MARCH 2017
Newsletter #1
A Word From Your President (Len): WCJC had its Annual General
Meeting on the 18th of February and we have a new Committee. Since
many members were not present at that meeting I want to take this
opportunity to introduce them:
Activities Coordinator: Not filled. Any volunteers?
Thank you to the outgoing Committee for their great work over
the past 3 years. The Club has thrived under their stewardship.
As the incoming President, my aim is to encourage and foster the
relaxed atmosphere we have in this club. We go away in our vans to
have fun and enjoy ourselves. Having said that, I believe we must
always look for ways to keep our program fresh and interesting. New
ideas are important.
Tell us what you would like to do. We also want your feedback.
Tell us if you enjoyed something or (more importantly) if you did
not. When we try new things, we accept that some may not work out
as we hoped. We can learn from that and improve. We have an
interesting program planned and I am looking forward to another
successful year for the WCJC.
* * * *
A Reminder please that the Rally Book is always available at
each Rally. If you would like to attend either of the following
rallies for April & May, please contact Stan ASAP before we go
away on 7th April. :-
APRIL 7th & 8th TOODYAY HOLIDAY PARK
188 Racecourse Rd, TOODYAY
10 Vans booked / $32 per night
For more information on the Campsite visit:-
http://www.toodyayholidaypark.com.au/
MAY 5th & 6th BROOKTON CARAVAN PARK
Brookton Hwy, BROOKTON
5 Vans booked / $29 per night or $26 with pension card
All Rally enquiries after 6th April, please contact Carl &
Nardi. They will be looking after the Rallies in Stans absence.
Next Committee Meeting will be held Saturday 1st April. As
always, if you have any items for the agenda please drop an email
to the Secretary, John.
Photos: If you would like a copy of any photos appearing in the
newsletters from a Rally you attended, please contact the
Editor.
Your New Committee
President
Len Gordon
Ph: 0428 280 404
Vice President
Derek Alcock
Ph: 0419 954 126
Secretary
John Riseley
Ph: 0417 816 029
Treasurer
Michael Keeble
Ph: 0428 908 884
Rally Coordinator
Stan Wysocki
Ph: 0430 600 225
Rally Marshall
Carl Vandenberg
Ph: 018 257 845
?
WAACCI Delegate
Graham Harley
Ph: 0439 535 006
Activities Coordinator TBA
LAKE BROCKMAN CHRISTMAS RALLY 16TH & 17TH DECEMBER
Attendees: David & Robyn; David & Kate; Maurice &
Caroline; Jack & Angie; Mike & Edna; John & Trudy; Jeff
& Wendy and Robert & Taneea; Graham & Sandy; Graham
& Kerry; Rino & Maureen; Basil; John & Carol; Mike
& Mollie; Don & Chris; Carl & Nardi; Stan & Jenny;
(16 vans) plus Len & Marilyn as day visitors.
Friday 16th Jack and Angie; Jeff, Wendy, Robert and Taneea had
arrived on the Thursday, with the rest of us starting a noon rush
hour on the Friday. Friendly and good-humoured staff guided vans to
our sites. During the afternoon we had time to catch-up, as well as
a walk to the dam, coming back via the caf for ice-creams and a
check on the cricket scores!
Happy Hour was held in the Campers Kitchen, with Jeff and family
sneaking in from a day in Busselton, and later, Chris and Don
coming in to join us. After dinner there was time for a chat, a
game of table-tennis (Robert thrashed Jeff!) or to play cards. were
the two ladies on the end of the table cheating??
Saturday 17th By 8:30am people were scurrying to the showers and
the sound of men chatting and putting the world to right.or in one
instance, heads down and bums up at Mikes caravan boot, trying to
decide the best way to keep the boot closed (strong winds damaged
the hinges overnight) Duct tape saved the day again!
Around 9:15am small groups made their way through the trees,
stumps and cabins en route to the caf for our pre-arranged morning
tea. Most of us sat outside on the veranda whilst a few remained
inside. The service, coffee and Devonshire Teas were excellent.
Having had our fill of tea and scones, we headed back to don our
finery and double-up for the drive to The Old Coast Road Brewery,
where we were booked in for our Christmas Lunch. By 11:15am we were
off, with Carl leading us and giving a running commentary on the
way.
