$8,000 raised for Waiouru folk

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 280, 28 March 1989, Page 11

$8,000 raised for Waiouru folk

The weather in Waiouru had been beautiful during the week preceding this year's Desert Fair.

As you can all imagine the Organising Committee, the stall holders and friends of the above were all wishing fervently that it would hold. Unfortunately it didn't. The skies clouded over and a light drizzle greeted the day. But this did not deter the people who came in their thousands prepared to have a good time and a great time they had too! The main arena activities commenced with a mock battle that featured Gurkha soldiers being inserted by helicopters to destroy a determined enemy. With much gun fire, smoke and grenades the day was made safe for the

Commander, Colonel Bret Bestic to officially open the fair. The pace had been set and the crowd was treated to a variety of entertainment that included a display by the 5th Battalion Band, a half marathon, 7 a-side Touch Rugby against the NZ representative team, an RNZAF Skyhawks aerobatics display and an airdrop of 6 tonnes of Army stores from an RNZAF Hercules, Gurkhas in traditional 'dress giving a display of Nepalese dance, a tug-of-war competition, the Turoa Tumblers giving a display of gymnastic skills, a display of the fine art of wood chopping, and a giant lolly scramble. The announcer of the

day was Hamish Guthrie from 2ZA who did a sterling job letting people know what was happening in the arena and also where to shop. 120 stalls With over 120 stalls there was something for everyone from Asian foods, to ceramics, from furnishings to flea market, from circus rides to computer games. And when one just wanted to look there were numerous displays of Army equipment and machinery - these displays being well supplemented by other organisations such a the Police, Ministry of Transport, and Civil Defence. Certainly the variety of stalls was impressive. The sideshows were a hit as usual. The Armoured Personnel Carriers and mini bikes

were a favourite and Rex Newton Amusements drew the crowd once again. The amount of different activities to be tried and seen was one of the reasons people stayed right till the end of the day. The other must have been the major prize in the Monster Raffle. The major prize was donated by Air New Zealand and it was an Auckland - Singapore return trip for two. The lucky winner Was actually a group of people calling themselves the Ruapehu Globetrotters - what luck. It will be interesting to see how they share the prize! Weather beaten Yes, the fun and excitement beat the weather and there were 7,000 people at this year's fair (last year there was 9,000) to

prove it. The Organising Committee's aim was to provide a day of good fun community activities and to assist the fund raising a programme of participating

clubs and community groups. This has been the reason for the fair since it first started in 1971. After meeting operating expenses, some $8,000.00 will have

been raised. This figure is down on last years $18,000.00 which was distributed to the Lions Club of Taihape, Waiouru, Ruapehu and Turangi and Ruapehu College. Consistent with the 'user pays' approach the Desert Fair Committee has met all its operating expenses - the Army will not be paying the bills. "Considerable effort and time is contributed to the fair's preparation and conduct by the Waiouru Camp community and its about time funds raised were injected back into the local community" said Major Syd Dewes who is Chairman of the Organising Committee. "For that reason funds raised will remain in Waiouru this year," he said.

S.G.

Dewes

Chairman Desert Fair Commitee