Several of our members travelled to the Oatland's rest area for Thursday evening before moving onto our Rally at Campania on the Friday. The weather was very cold indeed with a terrible southerly wind; though this did not deter us from catching up on recent events, nor strolling around Oatland's admiring the convict architecture of the Town.
Moving onto Campania on the Friday morning we were to travel through farm land that no doubt was in a period of severe drought, several were to comment on the lack of feed for sheep or cattle, the paddocks looking so dry and barren. We finally arrived at Campania and were met by our hosts Herb & Sue. After registering we were parked up by John very quickly.
It didn't take long to renew our friendship and take in the old time values of the area. Campania being an old Railway village has many convict buildings that have stood the test of time and are today still in good order and pleasant to view.
Convict buildings Campania
Bronze statues near school
Old building with mountain back drop
We were to wander in groups around the village admiring the many old buildings and talking to the local people who were very friendly and only to happy to discuss with pride the village life and the outlying countryside. This included the many apricot, cherry and apple orchards we were to see just outside the village boundaries. Our Rally site is set back from the road and backs on to the railway embankment and though trains were to go past during the day their speed was slow which limited the noise factor. The trains going past in the early hours of the morning did not appear to faze anyone.
Parked up near railway line
Happy hour in session
President Graeme talking to Carol-anne

Before we knew it happy hour had arrived and we all adjourned to the hall where President Graeme was to officially welcome all members and visitors. Graeme then presented our interstate guests with a visitors certificate and indicated that they should avail themselves of the social offerings in the same manner as members.
Then our beloved Sheriff congratulated all for wearing their membership badges and then berated those that had erred at the last Rally. This brought on peels of laughter and then he fined himself considerably for an alleged misdemeanor and donated that self imposed fine to the Cancer Council "Relay for Life" to be held at Penguin in March. This was met with loud applause.
We then drifted back to our vehicles for our evening meal and then onto the hall later for a singalong. We were suitably entertained by Doug on guitar, Bob on Electronic organ and they had us singing along for hours with some of the old favorites, there was much laughter in between songs.

Doug & Bob playing music
Dorothy spinning jokes
Our Chapter Poet Peter
We were to hear jokes from Dorothy and a couple from from Dick, Peter was to regale us with some of his wonderful poetry that was acclaimed by members present. Then it was off to bed more than satisfied with the evenings entertainment.
It was to rain very heavy during the night though at dawn the sun was shining again brightly, there were several trains pass through they they didn't seem to cause a problem.
Saturday dawned and members were out and about early with many electing again to walk around the village admiring the old architecture and a few were caught buying and others eating beautiful scallop pies and pastries from the bakery. Both disc bowl rinks were set up and there were many who were playing, of course with the mandatory laughter and shiacking taking place.
Examples of the village architecture and general store
Our disc bowlers in action

The afternoon was disc bowls time again and to state that it was being played with enthusiasm would be an understatement, many relaxed and took in the sunshine breaking through the clouds others gathered in groups and had a good old natter whilst watching the disc bowls competition.
There was a small group that decided to use the tennis facilities and there were many a shouted "C'mon" as they won a point, though it would be true to say that we could not produce an Australian champion out of this lot. The ladies gathered in the hall for another craft session where Evelyn was to conduct another class. There was some frustration initially then the ladies moved into top gear and tackled the work with enthusiasm. The finished product was beautiful and many were proud to display their work with a few still to finish. Christine was to become a little frustrated (a little unusual given her craft skills) and was seen to jump on her work before returning to correct the problem. Of course this lead to much laughter.

Playing Tennis
Craft session
Completed Craft Item
Margaret was to tackle knitting flowers for her craft session and they looked quite life like, then happy hour arrived and as usual our Sheriff was to berate us for many alleged misdemeanors and fined us twenty cents to go to the Cancer Council "Relay for Life" fund raiser. President Graeme was to read out the many Birthdays of members which lead to singing Happy Birthday in a boisterous manner. Our hosts Herb and Sue purchased some beautiful cream and chocolate cakes to celebrate the birthday of our Chapter and was enjoyed by all.
Woollen flowers by Margaret
Hosts Herb & Sue with Cakes
Were they enjoying chewing bones?
After our happy hour we retired to prepare for our evening meal at the local hotel. Come 6pm we wandered up in small groups admiring the old buildings, we settled in and a fine country style meal was enjoyed by us all. Of course the opportunity to have a joke on Brian could not be passed up and it wasn't long before a bowl of gravy was delivered, Brian took it in good jest and indicated that it reminded him of what occurred twelve months ago. We were to wander back to our Rally site and a few settled in to watch the first AFL Football game of the year with others going off to bed. Needless to say, Collingwood was convincingly defeated by Adelaide.
Members dining out
Quality meals being enjoyed
Brian with his gravy soup
Sunday was sunny with few clouds and everyone was milling about waiting for the Farmers market to open at 9am. The first item they sold out of was the cherries at $4 a kilo, our members were to purchase not one kilo; four kilo or more at a time. The stall holders had to go and obtain more cherries from the local growers and the next lot sold out quickly as well, though it would be true to say the locals had a look in on this occasion.
The stalls were well stocked with produce and nick knacks and other products and did not close until after 2pm. Carol-Anne was to have a stall to sell her range of hand made ear rings and donated all monies collected from the sale totaling $105 to the Penguin Cancer Council "Relay for life" fund raiser. Well done Carol-Anne!
Sunday morning Markets alongside our Rally Site
When we were all marketed out, so to speak, we returned to our Motorhomes and soaked up the sunshine and had a chat to friends. Others were to use the tennis court again with hilarious results and our avid disc bowlers could be heard disputing ends amongst much laughter.
Were they serious? Yes they were; for there were many ends that were decided with a ruler checking the closeness of the discs to the kitty.
Dick made a couple of sets of disc bowls which were offered for sale to the highest bidder with the proceeds going to the "Relay for Life" fund raiser. Very generous on Dicks part and welcomed by Brian & Christine.
After lunch many were to head for home, others to camp out at other venues and a few electing to remain another night.
Again, another excellent Rally and a special thank you is warranted for our Hosts Herb & Sue who did an excellent job bringing it all together and making it so enjoyable. So until our next scheduled Rally take care and we will meet again in about a month at Bridport for the long weekend Rally.
Foot note
We were to note a farmer feeding his cattle with apples due to the lack of grass in the paddocks on the way north to our various destinations, showing the desperate plight of the farmers.

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