Rockhampton Rally Report

Well our 24th National Rally at Rockhampton Showgrounds has been done and dusted. Judging by the standing ovation from our Members at the closing ceremony, everyone had a great time and enjoyed the Rally. Kay and I were very humbled to receive such applause and well wishes after the ceremony. There was twelve months preparation culminating in a one week presentation of trade exhibitions, seminars, tours and entertainment. As I mentioned on stage, the success of the Rally was, in the main, due to the professional team of coordinators and volunteers who worked tirelessly before, during and after the Rally. Kay and I had not met a large percentage of the volunteers prior to the Whyalla Rally earlier this year, however we would not hesitate working with and alongside these great Members, who dedicated their time and energy to ensure the Rally was a success. We have made a great number of lifetime friends, not only from the volunteers, but also the Members who attended the Rally.

Little Pattie was the highlight of our entertainment and not a Member moved whilst this professional lady gave stirring renditions of her past hits, as well as those of Connie Francis and other great female artists. Ivan, the ’silent movie‘ man, was most popular on Thursday evening, and the CMCA ’All Stars‘ gig on Friday evening was full of fun, laughter, and great CMCA songsters. Australian Bush Poet Champions, Melanie Hall and Susan Carcary, accompanied by Bob Pacey (a Rockhampton bush poet professional), kept the Winnebago Pavilion full each morning at the Poets Breakfast. The two girls, Melanie and Susan, also did an exceptional job MC’ing the ’All Stars‘ gig. Thanks to all our performers and entertainers.

Our ’Rocky Horror Show‘ Ball on the Saturday evening was, to say the least, a great evening. What some Members won’t do! The lengths they go to ensure fun and frivolity is the key to the evening, just astounds me. At the risk of incriminating myself I will refrain from making any further comments on the dress standards adopted for the evening. Suffice to say that our internal accountant from NHQ, Mr Grahame Tricker, who I met for the first time that evening of the Ball, still looks at me strangely whenever we meet. (Probably I’m not quite the bloke he expected to meet).

We had some very informative seminars as well, including QLD Public Trustees, Centrelink, CentaCare, skin, bowel, breast, and prostate cancer information talks, intermingled with informative seminars on associated RV subjects from our vast array of trade exhibitors, which kept our Members busy during the day.

It was a great turnout, with 914 motorhomes attending, although we had the high school grounds across from the showgrounds booked and could have easily accommodated another 300 to 400 motorhomes. I’m sure it was probably a combination of factors that affected the Rally numbers ie: world recession, swine flu, horse flu, or the perception amongst some Members that Rockhampton was regarded as an unfriendly destination. I hope it wasn’t the last factor, because we saw evidence of quite the opposite during our stay there. As Kay always tells me: “you get more flies with honey than you do with vinegar”, and due to the extremely hard work and long hours of communication undertaken by our National Member Benefits Team Representative in Rocky, Mr Noel Roberts, the town is even now recognised by our Club as an RV Friendly Town™. Two 48 hour rest areas, along with two black water dump points (which have been sponsored by QLD Main Roads, KEA, and CMCA) are now located in the area. One is at the ’Music Bowl‘ just to the left of the Bruce Highway heading north out of Rockhampton (approx. 1km past Bunning’s Hardware), and then there’s one also at Yeppoon, on the coast. So if you missed out on visiting Rocky this time, be sure to drop in when you’re next in the area. The town was most hospita-bull (my last chance to say that!)

As you may be aware, during our Rallies our Club adopts a worthy charity to raise funds for. The Rocky Rally was no exception and our recipient, young Laytham Ford, a 10 year old Rocky boy who has ’Brittle Bone Disease‘, and is in dire need of a new and larger wheelchair, presented us with a new challenge. We raised a total of $6,574.70, and a very big word of thanks must go to the local CMCA Chapter, the Capricornia Wanderers, whose members worked tirelessly collecting fees at the pre-Rally staging points, selling raffle tickets, and collecting donations on our public Open Day. The money has been passed on to the local Director of the Variety Club, who will ensure that any shortfall in funds needed to acquire a suitable chair will be met through their organisation. Variety will keep us up to date with the progress of obtaining the wheelchair.

I was fortunate enough to meet up with our Club’s founders, Don and Erica Whitworth, as they passed through Rocky, just prior to our Rally. We discussed the fact that although the Rally was a big success, we would still love to boost numbers in the future. What could we improve? Is it just the current financial situation that has restricted Members from travelling?

My philosophy (and Kay’s) on Rallies is that they are a part of the adventure. Travelling to and from the event, seeing our great land and wondering what’s around the next corner, meeting up with old friends and making new acquaintances - it’s all part of the Rally journey.

In closing, Rocky was a great Rally, thanks to the Members who attended and again thanks to the many professional co-ordinators and volunteers who helped make the Rally the success that it was.
B.J. & Kay working with our volunteers for you, our Members.