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Many of our Chapter trundled
down the Midlands Highway as far as Oatland's on the Thursday to overnight
at the Midlands Council sponsored overnight rest area by Lake Dulverton.
It has become a bit of ritual when going on to a Chapter Rally at Tunnack
or further south. |
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| Lake Dulverton | Camped by Lake Dulverton |
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On Friday morning we
moved off to our rally at Tunnack, on the way we were to see the Potato
crops suffering under the drought conditions with the obvious poor harvest
which will no doubt result. Never one to have other than a happy time we set up and had our usual gossip sessions with other Chapter members, as the day was humid we elected to stay under cover out of the ultra violet rays that were breaking through the mass cloud. The disc bowl rink was set up and there were a few of us that covered up and wore hats for protection then it was time for happy hour. |
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Manning
the book in desk |
Brian wheel
less and legless |
Setting
up the disc bowl pitch |
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Even though we gathered around the Blue
Haven barbecue area it was much to warm to light a fire, so we sat around
and chatted before being addressed by our President Ian on the functions
planned for the weekend. Of course our dreaded Sheriff was in full flight
fining us twenty cents for this and that and scaring the living suitcases
out us. We were to welcome a few of the Blue Gum Rovers and Interstate
members who had joined us. As usual it was difficult for members to hide
the fact that their birthday was recent or occurring over the weekend,
then the obligatory birthday song rang out, oh what a sound! no wonder
none of us would never make a choir person! |
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Gathered for happy hour on the Friday |
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After our happy hour a few members adjourned
to the Tunnack Club to inform them of our numbers for a meal tomorrow
evening. We are wondering why it took so long, for they indicated they
would only sample the beer to make sure it was ok, Ha! Ha! After our evening meal we adjourned to the club rooms where again we witnessed the woman working with their many craft works with a few others playing cards. How the woman can laugh whilst doing their craft work bewilders many of us, though the skill level of these ladies on their elected projects is of a very high standard. |
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| Our Chapter's 14th Birthday Cake | Inspecting the Birthday Cake |
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Saturday dawned with the rain tumbling down
by the bucket full, we do not mind for the countryside surely needs the
rain. We adjourned to the club rooms at 10 am for another update on the
St Helens Combined Chapters Rally and on this occasion all the section
co-ordinator's outlined the volunteers actions to date. Judging by the
reports the rally will be a success, no problem at all. Even the Sheriff
berated us all in advance of the combined rally and when anyone interjected
during his discussion he fined them again and again, this bought forth
more laughter, with many opting to chide others. Taken in the spirit is
intended it is amazing how the 20 cent coins add up, it is obvious members
support the "Relay for life" fundraising and actually dare the
Sheriff to fine them. Then the mystery birthday was unveiled by our President Ian complete with a birthday cake produced by Kay, it is the official 14th birthday of our Island Wanderers Chapter on Tuesday. We will celebrate this weekend whilst we are all together, of course there hopefully will be no over indulgence whilst celebrating, Oh Yeah! We were happy for the three longest serving Chapter members in attendance at our Rally to cut the cake. Peter, Marlene and Dick indicated they felt proud to be selected to be given the task. Of course the mandatory birthday song was sung with much gusto, completely out of tune of course which bought a few laughs from amongst us. We all were to have a slice of the beautiful cake, many thanks must go to Kaye for the excellent the birthday cake. |
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| The three longest serving members inspecting | Pat throwing Disc Bowls |
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It continued to rain and would do so for much
of the afternoon and evening though it did not dampen the enthusiasm of
those continuing to enjoy pieces of the birthday cake and enjoy the company
of other members. The co-ordinator's were busy insuring that their tasks
for the St Helens Rally were completed and meeting of the various volunteers
continued to take place, in addition the Island Wanderers Choir was busily
practicing for the forthcoming Combined Tasmanian Chapters Rally. |
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| The competition is strong | At our happy hour |
Even the rain did not
to deter the avid Disc Bowlers from practicing to improve their skill
for the Rally and there was no shortage of players putting there hands
up to be included in the competition. Bob the builder was to give a demonstration on his satellite dish and the various channels that are available to motorhomers, the quality of the picture was excellent and many of members were showing an interest especially in the low cost of obtaining the service. Our happy hour for the day was held outside with the inclement weather not deterring the Sheriff from again issuing fines for some outlandish reasons, since the funds raised were going to our adopted charity "Relay for Life" and Cancer research we had much fun in paying the fees and there was non stop laughter. We were to welcome a few first timers who joined the Chapter and a warm welcome was extended to our visitors from far away as New Zealand and Western Australia, our raffle where members had donated the majority prizes was conducted with much hilarity with the money raised going to Cancer Research. Laughter and more laughter was to ring out across the paddocks the local people must be wondering what we put in the water to have to have bought on this wonderful hilarity, given the inclement weather. Then discussion took place on our meal at the local Tunnack Club tonight. |
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| President Ian addressing members & visitors | Doug entertaining us with his fine music |
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We ambled over to the Tunnack Club like a
line of lost sheep, so to speak; we had pre dinner drinks and Doug was
to provide us with his usual high standard of singing before, during and
after our meal. Both Doug being the Deputy Sheriff and his wife Sylvia
have a strong bond with the chapter and are quick to help out and supply
entertainment at the drop of a hat, for which we are thankful. Our meal
was placed out in a bain marie and we were called on by President Ian
to help ourselves table by table. |
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| Serving up the meal | Gladly tucking into the meal |
What a wonderful meal
Beef & Pork and five vegetables all cleanly cooked and well presented,
well worth the cost which was quite reasonable and a lot less than counter
meal prices. We believe that our "Dining out" evening was well received and everyone as well enjoyed the wonderful sweets that were delivered in large bowls. Apple crumble and custard and cream or Pavlova or both. Everyone sure had their fill and there was no one stating that they did not have enough food. Such is country cooking, well worth attending the Rally if only for the meal. Many were to stay onto the closing of the club and then back to our Rally site, we believe that it didn't take much for people to go off to sleep given the events of the day, a really full day that was not dampened at all by the intermittent rain. |
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| Enjoying the food and company | Not a lot of talking happening here |
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We awoke on Sunday morning to the patter of rain on
the roofs of our Motorhomes and really it has a soothing effect, which
makes you want to stay in bed. |
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