Australian Touring RV Club Inc

Rally Gossip

By Pam Randel Aus 311.

Crows Nest Rally Uncovered

In the days when teamsters travelled these hills

Carrying goods between city and station,

They relied on indigenous man “Jimmy Crow”

For direction and information.

So when a town was established, a name to be chosen,

A name to which all could relate

Jimmy Crows’ hollow tree was known far and wide

So “CROWS NEST” won the debate

To connect the water supply to Col’s van

Darrell pulled a hose out of the shed

It flew out with great force – hitting

Darrell of course

He now has a lump on his head

The hot weather has affected our poor Cec

Must have felt like a North Queensland Beach

He introduced Paul Antonio as Mayor of Townsville (Not Toowoomba)

Paul still gave a most enjoyable speech

The Cummins and Prices drove off to go shopping

HIGHFIELDS Shops looked a great place to explore

Too busy talking they sailed right past the turnoff

They’ll all concentrate next time for sure

BLISS HONEY’ and Steve’s talk gave a wonderful insite

Into how uncertain production can be

Scones with honey or Blueberry Jam proved a hit

Washed down with coffee or billy tea

Our GROCERY GRAB is always hilarious

Pinching groceries from where people sat

Col hid Cec’s chocolate bar down his SHORTS!

Now half melted! Cec wouldn’t eat that

HIGHFIELDS PIONEER VILLAGE bought back memories of days gone by

Volunteer staff answered questions galore

All voted it one of the best they had seen

There was so much to see and explore

After DISC BOWLS which we all thoroughly enjoyed

Cheryl organised a TRIVIA Night

She asked for a Bird’s Name for each of four teams

And three teams at least got that right

Now it seems rather fishy between you and me

Some underhand dealing perhaps

No one could explain how this team could win

After choosing a Bird’s name of -- “CRAPS?”

We’ll blame  SENIORS MOMENTS for some misfortune they had

I hear Colin & George spilled their drinks

Cec lost his hat, Tricia’s walking stick vanished

Wow! the Girls thrashed the Boys at the Golf Links

For two days Cec looked for that missing hat

We all offered suggestions –RIG-E-DIGE?

Well I believe MURPHY was following Cec

It was finally found - IN THE FRIDGE.

Our scores at BARE FOOT BOWLS were quite unimpressive

John Serena &Greg were the best

Cheryl taught us CARD BINGO at night while it stormed

Then we all went home for a rest

The BIG BREAKFAST chefs did their best jobs yet

Now it’s time to pack up again

We look forward to meeting at Allora IN October

So safe travel, hope we will see you then.

Adventures in Tumut

Adventures in Tumut
By Dennis Jorgensen Aus 489

It was to the town of Tumut the caravans began to gather,
And mother nature said, I’ll Come to, and I’ll bring my friend the weather.
Now Tumut was a friendly place and everyone was so pally,
The caravaners had gathered, for their AGM and national rally.
It was beside the river they parked, but the area was a little low
so along come the SES and said “you’re going to have to go”.
Well weather brought with it wind and rain,
they created such a fuss
it was enough to give anyone a pain.
They argued and fought and pushed a poor old oak tree
I’m glad I wasn’t there, it would have been the end of me.
Not once, twice, but three times Members came and went,
and then at the old railway station the rest of the time they spent.
They waited and waited but all was in vain,
because the trains they expected, they just never came.
With happy hours on the platform and evenings by the fire,
they soldiered on with wine and port,
Just to please there hearts desire.
Now Tumut locals were great, despite floods, wind and rain
So well may you ask the question
The answer is yes, we will come again.

The house behind the house

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And now a little poem of things of yesteryear. Some of you will be too young to ever have had to have been a guest at the House Behind the House. Others may have had a brief visit when spending some days at the cottage.  Many of our grandparents would have had been much more frequent guests.

