|
|
Whenever an Endurance ride is held, there are always many people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that it runs smoothly and seamlessly. These are normally just ordinary people, many of whom have no interest in the sport at all, who work extraordinarily hard for little thanks and no pay. They are really the unsung heroes of not only our sport, but of the Australian lifestyle. More often than not, the same people who help out on checkpoints, in the office and around the traps are probably the ones who sell raffle tickets for the local services club, are in a branch of the Emergency Services or any one of a number of other voluntary duties in our community.
They do what they do for little thanks and no tangible rewards but without them our society would be so much the poorer.
The following list has been gathered by yours truly from various sources. It may not be complete and, in some cases, I just couldn't get all the names, but it is hoped that I have come close to providing as inclusive a list as is possible. There are a few names that I have added without the knowledge of the rest of the Committee as they are far too modest to want accolades.
Checkpoints Duties
I was unable to get a complete list of check pointers at the time of writing so, rather than omit any, I thought I would list them as follows. Thank you to Peter McCrabb and the Booroorban ladies and gentlemen on the checkpoints and watering places for a job well done.
Special Thanks
Laurie Stevens and Cris Schaeffer.
Laurie has helped Gene mark the tracks for years. Your efforts are well appreciated, Laurie.
Cris Schaeffer has done book work in the office since day one and the ride just wouldn't have been able to function without her efforts this year. Thank you so much for your hard work, Cris.
Machinery
If you heard that thumping great generator that supplied power for the vetting area, the PA caravan and for those who wanted to tap into the power, then Lionel (Keno) Garner of Willshear shearing contractors was the man responsible. Keno also supplied the caravan in which the PA system was operated for the weekend and all sorts of other bits of gear, too numerous to mention. Goodonya Keno. Well done and thanks, mate.
Vetting Area
Our TPR's this year were none other than Stephanie Dickie and Cris Schaeffer (there may have been others but I am unaware of them if there are). Isn't it marvellous how these names keep cropping up again and again? It just goes to show just how hard these people work on behalf of us, the riders. Thanks to you both. What more can I say?
Tom McCormack was our Chief Steward and took this job on at very short notice when the man who had been nominated for the job had to beg off with only a few days to go, due to changes in his work place. Tom was firm but fair and ensured the smooth running of the whole shooting match. Thank you Tom.
Our vets this year were Ken Jubb and David Morrison. From the feedback that I have received from riders, they performed their task efficiently and with good humour, always acting in a professional manner with horse welfare of paramount concern. Thank you, gentlemen, and we hope you will be back to assist us in the future.
Office Workers
As mentioned before, Cris Schaeffer helped in the office, again, this year. Her task was the master sheets. If you've ever worked in the office at a ride, you will know how exacting and mind numbing a task this can be, but Cris persevered with a smile on her face and just rolled up her sleeves and got stuck into it.
Janine Warner was our time keeper. Time keeping just has to be done quickly and accurately and with a minimum of fuss and Janine was all that we could expect.
Gail Finlayson assisted in the office and around the site by doing anything and everything as required, even to the point of helping your scribe erect the Public Address system and did so without batting an eyelid at the whole new vocabulary that I am sure she learnt! Not only that, but she competed and completed as well!
Jocelyn Buck came all the way from Canada on a holiday and ended up doing all sorts of office duties and paperwork, from taking entries to assisting with time keeping and so on. I'll bet a quid she went home with an entirely different outlook on Aussies after we pressed her into service!
Jessica Garner did all the jobs that nobody wants. She was the runner who carried the log books backwards and forwards to the vetting area, sold raffle tickets, took entries and was just happy to help in any way that she could.
Stephanie Dickie is the heart and soul of this ride. Without Stephie, we just would not have the venue, the organisation nor the event as it is. I think Steph got about 2 hours sleep in 4 days but was always bright and cheerful and had a moment for anyone who needed help. This was aside from the various tasks that she did around the office. After all the rest of us had packed up and gone home, I know Steph was still hard at it, tying up all the loose ends days after the event.
All our office workers were ladies, this year, and like all women when they set their mind to it, they did their jobs with a view to excellence, accuracy and always with a smile for us, no matter how much stress they were under nor how tired they were. Ladies, you have earned more thanks than this writer has the capacity to express.
Track Marking & General
Once again, Gene Mitchell was the one that organised the loan of equipment (such as the stuff Keno supplied), generally organised the event in the field. He marked the track, brought down trailers loaded with gear, made sure that there was plenty of water on track and ensured that the actual running of the event out on track went smoothly. Without the likes of men like Gene, rides like ours just wouldn't be a happening thing. Gene's local knowledge and friendship with members of the local community meant that we had the tracks to utilise, the checkpoint staff and all the other things that happen transparently to make the ride work. What more can I say?
Miscellaneous
Thanks go to the Mandy and Roger of the Royal Mail Hotel, Booroorban for providing such a stunning venue for the event and for their hospitality. I am sure that all the people in camp enjoyed a yarn or a wee drop or two in this oasis.
Thanks must also go to the Booroorban Social Club for providing the seemingly endless supply of coffee, meals as required or just their general help and hospitality.
Thanks to the local farmers and property owners for the use of their land for our event. It goes without saying, no access, no ride!
We must never forget that the local people always visited a tremendous amount of hospitality upon all of us. We leave Booroorban again this year with fond memories of good old fashioned country kindness.
To anyone that has been omitted, I humbly apologise. I tried to cover everything but, as always, I am sure that someone has been left off this list. Even if you have not been formally acknowledged, here, be sure that your efforts were hugely appreciated.
We hope to experience it all again next year.