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With out a doubt the most popular Rally each year is our Christmas Rally. Hosts Denis & Trix previously announced` this year it would be fancy dress to add to the atmosphere of the event. There were many who arrived at our venue at Bishopsbourne on the Thursday, including interstate guests. Bishopsbourne is a rural community where all forms of farming take place, indeed there is substantial cropping carried out in the area due to the amount of irrigation channels that traverse the land supplying water. The countryside is very green and you see many hectares of various grains growing and the colourful heads of the poppy crops wafting in the breeze, very picturesque indeed. |
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Early arrivals |
Heads down at Trivia night |
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Trix was on hand to welcome us on arrival and Bob was assisting with the parking, it wasn't long before we were to see many small groups coming together to renew friendships. There was much laughter and waving taking place as more of our members arrived to set up. It didn't take long for Christmas decorations to appear on motorhomes including various forms of lights that added character to the Rally during the evening. Happy hour arrived and birthdays, anniversary's were celebrated and a warm welcome extended to all, our hosts informed us all of the activities planned for the weekend and the Christmas Dinner arrangements. |
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Budgie Trivia quizmaster |
Competition winners |
Mitchell & Chelsea doing craft work with Nan |
Our Friday evening entertainment was excellent with Budgie conducting the trivia quiz and as usual there was much laughter along with serious thought given to providing the answers. After many questions it was time to see how we had performed. One table had correctly answered 46 questions and was determined the winner. For their effort they were to receive bottles of wine as their prize with the second place getter receiving large blocks of chocolate. All in all an excellent evenings entertainment with most of us then wandering of to our motorhomes or continuing with a late happy hour. |
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Raffle prizes |
Tables set for Christmas Dinner |
Seated for Christmas Dinner |
Saturday morning was a little overcast with raining falling during the early morning, newspapers were delivered by our hosts Denis & Trix as an extra service which was appreciated. The morning was spent playing disc bowls and renewing friendships and later preparing the hall for our Christmas celebrations this evening. Happy hour bought forth a few lovely surprises for the evenings event, a small group of the ladies had photo's blown up of all members at the Rally that had been taken recently or in previous years and had them made into place mats. What a wonderful gesture appreciated by all. These place mats were then placed on the various tables which reserved our seating arrangements. All the time we were enjoying ourselves the Catering people from the bowls club were busy preparing our evening meal. |
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A few of the many colourful fancy dress
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The time arrived and as we went into the hall we were greeted by Denis & Trix and it was a wonderful sight to see all the different types of fancy dress. Members had certainly excelled, making the dinner such a colourful event. If there was to be a prize for the best it would have been presented to all. The effort that had gone into the majority of fancy dress must have taken many hours to produce. Our band for the evening was to welcome us to Christmas music and what a wonderful atmosphere with the music and fancy dress that set the general tone of the evening. |
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Caterers preparing meal |
Meals being served |
Members receiving meal |
Prior to our meal the band changed to dance music which had the effect of many couples on the floor dancing, what a pleasure to see that ballroom dancing techniques have not been lost and just watching those with those dancing skills is something worth seeing and enviable to say the least. Clarry was to say Grace then we enjoyed nice hot rolls with butter and then table by table we went up to receive our meal from our caterers. What a meal plenty of meat and six vegetables more than enough and we were not to hear a contrary comment only complements. After the main course we were then to have our traditional candle lighting ceremony. Genavene was to light the candle "For friends present". "For friends yet to meet" (this is traditionally carried out by a visitor) this candle was lit by Pat, finally, "In memory of friends departed". Lit by a member who has lost a loved one in the last twelve months. As our good friend Denice recently departed our company Liz as her good friend lit the candle on her behalf and those friends previously departed. |
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Genavene lighting candle |
Pat lighting candle |
Liz lighting candle |
The acting President Jim was to outline presentations to Michael & Kaye and Denis & Trix of a Certificate of Appreciation for the manner in which they have conducted many Rally's and their continuing assistance to the Chapter in such a short period of time. |
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Dick & Madge |
Peter |
Peter & Marlene |
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David & Liz |
Eddie & Audrey |
Clarry & Jeane |
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Trophy recipients |
Santa arrives |
Santa presenting gifts to Chelsea & Mitchell |
It was time for Santa to arrive and he did so to a hearty rendition of Christmas tunes. With the usual HO! HO! HO! Santa was to hand out many sweets for each table, though at one stage he lost his trousers thankfully he was wearing jeans as well. Then Santa was to hand out a present each to two of our young children attendees, Mitchell and Chelsea. Which they were very thankful of, as their proud Pop & Nan watched on with gigantic smiles. Santa then had many requests to sit on his knee and be informed about the many presents expected for Christmas, there was much laughter and pointed comment. |
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Making requests for Christmas presents from Santa
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Sweets (Dessert) were then laid out, there were plenty of takers. The differing types was outstanding and there were many returns for seconds or was that thirds or fourths, certainly a top spread laid out. No photo's unfortunately the web camera batteries all went flat. We must say thank you to Carol-anne for the use of many of her photo collection on this web page. Our caterers were then requested to show themselves and there was loud cheer of appreciation for the time and effort they put into feeding us fine Christmas fare which was of a good quality and plenty thereof. The bar opened and there was plenty of dancing taking place from waltz's, barn dances, chicken dance and rock n roll as well as much more which had all up on the floor. Then the dreaded chicken dance along with the mandatory conga line which was all over the place. The band played until around 12 midnight with the bar open until 1am before the last group went off to bed satisfied with the excellent evening. |
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Caterer's acclamation |
Dancing in a Conga Line |
Chicken Dance |
Sunday morning arrived and John & Colleen conducted the church service which was well attended and then it was time for our Annual General Meeting along with election of officers and committee for 2009. Only one ballot was required and after voting Jim on behalf of our President Graeme handed out the badges of office and best wish's, then the general meeting was held and then the meetings were closed after thanking our hosts Denis and Trix for a wonderful weekend. |
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Elected committee for 2009 |
Ladies preparing Fascinators |
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A few of the ladies in anticipation of the New Years Rally and the attendance at the Longford horse races were to conduct a session making Fascinators for the day, to see the skills of these ladies and those who were crocheting and making patchwork quilts was sight to behold. Chapter members were to relax in the sunny conditions and unfortunately it was time to depart for those returning to work with others stopping overnight. Our next Rally is the New Years Rally to be held at Cressy hosted by Peter & Veronica. |
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