Caravanning Capers - A tale to tell - Julie Dryden

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Rally Gossip - Glen Innes

by Pam Randle Aus 311


The town of Glen Innes is quite amazing
Its history is quite unique
Many original settlers came out from Scotland
Though Gaelic they no longer speak

Two Beardies played a part in the original history
Helping squatters to choose the best run
When tin was discovered the Cornish arrived
And the town of Glen Innes begun

With production of wool, sheep
and beef the town prospered
Next came tin mining and gems to the west
In a few short years the town grew quite wealthy
As some remarkable buildings attest

Local Mayor Steve Toms officially opened our rally
Talked of local history and their present-day plight
Both he and wife Judi were so well informed
We could have talked with them into the night

An inebriated Rob made two cups of coffee
And took them down to share with his dear wife
Alas! The steps were slippery after some heavy rain
Result – broken cups and poor Rob in strife

Bob and Janet helped Rob clear up all the damage
Trish found not to laugh was a strain
To add insult to injury poor Rob later found
His truck’s tailgate left up in the rain

We marvelled at the history of the STANDING STONES
The amount of work by volunteers – quite inspiring
Guide Judi’s knowledge was really outstanding
They won’t let her think of retiring

Four people went shopping with Cec in his Jeep
Two hours later they came back to find
The car unlocked and the motor still running
They must have had loads on their mind

Thursday marked the first day of autumn
A trip to the Strawberry Farm beckoned
Large servings of lovely strawberries and cream
No one could fit in a second
Sandra gave us an interesting insight
Into White Rock Solar and also Wind Farm
The logistics of such an enormous project – AMAZING
Yet she answered questions without a qualm

Maurice and Dorothy ensured our bus trip
was a great day for all
The fresh damper at Sharron Park so delicious
At “Blush” glasshouses where tons of tomatoes are grown
Ben explained why they’re so tasty and nutritious

Deano’s Springwater Smoked Salmon farm tastings
Won some converts, I’ve a hunch
Then off to Ben Lomond Hall we went
Where CWA ladies served a very nice lunch

The flies were almost in plague proportion
We were disgusted to the core
When someone came either in or out
The cry rang out “SHUT THE …… DOOR”

When John Sheerin saw us at the bakery up town
He didn’t know we were off for a drive
Up street and down, poor John got quite lost
But followed us home to safely arrive

The ladies delivered a sumptuous meal
In a Scottish themed restaurant setting
Many members dressed to match the Celtic theme
Under their kilts - !!! What a surprise we were getting

At the pub a worried Terry thought her camera was lost
It was losing all those photos, not the cost
We searched for an hour and boy - did she curse
When it turned up safely in Lee’s purse

When the rain came down a game of bowls
Was simply not an option
So a game of darts or pool
Was the preferred adoption

The members playing pool
Played quite well and duly scored
But the darts team even had trouble
Getting darts to hit the board

The author of this poem did not get away scott free
When Pam handed fifty dollars over at the bakery
A lapse of memory? Where’s my fifty she thought was strange
Till the purchase appeared on
the counter with her change

We’re “GROWING OLD DISGRACEFULLY”
As you can plainly see
Maybe we should skip the hard stuff
And stick to cups of tea

Congratulations go to Graham and Joan
For taking on the task
Of being our new delegates
If you need help, just ask

Our many thanks to Cec and Marg
You sure deserve a break
Safe travel, good health and happiness
Whichever road you take

A Pam Randell Poem - Alstonville

Pam Randell Poem - Alstonville

We were looking forward to Alstonville

We` d had a torrid year

I began recalling RALLYS past

With friends that we held dear.

But years have passed, we`re not so young

And time does not stand still

We must admit age takes its toll

And we`re heading down the hill.

We miss those friends who`ve since passed

Each contribution quite unique.

Others found age slowed them down,

So quite times they seek.

Some have had some joints replaced

Or some blockages bypassed

Its slower going up a hill

But we can go “ DOWN HILL” quite fast!

Talk of ROTA CUFFS and worn out DISCS,

LEAKING VALVES, just since last summer

Forget the Doctor, sounds like a job

For the Mechanic or a Plumber.

As we ask people to repeat a conversation

     When they`ve finished

“So sorry” we apologise

“Our hearing is diminished”

We sit and listen to the NEWS

The world seems full of trouble and strife

Let`s join Monty Python and sing

“Always look on the Bright Side Of Life”

With our vision now somewhat impaired

And our memories a little unclear

In Warwick we`ll gather and reminisce

See You Later In The Year