Mathinna Rally October 2009

This month's Rally was held at Mathinna a small town located in the North-East of Tasmania, a mere 63 kilometers east of the City of Launceston. The town was named after a young aboriginal girl befriended by Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) Sir John Franklin and his wife Lady Jane. History shows that Mathinna lead a less than favourable life and died at an early age.
The township of Mathinna became established as a gold mining centre, shortly after gold was discovered in the area in the 1890's. The Golden Gate Mine in the town was one of Tasmania's highest yielding gold mines, second only to the Beaconsfield Gold Mine. At its peak in the late 1890's the town sustained a population of over 5,000, including a large number of Chinese miners, making it the third largest town in Tasmania at the time. Mining company Riltec made a failed attempt to re-establish the Golden Gate Mine in 1994. Recent gold mining efforts have been more successful with a production target of 70,000 made for the Mathinna mine in 2006. The town also boasts a famous previous Premier of Tasmania, Eric Reece, was born in the town in 1909.


Gathered by the fire at the Country Club		Collie the barman with John & Genene

Weather forecast for the period was not all that great, however that did not deter us from attending the rally at Mathinna especially with the use of the shed and a ute load of wood to keep us all warm. Many were to arrive on the Thursday and we ambled up to the Mathinna Country Club for our happy hour. A quaint establishment where the barmen could even be the Collie dog. There was much laughter and chiacking on the way home. Doug was to entertain us with his music and jokes before we went off to bed very contented.


Registration desk by fire	Judy swinging away	Our disk bowls experts

Friday arrived and after a night of rain the fires were lit both for inside the shed and outside, the kettles were boiled to ensure that a hot drink for members was available when they arrived. There was a steady trickle all day and friendships were soon renewed by the fire. Judy used the swings to bring back memories of her youth and our disc bowls were being used by those who enjoy the friendship and laughter that the game brings.
After lunch the woman gathered to do their craft work and Judy was to show off the woolen slippers that she had knitted. It wasn't long before the pattern was requested. The woolen squares for our national rally were being knitted and this amongst the laughter was to keep the ladies occupied during the afternoon. Later in the day the ladies wandered down to the craft shop where many items were purchased and the history of the town was checked, of course this was to keep many there for quite awhile.


Ladies knitting wooly squares	Modeling knitted slippers	Genevene admiring the goods


Exploring the history	Craft work inspection	Gordon & Pam

Happy hour was to arrive and all were welcomed by President Jim especially Gordon and Pam our new members of the Chapter who were presented with their Chapter sticker and name plate to much applause. The programme for the weekend was outlined by Liz and having three musicians in attendance was bonus for our entertainment. Our beloved Sheriff was in fine form berating members for alleged misdemeanors true or otherwise. Fines of twenty cents were flowing strongly with the proceeds going to the Heart Foundation fund raiser.
After the happy hour a few were to wander off to the Country Club and more of the locals were present which lead to much laughter before returning for our evening meal.


Our Musicians	Music underway	Enjoying the music

Promptly at 7.30 the fires were stoked and our music people Doug, Bob and John were to supply us with non stop entertainment for the evening, many of us were to dance on the concrete floor. Then as the evening progressed many including our ladies were to tell us many jokes which bought instant laughter. What an evening despite intermittent rain we were well entertained by the roaring fire. The Sheriff was to make a measuring stick to measure the posterior of those who wanted to hog the fire if thought them to be to large blocking the heat they received an on the spot fine. This alone was very entertaining and after a while no one hogged the fire until the Sheriff retired for the night and then back to the fire. What an evening it was enjoyed by everyone and it was very late before the shed emptied and the fires banked for the night.


