Whyalla Rally Report

Whyalla welcomed us and made sure that all Members on site enjoyed the experience. Local businesses and shopping centres supported us with discount vouchers, fuel discounts, and gift vouchers for lucky numbers. The general public from all over the Eyre Peninsula have been great.

We have been able to leave behind a lasting memento of our visit. With the funds raised we were able to exceed the total $21,500 required for the F-scan Machine for the Whyalla Hospital, which will assist in the preventive treatment for those in the area with diabetes - an outstanding effort.

Our lucky number draw to raise funds for the Kinglake Kindergarten was very successful, and raised in excess of $2,600, which will enable the purchase of much needed playground equipment for the Kindergarten. Our sincere thanks to Valita Rozenburg V2858 (Daila Ziegler – KEA Information Co-ordinator's mum) who made and donated a beautiful quilt and two wall hangings for the lucky number draw.

Chrissy Eustace, Valita Rozenburg and Daila Ziegler made the presentation of the donation to the Kindergarten Director, Tracey Brennan, on Friday, 24 April 2009 on behalf of the CMCA Whyalla Rally.

There were many highlights during the Whyalla Rally -

The entertainment throughout the week was amazing. The BC Boys, Jim Haynes, Amber Lawrence, Alison Hams, Mark Tempany, Graeme Stephenson, Graeme Hugo and the Whyalla All Star Big Band kept us smiling for the whole week.

The Naughty Nautical Ball - what a night! The thought that went into the costumes is a credit to all who participated, and the All Star Big Band kept the night swinging.

The craft barn and woodworkers shed were a hive of activity for the whole week. Many of the teachers came from the Whyalla area and reported that they too enjoyed their time at the Rally.

Seminars again proved very popular. The photo competition continues to grow in stature. Our Poets’ Breakfasts were still very popular and well attended. The greens for our disc bowls were excellent, and all Members enjoyed the games as competitors or spectators. Offsite activities were also well attended, especially lawn bowls.

Our smiley buses again did a sterling job, taking Members to the local shopping centres and out to dinner at the many clubs around Whyalla.

We have not yet run out of rugs, with 207 donated, our total is now 2,524. Rugs were shipped all over the Eyre Peninsula to nursing homes. Thank you to all who contributed to this great program.

Our open day provided one of our biggest craft markets, it was still in full swing at closing time (30 local stalls and 24 Member stalls). The Royal Flying Doctor Service needed to replenish their stock three times throughout the day. There was a tremendous amount of interest from the locals, which in turn showed with the gate takings, visitors were amazed and showed a great deal of interest in our lifestyle.

People from the Whyalla Visitors Centre were onsite to book tours. All tours were well supported, one of the most popular being the steelworks tour.

Our thanks also to the traders, we all need help at times and having traders on site is always appreciated. Thank you for coming to Whyalla.

When you go through the list, I believe we have been able to cater for just about everyone, and we will all go away from Whyalla with memories of a full week with many highlights.

We cannot forget our volunteers. To the co-ordinators we thank you for your dedication and hard work, to all other volunteers we would not be able to do it without you and we appreciate your time and attention to detail.

To Events Whyalla, Whyalla City Council, Whyalla Visitors Centre, Whyalla Show Society and the Whyalla Business Community we thank you for your support and help prior to and throughout the Rally.

Paul Pitstock N30152 and the team who made the Whyalla Rally happen