Bushtrackers at the presentation of donations prior to morning tea.
Each year the Bushtracker Caravan Owners Association hold a rally in a town that has experienced recent hardship – and this year Forbes was their destination.
Members converged in Forbes from every state and territory across Australia. Their aim was to get to know the area, spend money in the district and support local charities during their ten-day stay.
Robyn Miller, President of Forbes Evening Branch CWA sourced ‘Welcome to Forbes’ packs which were distributed to rally members.
The Bushtrackers held a spit roast competition, using the coals to then hold a camp oven competition the next day. The CWA were invited to judge the Bushtrackers camp oven cooking competition. Three members, Anne Reade (Forbes CWA), Gail McKay (Bogan gate CWA) and Vicki Williams (Evening CWA) put their judging skills to use, examining the cooking with the usual CWA judging criteria.
The Forbes Evening Branch CWA was then invited to cater for their farewell morning tea with over 120 rally members attending. CWA members prepared a delicious mixed spread, receiving many compliments for their efforts. To support the local community further, the Bushtrackers paid for all the ingredients.
Rally organisers shopped in Forbes for prizes for their auction at their gala dinner, catered for by Eat Your Greens.
Robyn Miller said, “It has been estimated that the Bushtrackers spent in excess of $26,000 in our local community during their ten-day stay.”
Through the proceeds of the auction and other activities, the Bushtrackers organising committee were able to make considerable donations to local charities. Some of the beneficiaries were: Toy Library $1,500, Sunshine Club $1,500, Forbes History Museum $1,000, Forbes Town Library $1,500, Forbes CWA $1,500 for air-conditioning in CWA Hall, Forbes Evening CWA Branch $1,500 for Youth Education.