New Members - Apr '07


001- Camping Under the Stars	002- New Members Briefing	003- Errol & Geoff	004- New Members Briefing	005- Alan & Tarbo

006- Wine Tasting	007- Wine Tasting	008- Dining Under The Tree	009- Dining Under The Tree	010- Mt Mee Trip

Eric and Helga Newmann, Ross Hall, Rodney and Mary Metcalfe, Michael van der Velden, Stephen and Debbie Doherty, Dick and Margaret Stoppelbein, David and Loretta Young, Peter and Elaine Warren, Mike Farrell, Geoff and Christine Moller, Greg and Liz Moller, Mike and Lesley McBurney, Lloyd and Sue Ackeroyd, Howard and Juliet Parker, Greg, Kerry and Chrissy Conlon, Jane and Cameron Marks, Don and Margaret Williamson and Camilla; Pat, Tricia and Damon Morrow, Alan and Lorraine Puckeridge, Phil and Lyndel Curcuruto, Barry and Claire Willis, Alan and “M” Hughston, Allen and Laurel Boughen, Errol and Jenny Gordon, Graham and Ann Thatcher, Peter and Luke Johnson, Russell and Jenny Kennedy, Greg Dunstan (briefly).

(For those of you who may be wondering, club members’ names are included in trip reports to ensure all members attending are on the record for insurance purposes.)

Fancy arranging a “new member’s weekend” to include April Fools’ Day. Many a joke was tried (and a few succeeded) but mainly on “older” members (according to years in the club, not necessarily their age!!!) When tasks were handed out, our vehicle rego just happened to have an “I” for “Ink”, so guess who got the “written”.

Although the activity was for the Saturday and Sunday most attendees had arrived by Friday night. Many of the “retired” members enjoyed arriving earlier on the Friday, pulling their nanavans or camper trailers.

The group camping area of Neurum Creek which we occupied again this year looked colourful, with a number of vans/trailers on powered sites close to the gigantic fig tree – the communal gathering area, with the balance of our campers parallel to the creek bank. It was wonderful to see green grass.

Late Saturday morning the formal part of the weekend commenced with members introducing themselves and mentioning their roles, where applicable, followed by a talk by President Eric on the club, its operation, rules and traditions. The whole weekend and the briefing is always a good opportunity for new members to gain more insight and realise how they can orientate easily, not feel shy and be more comfortable with the way we operate. If you missed the chance this year make a diary date for next year’s as it’s always a good way to meet people in an easy going environment.

Property Officer Michael set up a display and handed out information on the club’s resources and how property could be hired (ranging from eskies, BBQs, winches to satellite phone and EPIRB).

Don Williamson was officially presented with his Past President’s Badge during the morning and joins the elite few to have held that role in the past twenty-one years.

Now we all know that “all work and no play” is not healthy, so after the official talks there was plenty of time for socialising, swapping yarns, and looking under vehicles and bonnets to learn more. Errol was keen to install a long range tank in Jenny’s new automatic NM fraser beige. Just fortuitously, the Metcalfe’s vehicle had been to Footo’s recently for a long range tank, so much comparison was done and the photo of the legs tells all. (For a while we campers thought Don and Margaret were rocking up in a new van, till we noticed a Fraser Beige convoy!)

This year, as previously, the afternoon was devoted to socialising under the big tree, with the added attraction of a free wine tasting from 3pm by the Woongooroo Estate at Mt Archer. What a risk asking Don to assist with the pouring of samples. Does a cat like cream!!!! This lubricated the wheels for the communal dinner where examples of camp oven cooking were consumed. If you want a scrumptious beer bread served hot, just ask Mike Farrell. Nary a crumb was left at the dinner table. Kamper’s Kitchen also did not disappoint, with Don serving up his customary fine dessert and Margaret explained the intricacies of cardboard box oven cooking. The night wore on with more tales and discussions on how we could make Australia a better place in the future.

Entertainment of a different kind for the kids in the campground was also to be had on two occasions - late Saturday afternoon and again around 9 pm, with the arrival of a tow truck in camp, to ferry Peter and Elaine’s rather sick Paj home to Brisbane, and return again the same night, with the Warren’s utility collected from home, so they could tow their camper back the next day. Wasn’t it fortunate that club members Greg and Liz just happened to be the RACQ officers on duty in the area that day, and could facilitate transport arrangements?

Sunday morning also dawned fine and clear. The 11 vehicles heading off into Mt Mee State Forest left at 8.30 to follow a route recce’d the previous day. This area exhibits a variety of vegetation and driving conditions, with plenty of steep up and down hills and of course, lots of dust. As trip leader Ross Hall commented – “this is one of my favourite places”.

By 12.30 most were back at camp and packing up prior to final goodbyes. No group ice cream stop this time (another favoured tradition indulged in wherever possible). The advantage of the Neurum Creek area is that it’s only a couple of hours drive from home for most of us.

For those of you who could not be with us, the weekend provided a great opportunity for all members, new and not so new, to mix and get to know each other better in a relaxed atmosphere. Thanks to Eric, Helga, Don and Margaret, Michael, Ross and all the others who contributed to organising activities.