Nabawa Recreational Oval Grounds

Arrive at the Nabawa oval - obviously got an event about to happen here as there is a stage, marque tents and portable toilets getting set up (paid workers we'd assume). We park, then walk until we find where our volunteer co-ordinater Andrea McLoughlin (Rog rings her and I can follow where I hear the answering voice coming from) is. On chatting with her we also met the event co-ordinator Jo. Jo shows us where the crew camping is (other side from where we arrived) - so we get back to our ute and van and drive to this area. We choose our spot - we are the 2nd crew campers to arrive, so we select our spot near the 1st caravan (this turns out to be Amanda with her cute little male dog - Amanda already on volunteer duties). We like our spot, good view of event going's on - set up at this stage.
Once settled, we meet Amanda when she comes back to her camp for lunch and to check on her dog. She has been travelling for a couple of years - and is helping her friend Andrea, by volunteering. Rog and I go for a walk about the oval, checking out the layout, and end up going to the Nabawa Tavern for a drink as it's right beside the event area (on purpose of course!) Nice neat hotel, enjoy our beer and cider $18 for the round. On our return walk, we wander back to where Andrea, Jo and Amanda are working - offer if there's anything we could be doing? They're busy doing what they need to do - have nothing for us yet - but at least we offered and they know we're about. We head back to our camp to have lunch, sandwich for Roger, open toasties for me. Relax, reading and watching what's going on around us. During the afternoon, another crew member arrives, Toni, she comes over and introduces herself with a nice big hug. Asks us what the go is with crew camping - so we explain the areas as best we know. Toni decides to set up her camp (tenting) nearby over in the shade of a couple of trees. She sets off to do that - later comes back over to us, she's had abit of a disaster with her set up - with the gusty wind her gazebo (light weight frame) that she wasn't able to secure well because of the hard ground (wish we'd known Rog would have helped secure) has blown over and snapped and bent 'legs'. We go to her site to assess and help. The gazebo frame is a 'write off' and Toni was relying on it as her tent is one that attaches to a frame. Decision is made to put out her ute awning and see if we can rig up her tent onto it. With some improvisation, and all hands and feet on deck (because of wind) this is achieved. We go back to reading our books at our camp and Roger fires up our BBQ and gets a roast going - boned leg of lamb which we'll have with roast spuds, pumpkin, carrot and corn cobs. Andrea (our co-ordinator) calls Rog, to see if we'd be happy to help Toni put up the bar signage. Of course we are, so this we do. Basically Toni and I work out where we think the signs look best - and Rog gets them up. Looks good. By now, time to have our tea, which Roger has been able to keep ducking back to, to have cooked and ready. We enjoy this roast with boiled beans, peas and brocolli. Too full to worry about dessert. Tidy up, do our dishes. Rog has his shower in our van (self sufficient camping no power) and we relax until bedtime. One of our neighbouring crew ladies (either Amanda or Toni)- is a hobby musican as we hear guitar and singing as we settle in our van for the night.
15/11/24 Friday. Wake up around 6am, gusty wind still about - and our awning is handling it well. I lie in bed and read until 7am, Rog gets up and has his breakie. Once I'm up and had my porridge and cuppa, we wander about the event area - Roger goes and checks in with Andrea, sees Amanda who explains our parking duties and where we'll be working. Also told we can head to the Tavern to have lunch and dinner today - our shifts 12.30pm to 7.30pm. So we'll get organised for our shift and head over for lunch at 11.30am. Relax about camp until then. On schedule for our lunch at the Tavern - there is a menu for volunteers and the selection is great. Roger has fish and chips, served with salad, I have a chicken aussie parma with salad and chips - very good food. We walk to our shift area, Roger goes direct, while I detour to be official (turns out not required) and sign in and collect a hi vis vest. No one at the designated volunteer tent/office so I head off to join Roger. Doesn't happen initially as I have to pass another volunteer parking area P1 - and Toni who is rostered there 'snaffles me' to help her. I work here with Toni for a good hour or so, before another vollie, Ky, arrives and Andrea calls by to ask if I'm right to go to P2 where Rog is. Of course I am, so I finish off this shift working next with Roger and Lisa, then Roger and I working with Gerald and Leanne who take over from us once Fish (Andrea's husband) arrives around 6pm. So Rog and I get to finish this shift early. We head back to our caravan and drop our gear off, then go to the Tavern with Toni, and meet up with Amanda for our tea. We all have volunteer vouchers for meals that are ready to serve from the bain marie. I have chicken and beef noodles, Roger has butter chicken and rice. Roger buys us a drink, beer and a cider. After tea we head back to our caravan so we can shower. I shower first so I can go to Amanda's camp next door to catch up with her and Toni for a drink and to listen to Toni play her guitar and sing some songs. Toni's not bad singer - very easy listening and sings songs Amanda and I know. I don't stay too long as I know I've got an early start in the morning. Before going back to our van I go catch up with Jo (event co-ordinator) to get our event staff passes (on lanyards) and our volunteer T-shirts. Get back to our van, Roger has showered and gone to bed - bed time for me too.
16/11/24 Saturday. We're up around 6am, have muesli and cuppa for our breakfast, get organised and head off to be ready for our 7am shift start.
When we finish this shift we'll be right to attend Yellowfields Music Festival. Event finishes around 10pm - we're quickly back to our caravan (too cold to hang about and be social!). Roger has a shower, while I make myself a chai (milk) cuppa to warm up. Then happily to bed. Been a great day.
17/11/24 Sunday. Wake around 6.30am, Roger up for his breakfast, I lie in and read until 7am before getting up and making my porridge etc. I have a shower while Roger getting things packed away ready for us to leave. Once I'm dressed and helped with a few packing requirements - we're ready to move. We wander around and say our thanks and goodbyes to people we've met. Andrea - thanks us for our work. Job done. Leave around 9am.Read more