Functions Galore @ two eight two eight

March has been a busy month for the staff and volunteers @ two eight two eight this month. We have had both the AMPS Meeting, Seminar and Dinner, and the GRAS Meeting, Seminar and Dinner.
We have also had Coonamble Shire Counsellors over for lunch, and we held a "Special Lunch" for our student helpers for Dinner under the Stars.

The AMPS Meeting and Seminar included presentations from  Scott Ceeney (Agronomist and Manager of AMPS, Armatree), Jules Dixon (AMPS Research), Matt Gardner (AMPS Research), and a speaker from Zimbabwe, Martin currently working for Sara and Chris Roche, who previously came from a large farming property, discussing the similarities with our region in regards to soils, weather and problems, but with some very helpful advise and solutions.

GRAS Meeting and Dinner also saw some very interesting speakers and drew quite a crowd because of them. They included Angus Gidley-Baird discussing China-Australia Free Trade Agreement and what it means to farmers; Harvey Gaynor discussing Corporate agriculture, where is it headed in Australia; Kane Younghusband sharing insights on Northern agriculture; and Mark Congreve a Senior Consultant with ICAN discussing the grains, pulse, oilseeds, and cotton and horticulture markets.

The guests all enjoyed afternoon tea with Coffee and Scones, followed by a scrumptious meal. A welcome finish to a day of intense learning.

Coonamble Shire Councillors held their meeting in the Memorial Hall where they were provided morning tea by the Lions Club and Memorial Hall Committee, and then sauntered over to enjoy meals from the two eight two eight Cafe Menu with their coffees and cold drinks.

Two days later we had bookings for the Book Club, a group of eleven ladies, and the "Special Thank You Lunch" for the children from Gulargambone Central School who helped out and worked tirelessly for Dinner under the Stars. The kids were escorted by Katie Rowe, who organised the the group of young workers, and Leah Hammond. Katie also helped with making the milkshakes and getting out the dessert. The kids truly enjoyed themselves and thought it was great to be served and called "madam and sir".

A very busy day for our staff though, but they handled themselves with grace and decorum and did a terrific job. Well done ladies.

If you like to see some pictures from these events, then simply open our "Gallery" page. Enjoy! 

Saturday night 14th March 2015 saw over 40 guests enjoy the first movie screening for two eight two eight’s Film Society 2015 season  - “The Hundred –Foot Journey”.  This title was requested by Bookclub enthusiasts who loved the novel, and by all accounts it didn’t disappoint.

A delicious meal of butter chicken with raita, mango chutney and pappadums was enjoyed and savoured, prepared by our wonderful chef Cath Peart, prior to the evening as she was unable to attend on the night – thankyou very much Cath for coming to our rescue yet again when no other volunteer was available to cook for us.  Dessert was a yummy berry meringue ice-cream prepared and served by our talented Alison Tancred – thankyou Al!  Sally Beveridge and Bettina Spora were kept busy processing everyone’s membership for the year, while Hugh and Michael (aka their capable other halves) followed Cath’s instructions to the letter to get the meal to our guests.  

Our next movie screening will be a School Holiday Special on Saturday 11th April – watch this space for more information.  Membership for 2015 is $20 Single or $40 Family (Couples with or without children) which allows movie admission for all screenings this year.

 

 

 

The 19th December saw two eight two eight hold it’s annual Christmas Lunch. Our guests from all walks of life were both young and mature of years. It was a lovely afternoon with much laughter and frivolity.
Paul Fisher came in as our guest chef to do the Roast Pork and Roast Chicken, along with the baked vegetable trio of potato, pumpkin and sweet potato, with fresh baby beans as our seasonal greens. Pauline Hammond and Michelle Rewiri were Paul’s right hands (always good to have three!) and did a marvelous job of supporting Paul in the kitchen.
Michelle and Pauline prepared the mini pavlovas with the berry coulis and whilst they were at it, learnt a few tricks of the trade from Paul who has catered many functions.
We were also very lucky to have our two prospective trainees come in to assist with the serving and clean up. Grant Milgate and Kiara Reid. What great workers they are and what wonderful attitudes they have. I think they secretly enjoyed themselves.

They all worked very well together and did a wonderful job. A BIG THANK YOU to them all.

Our guests for the day included the Haling family, the Wykes family, the O’Brien’s and the Anderson's. Maria and David (our long term guests at the caravan park), sat with Deidre Walker, Valda Glen, Nicole Morris and her daughters, Lee Hamilton, Paul Ower (who also chipped in and helped), and Diane Rusk. All up we had twenty five guests, with four take away Christmas meals also prepared.

Thank you to all our guests and staff. You all made it very special!

