What a fantastic time we had for our July Outing at Whiporie Hall this year. With last year being washed out, and that Outing cancelled, it was great to be back here. After a cold and cloudy day on Tuesday, the weather cleared with a beautiful sunset on Wednesday – Red sky at night, Shepherd’s delight. The rest of the time was mainly clear, with very cold nights and cool breezes on the days. It didn’t take long for the ladies to snag a table to play card games, or work out jig saws. The Trade Table also did very well for the Westpac Helicopter this week.
We finished up with a total of 19 Vans, and 35 people, although one van, which was from Leisure Coast Wanderers, thought they were in the General Store free stop-over until we sorted their parking out. Everybody else stayed either the maximum of four nights, but some could only stay two or three nights. Margaret, who had told me she was coming just for the day on Saturday totally forgot until late Saturday afternoon. Following advice from the caretakers, the arsonists among us set up a fire pit on top of an old tree stump, and over time totally burnt the stump back to below ground level. Only half a dozen stumps to go.
On Thursday the first official game of the Beanbag Toss was undertaken in the Hall, with Marjorie winning the individual competition, and the Blue Team won the team competition against the Red Team.
After tea we held the Raffle Dice, with various rules being tried out, but Ken won the prize after being the last person standing, and tossing a Keep die.
On Friday, after Morning Tea, Carla held the Craft session, where she led the group in painting Christmas decorations.
In the afternoon, we held the CVR Whiporie Race Meeting.
To start, there was the Fashions on the Field. Ray and Anna were declared best dressed couple, Robo and Marjorie were second, and Gary and Nola, and Terry and Marilyn were equal third.
This was followed by the auction of the Hobby Horses, then the Naming of the Horses. Horse 1. Boobs, 2. One-eye (Out of Winx), 3. St Elmo’s Fire, 4. Ginger Flash, 5. Lumph Fish (Out of Black Caviar), and 6. Maggie.
Then there was the opening of the bookies bag by Carla.
The Race was run under the control of throws of the dice by Marilyn. First across the line was Ray on Boobs, second was Marjorie on Lumph Fish, and third was Ken on Ginger Flash. The punters who had bet on Boobs collected their share of the pool.
Nola, with her team of helpers, prepared the shared dinner meal of Spag Bol with Garlic Bread for everyone, and by the emptiness of the pots, it all went well. This was followed by ice-cream on a stick, also yummo.
It was decided that instead of trying to decipher a menu posted on the wall at the General Store, then trying to work out various prices (I had bought the same meal two days running, and paid two different prices), and having EFTPOS available, it would be better if everyone who wanted the Saturday dinner could go and order their meal in the morning, and the shop would deliver it at Dinner time.
On Saturday, we paid our fees to the Assistant Treasurer, then we held the General Meeting.
After lunch, Ray and Anna ran the raffles, then most sat around the fire pit.
The General Store delivered our meals, and we enjoyed them sitting at the tables in the Hall.
On Sunday, there were enough people still there to bring the Hall back to pristine order, and everybody left without getting bogged.
Regards, Don Brackenreg (Secretary).