Victorian Kelly Country Camp - November 2-6 (Cup Weekend)

[Mace]

Dear Swaggers,

Whilst having a few quiet drinks around the campfire at Lovicks Hut with Rich & Co a few long term members were discussing how the number of Victorian based meets had dropped off recently. No specific future camps were discussed, but the need for them was generally considered a good idea.

To remedy this situation, I am more than happy to plan and arrange for a "Kelly Country Camp", general details of which are as follows:

DATE:    Friday November 2 to Tuesday November 6, 2012.

VENUE: Tolmie Recreation Reserve, approx 20km North East of Mansfield (Bitumen Road)

COST:   $5 per night per adult.

FACILITIES:  Male & Female Toilets, Hot Showers.  Bush Bar, Basic Cooking Facilities Hotplates.

OTHER:  Various other buildings that can be used for a nominal cost - Family Area, Hall.  A wood 
              chopping arena if anyone wants to test their skill!
              Fires are permitted in three fire rings provided, although Im told that by November a few
              large piles of timber should be stacked up and ready to burn in a bonfire (fire restrictions
              permitting).  The reserve committee are proactive in assisting user groups with catering
              and other activities if required (ie, family bush dance in the hall).

The Reserve is lightly timbered.  There will be plenty of room for say 30 camper trailers in shade, plus more open areas. There is no permanent watercourse here.  It is off the main road and about 2km down the road from the Tolmie Tavern.

POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES:  (Ive looked at a basic daily schedule just for example)

FRIDAY:    Early arrivers settle in.

SATURDAY:  Arrival Day,  Big bush market and street parade in Mansfield.  Scope for
                   developing evening entertainment  in the Hall if enough interest (perhaps catered
                   evening meal and bush dance?)

SUNDAY:      History day.  Local touring to Kelly Tree at Stringybark Creek (Site of the Police
                    Massacre), Powers Lookout (Hideaway of Harry Power and Young Ned), visit Benalla
                    historial precinct (site of Neds  run in with  )  Passby of
                    11 Mile Creek Kelly Homestead site and visit to Glenrowan (Final Shootout/Capture
                    site)

MONDAY:     Touring Day.  Day Trips to various locations:  King Valley, Paradise Falls, Lake Cobbler,
                    Buffalo River, OR Mt Stirling, Craigs Hut, Bindaree & Frys Flat Loop.

TUESDAY:     Departure Day.  Pack up and say farewell.  Mansfield Cup Day Races day for
                    those   who would  like to stay on a bit longer.  A great Cup day event. Others can
                    depart via say local wineries in Mansfield, King Valley, Millawa or Rutherglen
                    to the North.

Other things could develop if we have sufficient numbers.  The local colonial reinactment group could perhaps be persuaded to do a Stringybark Creek reinactment for a suitable donation (which wouldnt be a large amount on a per person basis if we get enough attendees).

If you are interested, please post up a reply.  The aim would be to have a family friendly weekend in the cool mountain air.  We could do this with 10 attendees in nearby locations, but I'd like to get a critical mass to make hiring the Reserve worthwhile for the  local community.  The Pajero club are holding a large meet there next month, we could be a great follow up for them.

Other camping areas in the area are pretty busy, we would be the sole user of the Reserve.

Happy to answer any other queries as well.

                 
EDIT:  15 October 2012.



THOSE INTERESTED SO FAR:

1.   GU Rich
2.   Off Road Dave
3.   GeoffA
4.   Mandrake
5.   BrettB
6.   Black Diamond
7.   Big Jules
8.   Singo-26  (?)
9.   D4D
10. cruza driver
11. Mace!!
12. Mattz
13. xcavator
14. swannie OB
15. GG Patrol  (?)
16. mrdenn1s
17. Crisp Image
18. Swanne
19. Fivid
20. Malcur
21. BigSteve
22. Pacs
23. Paulmac
24. philnyvette
25. Silvo (?)
26. Kiwimark
27. Shell and Shane
28. Dennis_g
29. Flanders
30. Arel
31. Gonefishen
32. NatGav
33. GG (muso extroidinairre).
34. Adrianv
35. Lost
36. Kman (?)
37. Redback (?)
38. graham
39. hen
40. Stan Bryant
41. Tugger
42. Jadamo76
43. Nisnav
44. Poppasmurf
45. Hutchie
46. Kris
47. Speewa
48. linmac
49.
50.




