to form a line of Motorhome's
that stretched well down the street to allow our hosts to set up and
School Children to leave the football ground where we were to park. |
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| Fine example of stonemasonry | Old sandstone house at Bothwell |
During the day we were
to catch up with our friends and swap tales of recent travels, Liz of
course was out haranguing Chapter Members to train for disc bowls with
the competition only a month away. At the Happy Hour the Sheriff was up to his usual standard, vilifying those who had committed misdemeanors (in his eyes of course) and those who had failed to wear their Chapter Badge. As usual all was in good fun which bought forward much laughter at his antics. Our President Ian was to point out birthdays, anniversary's etc. There is no way a member can keep these things quiet for there is always someone who will dob you in! |
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| Most of Motorhome's parked up | A few playing Disc Bowls |
Our Happy Hour consisted
only of tea & coffee given that our Christmas Dinner was later tonight,
President Ian laid out for us the programme which left us in no doubt
that it was going to be a good night. Our meal was being catered by the local Lions International group and our dinner musicians had already performed at the Happy Hours and of course it was divulged that Santa Claus would be paying us a visit. So, it was back to our Motorhome's to dress up in our finery and then it was on the bus to go to our dinner venue at the local town hall. On arrival all had been set up with the hall decorated ensuring the right atmosphere for the Christmas Spirit to prevail. Most of us attending wore appropriate Christmas apparel creating the right atmosphere. |
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| On the bus to Christmas Dinner | Settling in for Christmas Dinner |
President Ian called up three of our
members to light the customary three candles under the Christmas Tree
with our chapter and club Chaplain saying Grace, What a meal, three courses starting with Pumpkin soup & cream, four types of meats with hot vegetables and plenty of salads followed by Sweets such as Pavlova, Jellied fruit plus plenty of Plum Pudding and plenty of old fashioned country cream. There was plenty for all and we were invited to come back for seconds, a few took up the offer, we wonder where they put it all. |
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| Ladies
serving Pumpkin Soup |
Sample
of main course |
Sweets
plus Plum Pudding |
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After the main course
Sheriff David was to entertain us all with his usual wit, he then presented
his annual awards to various Members of the Chapter. His awards were as
follows: Good Guy 2005 Peter - Good Gal 2005 Audrey - Silly Billy Award 2005 Dick, by the level of acclamation it was obviously a good choice. |
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| Good
Guy 2005 - Peter |
Good Gal
2005 - Audrey |
Silly Billy
Award 2005 - Dick |
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What would Christmas
be without Santa Claus! With a hearty Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa made his appearance,
there were a few children of the catering staff who were in raptures by
his presence especially when they addressed Santa as to their wish list
for presents. Santa was to give them a good helping of lollies who then
turned his attention to Chapter Members, insisting that they sing Carols,
which he rewarded with handfuls of sweets; which bought more merriment
to the room. Even Santa wasn't safe from the Sheriff, Santa thought it
prudent to wear his membership card rather than endure the Sheriffs wrath. |
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| Santa making his entrance | Santa distributing his goodies! |
After enjoying the final
course of Sweets, the band played background music whilst President Ian
introduced two of the original founding members of the chapter, Audrey
and John who have indicated that this may be their last Rally, John being
84 and Audrey 82 received a standing ovation from all members including
catering staff, both being fit and alert for their age thanked all for
their thoughts and best wishes. On to the Christmas Raffle where both Audrey and John were to draw out the winning tickets. Clarry and Jeane were then to sing their special brand of Christmas Carols, which all enjoyed and this further added to the Christmas Spirit. |
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| John
age 84 Audrey age 82 |
Christmas
Raffle Prizes |
Clarry
& Jeane singing Carols |
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Clarry & Jeane invited
all to come up and join them in singing Carols, of course only a few were
game to go on stage and sing. The make shift choir sang about ten Carols
gaining much acclamation and then the Band played music to dance by and
most joined in with a few doing line dancing. |
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| Impromptu Choir singing Carols | Members dancing the last of the day away |
What a wonderful evening, there was
certainly plenty of laughter and enjoyment by all and as a finale for
the night President Ian introduced the catering staff to us all and thanked
them very much for an excellent spread for our Christmas Rally. There
was so much applause for them, all which ended with a standing ovation
for a job well done and our appreciation of good old Tasmanian Country
hospitality; which was also enjoyed by our mainland visitors. Dancing
continued until after midnight when we all returned by bus to our Rally
site. On the way back the bus driver drove around the back streets where
we were to see some absolutely fantastic Christmas light and figure displays,
what a finish to a wonderful day and night of dining and entertainment. |
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| Wicked Witch of Christmas | Still dancing at Midnight |
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Sunday dawned a very sunny day to complete what could
only be described as our best Rally of the year, what a wonderful time
our Hosts Ian & Chris gave us, something that will be long remembered. |
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