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Evandale
is classified as an historic town located in the northern part of Tasmania,
Australia. Though in a rural setting and servicing the large farming
community in the surrounding district it is renowned for its heritage
buildings. The main street of Evandale is listed by the National Trust,
its heritage buildings remain in good condition even today. To wander
around the streets of the town is to wander past buildings erected
a few century's ago. Evandale is renowned for two events namely the
sunday markets where it is not uncommon to see people from other parts
of the state and other States of Australia gather every week to purchase the many goods on display. The other event is the World Penny Farthing titles that is held each year in February attracting entrants other States and from many overseas countries swelling the town with many thousands of spectators. The entrants are here to win so the many races are fought out in a very competitive fashion to gain that world title. |
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Gathered under awning chatting |
Bob inspecting skate rink |
Evandale school cricket match |
Our hosts for the weekend were Brian & Jean who were under stress to book in and park the many that had arrived on the Thursday with the bulk on the Friday, in all there were 87 motorhomes and campervans with several fifth wheelers. With the assistance of Don they were suitably parked. Then our beloved canopy "Bee Haven" was erected and became a gathering point for all. As usual small groups could be seen talking to each other around the grounds whilst others were under their awnings for a chat. Also many were to sit around the oval enjoying the limited sunshine watching the school children playing cricket. Small groups of members opted to walk around the village admiring the old architecture and visiting the many craft shops. |
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| Flooded ground with dolphin enjoying the wet | Standing under our canopy with flooding water |
Then a most extraordinary thing occurred, whilst we were enjoying intermittent sunshine large thunderheads appeared and very dark and black sky's. Without warning the heavens opened and a deluge of rain poured down. The ground being so dry was not able to take the amount of rain so the area flooded, we gathered under "Bee Haven" and awnings to avoid the inclement weather. For the first time in the history of the Chapter the happy hour was transferred from 4pm until 7pm, we were unable to gather due to the soaking rain plus flooding and we also did want to risk being caught by the vivid charges of lightening occurring. |
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7pm Happy Hour |
David & Lyn new members |
Night closing in on happy hour |
With the rain passing we gathered at 7pm under "Bee Haven" we had to lower the walls to allow everyone to fit under, first the birthdays bought forth a hearty rendition of Happy Birthday. Then Anniversary's and a welcome to all our visitors from other chapters and other states. It was interesting to note that 28 interstate guests were from every state of Australia, each guest was given a visitors certificate to remind them of their attendance at our Rally. New members David and Lynne were handed their window screen members card along with a Island Wanderers vehicle sticker and welcomed into the Chapter, to much applause. |
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Our 16th birthday cake |
Cancer survivors cutting cake |
Margaret and Evelyn cutting cake slices
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Then it was time to celebrate our sixteenth birthday which had been held over from January, breaking with tradition Cancer Survivors, both the visitors and chapter members were requested to cut the cake whilst we sang happy birthday. Then Margaret and Evelyn cut the cake in small pieces so as each of us could sample the very fine birthday cake. The rain had stopped and there were stars appearing and this kept us together longer than anticipated. Slowly and surely we headed off to bed whilst other were to watch the AFL football before retiring all in all it had been a good day even taking into account the rain, thunder and lightening in the early afternoon. |
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Cemetery near events area |
Busker's entertaining the crowd |
Having lunch between events
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Saturday dawned sunny without a cloud in the sky, some contrast to yesterday afternoon, we were out and about early and started moving over into the village after 10am to enjoy the days festivities at the Penny Farthing Championships. There was a very large crowd in attendance and the need for sun cream and hats was at a premium for the weather was very warm, as you enter the events area it is not hard to avoid the very old cemetery where the vintage cars and trucks were located. What a wonderful display of vintage and classic cars from the powerful to small horsepower. There were many busker's there to entertain us and the quality of their acts was very high and well organised. The two young lass's had an extremely good act and worked well together, knives, bed of nails and tennis rackets made up there repertoire of tricks. It was time for lunch and there was plenty of fare on offer though the irish potatoes was in demand, many of our members opted for this meal eaten under the shade of trees for the day had turned quite warm. |
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Vintage car display |
Parading in period costume |
Period costume in Grand Parade |
 It didn't matter where we strolled there were younger people in period dress walking about giving an air of old time graciousness, we all were to visit the display of old machinery from stationary engines to wood fired and coal fired traction engines. Their owners have meticulously kept the machine's in service though they were several centuries old.The streets were lined with bales of straw which set out the course for the Penny Farthing bycycle championship, a spectacular sight to see men and woman perched on a bicycle that looks so flimsy careering around corners and so high off the ground. |
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| Lining up for the final | Flat out around corner | Approaching finish line
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There were four elimination races with the first two placing's from each race going into the final. The competitors are certainly fair dinkim the way they go flat out around the bends with the bicycle frame flexing in the manner that it does. In the final it was all go with the eventual winner of the final making it two years in a row, the second place getter has achieved that result four years in a row. The woman's races were as competitive and appeared to be just as fast, the winner a local Evandale girl has achieved first place four years in a row. It was interesting to note that there so many Penny Farthing Clubs in other states that compete in the event. In all there appeared to be over sixty competitors in all. |
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Woman's Champion in front |
Oldest competitor | Grand Parade |
The day was very warm with many ice creams and liquid being consumed and by 3pm we ready to head back to the rally site. Happy hour was on time today at 4pm and as we gathered we were to welcome more visitors. This Rally was to be our largest for some time and our visitors were appreciative of our hospitality to the extent that many expressed their gratitude and a few did so with cards of thanks. Needless to say they were appreciated by members of the Chapter who answered by acclamation. Genavene was to make a presentation on our next Rally to held at Irishtown on the North West Coast of Tasmania, it was well received and no doubt we will have a large attendance.The evening was balmy with people sitting around enjoying each others company and having a late happy hour, there was much laughter carrying out across the park. |
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| Part of the Grand Parade | ||
The early hours of Sunday morning it rained again though it was to clear away before dawn, many were to go to the famous Evandale Market and buy produce and craft products, the market is large and takes a period of time to take in all the trade stands. Again, it was with great reluctance that we dismantled our beloved "Bee Haven"and packed away all of our gear in the Chapter trailer ready for towing to the Irishtown Rally. Many hands made the dismantling really quick and the last opportunity to create a little laughter. |
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