From the Committee
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SATURDAY night again saw a large crowd from both the local area and further afield enjoy the 31st Annual Cathcart Variety Show.
It is estimated the audience was around 200 strong and this, along with the catering for the previously postponed Bombala Car Rally, meant that the Cathcart community had an extremely busy Valentine’s Day on its hands!
The rain over the day provided an added challenge and did keep the numbers attending both events down slightly, which is unfortunate given these events provide much-needed funds to continue to maintain and make improvements to the Cathcart Hall.
However, people again travelled from far and wide to both perform and be part of the audience. Many people have now placed Cathcart on their itinerary of shows to see each year and arrive the night before in readiness.
When it came to the performers we had the usual great mix of old regulars, those friends who have not been for a few years and some exciting new artists as well.
The hall, as is always the case, filled up quickly and was near to full as the show got underway at 4pm.
The television link to the outside under-covered area to accommodate the meals and those who had difficulty finding a seat inside the hall proved popular.
The old hall rocked well into the night with the last act finishing reluctantly at approximately 1am.
The show was compared by the popular local, Jay Podger, who as usual worked hard to make sure the show moved along at a fast, effortless and entertaining pace. We thank Jay for his hard work and professionalism.
Thanks also go to Wilf Giles and John Podger for their hard work back stage to ensure the smooth running of the night. Wilf is again to be commended on his hard work in organising the program for the night; this is a huge, time consuming task, which he as usual completed with great efficiency.
Artists who performed on the night included Jay Podger, Alan Neal, John Podger, Becky Kelland, Ron Milliner, Jeff Johnson, Lindsey Connelly, Darrel Ingram, John Edwards, Tina Podger, Tiger and Tracey Bobbin, John Podger, Luke Simpson and Shelley Cussack, Michelle Russell, Roger Baker and Maria, Katrina Goldstraw and
Michael Green (who entertained us on the drums with the ever-popular “Wipeout”), while Barry Martin and Vicki Walsh made welcome returns to the bill after a few year’s absence.
Brendan Podger not only returned to the stage to entertain us with his singing, but again provided us with the high quality sound equipment essential for a show such as this, and we thank Brendan greatly for this.
We thank all of the artists for giving so freely of their time and talents.
This truly was, as always, a variety show, containing everything from bush poetry, through instrumentals, comedy, rock and country to ballads.
The raffle comprised a hamper for first prize, won by John Podger and wine and chocolates for second, won by Tom Kennedy.
It goes without saying that the crowd was again treated to the usual high quality food for dinner and supper.
Congratulations again to the Cathcart community on the fantastic, high quality annual event they put on, and we look forward to everyone’s fine company again this time next year on the second Saturday in February 2016.