Third time lucky for campout

Terara couple Owen and Thelma Ison staged the event at their Millbank Road property last Friday, Saturday and Sunday, attracting huge numbers.

After last year’s event was cancelled due to rain, Mr Ison said the third annual event was “superb”.

“I think everyone had a great weekend,” he said.

“The weather was on our side this time, the acts were great and we had good crowds each day – our numbers were definitely up.

“And that all goes towards us raising money for Noah’s Shoalhaven, a centre that works with families and children with additional needs in the Shoalhaven.”

The event was also a fund-raiser for Team Shoalhaven, a group of locals who raise money for sick children, who catered for the campout.

The campout featured 10 special guest artists as well as a host of local performers and at its height on Saturday night Mr Ison said the crowd was more than 500.

“Gate takings both Saturday and Sunday were very good,” he said.

“The crowd just grew and grew.

“We are now a permanent fixture on the country music rounds. And we will only get bigger and better again next year.”

Visitors started arriving in their vans early last week, with the last expected to head out of town yesterday.

“The campers just love our setting,” he said. “It’s a fantastic location.

“We had a couple from Western Australia, another from Horsham in Victoria and Rockhampton in Queensland.

“We had visitors from Parkes and Forbes and even a busload from Merimbula, as well as a host of locals.”

Mr Ison thanked the many local businesses that supported the campout.

“There are too many to name, but I certainly appreciate all their support,” he said.

Believe it or not but preparations for next year’s campout, which will be staged on March 28-30 have already begun.

• More photos from the weekend appear in Scene (page 72) and at www.southcoastregister.com.au.