WELCOME TO THE 50th ANNIVERSARY WEBPAGE of 2011

Established in September 1961 and still going strong FIVE decade on

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Tweedie Svenson VK4TS a member of the original Maryborough club carrying buckets up Mt Goonaneman track.

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The old guard build Mt Goonaneman repeater shack

tower
Workers atop the tower installing aerials

opening Official opening of the VK4RBU repeater site

The Bundabeg Amateur Radio Club turned 50 on 21st September 2011 and we held our Anniversary Luncheon on Saturday 8th October.

Sunday 9th October we hosted the WIA Qld President's working day

As with all events planning is paramount and we left no stone unturned.... Drivers were organised for an early morning visit to Mt Goonaneman to visit our VK4RBU repeater in the Woowoonga National Park.........

We laid out the tables at the Young Australian Hotel so everything would look nice......... Then the storm hit.

A heavy, black sky dominated town and a viscous rain and electrical storm hit, taking down power lines and leaving much of the town without electricity.... including the hotel.

Undeterred, the attendant managed to keep the bar open and the emergency lighting was enough so we could wander about the room and chat with people we hadn't seen for many years.

With a huge round of cheers and applause we acknowledged the power being restored and congratulated Robbie the Chef for his efforts. (Luckily the kitchen had some gas appliances but the juggling act in the kitchen was a mammoth task)

Lunch was served a little late but at the end of the day we only ran 35 minutes over the scheduled times.

Thank you to all those who came to Bundaberg to support our 50th Anniversary celebrations, congratulations to the raffle winners (4 out of the 6 prizes went to out of town visitors).

Thanks also to the invited guests, Michael Owen VK3KI President of the WIA, Ewan McLeod VK4ERM WIA Board member and Margaret McCleod, Mike Charteris VK4QS from the Qld Advisory Committee, Councillors Lynne Forgan and David Batt representing the Bundaberg Regional Council, Bill Daniells Local Controller State Emergency Services and Lesley Daniells.

There are some photos of the Mt Goonaneman trip, the Saturday reunion luncheon and the working President's day below.

Thank you to Ewan VK4ERM and Clive VK4ACC for providing the following memorable photos. There's an additional section at the end with some photos from Anske VK4CAB & Marg VK4FHAM.

