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The Island Wanderers
Chapter early in 2006 adopted the Tasmanian Cancer Council "Relay for Life"
as their charity project for the year, there was an enthusiasm amongst
Chapter Members to participate, for the majority knew of or had a family
member afflicted by this terrible disease. At each of our ensuring Rally's,
raffles and other fun fund raisers were carried out with the Combined
Tasmanian Chapters Rally held at St Helens in February 2007 being the
final fund raiser. |
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| Early Friday arrivals | Dick taking registration's on the Friday morning |
There were many early arrivals onto the grounds at the Penguin Sports Complex, Dick was dealing with all registrations with Mick parking everyone quickly and efficiently. In all we were to have over sixty Motorhomes and Campervan's in attendance, which included a few from the Blue Gum Rovers and Van Demons Chapters, so given the layout of the ground it was easy to set up and very few had to use blocks to level up. Every one was interested in the program for the weekend and Christine had put together a newsletter that helped us all get a grip on the projected happenings. |
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Hard at it at Disc Bowls |
Gathered around to compete |
Icing down our evening refreshments |
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It didn't take long for the disc bowls rinks to be set up and the competition started in earnest, heaven help anyone who attempts to thwart the rules for they will be met with much derision. These days we have a dedicated group of members who will no doubt take the Chapter to the next level in the combined chapters titles next year. |
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| Jim cooking Rump Steaks | Serving up the finished product |
Happy hour arrived and Brian and Christine, our hosts and joint Team Captains of the Chapter for the "Relay for Life" event, outlined the programme and the role we would play over the next two days. We would commence our briefing on the oval at 1:30 pm on the Saturday and then the walk for all competitors would commence at 2 pm for the next 24 hours. In all there would be 665 teams in the "Relay for Life" event. As we had to walk around the track non stop for 24 hours a roster was drawn up to ensure that Island Wanderers members were on the track in relays for the complete period. The dedication of Chapter members was there for all to see with many opting to walk in the very early hours of the morning irrespective of the coolness. |
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Peter with steak sandwich | Our impromptu Band |
Brian in deep conversation with Pat |
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At 6pm the barbecue was lit and Jim was to cook and serve Rump Steak to all Chapter rally attendees free of charge along with suitable refreshments. Many opted to have their steak in sandwich form and others had prepared side salads or vegetables; eating together created a feeling of camaraderie for the Rally. Then John came along with his guitar and with a few lady members with fancy instruments they were to entertain us well into the night, it was excellent entertainment with plenty of laughter and singing taking place. It is surprising how much entertainment is available among Chapter members, from electronic keyboards, guitars, and of course our own Choir who are ready to break out in song at the slightest prompting. The friendship and entertainment was a real bonus and it was with reluctance that many went off to bed to rest up for tomorrow's event. During the night the rain really tumbled down, for the past 6 months there hasn't been a Rally where we have not had rain. The ground being so dry, soaked up the rain and it left the ground damp until the sun dried it up very quickly. The walking track was an all weather surface so it would not impose any difficulty's for participants, in fact it was very easy to walk on with each step cushioned by the special surface, which appeared spongy. We were fortunate to have the weather fine and sunny for the rest of the weekend. |
 From 7:30 am on the Saturday morning all rally attendees were to have eggs and bacon cooked for them by Dick and Jim and again we all came together to enjoy this breakfast and then rest up our relay walk later in the day. Of course the disc bowls fanatics were on the pitch with an ernest desire to win each game and shiacking amongst themselves was the order of the morning.Members were now dressing in their "Relay for Life" T-Shirts and wearing their Cancer Council wrist bands and were anxious to commence the walk. We were to go down to the oval where the event was to take place and set up our two tents which would allow participants to have shelter whilst they were awaiting their turn to walk. In addition we carried onsite wood and fire pot to boil the billy, also to give some heat for the night was to turn cold. Up went our Island Wanderers banner and we were ready for the briefing by the event officials. We were lucky to have two cartons of biscuits donated to us for the event, which was much appreciated. It was amazing the amount of different types of tents and shelter being erected, it was obvious that Penguin was a hive of activity due to this event being conducted. The fancy decoration of the many sites was wonderful to see with purple or pink being the preferred colours and many teams elected to walk in fancy dress which gave a carnival atmosphere to the occasion. |
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Liz dressed for the event |
Setting up our event site |
Tent City growing for 665 Teams |
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1:30 pm on the Saturday we all gathered for Chapter Photo's in our "Relay for Life" regalia, it was obvious that our chapter was proud of their turn out and were enthused with the commencement of the walk about to begin. It was noticeable that our team, so to speak, was the largest contingent on the oval which made our dedicated area a little too small for our numbers; though we coped with our usual resilience. |
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| Chapter members and visitors resplendent in their "Relay for Life" T-Shirts awaiting the start of the programme | |
