It was decided through general discussion at the 2008 National Gathering at Innamincka that the dates for the 2009 National Gathering be moved from July to September.

The destination for the 2009 National Gathering will be St George in South West Queensland to be held from the Monday 28 Sept till Friday 2 Oct 2009. These dates are the dates the school holidays overlap in the majority of the Central and Eastern states.

Camping will be available for the weekends either side of the gathering for those who wish to arrive earlier and stay a couple of nights longer. For those wishing to do so can you let me know so I can confirm arrangements.

St George is relatively central for the Central and Eastern States.

I have secured permission to camp at the Youth Camp that is located a short stroll from the Beardmore Dam (about 20kms out of St George). The youth camp may need a camping fee. The site has hot shower and flushing toilet facilities and I may be able to get use of 240v.

Directions on how to get to the camp site from St George.

Directions to the camp site are as follows:

From the intersection of the Carnarvon and Balonne highways in the St George Township (cnr of Victoria and Grey Streets) S28.03708 E148.58016 head East towards Roma/Surat for 8.9km to the Intersection of the Carnarvon and Moonie Highways S27.99263 E148.65792. Remain on the Carnarvon Highway heading for Roma/Surat for a further 4.2km.
At the Intersection of the Carnarvon Highway and Thungary Road S27.96331 E148.68663 turn left.
From that intersection travel for approximately 6-8km till you see signs for the campground.

I will have signs on the side of the road showing where to enter the campground. Depending on if I can get hold of enough equipment to put additional signs up I will have one on the Carnarvon Highway and Thungary road intersection as well.

The water availablity at the Camp Site is limited to non potable water. There are places in St George that you are able to obtain Potable water to replenish your supplies.

The ammenities blocks have both showers and toilets with 3-4 showers and toilets in each. There is only a minimal amount of Hot water available for showers 1 x 315 Elec HWS per ammenity block. Therefore do not rely on there being Hot water for showers, but please consider others if you do get a hot shower and keep the shower time to a minimum.

This is a short video taken by Mark G of the camping area, ignore his comments about the Missan Navara near the end as he is kidding himself ;)



There is a fee associated with camping there. It has been negotiated to $30 per vehicle for the duration of the vehicle stay. The normal fee is $7.00 per person Per night. The $30 per vehicle per length of stay equates to $5 per vehicle per night if you stay for the full 6 nights.
The payment of Camping fee's will not be a waste of $$ as I intend to have a Major Raffle and use the $30 to buy 6 tickets in the draw, therefore you have a chance to win something from your camping fee's.

Member Mark G's Blog about the camping ground

Dogs are welcome and are permitted at the selected camping area. The dogs will have to be under their owners control as there are resident wildlife that frequent the area.

Activities that have been discussed while at Innamincka are as follows:

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BREAKING NEWS -

I have just spoken with the KING TOAD (Trevor R) and he has suggested an ExplorOzer's Have Talent Competition.

So for those who think they have an entertainer streak, start getting your "ACT" together ready to entertain the rest of us at the Gathering.

I am sure I can find a few judges and some prizes.

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1. Rosehill avairy tour (Australias largest collection of native parrots).

Update - This is closing in late October, so we will be one of the last groups to view the collection.
There is also an Artesion Bore (which is HOT) located close to the Aviary which some people may wish to go and see and have a dip.

This video by Mark G again, shows the Jack Taylor Weir and the Artesion Bore at Rosehill


2. Winery tour of the local winery.

3. 4wd skills competition (to be partially organised by Dave B).

4. GPS skills (similar to geocaching).

5. Fishing competition (bring your boats and gear).

Update - I have secure 3 x 2man canoes from the local Scout group for use for attendee's (a small donation for the use would be appriciated). They do not have suitable life jackets for adults, I can source these locally if required.

Update- I spent some time in St George over christmas and must report that the Yabbies are still in the area. I caught about 15 - 20 large ones that looked like they would be good candidates for racing stock ;)

Potential Fishing spots, at the Dam and the weir in St George




6. Camp oven cooking competition.
I am going to ask the local scout group to come and attend this competition as they would love to have some interaction with contestants to learn how we cook when on the road

Another clip showing the Hot Artesion Bore at Rosehill, Darkie hauling a load of firewood out of the black soil paddock and lastly one of the items to find when in St George for the Gathering.




7. Horse shoe throwing competition (to be organised by John T). This will be a daily event.

8. St George also has an 18 hole Golf course complete with sand greens for those who wish to have a round of golf.

9. If your kids have one bring along Billy Carts and I'll organise a race track for them.

Update - I have secured Billy carts from the local scout group

10. I am currently trying to organise a farm tour with one or two of the local irrigators. So all the Murray Darling Basin Bashers can see what it is like from a QLD irrigator's side.

11. A tour of the local cemetery can be organised if people wish to find out some of the local history from the cemetry.

12. I have also found out that a local in St George makes Condamine Bells using traditional methods. He makes minatures for necklaces and dog collars, so I will try and see if I can arrange a visit to his premises.

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3 March Update

The St George Family Fishing Competition is to be held over the weekend of the 26th to 27th of September, 2009, and attracts families trying to snare and elusive Yellow Belly or Murray Cod. Junior & senior categories, best and biggest catch prizes, carp busting competition plus heaps of fun at the bar & BBQ. Just come along on Sunday to the Weigh-In to be in the running for the $1,000.00 Free Prize Draw. For more information contact Doug King on (07) 4625 3636

If anyone wants to attend this fishing competition and requires somewhere to camp let me know and I will organise access to the proposed camping area for you.

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I intend to fundraise for a local charity (Update - I have found a worthy local charity, the local Scout group. They are offering equipment for our use during the gathering and are not as financially well off as other local charities) to keep up the community assistance that we have done on previous gatherings. For attendee's I request that an item of some sort be gained for use as a competition prize or for use in a raffle.

There will be more updates between now and Sept 2009.
Start planning now and come and join in the fun.

Cheers Sir Kev

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