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.
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A Reminderplease 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 & 8thTOODYAY HOLIDAY PARK
188 Racecourse Rd, TOODYAY
10 Vans booked / $32 per night
For more information on the Campsite visit:-

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 Stan’s absence.
Next Committee Meetingwill 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

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 16thJack 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 café 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 17thBy 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 Mike’s 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 café 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 ofcomplimentary ice-cream before making our own way back to the Caravan Park to rest.

/ 5:00pmHappy 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, AKAKitchen 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 playone 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 displayedin 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 notesas 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 outto 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 18th6:00am 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)

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 3rdA 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;withhome-made cakes and biscuitsgoing 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 Café 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 miner’s 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.

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 jokes…and 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? No…one 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 game…too tired...too hot...maybe next time?

/ 5:00pm Happy HourGraham 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 two…or 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 weekendaway. Thanks everyone!

(Thank you to Sandy H for her report)

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

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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
/ Roving Reporter
Sandy Harley
Ph: 0427 982 028

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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.