 

 

The doors opened at six and the crowd came rushing in. The excitement rose not only for the movie but also because there was a six year old birthday party being held at the movies. Lilla Oehm hit the big six and her party was a hit!
Popcorn was flowing, hot dogs were devoured and kids were laughing and having a fantastic time.
The movie hit the big screen just as the rain drops fell softly on the tin roof, so parents at the party were also happy due to the long awaited rain.
We stopped the movie half way through so everyone could refill from the candy bar and Lilla was able to blow out the candles of her cake. Let me tell you a kid’s party at two eight two eight will be high on many children’s wish list for 2015 as this party was screaming FUN!!! Why head to Dubbo when you can do it all at Gular -­- and cheaper too!
The night started on a high and ended on an even bigger high. All the kids loved the movie and it looked like quite a few adults who were enjoying their BYO beers were having a laugh too.

Our first adult trainee, Pauline Hammond, has graduated and achieved her Certificate III in Hospitality. Congratulations Pauline. This has been a three year course and we are very proud that Pauline has successfully completed her traineeship and chosen to do so at two eight two eight.

Pauline has not only grown in her abilities but also in confidence. She always has a smile on her face and is always happy to help. Not only has Pauline learnt so much during the past three years, but has taught those around her and not just at two eight two eight.

In the first photo below, we have Pauline accepting her certificate and flowers, and in the second, she is photographed with Angela O'Brien, who tutored Pauline with her written work. Pauline says, "I could not have got through my course without Angela's help".

Once again, Congratulations Pauline.

 

 

2015 Dinner under the Stars

Saturday 28 February

6.30pm till late

Black Tie

Early Bird ticket price $90pp (if booked before 6 February)

Bus to and from Dubbo

Tickets go on sale from 1 December, 2014

Want to be a table host? email twoeight28@me.com to find out how!

Dinner under the Stars is an annual fundraising event for two eight two eight, a volunteer-run

organisation at Gulargambone

You are invited to join us for an evening of fine food, music and entertainment!

Please check out our Our Story presentation and our video for new sponsorship options under our Dinner Under the Stars page on our website. You will be very much enlightened and hopefully excited!

We had a great kid’s movie night on Saturday 28th June! “Frozen” was the choice and proved to be a very popular one!! 

With just under 50 attendees Michael, Cath and Sally were flat out keeping up the hot dogs and popcorn!!

Thank you to everyone for coming out on such a COLD evening !!

It was an amazingly successful night. We had a full house with 101 guests from Gulargambone, Gilgandra, Coonamble, Tooraweenah, Warren, Dubbo and Mudgee. 

Jean Kittson and her husband Patrick Cook had travelled from Sydney and stayed at the Armatree Hotel. Jean has written a book “You’re still hot to me” the Joys of Menopause, which has been illustrated by her husband Patrick who many readers will remember from The Bulletin, he often wrote the article on the back page and other stories were often dotted with his cartoons.

This is Jean’s third visit to the area, and each time she has provided us with a great laugh and much appreciated support for different situations and causes, the first being in 2010 to give flood-affected families a light hearted night out and a good laugh, the second time as part of the Armatree Entourages effort towards the Cooee Crusade which raised funds for GilSA in 2011.

This time her “crusade” is to get everyone talking about Menopause. She generously offered to donate the profits from the book sale to our chosen charity and we thought the Gilgandra and District Cancer Fundraisers was a great one to support so approximately 35% of the sale price will be donated. Books were sold on the night and Jean signed and spoke individually to everyone who had a book signed or wanted to share their stories with her. We still have signed (both by Jean and Patrick) copies of the book available for $33 (contact Sara at reedsdale@bigpond.com

or 68485328) 35% of each book will continue to go to the Gilgandra & District cancer fundraisers, we have so far given a cheque for $462, which is the profit on 40 books.

The guests enjoyed as always a beautiful meal prepared and served by the volunteer catering team at two eight two eight. Jean spoke to the crowd and then took questions from the floor and, given the topic, it was refreshing that a number of questions were asked by both men and women in the audience.

33 Guests from Gulargambone, Coonamble, Warren and Dubbo enjoyed a delicious three-course meal catered by volunteer chef Tracy Rae. 

Entree was a citrus flavoured pumpkin soup garnished with pancetta, chives, croutons and cream. The main course was an alternate drop of Chicken, Leek & Thyme Pie with Crusty Bread or Braised Lamb Korma with Naan Bread while dessert was a choice of Chocolate Hazelnute Torte or Carrot & Pineapple Cake. All followed by coffee, tea and chocolates and a small gift for all mums! 

Many thanks to the volunteers who helped: Paul Fisher, Deidre Walker, Stewart Herring and Greg O'Brien. 

Check out some pictures of our Mothers' enjoying their special day.

Thank you to Pru Holgate and Damaris for organising all the craft activities over the past few years. So many kids have enjoyed them during the school holidays!! From now on, Marita Paton will be running craft school holiday sessions. So stay tuned!

left to right - Korrani Reid, Kaitlyn Newton, Greygryn Holgate-Gorton (assisting), Domonic Newton, Gabby Newton and Tahlia Newton.