Rally site from air Western Tiers in the distance
We gathered in the rural township of Cressy in Northern Tasmania for our November Rally, with a backdrop of the Western Tiers and Lake Country plus farming land as far as the eye could see. Being a nice warm day the grains and poppies were swaying in the breeze with a back drop of the yellow fields of Canola, very beautiful indeed.
Happy Hour
Enjoying Happy Hour
Audrey & Brian display Tapestry
Our hosts for this Rally Peter & Veronica, who graciously allowed us to use their spacious property for our Rally, ensured we were quickly parked up. It was noticeable this was to be the largest gathering of our members for some time. All of our friends have now returned from their travels interstate which was great to see. It wasn't long before it was happy hour and we gathered to enjoy the many friendships, there was much laughter and shiacking being the order of the day. With our hosts Peter & Veronica and acting President Brian outlining the weekend entertainment it was obvious that we would have an enjoyable time. Brian and Audrey were to display a beautiful tapestry which was completed by Christine as a raffle prize for the "Relay for Life". A fundraiser for the Cancer Council. With many touched by cancer amongst their friends and family members it was well supported. Many gave an indication that they would attend the "Relay for Life" at Penguin next year as well as other "Relay for Life" venues in other areas of the State.
Peter cooking onions and hamburgers Dick and Eddie cooking the sausages
A barbecue for our evening meal was held on the completion of happy hour. Peter cooked the onions and hamburgers and Dick and Eddie the sausages for Chapter members including our guests from other Chapters and interstate Chapter members, there was plenty for everyone and in fact a few of the family pets received the surplus cooked food. Judging by the happiness abounding it was obvious that people were enjoying the friendship, weather and food.
Liz preparing grocery Bingo
Happy Bingo Players
Kelly Pool Players
Later in the evening Liz and Mick conducted "Grocery Bingo" which was well attended, again plenty of laughter with many able to yell "Bingo!" There were an assortment of groceries that were sourced from members Motorhomes. Though strangely that old stand by "Baked Beans" seemed to be in abundance. Though not finishing until after 10:30pm a dozen hardy souls remained to play Kelly Pool, What a full on first day of our Rally there were many tired though happy souls slipping off to bed at various times.
A few playing disc Bowls
Pre Happy Hour
Eddie enjoying a quiet moment
Saturday dawned warm and sunny with just a few high altitude clouds, once again the Western Tiers were in all their glory with the early morning sun highlighting their beauty. Rally attendees were gathered in groups sipping tea or coffee and dissecting the events of last evening, the locals must think we are on jungle juice with the amount of laughter ringing out across the fields.
A few set up the disc bowl rink and were issuing challenges to other Chapter members and Visitors, Judy was proudly displaying her gold medal won at the Barcaldine Rally Disc Bowls competition and throwing down challenges to all in a humorous manner. As usual there was plenty of laughter and seriousness associated with the many ends that were played.
Jim & plane used for photo's
Cressy from the air
Poppy fields looking towards Western Tiers

Being a glorious day many wandered down into Cressy to take in the sights and others were to go off to several garage sales being held in the area.
Our webmaster Jim had climbed onto the roof of the shed for a better view of our Motorhomes which totalled in excess of forty and found it difficult to capture them all in one photo and the same with the Western Tiers. So, it was that Peter suggested he should go up in one of the local crop duster planes.
My golly goodness "yes" (or something similar) was the reply, so off to the airstrip to catch the plane and take ariel photo's of the Rally site and surrounds.
Now to get to the aircraft parking area you need to go on the gravel airstrip, so it was look left and then right, no worries Mate! nothing there so on we drove. Peter looked in the rear vision mirror and there was a plane that had just landed coming up on the vehicle real quick, so down with the accelerator for there was a need for plenty of speed to stay in front.
Two persons in a plane designed for one was quite an exercise and meant that it was rather difficult to preview the photo's before they were snapped, though not to worry it was a great experience. Though there was a lot of shiacking of Jim as to his health and general welfare on his return leading again to much laughter.

Pre Dinner Drinks
Our serving staff
Dick being served his meal
We had a another excellent happy hour with many announcements and discussion of the evening meal at the Cressy Bowls Club, so at 6pm we all wandered up to the Bowls Club and having seated ourselves had excellent pre dinner drinks. The members of the Bowls Club gave us an extremely warm welcome and then we were to go table by table to be served our meal. What an excellent meal; Pork or Beef with five vegetables all done in the traditional country manner. Then it was time for sweets and there were ten different types of sweets to choose from and we were to help ourselves, there was plenty for all and we certainly have some sweet tooth's in the Chapter judging by the fullness of the bowls.
Our excellent meal
Veronica presenting Cheque
Sunday morning discussions

Our Chapter Rally raffle was to assist in raising funds for the ongoing maintenance of the Cressy Swimming Pool, and it was with great pleasure that our host; Veronica was to present our cheque for $250 to the President of the Swimming Pool committee who on receiving the cheque was to thank the Island Wanderers for their kind donation. In all it was a wonderful evening and we were to wander back to our Rally Site like browns cow's, so to speak. Most toddled off to bed and others electing to stay on and play eight ball,cards etc.
Sunday morning was to another fine sunny day and there could be seen groups of members gathered talking about last night and the weekend in general. John and Colleen were to conduct the church service which was well attended, then members again just started to mingle and be happy. Members were happy that at last we had held a Rally with excellent weather for an entire weekend!
It is often said that to gauge the success of a Chapter weekend was whether or not people were quick to leave the site. Here it was nearly noon and only two motorhomes had left with many indicating that they would, at the invitation of the hosts, stay another night.
There is no question that the weekend has to be among the best held this year and the work carried out by our hosts Peter & Veronica has been beyond the norm and ensured that we all had enjoyed the weekend. So may we say that the effort put in by our hosts was exceptional for that we thank them very much for such a wonderful Rally.
Our next Rally is our Christmas Rally at Campbell Town and we look forward to renewing our friendships again at this time.


New Year
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
September
October
November
December
To view Rally Happenings of previous month/s click on month of choice






To view previous Rally Happenings for 2004 -2005 or 2006 click on the appropriate year
Return Home Page