Friday afternoon saw the closing ceremony
held in the showground pavilion. Kevin Phillips thanked everyone
for their attendance, the fantastic time everyone had, the
friendships formed or renewed & the positive feedback from
members. He went on to also thank the Walcha community for the
hospitality shown during the week.
Walcha Showground Trust Secretary Alan Green was on
hand to receive the camping fees & thanked everyone for
making Walcha the venue of the groups 16th national meet. Rob thanked
Alan for the fast action in fixing a couple of
problems that appeared over the week. Rob presented a
certificate of appreciation to the showground trust along with a
certificate to Brian Smith Timber Transport for supplying
two tonnes of firewood which Alan manages.
Kevin presented $5,030 to Carolyn Salter from the
Walcha Community Support Group which was the sum of the auction
night, trivia night gold coin entry & donations from members.
Carolyn was speechless at such generosity & thanked the group
for the support.
Walcha Central Public School principle Amanda
Cooper was present to receive $611 the proceeds of the
raffle
plus personal donations from members. Sisters Phoebe & Lexie bought nail polish &
set up a table at their camper trailer to paint ladies nails.
Amanda drew the four winning tickets. First out was Sean McCombe,
followed by Barry Cottrill, Kevin Beattie & Barry Pierce.
Rob Sanderson then thanked those
who had presented workshops or activities during the week & gave each a certificate of
appreciation.
Rob presented a certificate to appreciation to the Walcha Country
Women's Association president Vicki McIvor for the support & the Walcha inside contact when putting the weeks itinerary together.
She also accepted a certificate on behalf of the Walcha Lions
Club who were busy hosting an event for kids.
As an after note - from the
'Return and Earn' ten cent bottle, can & carton collection
bins, Vicki tells us the Walcha CWA received $80 which will be
put to good use within the community.
We had organised with Vicki if she could find someone in need
that the remaining firewood could be donated. Unfortunately when
she went to pick the wood up the next morning she found someone
was more in need as it was already gone.
Rob presented a certificate of appreciation to the Walcha
Visitor Information Centre's Acting Tourism Manager Lisa Kurton
for the help Susie Crawford & Lisa had given to the national meet
planning & also for the tourist info packs each member received
when arriving.
Rob won the Walcha Wallys award. Rob was looking for his phone &
had Carol ring it three times. Hearing it each time he looked
high & low. It was not until he discovered a hole in his vest
pocket, he found the phone had slipped through & was located in
the lining at the rear of the vest.
Spirit of the Group Award is awarded to a
person who is brought to the attention of the CamperTrailers Group co-owners for
a good hearted deed or generosity helping others during the week
long meet. This year the award was presented to Kathleen
Beckwith who
was always there to help others. Jason Cox presented her with the
perpetual Spirit of the
Group Award.
Rob told the story of how members Lindsay & Sandra had taken home a large
firewood log from the 2012 Wellington national meet & then took it along to the
members Flinders South Australian week long meet hosted by Mike Fretwell in May 2013. After
the log was burnt,
affectionately known as 'Big Bertha', it was decided the ashes should be taken
to the Batlow national meet where it would be presented to the Groups co-owners
at the opening ceremony. In the meantime Phil Reid had turned an 'ashes' replica
urn on his lathe to hold the remains. Since then ashes from
all
national meets have been added. Rob then added the ashes of the Walcha
campfires to the urn.
Rob thanked those who helped to keep the four amenities clean during the
week. Also in helping set up the showground on the
Thursday in the rain ready for Fridays gates open.
Kevin then announced to those
present that Eugowra in Central New South
Wales would be the venue of the Australian CamperTrailers
Group's 17th national meet from Monday 25th to Friday 29th
September 2023.
Kevin explained that on this day twenty-one years ago the Australian
CamperTrailers Yahoo Group was created. A cake made &
decorated was donated by member Karen Gilmore to celebrate the
groups 21st birthday was then cut by Rob, Kevin & Jason. Karen
divided the cake into enough pieces for those attending the closing.
With that Kevin
declared the 16th national meet closed & hoped to see everyone again next year
at Eugowra NSW.