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50th Anniversary Photos
Saturday 8th October an early start in the car park outside the national park	They head off into the Woowoonga National park on a steep uphill bush track	Emerging into the clearing on Mt Goonaneman where the club has the repeater VK4RBG
Fog, fog and more fog! It did obscure the view	Bundaberg Club President Rusty VK4JM & WIA President Michael Owen VK3KI outside the shack	How many amateurs can you cram into a small repeater shack?
Ross VK4JRO is proud to display the club's equipment and explain the various components	Normally this is a stunning view of the valley below, the visitors had to take our word for it on this day	The Club maintains an area of 750sq metres for the shack and tower
Speaking of the tower, it's 50 metres high	The tower rises into the early morning fog	Ewan VK4ERM & Ron VK4BRG
Geoff VK4GI & Bill VK4XZ inspect the guys with Rusty VK4JM in the background	The weather closed in and it was time to head down the mountain	The convoy raced home being pursued by this storm which hit town soon after
It was time to deck the function room at the Young Australian Hotel	The Sports Bar made a pleasant venue, you can see the heavy rain outside the windows	We had a display of photographs, old documents and current WICEN equipment
The photos went back to 1967 & right up to present day	The ICOM handheld being raffled took centre place	Linda Sullivan was part of the organising team for the event
Margaret Beimers VK4FHAM also part of the organising team for the event	The room soon began to fill up	We had a private bar for the occasion
Brett Lane, Belinda & Ray Evans chat about old times	Don VK4NP & Shirley catch up with Ron VK4BRG & Sue	Another chatfest in the back corner, not sure if Bob VK4UD is saluting or just wiping his furrowed brow
Our guests Geoff VK4FK, Lyle VK4LM and Margaret catch up	Something was making Gary and Mark laugh in the back corner	Bob Elkin, former club member who returned for the event chats to Bill VK4XZ. Bob VK4FNBL in for foreground is from Maryborough
President Rusty VK4JM led the guests to the luncheon buffet	Bill Daniells SES Local Controller and great friend to the club was an invited guest	The official table including on the left Cr. David Batt, Ewan McCleod VK4ERM, Michael Owen VK3KI, Cr Lynne Forgan. The lady in blue on the right is Margaret McLeod
Bob Elkin and Anske VK4CAB in the foreground	George VK4AMG, Bob Elkin & Bob VK4UD	Ron VK4BRG & Sue Graham
We think this was Clive's lunch, a little of everything.... and the food was sensational by the way	Rusty VK4JM gave the President's address and recounted the club's achievements through the years	Yes, this one does look as if Gail & Rusty are singing the club song!
Councillor Lynne Forgan spoke and talked of the Club's commitment to the community	The CAKE !	Rusty VK4JM cuts the birthday cake so we could all share a slice or two
Councillor David Batt spoke regarding the club's WICEN commitment and ongoing preparedness to work with Council in times of natural disaster	Rusty presented Cr. Lynne Forgan with Honorary Club Membership in recognition of her assistance at a working bee where she was expected to be a guest, instead she helped clear the Mt Goonaneman site of invading lantana	Michael Owen, President of the WIA gave a short address and proposed the toast to the club in honour of 50 years
The WIA president then presented Medallions commemorating 25 years WIA membership to Rusty McGrath VK4JM	To Joscelyn McGrath VK4JJ	To Bill Sebbens VK4XZ
To Anske Beimers VK4CAB	To George McLucas VK4AMG	To Ron Graham VK4BRG
A close up of the WIA 25 year membership medallion		The group of 25 year WIA membership medal recipients with Michael Owen WIA President in the centre
The raffle was drawn by Michael Owen and Gordon VK4GM from Rockhampton won the ICOM Dual Band handheld	Shaun VK4NSP from Rocky won second prize	Kathy VK4KJ from Maryborough won 3rd prize
Prize winners and medal recipients	Gail VK4ION won the Art raffle	Helen McLucas won second prize in the Art raffle
Graham VK4SR, Bill VK4XZ & Bob VK4FNBL	Mike Charteris VK4QS presented Rusty with a book on behalf of the Qld Advisory Committee to commemorate the 50 year milestone	Ewan VK4ERM & Michael VK3KI
Sunday 9th October was the working President's day held at the SES HQ	The group of President's, Executive and interested members met for about 3 hours	Maryborough President Geoff VK4ZPP presented the report for his club with Secretary VK4KJ looking on
We managed to cram about 28 people into the lecture room @ SES HQ	Following the meeting the working group shared a BBQ lunch before departing town	Amenities were pretty basic in the SES vehicle bay but the food was great and everyone who attended the President's meeting went home content
Gordon VK4GM & Shaun VK4NSP from Rockhampton	Some of the Maryborough attendees, Bob VK4FNBL, Dawn VK4FTBA and Geoff VK4ZPP	We must mention of our Chef Robbie from the Young Australian Hotel. Battling several hours of power blackouts on Saturday he delivered great food using quality ingredients without fuss or bother. It was a credit to him and his kitchen staff. The staff at the Young Australian Hotel helped make our 50th memorable, thank you.
Bob Elkin and Anske VK4CAB shared a luncheon table	Anske VK4CAB & Marg VK4FHAM	Mike VK4LMB & Gordon VK4GM
Shirley & Don Sparks VK4NP	Kathy VK4KJ Secretary of the Maryborough club and Van VK4VAN	Geoff VK4FK, Lyle & Margaret
Bob VK4UD with Ned VK4EMU & Anne Fresta	Ray, Ken Burry VK4MPH & Geoff Bonney VK4GI	Belinda & Brett Lane with Don VK4DAD
Carol Orpin chats with Bill Daniells	Sunday at the President's function there was a quick morning tea	Gordon & Mary from Rocky
The "wait staff" wore bright red pinnies!	Rusty looks happy	Rusty and Bill chat over morning tea
Tom Yapp from Brisbane WICEN made the trip	Brian VK4MBG from CQAR chats with Tony VK4TW from CHARC	President & Secretary seem happy with the way things are going
Ewan VK4ERM and Mark enjoy a morning coffee	That Rocky mob, Gordon VK4GM, Shaun VK4NSP, Clive VK4ACC and Mary VK4PZ	Would Bill VK4XZ be bending the ear of the WIA President... hmmm something about QTAC perhaps???
Mike Charteris VK4QS with Maryborough President Geoff VK4ZPP	Kathy & Van from Maryborough	Our "dress code" officer ensures the wait staff are neatly presented. Joe VK4FDJB our refreshments attendant gets tidied up by Kev
The BBQ chef on Sunday was Mark who managed to serve up great Rump Steaks cooked to order. Excellent meat as usual from out butcher... Gin Gin Quality Meats	We had a fine array of 9 salads to choose from prepared by Club Members Margaret, Linda & Mark	No complaints about the quality or variety as people got down to some serious eating and free beer to boot! It doesn't get much better than this
The WIA President Michael Owen really enjoyed his visit also has a break to grab a meal	One of the hardest workers in the club! That's our Kev VK4FKEV... this time up to his elbows in the washing up water. We had an exceptional team of workers for the weekend and although it was hard work they had some laughs along the way	The weekend came to a close about 4pm on Sunday 9th October. We believe we've set the bar quite high for other clubs to follow our organisation, quality food [and free beer] and we came in on budget We loved having all of the visitors in town and showing of our repeater etc. THANK YOU for helping to make our 50th Anniversary something special