6 still (?) at this stage.

As said, expressions of interest so far.  A good mix of swaggers.

[GU Rich]

Sounds like a great idea Mace, I'll be watching this thread as time goes.

Cheers
Rich

[OffRoadDave]

Registering my interest. 

[GeoffA]

Sounds great.......

[Mandrake]

Its a fair way off to November but we're in ..

Steve

[Brett B]

sounds good to me

[POD]

Good on ya Mace. Top idea, and sounds like a top place too.

Unfortunately, we're not in, due to our excessive Western location, but we could be heading back East (hopefully) by then so will keep it in mind if we do.

[Mace]

Good on ya Mace. Top idea, and sounds like a top place too.

Unfortunately, we're not in, due to our excessive Western location, but we could be heading back East (hopefully) by then so will keep it in mind if we do.

Ill put you down as a "possible" 

Now, where's Redback, Thought he'd have replied by now

[Black Diamond]

Great idea Al, sounds like it will be a brilliant family weekend and what a great spot

[BigJules]

I'm going to try and come down with my family for this. Can I ask why November and not sooner?

[Mace]

I'm going to try and come down with my family for this. Can I ask why November and not sooner?

The locals hibernate until October, I know, Im an expat!   

[GU Rich]

I'm going to try and come down with my family for this. Can I ask why November and not sooner?

Its generally a 4 day weekend down here that weekend Jules, It's also the weekend the tracks reopen after winter so if some want to go exploring they can!

The locals hibernate until October, I know, Im an expat!   

Hibernate, whats that meen Mace 

Cheers

[singo-26]

I've pencilled the date into the diary.hopefully everything comes together and we can make the trip down.

Cheers

[BigJules]

Sounds good. We'll all have to meet somewhere else in the mean time.

[D4D]

As I have enough notice, I reckon I could almost make this one

[Black Diamond]

Might have to pull the spit out for this one 

[BigJules]

Might have to pull the spit out for this one 

Bring your good looking mate too 

[Mace]

Hibernate, whats that meen Mace 

Cheers

Dont come out after dark!!   

[cruza driver]

Yep I'm very interested Mace, I never get sick of that area  So pencil us in at this stage

[Black Diamond]

Bring your good looking mate too 

he's always around big fella like a shadow

[outback jack]

mace, if I'm still alive i will be there 

be great to catch up again 

(not sure what happened but your pics came up as question marks)

just checked and pics there now 

[brickiematt]

Great idea Mace. The missus and i were reading with some envy all the reports from the Sandy Creek mob, and being newish to the forum, would love to be able to meet some fellow Myswaggers. Cup weekend is always a camping weekend for us, so it looks like we know where we'll be this year!

Cheers
Matt

[xcvator]

If I can change my accommodation setup before then I think swmbo and I can be there

[Mace]

If I can change my accommodation setup before then I think swmbo and I can be there

Not shure wat you mean, but if you need "higher quality" accomodation, there are a number of very close by  accomodation sources that could offer an alternative.  PM me if you have special requirements.

From the interest so far, we are close to doing something on this date.  Ive told the Recreation Reserve Booking Officer I'd get back to her in two weeks to confirm a booking.  The interest so far is beyond my expectations.

I know its a long way out, but if youd like to come and experience a bit of Wombat Hills (Tolmie in 1880) hospitality, post up, no obligation.

[Swannie]

Mace count me in... Will be one of the first "shake down trips" in the new Swan OB..
Looking forward to plenty of you guys showing me how to use the thing 
And hearing a yarn or two


Greg