After almost six months of planning, we have pulled it off.
A few meetings in 2018, then fortnightly for a while, and weekly meetings this year, then the big day arrived. We had visualised how things would work in a new location, and last weekend we made it all happen.
Friday was the big set up day, as fences marked our territory, tents, trestles and equipment was trundled into place, wiring strung among the sites, and all the time adjustments were being made to make if fit.
All our prayers for rain over many months were answered in one short sharp shower.
By Saturday morning, the layout was defined. We waited for the recruited food and wine sellers to take their places, and anticipated steak sandwiches at the refreshment site.
Before three, there was a queue at the entrance, and that was a good sign. Soon after, the Victory Memorial Gardens was humming with a crowd, eager for the promised Food and Wine.
There were also some punters who liked a beer. Regretably, the delivery systems for beer were beset by demons, and the beer flow was not free from quality and temperature concerns. This situation stemming from poor advice from our sponsor has caused embarrassment to our committee, and will require some explanation to other parties. John Gray's tongue was literally hanging out for a drink.Many volunteers helped Wollundry Rotary over the weekend, with almost twenty people associated with Country Hope working on the day. Beyond Bank, Women's Health, Rotaract and TAFE were among others to volunteer.
Some photos taken during the festival are reproduced at the bottom of this Bulletin.
David Pyke reported back to the meeting today. David stepped in late, at short notice, and was armed with a bundle of papers from Laurie.
It was inspirational to see him pull the team together, provide focus as we moved to the new location and deal with the sponsorship issues that have accumulated over several years.
On the day, we survived a Friday thunderstorm, but setup all the fencing and the tents. We were ready for the crowd and they came.
There were dramas, and we have identified them. Beer delivery through the temprites, and EFTPOS equipment at the gates.
David reported that gate takings were up, but that beer sales were impacted by equipment issues. A "ballpark" figure of $40k profit was estimated as nett proceeds, but don't quote that just yet. Feedback will be welcomed, and sought from volunteers, stallholders and the public, and in written form.
David noted that the previous Food and Wine chairmen were Kevin Roben, Tim Barter and Laurie Blowes, and they're not here. Don't read too much into that.