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| Cancer survivors of our Chapter | Cancer survivors and their Carer's of our Chapter |
As many members discovered there are many in our Chapter, who after appropriate treatment, have survived bouts of cancer; both men and woman. The survivors wore a red sash and their carer's a green sash. So it was, the survivors proudly gathered together for a photo shot in the first instance, then with their carer's who assisted them during their ordeal. Chapter members were to acknowledge survivors and their carer's by acclamation, which was quite emotional. Then the event was underway with the many speeches and then the official opening, releasing of three white doves and then the survivors and carer's were to complete the first lap of honour to much accolades from other participants and visitors, again an emotional time creating warm feelings amongst all. |
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Another competing team |
Awaiting the release of Doves |
Survivors and Carer's completing first lap |
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 Then it was time for all competitors to take to the track and we were all to walk three laps of the oval, we then went to the  roster system to ensure there was always members on the track walking over the next 24 hours.We all gathered again at dusk for the lighting of the candles in remembrance of those who lost their lives to cancer. There were many candles lit by our members to acknowledge and remember those chapter members, family and friends who are no longer with us due to this dreaded disease. The candles were in cartons then placed into paper bags to allow for messages to be written and ensure the wind did not extinguish the candle's. This period of time was emotional with many remembering their loss of friends or family. whilst this ceremony was taking place the walk was still being performed around the oval. There are many lanes available to walk in and each one was completely full with a special outside lane dedicated to those who wished to run their laps. You name it and it was there, mums with children in prams, promotional teams along with fire brigades and army personnel. During the night we were to stoke our fire to keep those awaiting their turn on the field warm thus keep up our spirits. Being the time when daylight saving ended meant that an extra hour had to be walked due to the time change. Sunday morning arrived and the promoters were to put a free breakfast on for all competitors, as was to be expected the line was extremely long; so our Chapter again supplied free eggs and bacon for all our members and visitors. The usual church service was held for those who wished to attend and then a few were to have a break from walking by visiting the Penguin Market for a peek. This market is well organised and is quite famous for the professional manner in which it is conducted. Then back to the track for the closing stages of "Relay for life"  For the last three laps all participants took to the track and the walk was quite slow for their was an obvious reluctance to finish what had been a wonderful emotional weekend, many were to express the view that they had not experienced such an emotion charged event. It was with much pride that members of the Island Wanderers Chapter were to walk behind our banner as one, our guests also joined us and were proud to do so, we believe. It was time for the final speeches where the organisers were to thank the many participants for their efforts and announced that the 665 teams and individuals raised a total of $176,000. Though they do not outline the amounts that each team or individuals had raised; it was the same person who won the individual section last year that won again this year, which was met with much applause. In the teams section it was sad to hear that the team that has won the shield for the most monies raised for the past four years were to lose, though we didn't really mind for the Island Wanderers won the teams fund raising section. It was with pride that we were to witness Brian & Christine go to the stage and accept the perpetual shield and certificate for the next twelve months. |
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| Island Wanderers final lap | Brian and Christine accepting the Certificate and Perpetual Shield on behalf of the Chapter |
There was a reluctance to pack away our tents and firepots from the arena and we were to mingle with other participants for some time after the official closing of the event. It was a little sad to to see what could be described as a small village being dismantled and people streaming out of the venue. We as a Chapter gathered on the stone steps for a final photo session taking in all participants. In fact, it took some time for the photo session to be completed for everyone in the Chapter with a camera wanted shots for their library. One kind soul had five camera's hanging around her neck taking photo's for us. |
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| Brian & Christine proudly displaying Certificate & Perpetual Shield | Final group photo at completion of the event |
So, it was we made our way back to our rally site and as many had to leave to return to work we bid them farewell, many were to stop overnight to leave on Monday. Then those of us left opted to have fish and chips for our evening meal and just relax with each others company before retiring for the night. Next morning a few were to return home with other members electing to continue on in safari fashion or singly. It has been a very memorable Rally and the Chapter members must be congratulated for the fund raising effort undertaken in the past twelve months. In all the Island Wanderers proudly raise in excess of A$14,000 which it is hoped will assist in research and make life just a little easier for those who suffer with or are recovering from Cancer in the Tasmanian community. A special thank you to Brian & Christine for their unstinting efforts in fund raising and running the Rally is such a competent and professional manner. |
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Sunday evening fish and chips |
Requests for a photo of the group has been made. Members Feel free to download. |
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