National Gathering at Trilby Station

Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 01, 2014 at 13:32

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Sir Kev & Darkie

Well folks we are up to day 3 of the gathering and activities are in full swing.

Sunday saw the start of the Trilby Station shearing of the Station Rams and the first group meet and RAFFLES. Scrubby and I also headed off to a Station dam to begin the hunt for some yabbies' of evening races. During the day Muzbury also undertook the 1st vehicle recovery in front of his campsite with Neil getting a little stuck in trying to drive through the muddy track :)

Monday saw groups self drive some of the Mud Map tours on offer, whilst some (Scrubby, Mike P, myself) continue the hunt for some yabbies' of evening races. It was a slow start but we are now hot on their trail.

Yesterday 40+ people went to Toorale National Park for a guided tour with the Discovery Tour Guide Ross Morris from the Bourke National Parks Office. Ross was very passionate about the area and provided the group valuable insight to the previous running's of Toorale Station from the late 1800's through to it's purchase to form the National Park. He described the areas cultural significance from his learning from his tribal elders as well as fully describing the harmonious co-existence between the early European settlers and Aboriginals.
Scrubby stayed behind to hunt yabbies' and hit the jackpot and we finally had enough yabbies' for the races. The raffle took back stage to Scrubby Auctioning the yabbies' for the great race. In the end Yabby with the racing number 2 won the 1st race .

Today has seen Scrubby hit the jackpot with Yabbies with a haul of over 100 yabbies' of various sizes.
We have also had Queen Margaret show some budding Camp Oven cooks how to perfect cooking Damper in their ovens with 4 beauties being cooked and promptly devoured this morning.
Tonight see's the commencement of the evening with the usual evening raffle and then onto the Dinner function in the Shearing Shed. After dinner entertainment is again Scrubby conducting an unknown number of races with his lively yabby stock. As well as the drawing of the Major Raffle.

I would like to again Thank Jan from Jan's Country Art for painting the Saw Blade. As well as EO Shop suppliers for their merchandise provided as raffle prizes.

More to follow as time permits :)

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
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Reply By: atifn79 - Wednesday, Oct 01, 2014 at 17:06

Wednesday, Oct 01, 2014 at 17:06

Very nice not only entertaining about gathering but informative also about your activities and interests about that one there. Enjoy and keep going it more and more !

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Reply By: The Landy - Thursday, Oct 02, 2014 at 05:29

Thursday, Oct 02, 2014 at 05:29

Sounds lie a great time being had by all. And I'm pleased you met with Ross Morris, a great guide how can provide an insight on the local area and traditional owners.

And what a great shame that this magnificent property was left to ruin by its previous Corporate Owner!

Cheer,s Baz - The Landy

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Follow Up By: The Landy - Thursday, Oct 02, 2014 at 05:30

Thursday, Oct 02, 2014 at 05:30

The property - Toorale that is!

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Follow Up By: Kilcowera Station Stay - Thursday, Oct 02, 2014 at 06:04

Thursday, Oct 02, 2014 at 06:04

And what a great shame that this magnificent and highly productive property (under it's new stewardship) will now produce nothing but feral animals, weeds and a enormous fire hazard in good seasons. Toni

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Follow Up By: Slow one - Thursday, Oct 02, 2014 at 07:32

Thursday, Oct 02, 2014 at 07:32

Toni,
that is exactly what has happened to Bradshaw station in the N.T.once the army bought it. Weeds and feral animals. Especially the weeds around the Victoria River.

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Reply By: Member-Heather MG NSW - Friday, Oct 03, 2014 at 06:37

Friday, Oct 03, 2014 at 06:37

For those of us at the gathering, it has been a wonderful week and we will be reluctant to leave tomorrow. We have met so many friendly people and if laughter is the best medicine, then I reckon we will be around for a very long time. The daily raffles as well as the yabby races run by that character Scrubby have provided so many laughs and have been a highlight for me. We have been happy to participate and know that the money is all going to the local RFDS clinic.

Sir Kev and Sam have done a wonderful job in organising the gathering and it must have involved a huge amount of work and effort so I thank them for that.

And Trilby is a great place to stay..fantastic riverside camps, good facilities, such friendly hosts in Liz and Di, and so much to see and do both on the Station and also in the surrounding area.

There's been so much going on, we have barely had enough hours in the day....
It may be our first attendance at one of these events but it won't be our last. It is so good to finally meet lots of members and now know what their faces look like. The numerous Kevins and Peters and their 'better halves', the 'Murrays', Gary and Dawn, Trevor and Margaret, Max and PJ, to name just a few!

for anyone who wants to see some photos I have started a blog of our experiences of the Gathering...more to come.

regards,

Heather (and John)

Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt. John Muir

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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Sunday, Oct 05, 2014 at 09:27

Sunday, Oct 05, 2014 at 09:27

Heather,

We made it home in 1 day, 11 hours in the saddle and we made it :)

The National Gatherings although very taxing with time and ensuring everyone enjoys themselves and we raise some $$ for the local community, are well worth the effort especially when you see Leah from the Louth Chamber of Commerce, get teary eyed when we handed over a much needed shade shelter. Only to then tell her that all remaining moneys raised are also being handed over for them to purchase more much needed gear for the RFDS Clinic in Louth

Thanks for your assistance during the Gathering as well

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
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Follow Up By: Member-Heather MG NSW - Sunday, Oct 05, 2014 at 10:36

Sunday, Oct 05, 2014 at 10:36

Geez you didn't muck around then! Bet you enjoyed sleeping back in your own beds!
John and I did the trip on the PV Jandra yesterday afternoon for you, as it doesn't run today. Was very hot here (and predicted to be again today and tomorrow) but I guess you must thrive on hot weather being Queenslanders.