The Winery was in a beautiful setting with ample Parking. On the
lawn outside the Tavern we were able to watch as people doing
tandem sky-diving landed in front of us. Long tables on the veranda
meant no-one had to negotiate steps. After generous helpings of
beef, pork, salads and bread rolls we finished with a selection of
complimentary ice-cream before making our own way back to the
Caravan Park to rest.
5:00pm Happy Hour was held under the trees surrounded by our
vans and makeshift lighting at which time the Park Staff had
arrived to take photos of us for their Website. Graham then
announced that this was the last Rally with the Club for Chris and
Don - a Farewell Trip - before Chris, AKA Kitchen Chris recited
several of her Bush Poems, including the much loved Chrismiss
Harvest and A Sheep-yard Anniversary. Following more stories,
drinks and nibbles it was time to play one of the many versions of
Kris Kringle. Wrapped gifts of various shapes and sizes had been
deftly placed throughout the day in oversized Santa Sacks, under
the watchful eyes of the Editor, and then displayed in the
decorated gazebo. Cracker jokes (collected from our Xmas lunch and
appropriately numbered) were drawn from a hat, with each person
telling a joke before being allowed to pick their present. An
amazing collection of goodies were revealed including a tin of
shortbread; toilet paper (not too popular!); a f_ _ t gun (very
popular!); Santa Bums (again popular) and a 2017 Planner amongst
the many items. There was plenty of light-hearted bargaining
between members who were desperate to off-load unwanted items
(including $100 fake notes as a teaser!) John D even tried to
auction off his 2017 planner with a claim that it would help us to
get our life in order!!! It was great fun and certainly caused a
few laughs.
A selection of sweet and savoury finger-food, prepared by our
wonderful ladies, was then set out to share for a light evening
meal, which was all we needed after our substantial lunch.
Eventually, after a poor attempt at singing along with some
Christmas Carols, most members ambled off to their vans whilst a
small band of helpers packed away the gazebo, tables and
lights.
Sunday 18th 6:00am and we heard the sounds of Basil leaving for
home, whilst more than a few lingered in their beds a little
longer. By 7:30am most of us, with the exception of some staying
another day, were up and about packing up ready for the trip home
with vans on the road by 10:00am.
Our thanks go to Nardi, Jenny and helpers for the huge effort
they put in to make sure we all had such a fantastic weekend.
Thanks also go to our visitors for their company and contributions
to our weekend.AND..our thanks go to Kitchen Chris for her
entertaining performance. As always, we thoroughly enjoyed the bush
poetry. We all wish Chris and Don a happy and fulfilling retirement
and hope to catch up with them both again somewhere in the great
outdoors!
(Thank you to Sandy H for her Report)
COLLIE RIVER VALLEY CARAVAN PARK 3rd & 4th JANUARY
Attendees: Derek & Julia; Maurice & Caroline; Mike &
Edna; Jack & Angie; John & Trudy; Graham & Sandy; Ric
& Lorna; Graham & Kerry; Rino & Maureen with Guests Han
& Yvonne; Basil; John & Carol; Kevin & Leslie; Carl
& Nardi; Stan & Jenny (15 vans)
Friday 3rd A very warm day with no cooling breeze as vans
arrived, including Jenny and Stan who had booked a Cabin due to van
repairs. Thursday arrivers were welcoming long lost friends whilst
others had disappeared in search of a coffee shop or to admire the
water playground in the centre of town. It was a welcome relief
from the heat for some vans as they parked under the metal canopies
covering their sites. At 3:30pm the scheduled game of Finska
Skittles did not happen!! It was too hot! Many had retired to their
air-conditioning and others were too busy chatting (and they say
women can talk!)
5:00pm: Happy Hour outside the Marquee, in a rather large
circle, kicked off with the usual welcome, safety briefing and
program review. We were joined by Hahn and Yvonne, guests of Rino
and Maureen, and also Ken and Chris, who owning a Jayco was spotted
by Stan in the CP and invited to join our Happy Hour. Subsequently
we found out from Chris there was an Antiques Fair taking place in
Town. Another visit for our itinerary!
