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Bingara Rally Report |
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“Bingara promised us a Gem of a Rally and they delivered on the promise,” a quote from one of our Members as they left the grounds at the conclusion of the Rally.
The Rally provided many highlights that when combined made for a very successful and enjoyable time for our Members.
Host-a-Motorhome got the Rally off to a great start. Some fifty motorhomes took part in this very popular program hosted by families, and sixty-one used the Bingara Central School grounds and facilities for a donation. Those taking part expressed their desire that this program be repeated in the future.
Riverside camping pre and post Rally gave a large number of Members the opportunity to sample Bingara life outside the Rally environment. The Gwydir River is certainly a great attraction for the travelling public.
Entertainment throughout the Rally was enthusiastically received by our Members. The ‘Lady and the Larrikin’ provided a memorable performance for those who attended the Wednesday night on-site entertainment. They followed this up with a performance for the Bingara community in the Roxy Theatre on Thursday night. This was our gift to the Bingara community for the contribution they made to the Rally. And what about the Show Band for the Bow Tie and Bling Ball? It was great to see Members still dancing at midnight. There was so much bling on display it was difficult to imagine how everyone managed to fit it into their motorhomes.
The open day’s dance demonstration by the young people from Inverell was extremely popular among our Members and the market stalls displayed a great variety of items for our Members and the community to purchase.
The Men’s Shed was a great success for a first time program. Clive Brushett led an enthusiastic team of volunteers, who gave the men practical as well as entertaining activities to take part in. The Pitstop Program, a Men’s Health Check conducted by fifteen New England health professionals, was very well attended by our men. The cars on display throughout the week were a great attraction at the Men’s Shed.
Seminars and art/craft activities were once again well attended and highly successful. The Photo Competition and the Innovations Program were as always well supported. The Poet’s Breakfast was well attended and their laughter resounded around the site. Thanks must go to the co-ordinators and their teams for providing Members with the opportunity to sample such a diverse range of activities.
Once again our rugs project was a great success. Some 363 rugs were brought to Bingara by Members. The 2000th rug was presented during the Rally. This rug was crocheted by the mother of one of our Members, Maryke Gilliam. All the rugs will be distributed throughout the region, so all those who contributed to the program are to be congratulated on their wonderful generosity.
Our thanks must as always go to the dedicated group of volunteers who always put in a great effort to ensure the success of our Rallies. The Volunteer’s Movie Night and the hungi were provided to show our appreciation of their efforts.
The Bingara township will remember the Rally for many years to come. All of the business houses reported enthusiastically about our visit to their community and the RSL reported its busiest day on record. Similar reports have come from other businesses.
Gwydir Shire Council put in a special effort to make our Members welcome. The grounds preparation was first class, and to be welcomed to the main street by banners promoting our Rally was appreciated by our Members. Deputy Mayor, David Rose, said at the closing ceremony, “I don’t want the Rally to close, we want you all to stay.”