CHRISTMAS PARTY REPORT by Judy Oxley

December 2008 (Photos)

The Whittley Club Christmas party for 2008 was held at the Calypso Bay Marina and Harrigans Irish Pub at Jacobs Well. The nature of our boating suits all sorts of situations and this weekend saw some members on the water on Friday and 12 adults ventured to Harrigans for a fantastic dinner Friday night.

The decision to have the event at a mainland location proved to be very successful this year as we had 20 individual members who came by cars to attend the lunch as well as members from 19 boats.

Harrigans Irish Pub had the tables set up out in the beer garden with the beautiful view of the water and over looking the marina. Ordinarily this would be a fantastic setting but because the temperature was pushing the mercury up to 36 degrees we were all beginning to melt but in no time at all management without hesitation offered to move us inside to the comfort of the air conditioned venue.

During lunch we were entertained by a three piece band playing some really cool jazz music. Altogether at the lunch we had 64 adults and five children. After an enormous three course lunch organized by Jenah at Harrigans Irish Pub, we were all witness to the arrival of Santa on his special ‘Whittley Sled’ as it pulled up to the pontoon just outside the pub. Santa did a wonderful job and he not only had the children enthralled but most of the adults as well. Great job Santa!!

Wayne and Rhonda Jennings put a lot of time and effort into organizing our dinner on Saturday night. With our drinks in hand and our chairs under our arms we proceeded to gather together under the stars up near the main building at Calypso Bay Marina. The only problem was that we couldn’t see the stars because of cloud cover. It did try to rain upon us for about 10 minutes but only enough to wet the concrete. Dinner consisted of chicken, ham, prawns, tabouli, coleslaw and potato salad along with lots of chatter as well as new friendships forming.

A number of folk enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the pub on Sunday morning. Eventually everyone departed at their leisure after having a great weekend.
Calypso Bay Marina is a new venue and everything is modern, clean and fresh. I personally enjoyed myself at this years Whittley Club Christmas party outing and I would certainly come back here again.

On behalf of the members who attended this weekend I would like to extend a very big THANK YOU to Rhonda and Wayne for their efforts towards making the weekend a success.

Yours in boating
Judy Oxley