Sign In Sign-Up

Welcome!

Close

Would you like to make this site your homepage? It's fast and easy...

Yes, Please make this my home page!

No Thanks

  Don't show this to me again.

Close

 
 

Thank You
(by Indy Rosser)

    The following is a list of "thanks" compiled by the author. A more comprehensive list will be added when I have time to discuss with the Ride Organisers and verify whom else they can remember. As with all such lists, there is a tremendous danger of either omission, or failing to fully acknowledge all the help rendered by those mentioned. This is entirely inadvertent and if you email me, I will make modifications to more completely reflect the efforts of all those responsible for making this ride such a success.

    Except for the first acknowledgement (Steph and Gene), the rest are given in no particular order, other than the order in which I have written them! If I have spelt a name incorrectly, please forgive me.

    First and foremost, I am sure that all those involved wish to express their heartfelt thanks to Gene Mitchell and Stephanie Dickie. The amount of effort that these wonderful people put into the ride is often transparent to the rest of us, but is, none the less, not inconsiderable. If you haven't organised a ride, then you cannot fathom the work involved with organising rugs, trophies, advertising, paperwork, track marking and the list goes on seemingly forever. I know for a fact that Gene and Steph have spent huge amounts of money on travel, postage and all the other things that go into the organising of such an event. Then, there is the time spent and the worries and the heartaches. For their trouble, they (and every other Ride Committee) get very little thanks and may be the target of every kind of "cheap shot" from anyone who may have even the slightest (and often unwarranted) criticism. They sure as hell don't make any money. On the contrary, they often spend mind boggling amounts just so that you and I have the opportunity to ride. Should there not be a "decent roll up", it is they who have to carry the can for any outstanding debt. Being a Ride Organiser is a thankless task with more worries than Speed Gordon and I would like to take this opportunity to let them know that I, at least, am tremendously grateful for their efforts.

    Keno (Lionel Garner) provided a caravan in which the computer was installed, a thumping big generator set (for powered sites) and generally assisted out on track. I think he also provided a pump to ensure that the "swimming pool" was filled! Thanks, Keno.

    I know that Cris Schaffer, and Barb Warr helped in the office, doing the secretarial work. Alex Noon came down all the way from Canberra just to assist with computer entries and other tasks. An unidentified rider assisted with weighing. Thank you, people. I am sure that without your help, the "paperwork" would have been so much more difficult.

    Barb Giddings, Brian Lorback and Tom McCormack TPR'd. Without TPR's, it would make it a rough day! Thank you.

    Brian Lorback was also the Chief Steward and did just about everything else necessary in camp to ensure things ran smoothly. Thank you, Brian.

    Rochelle Joyce stepped in to do some vetting at the start when we were unable to find the rostered vets.

    Thanks to the vets (David Harding from Griffith Vet Hospital and Ken Jubb from Hay) who worked tirelessly under trying conditions to ensure the welfare of our beloved equines.

    Mandy, from the Royal Mail Hotel, Booroorban, supplied the venue, complete with brand new showers and toilets. Mandy allowed me to install my P.A. system on the grounds and provided an area to set up the electronics so that I had a working area. She also ensured that those who wanted a wee dram were able to satisfy their needs.

    Check pointers. Unfortunately, I do not have a list of names of who was out in the field, but we all know that a ride cannot possibly be held without the hard work of these industrious people. At Booroorban, they tried valiantly to ensure that all the comforts of horse and rider were satisfied, with plenty of water for the steeds and often iced water for the riders. They were most accommodating and, as I have done this task for many years, I know just how difficult, sometimes boring and arduous this task really can be. Thank you, one and all.

    The people of Booroorban opened their arms and welcomed us all to their wonderful, though small, community. They allowed us to use tracks through their properties and provided so many "hidden" acts of assistance. Thank you, Booroorban folks.

    The Booroorban Social Club provided the BBQ and many other things, besides. Several of their members erected the poles upon which my P.A. speakers were mounted. They also supplied the Radio Stewards and did much of the setting up of the camp facilities. Bravo!

    On a personal note, I am hugely appreciative of the help rendered to me by Joel Porter with the setting up and the removal of my Public Address system. Joel provided his time, a tractor and lifting gear to allow me access to poles to mount my speakers, helped me string the wiring through trees and who knows what all else, both in the erection phase and during recovery. It is quite conceivable that, were Joel to have costed it out, the bill would have been significant, being that he personally helped me for a minimum of two and a half days. Joel was also one of the Radio Stewards and, I think, had some input into the BBQ! Goodonya, Joel.

    Stephanie Dickie and Alex Noon also assisted with dismantling the P.A.

    Stephanie also "manned" the P.A. and the base radio for a considerable period of time to allow me the opportunity to ride my first 40 Km training ride, besides all the other things she has done for me and I cannot find enough superlatives to express my heartfelt thanks to her.

    Two of the local Bushfire Brigades provided tankers or other equipment and manpower to ensure adequate water "on track" for the brave steeds and for the riders.

    Even one of the local farmers and his wife came out to the lane way (near the 20 Km mark) and offered some of us freezing cold water, without being asked or prompted in any way. I wish I knew who they were so I could publicly identify them for their kindness.

    Ross Mudie, a good mate of mine whom I have known for many years and who is, incidentally, the computers, P.A. and every other damned thing guru for the Shahzada, supplimented the number of speakers I had available for the P.A., as well as loaning me a quantity of "drop wire" for hooking them up. Ross is located all the way from Berowra, in Sydney.This, too, was gratis and was very generous. Thanks, heaps, Ross.

    Without the efforts of so many people, no ride could function properly, and The Pub With No Beer is no exception. Few of us realise the unbelievable amount of time, effort and expertise that goes into providing the resources to put on a ride, for us, the riders and rarely are they given the praise that they deserve.

    Last, but not least, I would like to congratulate all the riders that competed at The Pub With No Beer Ride. Of those that were unfortunately "vetted" out, not a single mount went out on heart rate or metabolics. This is a tremendous effort and speaks well of their horsemanship and is a credit to them. This would seem to me to be a perfect example of riding a horse to the prevailing conditions. Thank you all for your attendance and for making this weekend such a success. Hope to see you next year.

    We have also taken on board the suggestions of riders and will try to incorporate them in next year's ride. There is also another page on this site where you may furnish us with more feedback.
 

    Thank you, one and all.
 
 
 

Main Page