Maryborough Rally Report

The Rally has come and gone and I am starting to feel that something is missing. For sixteen months I nurtured this Rally like a child seeing it grow to maturity and finally blossoming to be a great Rally. This would not have happened had it not been for the dedication of all the volunteers – they were a tower of strength and a great team with which to work.

Over 1200 vehicles were sited at the Maryborough Showground for a week and by all accounts everyone enjoyed themselves, even the volunteers. The atmosphere was friendly, happy and exhilarating especially during Happy Hour when the wonderful duo, Val McCormick and Sue Houlgrave known as Country Blue, entertained around the streets perched on the back of a towed trailer. Members were asked to donate money which was raised for the Maryborough Hospital Auxiliary. Country Blue was joined most days by Tootie and Paul Hiles and over the five afternoons and Open Day raised the great sum of $1,350.00 for the Auxiliary. Thank you for the time you gave for this worthwhile organisation. Once again we had wonderful sponsors and wish to thank Kea Campers, Maryborough City Council, Ken Tame & Associates, Telstra Country Wide, Trakka Motorcampers, Outback Motor Homes, Winnebago, Yamaha, Volkswagen, Sunliner and Maryborough Water for their support. Monday night was a Welcome to Maryborough BBQ prepared by the Maryborough/Hervey Bay Show Society and hundreds of meals were served.

Congratulations for a job well done. The Telstra Country Wide Pavilion was the venue and the noise inside was deafening as long time, no see Members greeted one another. First Timers were welcomed at a special get together on Tuesday afternoon where they were able to meet the Board of Directors, Life Members and Chapter representatives over afternoon tea.

On Tuesday night, the Official Opening, we had the pleasure to welcome the Honourable Henry Palaszczuk, State Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, who opened the Rally and in his address he indicated that motorhoming seemed the way to go when he retired. This, of course, was loudly applauded. Maryborough Mayor Barbara Hovard also said that she and husband Bill were resigned to joining CMCA on retirement and grow old disgracefully enjoying the lifestyle. There was thunderous applause and cheering to this comment. Mention must be made that Barbara and Bill were presented with volunteer shirts, as a gift, which they proudly wore during the course of the Rally. Barbara’s touch with a red Maryborough scarf complimented the shirt.

We also had another Member of Parliament visit the Rally site. The Honourable Warren Truss, Federal Minister for Transport & Regional Services, Deputy Leader of the Nationals and Federal Member for Wide Bay (what a busy man), who attended on Friday afternoon and had a look at how Disc Bowls are played. The Minister then attended the night’s proceedings and launched the Issues Paper No.1 entitled “The Sustainable Development of the Motorhome and Self Contained Vehicle (MSV) Niche Market” (this submission was outlined in September’s edition of The Wanderer – page 24).

You know the saying in Queensland about the weather “beautiful one day perfect the next” - well that’s what it was like with cool nights. The equestrian centre was transformed into the main entertainment pavilion which provided a wonderful atmosphere for each night’s entertainment. To achieve this, a layer of four inches of sand (which is required for the horses comfort) had to be removed by front end loaders into tip trucks and transported away to the other end of the Showground until after the Rally. It then was returned using the same method. May I suggest to future Rally Managers not to hesitate using a covered equestrian building as it lends itself perfectly.

Local charities were the beneficiaries from this Rally with thousands of dollars raised through donations from the Rally committee, Maryborough Fraser Island Visitor Information Centre, participants in Reiki, Tai Chi, Stretch & Laugh and Line Dancing, other Members and a monster auction held on the Saturday night which in itself raised $2,470.00. The charities are as follows:

Maryborough Hospital Auxiliary - $8,382.80 (this includes donations raised by Country Blue)
St. John Ambulance - $1,500.00
S.E.S Maryborough - $1,000.00 (they were our security throughout the night) n Maryborough & Hervey Bay Show Society - $8,100.00 (Gate takings on Open Day)
Salvation Army - 244 lap rugs made up from knitted and crochet squares made by CMCA Members (a wonderful effort).
The craft classes and art & hobby workshops were very well attended and good reports received about the tutors. There certainly was a diversity of classes including something to keep your man occupied. Many thanks to all the tutors who gave their time.

The shuttle buses, once again, ran hot transporting Members to the town centre and back. Good reports have been received from all the major shopping points. The Manager of Station Square shopping centre remarked about the sea of Member badges walking throughout the centre each day. Our Members could not get over how pleasant the Maryborough people were towards them in wishing them a good time and successful Rally.

Tours offered by the Tourist Information Centre were very popular and had the staff very busy with bookings for the first two days of the Rally. For the first time at a Rally a Swap Meet was held and some very interesting items were up for grabs. Reintroducing Innovations proved very popular and thanks must go to Chrissy Eustace for the suggestion and organising the event and judges.

Once again Open Day proved very popular and it is estimated that over 4000 people attended. Traders especially were pleased with the day and with the whole Rally. The market stalls were kept busy selling their wares and the food stalls, some operated by Lions and Rotary, were rushed off their feet.

Thank you Maryborough for allowing us to invade your town. Rest assured we will be back some other time and hopefully you will welcome us again. We now look forward to Mount Gambier from 13 - 19 March 2006. Safe travelling to everyone and remember to Laugh More – Live Longer.

Alan Harris, Q12017
Rally Coordinator