Lakeside Church

Wednesday:  26 February – 11.30 – 2.30 pm

Bonnells Bay Public School

We arrived at the school at around 10.15 and logged in to the school at the office.  We were then given a key to the gate at the far end of the school oval and proceeded to walk down to the gate while the Bubsie trailer was driven down the road ready to drive in when the gate was opened.  Unfortunately, the gate was opened outward so that the entry to the oval was only possible by taking a sharp right turn off the road. The culvert along the road had been washed out, so it did mean that the back of the trailer scrapped on the road a little.  However, we found that if one of the gates was opened inwards, we could exit the grounds on an angle and so would not have the problem with the washout on the way out. 

The car was unloaded on the oval and driven into position in the large, covered assembly area.  Shortly after setting it all up, the school children came out for their lunch time and were very interested in examining the car, picking up Bubsie colouring and puzzle brochures and asking lots of questions. 

When the bell went, the classes were then brought down to the assembly areas commencing with the Stage 3 students (Grades 5 & 6) and their teachers.  A presentation was made on the story of the car and what life was like on the journey around Australia and the people that Nevill and Greg met along the way.  The children were very attentive and keen for information, asking good questions at the conclusion of the presentation.  Copies of “The Overlander” book were given to each class teacher.

Following the first presentation, the students in Stage 2 (Grades 3 & 4) came and were given a similar presentation adapted to their age level.  This was followed by a small group of multi-stage students and their teachers.  This group, being small in number was also able to sit in the car and enjoyed a more personal presentation and the ability to ask multiple questions one on one. 

The Kindy students with their teachers came down next and we were very impressed with how well behaved they were as they sat and listened very attentively and also asked very good questions. 

Finally, the Stage 1 students (Grades 1 & 2) came down and the presentation was given for them.  Pr David Kosmeier, the pastor from Lakeside Church, was able to give a great demonstration to each group of what it was like for a tall man to get into and out of the vehicle.

As before, the teachers of each class were given “The Overlander” book and all the students were invited to come to the display at the Lakeside Church in the afternoon from 4 – 7 pm where they would be able to see the car up closer and have their parents take photos of them with or in the car.  The staff were very appreciative of the program and the school is to be commended for the excellent behaviour of their students and their attentiveness.  The school office manager came down to take photos for their school newsletter. After 5 presentations over the two and a half hours to approximately 350 + students and staff, we said goodbye and left for the afternoon program at the Lakeside Church.

Wednesday:  26 February – 4.00 – 7.00 pm

Lakeside Church

After setting up the display with Bubsie close to the main road and highlighted with our gazebo and with the helium balloons at the entrance to the church carpark, the team took a little rest break under the shade of the trees to have some refreshments and nourishment, before the program commenced at 4.00 pm.  Some of the first people to come were students with their parents from the Bonnells Bay School. Many parents commented that all they had heard about after picking their children was the story of the car.  In questioning the students we found that they had certainly remembered most of the details of the story and were still very excited about the car.  They enjoyed having their parents take their pictures with the car. Many cars passing along the road that did not stop, were also students from the school who were waving out the windows to the team and calling out a greeting.  A jumping castle and other stalls provided lots of entertainment, balloons, books, literature and yummy food for the visitors to the afternoon fun time and BBQ.  The food van from the Bay Church also provided lovely smoothies.

Over 100 people attended and toward the end of the afternoon, Pr Kevin Amos gave a presentation to those assembled under the trees around the car.  It was good to see a number of people who had come from the community, who had been notified through a letterbox drop in the area. We were also able to meet a number of Citroen owners and members of Citroen clubs who were also able to pass on to the team, the contacts of people who are Citroen collectors in places that Bubsie will visit this coming year. It was a great afternoon. Thank you to the Lakeside Church for your hospitality and support and it was good to see a good quantity of “The Overlander” distributed.