What a brilliant evening I had this week at the Needilup Hall, near Jerramungup. The Jerry Lions Club were hosting their annual fundraising dinner, this year in aid of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, so the evening had a flying theme. Pictured are Lions President Trevor and Flight Captain John at the end of the evening, by which time the Captain had lost his hat and stick on moustache! I was lucky enough to be invited as guest poet for the night. On arrival we were led up the candle lit gangway to the 'plane' and ushered through the security gate and into the VIP lounge. Here we were served delicious canapes by the cabin staff, suitably dressed in their uniforms, before being seated for 'the flight'. The Captain welcomed us and instructed his crew to give us the safety demonstration, which I must say didn't inspire a heap of confidence. None of then seemed to have a clue how to put on their life jackets! Then we were invited to peruse the In flight dinner menu and In flight entertainment, all delightfully printed on our individual sick bags!
This was country hospitality at its very best. Eighty locals had gathered together and the time and effort put into this show by the organisers was fantastic. The log fire was roaring and the laughter, wine and good food flowing, and I felt right at home the minute I walked in the door. With Matt singing a selection of songs to his guitar and Murray adding his unique style of poetry to the evening we were well set. We had a twenty question quiz sheet on each table, the good old raffle and a poetry competition where each table was required to pen a verse.
It's a night like this that makes me realise just how great small rural communities really are. Thank you all for my beautiful banksias, a truly memorable night and the opportunity to meet and enjoy the company of some wonderful people; John & Helen, Don & Val, Trevor, Kim & Colleen and Linda to name a few.
It wasn't just the RFDS who benefited from this fundraiser.......
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