Sheep Dog Trials success
19 April 2009
It's official! The latest NSW Sheep Dog Triallers' newsletter proclaims that the National Sheep Dog Trials in Hall as the friendliest Trials ever! ( The 'Friendly Trials'!). At a time of financial downturn and highly competitive tourist attractions, the number of visitors to the Trials was also up from previous years.
Triallers and visitors were overwhelmed by the courtesy and welcome they received by the Hall community during the week of the Trials. Thanks to the hard-working Hall District volunteers who worked closely with the National Sheep Dog Trial Committee and their officials. They not only helped out over the whole week but had been planning the event for months.
Congratulations to all our generous local sponsors, co-ordinated by Trudy Mansfield. Sponsors included: Dennis Greenwood Energy, Wood Duck Inn, Rotary Club of Hall , VHDPA, Hall P & C, Bill Pearson, Hall Rugby Club, Tam & the Hall General Store , Simon Southwell, Helen & Andrew Purdham and Pankhurst Wines.
A number of 'meet and greet' opportunities were organised. A fabulous 'Wine and Cheese' evening was organised by Allyson Wedrat, who owns the Wood Duck and is the editor of our Rural Fringe. Triallers and their families met and mixed with local residents. Our thanks also to Pankhurst Wines for providing a range of their superb wines for the evening. The feedback was full of praise. We will continue the 'Wine & Cheese' evening in 2010.
Simon Southwell presented the Sheep Dog Committee with historic photos of Southwells receiving trophies from Queen Elizabeth II.
Garrie and Dennis of Greenwood Energy generously sponsored and gave their time to present a 'morning tea to die for'. This was very popular with the Triallers, their families, local residents and visitors. Again, a standing ovation from participants and we will present morning teas from Heaven again in 2010.
A fully catered dinner was organised in the Hall Pavilion on the Thursday evening. 'Coast to Coast Golden Roast' were the caterers of choice and entertainment featured the very popular 'Dr Stovepipe' band. The Pavilion dinner attracted a full house of over 100 people. The four course meal was an opportunity at the end of a hard day's trialling to relax and to swap yarns with the locals . Once again, Trudy Mansfield was the coordinator. Trudy beautifully decorated the Pavilion and helped other local volunteers to warmly welcome our guests.
For the duration of the Trial, the walls of the Pavilion were bedecked with over 300 paintings of entrants from local schools, competing for prizes & certificates, in our first ever 'National Sheep Dog trials Art Competition'. The quality and diversity made judging extremely difficult. Our thanks to Sue Wigham and Jenny Hobson( local residents ) and Neil Lade from the Canberra Times.
This new Art Competition attracted a range of young sheep dog fans, along with their parents & relatives. Books, trophies and certificates were donated by the Hall P&C, with thanks to Bill Pearson. Again, a brilliant success with demands for a repeat in 2010.
One of the delights of the Trials is to 'meet & greet ' at the entrance gate of the Hall Showground on the final two days. This year's Hall team of greeters were: Eric Arney, David Hazelhurst, Mike Hobson, Brian and Marion Banyard and Bob Richardson.
A special treat this year was the production of a DVD of events & participants which will be available shortly for general viewing. This was organised by Brian Banyard.
'The Friendliest Trials' ever were a result of the generosity and willingness of Hall residents to roll up their sleeves & give their time & good will. This year's (2009) Hall Sheep Dog Committee is: Trudy Mansfield, Marion Banyard, Diana Aston, Garrie Greenwood, Angie Hazelhurst and Jenny Hobson, ably supported by Tony and Margaret Morris for the week's events. We would welcome any new members to our Committee.
If you would like to join us to help us plan for next year, please contact anyone on the Committee or Hall community website (www.hall.act.au), or Helen White: 62302134.
Also, we are actively seeking sponsors for next year's Trials (9th -14th March 2010). Interested parties please get in early as we expect next year to surpass the success of this year. Contact Trudy Mansfield (62302233) asap.
[Many thanks to Helen White for this round up up of the 2009 Trials - and well done all!]
National Sheep Dog Trials at Hall 2009
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