Saturday 4th 8:30am and time to head for the markets in the Show
Pavilion where, as always, our keen bargain hunters snapped up
goodies including a jig-saw roll-up mat (going to Mundaring); some
gorgeous red/yellow/orange potted succulents (going to the farm at
Kellerberrin); a Dutch Pancake maker (bargain @ $5!!) and a plush
toy Tiger making its way back to Seville Grove; with home-made
cakes and biscuits going only as far as the Caravan park for
afternoon tea!
All too soon it was time to gather the troops and make our way
to the Colliefields Brasserie Caf in the main street for morning
tea. We filled The Nook and raised the noise levels somewhat! The
staff worked tirelessly to bring us our hot drinks plus an array of
well-presented, yummy delicacies before it was time to move on
again and re-group at the Collie Visitor Centre by 10:30am.
A 1hr guided tour had been planned for the Replica Coal Mine
(attached to the Visitors Centre). Jim Moyses, a former Electrical
Engineer at the mine, was our Guide. Jim began with showing us the
type of lanterns used in the mines by the workers. The coal miners
hat with a wick lamp was of particular interest as it had a naked
flame. We then moved down into the Replica Mine Shaft where Jim
talked about the shift system; the role of horses in the mines; the
underground dunny; work at the coal-face, and much more.
Some of us couldnt
resist trying it out.!
Could that be Lorna in there??
Unfortunately, by this time a couple of the members had to leave
the tunnel as it was getting rather humid and airless (including
the Editor!!). We had all thoroughly enjoyed this very informative
talk. Kerry finished the session for us after question-time with
one of her jokesand stunned our guide!
Once outside there was time to buy souvenirs and/or collect
travel brochures whilst Graham H talked to Jim about mutual
acquaintances here in Collie. There was also a display of steam
engines outside ideal for a photo shot. With some time before
heading back to the Caravan Park, the opportunity was taken by some
members to visit the Antique Fair.
We all settled down to enjoy a relaxing lunch with good food,
good company and pleasant conversation in lovely, quiet
surroundings..until a splash was heard! Had someone fallen in?
Noone of our members had gone for an impromptu swim and had
returned to find his clothes missing!
He then had to make an embarrassing trek to the group to
retrieve them; luckily someone had left his shoes behind for
him.sorry Stan! Eventually we were all ready to move on with some
choosing to go back via a scenic drive, visiting Honeymoon Pool,
Potters Gorge, and Wellington Dam before arriving back at the
caravan park. Again there was no Finska gametoo tired...too
hot...maybe next time?
5:00pm Happy Hour Graham H said a few words before welcoming
John and Trudy as full members into the Club. The group photo
followed in the Pink Marquee before we were free to enjoy a drink
and a chat. Later, many members ate their dinner in the marquee and
stayed on to share stories, another drink (or twoor three) with
chocolates. Maurice, Caroline, Rino & Maureen nabbed a corner
table to play cards, whilst Nardi, Jens and Trudy pulled out a
board game.
Sunday 5th and Basil was up and gone by 6:30am, with most of us
taking our time to prepare for our journey home, to Augusta or down
the road to a free camp site. There no was urgency to leave as the
Park owners were very flexible.
As all members had commented during the weekend, the team at the
Collie River Tourist Park had contributed to ensuring that we all
enjoyed our stay by keeping the facilities very clean at all times.
Patrick was an excellent host, always keen to listen, help and
advise.
This had been another wonderful WCJC weekend away. Thanks
everyone!
(Thank you to Sandy H for her report)
MEMBERS CORNER
Wishing all our Members with Birthdays in March and April
a..
March
Derek A
Derek C
David A
April
Jenny W
Jack B
Mike B
Maureen M
Robyn R
Rino M
Kerry F
* * * *
We would love to receive your Rally photos to include in the
Newsletter;
Perhaps you have a recipe or tip you would like to share with
other Members?
Would you be willing to write a report on a future Rally you are
attending?
If so, please contact us in time for the next Edition
Due out end of June
Newsletter Editor
Jenny Wysocki
Ph: 0430 590 740
[email protected]
Roving Reporter
Sandy Harley
Ph: 0427 982 028
[email protected]
(5)Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy
of the information contained in this newsletter. West Coast Jayco
club do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party
for any disruption caused by errors or omissions. whether such
errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other
cause. Members information printed in this newsletter has been
approved for publication by said members and are to remain
confidential within West Coast Jayco Club.