Fast flowing South Esk	Relaxing in the afternoon sun	South Esk river tours

Saturday morning arrived and the sun was shining brightly the fires were rekindled and the kettles boiled for breakfast. Slowly the camp came alive and then the walkers went off down the bridge to check out the flow of the South Esk river. The river was flowing very fast indeed and we were to see how high the debris was in a previous flood. A four wheel trike entertained us as he took it into the river to wash the mud and slush off, some wag suggested that it was the South Esk river cruise boat, immediate laughter especially from Audrey. On return to camp we gathered in groups and there was much laughter echoing around the village.


Start of Frisbee Golf	Relaxing in the afternoon sun	Happy Hour

The afternoon turned into a full on affair with the ladies sitting out in the sun continuing on with their knitting of squares and Peter conducting frisbee golf. What a laugh as members attempted to get from one hole to another, with the slight breeze they tended to go everywhere other than intended and with only four holes involved it took some time with plenty of laughter in the afternoon sun.
A few locals dropped in to have a look at the Motorhomes and discuss our way of life they left impressed and a little envious at our lifestyle. Before we knew it was happy hour and given the sunshine we all located outside of the shed, after the usual birthdays and singing of the song and anniversary's of members our beloved Sheriff took the floor and indicated that there would be many fines for misdemeanors and also for those who had not infringed. There was plenty of laughter and half hearted attempts to justify members actions. As usual this was to no avail for the Sheriff imposed a further fine for interrupting. In all the fines totaled $14 the largest ever imposed and collected and on this occasion the Sheriff even contributed $1 to the fine box. This was taken in good jest for the money raised is for the Heart Foundation fundraising appeal. It was good to see the generosity of members for fundraising events.
Then our raffle was conducted and a first ever given the generous donations of goods there was a prize for each motorhome in attendance and a few prizes left over for future raffles.


Piping hot soup being prepared	Saveloy's underway

The ladies were to prepare the steaming hot bowls of soup for all. Ross then cooked the saveloys and due to his knowledge only three out a hundred odd split.At 6pm everyone at the Rally were served soup either tomato or vegetable and there was not a complaint come forth, many were to have returns and one member had a third bowl. It must have been great, for the soup was quickly consumed. The saveloy's were enjoyed by all and the surplus quickly purchased by members. What a wonderful meal with members bringing along a can of soup and the Chapter purchasing the saveloys and bread. Very successful indeed.


Plenty of raffle prizes	Doug entertaining	Bob and Doug performing

Then it was time for our evenings entertainment with Dough leading the way with many fine tunes and jokes that we all enjoyed, there is no doubt that Doug is the consummate entertainer being able to bring us into singing the many tunes that he played. Then at the interval, so to speak, President Jim was to present a cheque to the President of the Mathinna Community Group to assist them upgrade the communities facilities. Robert was thank us for the cheque which would be earmarked for these facilities and indicated that the local community was pleased to have us here and indicated that they would like us to return again next year. The general feelings of the members was to support that view. Then it was time for Doug and Bob to combine their music and once again they played well together and again a few members were up dancing on the concrete floor.


Cheque presentation	John & Judy entertaining	Genevene joke telling

We were then entertained by John and Judy who carried out a rendition of their famous Tractor Skit, this was to bring much laughter and then John was to tell a couple of jokes that bought the house down.
Genevene was to then tell us many fine jokes that were a little on the smut side, the Sheriff by this time had indicated that he was off to bed and left, five minutes later there were loud taps on the tin and the cry of smut! that will be a fine and shaming at the next rally, the Sheriff stated.
We couldn't stop laughing! It was 10:30 pm before the entertainment finished and not one member other than the Sheriff left early for bed. What wonderful entertainment and we were to thank all contributors by acclamation.
Sunday arrived and when we hopped out of bed we found a heavy fog though after a couple of hours it had lifted and there was brilliant sunshine. There many members standing around chewing the fat and indicating they had enjoyed the weekend. Then it was time to pack up the trailer and say our farewells as many headed home and others deciding to camp out for another few days.
As usual as members left they thanked the hosts Jim & Liz for the weekend and indicated they would be at the next rally scheduled for Rosevale next month which is our final fundraiser for the Heart Foundation.

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