2019 ANNUAL GATHERING AT PINNAROO

What a great week we had at Pinnaroo in South Australia for this year’s Annual Gathering. Once again, we were able

to enjoy what a vibrant small town can offer and more.

81 vans met on Wednesday 15th May where the Pinnaroo showgrounds

would be our home for the week. As is the norm talking began, usually

before parking, but eventually we all managed to be precisely parked

into our allocated spot thanks to the expert parking team. Happy hour

took us to a fantastic venue shared by the local sporting clubs, plenty of

room for us all with a bar and catering facilities. Phil and his team

welcomed us with a rundown of the itinerary and then our week of non-

stop talking and non-stop eating commenced with the Lions club

supplying a lovely meal that night.

Thursday 16th May and we were up for a delicious

breakfast, again supplied by the Lions Club. The Shire

CEO of the Southern Mallee District Council, Jason

Taylor, welcomed our group to the area with an

enthusiastic summary of what makes Pinnaroo great.

We were very soon to find that out for ourselves, and

also soon

realized that

everything

revolved

around

Pinnaroo’s fantastic and supportive community and volunteers. After this

CPR was well attended, thanks again to Lorraine, then the day was filled

as we wandered around the street, drank coffee at several venues in the

town, visited the Museum or just relaxed at camp. The annual Klop

championship got underway with many participating in the afternoon,

followed by Happy hour with Jill Nickolls, author of ‘Bush Tracks’, speaking on the local environment and climate.

Footy training was on the go on the oval and we were more than happy to join them for a roast that evening.

4WD trips were on the agenda for Friday 17th May.

Those who went to the Pink Lakes and Sunset National Park to explore the district enjoyed a lovely drive. Wyperfield

National Park took others on a more adventurous trip as they followed the border down through the sand dunes.

Thank you Don for coordinating these great trips and the intrepid leaders.

Happy hour, then over to the Town Hall to be fed again, this town certainly

doesn’t lack great cooks. And what a fabulous night of entertainment by Ron Ash,

who knew all our songs and got us dancing and joining in, in no time.

It was all happening at the oval on Saturday 18th May with footy between

Pinnaroo SA and nearby Murrayville VIC. Much to the locals delight Murrayville got

a whoppin’. Bird watching was also enjoyed that morning. Led by Evelyn several

enjoyed a great experience on a rather

remote local farm, and of course many also

wandered around town. Then for Happy hour

it was time for the bucket draw. John and

Desma did a fantastic job coordinating the

raffle. Thankyou for the many great articles

donated, lots of happy people went away

with their prize. The local pubs were well

supported that night to end another great day.

No rest on Sunday 19th May as we were up bright-eyed and ready

for our ‘sports’ day. Thanks to our Golf Captain Graeme, golf

commenced early on a lovely day, followed by a superb meal

provided by the

golf club. There

were many more

than the 12 who

had played golf,

most of whom

had played

croquet that

morning back at

camp under Ron’s guidance. Others enjoyed a game of bowls with

Fred down at the bowls club followed by another great meal.

Monday 20th May had lots on offer with sketching with the very talented Maureen, an ambulance officer

presentation giving us a great insight into the service here in SA and another visit to Julie Wallace’s farm and into her

home to see her unique jewelry.

There was also another farm tour to Todd and Bec’s, a young enthusiastic couple who have taken on board all the

opportunities and new technology for cropping their farm. This committed new generation embraces the feeling

that we were all beginning to form of Pinnaroo, one of genuine interest, involvement and a positive outlook for the

future, with young 5 year old William ready to carry this on.

Back at camp several took the opportunity to visit a great collection of old Holden

cars and then the Klop finals were on with Brian and Joan this year’s champs,

followed by the raffle selection draw, lots of fun and scrambling for prizes. Happy

hour and then the 2 pubs were still being kept pretty busy.

Once again thanks to the towns generosity towards us we were given a

delicious cooked breakfast on Tuesday 21st May before the majority

took off for the day to visit the pistachio farm and then the potato farm.

Who would have thought in this near desert country we would be seeing

such diverse and successful farming, all thanks to vast underground

water as we were discovering. Again, thank you to Don and the trip

leaders for the opportunity.

Then back to our final

Happy hour and a

word from the local

mayor Andrew Grieger.

The money from our

week here and the

very successful raffle which raised $4,600, saw many cheques

presented and gratefully received by the local organisations. It was

estimated we put around $64,000 into the town. Now it was Phil’s

turn to thank his team and our turn to give our huge thankyou to them for a fantastic, varied, interesting, fun and

successful Annual gathering at Pinnaroo, a really great town for our event. And of course the night had to end with

more fabulous eating and enjoyable chatter over Spud with ‘the lot’.

So once again, on Wednesday 22nd May, we say farewell

to this amazing friendship group we have made during

the past 15 years as we pack up and wish each other all

the best until next time.

A big warm thankyou to Phil and Evelyn Ronalds who

planned this week, along with John Ashton and Desma

McDonald, and Don and Chris Ward … and their many

helpers for giving us the opportunity to enjoy this part

of Australia called Pinnaroo.