We lucked out again - 2nd time we fluked the great weather for our Open Day. Similar happened this year as what happened last year, rain leading up to the weekend but a fine day for the 6th and then the next day the weather was poor again. How lucky were we !!! And what a day - it was great.
Some statistics first:
All up we raised just over $3,000 and in the end it will be close to $3,100. This all goes to Camp Quality to help the kids.
Of the 86 volunteer jobs needing to be filled for the Open Day we managed to have 82 jobs covered. Club members came on board to make it all happen. We had 54 volunteers of which 19 of these people doubled up, tripled up, quadrupled up to do another 28 duties.
These figures do not cover the Ladies SAC Auxiliary running their Stall and the morning teas.
Thanks also to our Caretakers, Mike and Sue (it wasn’t part of their caretaker duties) but nevertheless, they also pitched in and helped where ever and when ever called upon.
Some 58 Camp Quality children and 38 adults attended during the day and all enjoyed a great day. Being given flights in several types of aircraft by our members, looking through the DC3, having rides in a variety of vintage cars and being thrilled by the jet model aircraft.
We had some 54 aircraft on display. A bit less than last year where we had about 72 aircraft, but the weather leading up to the weekend could have deterred our fly in visitors from coming.
Unfortunately the Police Helicopter at the last minute could not attend due to a emergency in the Blue Mountains with a lost kid and the lead up to the Sydney raids that occurred this last week.
The joy flights seemed to be popular and we had quite a diverse range on offer to tempt all. Decisions had to be made whether to take a Helicopter ride in a R.44 or, a Yak 52 flight or, a Tiger Moth flight.
It was marvellous so many people came on board to donate their services and we are really appreciative and thankful to the following:
Airborne Aviation - provided the 1st prize in raffle - Tiger Moth flight
Highland Warbirds - provided an adventure flight prize for raffle
Camden Hire - helping out with the Port a loos
Tharawal Community - providing a marquee for the kids to use
Mobile One - setting up and running the PA system and providing communication devices and taking away the rubbish.
Discovery Air Tours DC 3 flying in and allowing the public to have a look through - they raised some $191 for Camp Quality. The owners of the DC3 brought the aircraft over for free and the pilots and crew volunteered their time and services - a great effort.
Camden Lions Club - providing the food for the day.
Wedderburn Bush Fire Brigade - A great display and all their team giving us support and back up.
The Ingleburn RSL & Campbelltown Community Pipes and Drums Band - entertaining us in the morning
Model aircraft kept the skies a buzzing and the crowds enthralled.
Sky diving / parachutists dropping in and showing us how easy it is - thanks to Bernie & Tara Stevermuer
Glider land and launch display from Southern Cross Gliding Club at Camden
Also ground displays of:
Campbelltown Steam & Machinery Museum letting off a bit of steam.
Military vehicles, vintage cars etc showed off their plumage and also gave the kids rides around the airfield.
The Body Shop - (local identity) who also donated a gift pack and raffled it raising $55.
Harlands Nursery - (local identity) - beautiful plants and fruit for sale
Women’s Pilot Association came on board to encourage females to get in there and give it a go.
The Nomad from Bankstown Museum
Aviation Photographs on display and for sale
Model aircraft pedal cars
The SAC Ladies Auxiliary did a great job with providing morning Devonshire teas - the scones and cream were delicious along with all their goodies that were on sale.
Dotars were happy with the day as well - so a plus for us.
So a great turnout by everyone.
Again, this could not have been achieved without the abovementioned people coming on board and donating and providing services. Also, it just would not have happened without the volunteers doing all the 1,001 duties and chores that needed to be done - not only on the day but for the weeks leading up to it. Many, many thanks to everyone. Reducing most of the duties to approx. 1.5 hours made it less tedious and I think helped. We will endeavour to improve on this time for next year.
This year we requested $2 per adult and $1 per child who came through our gates, irrespective whether they were Club Members, friends and visitors, display participants, local neighbours or the general public. We thought it was a reasonable request. We raised $1,295 from gate keeping. I am very happy to say 99.9% of people coming through the gates were more than happy to oblige with a donation - in fact many put more than the nominated amount into the kitty for the kids. We even had a couple of 4 wheel drive vehicles come out of the bush and were talked into donating before they disappeared back into the bush again. It is therefore a disappointment to hear that a couple of our members objected to donating a $2 coin to the kids. In fact one of these members (name withheld) refused completely.
On the other hand, we have Greg and Ann Goulding who got sponsorship from East Coast Propellers to have an old propeller done up to look like brand new, raffled it on the day and raised $1,022 which all went to Camp Quality. A terrific effort. On top of that, the gentleman who won the propeller then donated the propeller to the SAC - so in the near future you will see it adorning the Clubhouse wall.
Anyway, a good time was had by all. Stan Nightingale and his brother David were manning the gate late afternoon, seeing all our visitors out and reported every vehicle leaving all said they thoroughly enjoyed the day.
So congratulations to SAC members and volunteers. You have certainly done a great job.
Remember, it will be on again next year ….. till then ….. thanks and cheerio.
Maree & Lindsay
P.S. a list of possible ideas for next years flying events is on the website - have a look and book.
P.S.S Christmas dinner is happening soon - love to see you there