I hope you are all enjoying some hard earned rest today.

Thanks so much...I did nothing really but donate a bit of cash, but I did learn a lot about what happens at the Gatherings and promise next time I attend we will be more help, and be more involved if we can be.

regards,

Heather (and John).

Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt. John Muir

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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Monday, Oct 06, 2014 at 13:47

Monday, Oct 06, 2014 at 13:47

Heather,

I may hold you to the helping bit LOL

Just did a 400km round trip to pick up the dog from her holiday home.

I am getting very close to finalising a location for next year so will keep you posted

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
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Follow Up By: Member-Heather MG NSW - Monday, Oct 06, 2014 at 16:10

Monday, Oct 06, 2014 at 16:10

We are in Narrabri showgrounds overnight and getting ever closer to the Midnorth Coast...chose to be powered as its 35 degrees.

The setting is the complete opposite as our campsite at Trilby - no trees, rows of vans plugged in to power with air cons (including ours) running, no chance of hearing any birds even if they are here, and the only water is in the taps!!

e have been thinkiing about a trip west again next year but nothing is fixed, and we are notorious for changing our minds. Will be very interested to hear the location for 2015 and try to fit it in somewhere though. I will be happy to help if we can attend.

regards,
Heather

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Reply By: Member - David Will (VIC) - Friday, Oct 03, 2014 at 10:54

Friday, Oct 03, 2014 at 10:54

Sir Kev, Sam and kids,
Thanks for a great time while we were at Trilby Station.
We had a great time and the kids had a ball. Just sorry that we had to leave on Wednesday before the dinner.
Thanks for a well run event and for keeping us very entertained.
It was also good to finally put some faces to the names. It was our first gathering and we were made very welcome.
Thanks again,
David Will, Ann,
Stephanie (Chatter Box)
and Thomas.

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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Monday, Oct 06, 2014 at 13:48

Monday, Oct 06, 2014 at 13:48

David,

You missed a great night.

The Yabby races were very entertaining hehehe

Hope to see you all again next year.

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
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Reply By: Member - batsy - Sunday, Oct 05, 2014 at 14:43

Sunday, Oct 05, 2014 at 14:43

Just arrived home ourselves today. Great place for a gathering (TRILBY) & many thanks Sir Kev & Sam for organizing the event. As Heather MG has already said we will be much more involved next time. Have a well earned rest.
Cheers
Batsy & Dawn

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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Monday, Oct 06, 2014 at 13:50

Monday, Oct 06, 2014 at 13:50

Batsy & Dawn,

Good to hear you made it home safely.

Was great to hear that people enjoyed the week especially those who were attending their 1st gathering.

Look forward to seeing you again at another gathering.

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
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Reply By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Monday, Oct 06, 2014 at 18:37

Monday, Oct 06, 2014 at 18:37

Ruth & I arrived home this morning. We planned to spend the last night on the way home at Millmeran at the show ground. But it was occupied by countless caravans, campers and tents of those attending the Camp Oven Festival. We managed to find a site at the caravan park and hit the road early to be ahead of the mob.

We had a good run back from Trilby. The road along the west of the Darling is in very good condition over its whole length with the exception of corrugations at the cattle grids. The distance Trilby to Bourke is only about an additional 25 kms to the more direct route.

Great times had at the Gathering. Most were reluctant to leave. Thanks from us to Sir Kev and Lady Sam for all the hard work. This type of event is not successful by accident. Success requires hard work. Also thanks again to Liz Murray for hosting us so ably.

Cheers,

Kevin

Kevin
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Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Monday, Oct 06, 2014 at 19:34

Monday, Oct 06, 2014 at 19:34

Kevin,

I take it the fridge door wasn't shaken off on the west side of the Darling?? hehehe

Was good to catch up again and you finally met Sam.

Will see what the future holds for another National Gathering next year :)

Cheers Kev

Russell Coight:
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Follow Up By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Tuesday, Oct 07, 2014 at 09:37

Tuesday, Oct 07, 2014 at 09:37

It will take me a long time to live down the fridge door, won't it. But there has been no sign of the pin loosening again after you identified the problem on the way to Mt. Moffatt.

My theory is that the fridge was delivered to the factory hinged from the wrong side for our van and that the pin was not tightened sufficiently when they swapped it over to hinge from the correct side. I also found that the blank that fills the gap where the catch would be if the door was hinged from the other side had been damaged and was held in place by a strip of adhesive tape when we took delivery of the van. Such is the sad state of caravan manufacture in Australia today.

I will watch the Members Gathering notices for future developments.

Cheers,

Kevin

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