With just 14 days to go for the start of Mokefest 2009 we are getting down to the pointy end of the organising and for this issue I would like to cover some of things you should know about for your arrival at Moke Central and things in general.
However if you are a recent registeree or, you just haven't got around to sending in the form to book your meals etc. for MokeFest, then please do so or, even just give me a quick call or reply to this newsletter so we can speed things up. By the time you read this, T-Shirt orders will probably be closed but I do plan to order a few extra so you may be lucky if you are quick.
If you have not received an SALES ORDER or INVOICE, then please let me know.
And apologies for the repeat email the other day, I pushed the wrong button as i started to write this newsletter and it was sent before I could pull out the plug. On the plus side it did remind a few more people to get their orders in.
Arriving At MokeFest
My suggestion is that you get yourself checked in with your accomodation before you check in at Moke Central. I know some of the convoys are planning their Grand Enterance at Moke Central and it will look kind of silly if we have seen them queued up at the Caravan Park next door, so you are welcome to make your grand enterance, and then go and sort your accomodationa and come back to check in. One reason is for the security of your personal belongings and secondly we plan to take a photo of you with your Moke as you check in, and having it overflowing with luggage is probably not that good a look :)
Fruit Fly - Wagga is in the middle of a large fruit fly exclusion zone so plan to buy your fruit there or eat anything before you get about 100kms away from Wagga.
Monday
There is a handful of people from Melbourne turning up on the Monday afternoon, most leaving from my place in the morning, so if you want to join us along the way, let me know. We should be arriving in Wagga in the afternoon.
Tuesday
Another group is leaving for Wagga frm Melbourne on Tuesday, meeting at 9am in the rest area about 3 km past Kal Kalo on the Hume Highway just before the Speed Check gantry.
Those of us already in Wagga will be doing our piece for the television cameras at 10am and then be out touring for the afternoon and will be back around 4-5pm.
Wednesday
The SA group are leaving for Wagga on Wednesday to arrive on Thursday and I know of at least one couple from Queensland arriving on the Wednesday, however most of us won't be there.
Wednesday is our "big day out tour" over to Holbrook, Batlow Tumt etc. so we are not expecting to arrive back in to Wagga until late.
Thursday
Moke Central will be fully up and running by Thursday and the afternoon it is planned to have the first of the Check-ins for everyone as a practice run for the majority of arrivals on Friday. Not aware of any organised groups on Thursday, except the SA contingent.
For the die-hards who have already been there for a few days there will be tours in the local area and the rocket fuel tours to keep you amused.
Friday
See previous editions of the newsletter for contact details for the NSW based convoys to MokeFest and for Melbourne if you want to travel up in a group, then be at the rest area described above in the Tuesday section at 9am.
Not really sure what we are going to do with everyone in Wagga for most of the day as not much is open to see or visit, but something will be planned to keep us entertained until the crowds start rolling in during the afternoon.
Moke Central will be in full swing where everything will be under Control or total Kaos.
Saturday and Sunday
There should be someone around Moke Central all the time over the weekend so just turn up and we will work out what to do you with you :)
Monday
Too late, you have missed MokeFEst and we are all heading home, well some are staying another day to recover but there is going to be lots of tears and tissues as people say goodbye.
The Daily What's On.
The website is getting out of date with exactly what is on for each day and I do endeavour to remedy that soon but everything will be subject to change even up to the day before. So as it is only me in the dark as to what is going on, I have a plan to keep everything running smoothly.
First up, you should have received an information pack from Wagga Tourism Office about the local attractions which i strongly recommend you have a good look through before you leave or if you have a navigator while you are travelling. If there are any items that interest you that are not included in the somewhat official programme then let me know when you arrive so we can see if we can find some other like minded people to join you.
On the afternoon/evening before the activities planned for the next day will be on display on the notice boards (makes mental note to organise a Noticeboard!) and probably the toilet block in the Caravan Park. Everything starts and ends at MokeCentral so you just need to know when to be there. To avoid confusion there wil not be lots of copies handed out to people in case things change again at the last minute.
Also available will be the activity folders around MokeCentral and at the evening functions, which I ask that you make a point of scribbling each day with each activity you plan to attend the next day. This will allow for last minute adjustments to the number of leaders and support cars needed and whether activities will happen at all if there is no interest in them.
There will be identifiable groups for each activity in the car park at Moke Central so you that you do not line up for a Junee tour and end up on the way to Temora.
I am also looking to have a small bus available to ferry people from Wagga Beach to the Hall each evening and more importantly back again later in the evenings so there is no need for people to be driving under the influence. I hope the deal might also include it for the whole day Saturday so we can use it for a socialable trip to either Junee or Temora for all those unable to hitch a rde in a Moke.
Things to Bring
Californian Shirt, aka Hawaiian shirt or your basic loud obnoxious American Tourist type shirt for 11am Sunday when judging will take place, but that is no reason not to wear it everywhere across MokeFest.
Dinky Moke, the collectable little car from the Dinky model Car Club, is required to partake in a couple of different events. One being the MOA style traditonal Dinky Moke Race and the other being a uniquely MokeFest Dinky Moke race.
Something to wear from 60's -80's for the Sunday night dress up dinner. Maybe you have been hanging on to the flared jeans hoping they would come back into fashion one day, or perhaps that big collared paisely shirt is just itching for another excuse to wear it.
Moke bits to swap or sell. Gerry W. is organising a bit of horse, or in our case Donkey, trading at Moke Central on the Friday afternoon so if you have a few surplus parts you could do without, then toss them in.
Spare Seat in your Moke? If you don't mind offering a spare seat in your Moke to some of the Mokeless at MokeFest then please make a point to add your details to the list at check in time so we can extend the enjoy of the Mokes to those who are unable to bring theirs.
Trailer Storage
If you are being boring and bringing your Moke on a trailer and need to store the trailer then you need to contact Mr Trailer Storage on
brett@nicho.id.au or mobile 0140 566 043 to make arrangements. Brett has arranged secure storage at a friends place but it does have some conditions, notably daylight hours only access and an annoying neighbour.
About your Moke
A number of people have sent in their story about their Moke which has been great to read so look out for their story on the windscreen of their Moke.
You can
download an example written by John F. about his long history with the Moke to get an idea but please be creative. Once received we will put your information in a nice pretty MokeFest Page with logos etc. and if the post MokeFest booklet gains enough interest to make it viable, then you could be reading about your Moke on your coffee table.
Volunteers.
If you ticked the box for offering to volunteer at Mokefest, expect to be hearing from me soon as I am starting to build up a list of things we need help with over the course of Mokest. Jobs include computer skills/ Photoshopping, secret merchandise/goodies business, public speaking, digital photograpjy on the road and at the photo booth, traffic control and leading a tour or convoy, setting up and running the nights at the hall.
Dave and I are still looking for people interested in helping with the production of the MokeFest the Movie DVD. If you know your way around a Moke and can spot interesting things about a Moke at 10 paces or have the gift of the gab and can talk the crutch off a one legged man then you could be well suited to help. We need people to do interviews and people to find the interesting Mokes and people to interview.
See you at MokeFest,
Terry Pollard
