Cobark Tri-State Campout.

Easter 2005

Judy Taylor reports on the 6th Annual Jackaroo and Holden 4WD Clubs Tri-State Campout. This year the NSW Club played host to the Victorian and South Australian Clubs at Cobark, in the Gloucester/Barrington area on the mid north coast of NSW.

Jim and I came the long way to Cobark, via Brisbane, and considering the weather we travelled south through, we fully expected a very wet camp. Luckily the wind and rain had passed over the Cobark campsite and we happily set up in the sun on lovely green grass beside the Cobark River. What a great backyard. No dust yet.

First day was taken up in putting final touches to the “banquet room” and registration tent etc.

Campers rolled in Thursday afternoon and Friday and the variety of “homes” would put the caravan and camping show to shame.

Cobark Heights

We went on all four trips, Thunderbolt’s Way, Mt Peerless, Barrington Trail and Cobark Heights. The last three as TEC. They were all really great trips with wonderful scenery and plenty of dust. There was one very challenging muddy river crossing which didn’t pose any problem to the drivers on our trip. Gloria, you are a champion you did the crossing so well, I would have turned around and retraced my steps.

Happy Hour each evening gave a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and discuss the various trips taken that day. Wal and Stella supplied entertainment with the Jackaroo Wheel each Happy Hour.

Happy hour The children weren’t forgotten. Their first task was to find a rock, paint and decorate it as Mum, Dad, Pa or Nan, then draw whomever they had depicted on a large mural. The delight on the faces of the young artists as they created their masterpieces was so rewarding to me. Photos will have to appear in next month’s newsletter. I only have film not digital.

Task 2: Paint and decorate a mask. The children used paint, glitter, sequins and feathers to create some wonderful masks. As before, photos next newsletter.

Dancing on the rocky dance floor at Saturday night’s Country and Western night was a real challenge. I enjoyed myself but the feet suffered for a few days.

Vehicles Banquet night on Sunday wound up another memorable Easter gathering. We had the final Jackaroo Wheel and President Colin and his trip leaders awarded the “fork in the road” awards to a deserving tripper from each trip.

South Australia’s Peter and Theo invited us to Robe for next year’s Tri State Gathering for a completely different type of weekend. Roll on 2006.

Campsite Many had to leave on Monday. Those of us staying, either went horse riding or took a final Cobark Heights trip. Many thanks to Joseph, Nerida, Ingrid and Sonya for a wonderful morning tea of damper with honey and or jam plus Anzac biscuits at the old scout camp. Nerida, you must have been a busy cook on Sunday.

Thank you to President Colin and his Cobark team for a truly wonderful weekend. Well done. Judith Taylor.