Sassafras Rally January 2008

Sassafras a renowned Tasmanian vegetable producing area was the venue for our first Rally in 2008, we were to drive off the main highway and down through paddocks that were growing beans, onions, carrots, poppies and potatoes just to mention a few of the crops. A magnificent sight especially with the mountain ranges as a back drop.


Fallowed paddocks	Beans crops over large distance	Beans and Mt Roland in distance

Don and Lorraine, our hosts for the Rally, were on hand to greet us and quickly had us registered and parked up in no time at all. What a wonderful location down by the river and with a kitchen and a single toilet. Don had decided that we needed to set up a long drop for the men.
One thing you quickly come to understand is the ingenuity of our members, dig the hole first and then add the rest. The roof was an old satellite dish with corrugated iron as the walls, strange looking though effective. Of course Denis was to try out the contraption with Don looking on. It received the "housewife's seal of approval", so to speak, and is now known as the round house not the s--t house.
Though the Rally was not officially commencing until Friday there were at least 11 motorhomes already set up, when Mick arrived later in the afternoon with the trailer up went our beloved "Bee Haven" though there are some that suggested it should have been put up prior to happy hour, I wonder why?. Of course there was much laughter and as the night wore on many went off to bed content and happy to meet up with our old friends again.


Building the long drop	Attach iron and screw	Denis testing with Don looking on

An overcast morning, though it did not deter members from relaxing and mixing to rekindle friendships with those present, our hosts Don and Lorraine were busy registering and parking up new arrivals who were arriving at different times throughout the day.


Pat registering for Rally	"Bee Haven" erected	Motorhomes parked up

It was warming up and we sought respite under the verandah of the kitchen facilities and around our motorhomes, many elected to check out the field of beans and the dams where the fishing competition would commence tomorrow, Saturday.
After lunch out came the disc bowls and two rinks were in action with plenty of shiacking and laughter being the order of the day, one group of woman sat under the verandah and played cards, which at times became a little serious though still jovial.


Disc Bowlers in action	Ladies playing cards	Section of members at Happy Hour

It wasn't long before it was happy hour and as we gathered President Graeme welcomed all, especially interstate guests and the owners of the property, there was much applause for the property owner with many comments on the excellence of the venue. Graeme then read out wedding anniversary's and birthdays. Don then outlined the weekends events and by all standards we will be very busy fitting it all in.


Judy leading the Line Dancing group		Liz trying her luck fishing

After the evening meal the woman gathered under "Bee Haven" to participate in the Line Dancing tutorial being conducted by Judy and Trix, the men were not game to try to pick up the steps. They were to be seen gathering around the fire pot and disc bowls competition. Saturday dawned overcast and we were to experience heavy showers later in the day, the fishing competition commenced at 9am.


Geoff casting for trout	Brian caught the first trout	Our avid bush walkers

There were many members and visitors with all types of lures trying their luck and Brian was the first to catch a reasonable sized Trout. It would be some hours later before the next fish was caught, though there many sightings of large trout that wouldn't take the bait or lures .There were a couple of fly fishermen and to watch them the cast their lines was a fine sight indeed. Liz was to land a Trout only to see it come off the hook and flip its way back into the water and quickly depart.
Those that were not fishing were gathering in groups and by the amount of laughter they were enjoying themselves. A small group of walkers crossed the small creek and walked among the large gum trees and out to the original road that formed part of the main highway in much earlier days. Down to the other creek and then returned to camp just before the rain became heavier.


Woman gathered for Craft Class	Commencing Craft Class	Completed Angels.


Completed Craft of Chickens and Mice		Brian draining rain water

The rain set in for the afternoon quite heavy, Gordon & Paul were to leave us heading for the mainland on the Ferry tomorrow and we had several day visitors arrive to enjoy our company.
At 2pm despite the rain Evelyn conducted her craft classes where the ladies were to make Angels, Chickens and Mice. Other woman were either knitting or doing patch quilting,
There was only the occasional laughter as there was complete concentration on the craft work at hand, all were happy to show off their completed articles and being guided by Evelyn all completed work was of a high standard. (Thank you Evelyn for your excellent effort in conducting and supplying the items for the Craft classes.)
Brian was kept busy keeping the rain water from gathering in the ends of "Bee Haven" and the men were sitting watching the woman at work or gathered talking about all and sundry. It would be true to say that the weather was not a hindrance to our gathering other than the fishing competition.


Rockcliffe addressing members	Thanks to Malcolm the owner	Motorhomes from Dam site

At happy hour we had the manager of Tas-Alkloids give us talk on the Poppy industry and the benefits to the farming community, there were many questions fielded and we all now have an understanding of the industry and the contribution it makes to the state economy and health industry. Don was to present Brian with his prize for the first fish caught, for he had to leave the Rally today.Then the raffle was drawn with plenty of winners.
When the weather abated many returned to fishing and it wasn't long before Margaret was back in camp proudly showing the Rainbow Trout that she had caught after persevering most of the day.
What a weekend to date, there is so much happening and the rain did not deter us at all. Then it was time to have our evening meal and most of us used the barbecue and had our meal under "Bee Haven". The ladies then had another boot scooting session with many improving on their performance of last night, it was said both Trudy & Trix did a wonderful job teaching the finer points of boot scooting to our lady members. Bob was to entertain us with his electronic keyboard and it is the general opinion that he improves with each rally and of course John was to produce his guitar for fine singing and music.


Margaret displaying her Trout	Going hither & thither	Don sorting out each of the questionnaires

Sunday dawned a little overcast, though when the sun broke through it was quite humid. Members and visitors were late arising this morning and it was only with the Cryptic Treasure Hunt commencing at 10am did we witness more movement in the camp. Don was to outline the conditions of the treasure hunt and like browns cows we set out to solve the cryptic clues. People were to be seen going hither and thither looking for the various items required. It took over an hour to complete and it was a bit of a laugh to see the differing interpretations of the questionnaire. Unfortunately a few came a cropper at the lake and slithered down the muddy banks. When participants handed in their sheets with the gathered material Don checked and found that there were two contestants that had achieved a perfect score and as Liz had handed in her sheet and gathered items first she was declared the winner. What a wonderful prize, a cruise on the Tamar River kindly donated by Tamar River Cruises (for which we thank them) and presented to Liz by Don. Then it was time to present the prizes to the winners in each section of the fishing competition.


Brian, Kevin and Margaret excepting their prize from host Don

Prize Winners in the Fishing Competition
First Fish Caught	Brian Munday	Largest Fish Caught	Kevin Cuthbertson
For effort & determination	Margaret Manly	First Eel Caught	David Catlin
The one landed then escaped	Liz Challis	Lucky Draw	Garry Thorp


Don presenting the prizes in their respective class to David, Liz and Gary

There were six prizes in total for the various classes and they were donated by Tamar Marine and what wonderful prizes they were from watches to fishing gear in show bags. The winners in each class were more than happy with the show bags and we thank Tamar Marine for their sponsorship.
Don and Lorraine were to receive a standing ovation for the excellent Rally they both hosted, the ovation was in recognition of the efficient and professional manner in which the Rally was conducted plus choosing of the venue and the relaxed atmosphere that was the tenor for the duration of the Rally.
We had our lunch and then it was time to dismantle our beloved "Bee Haven" and load up the trailer for our next Rally, many elected to stay an extra night in the beautiful surroundings, especially our mainland visitors.
So with final farewells we will gather again at our next rally in Feburary at Campania in the southern end of the State.
Once again thank you Don & Lorraine for your wonderful efforts in creating such a beautiful weekend and to Evelyn for the craft classes and Judy & Trix for the boot scooting classes and last though not least to Bob and John for their musical entertainment.

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