2022 Minilift
GOONDIWINDI
Friday 29th April - Sunday 1st May
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A small team of 12 Big Lifters headed off to the Goondiwindi Show to assist organisers at the event. The team consisted of Tamzin Ward Kucurs, Nikolas Edsen, Jenny Youn, Ilva Werkman, Joris Mijnssen, Daniel Pickering, Annabelle Nott, Christopher Ayling, Andrew Ballantyne, Estelle Sanchez, Raymond Werkman and Joseph Etican. Together, the group worked around on various tasks and assisted locals at the Showgrounds over 3 days and 2 nights. It was a quaint little trip and many stories were created.
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"Goondiwindi is somewhere I would love to visit again! The people there were very friendly and generous and the open fields and the animals were beautiful. I really enjoyed going out of my comfort zone by trying new things; for example, running into the arena while the horses were jumping to reset the jumps, and going on fairground rides!"
~ Tamzin Ward Kucurs, Mini-Lift Officer | Trip Participant 2022
Show Highlights
The Goondiwindi show encompassed many exciting and thrilling performances and activities. In addition to working, Big Lift volunteers also got to experience some fun and attend shows themselves including circus acts like 'Wheel of Steel', acrobatics and trapeze artists. There were also, horse trick riding, bull riding, motorbike jumping and a rodeo. Additional, Big Lifters got the opportunity to go round the Ferris wheel and make friends with some animal pals at the petting zoo. Yes, they were FLUFFY!
The Wild Memories
Needless to say every trip comes unforgettable memories. For many of our participants, that was visiting some adorable farm animals. The animals were extremely comfortable around people and one participant was fortunate enough to have a calf rest its head down in their lap. Surprisingly, another moment that was so small but stuck was getting to greet people at the entry when giving wrist bands where participants got to meet many lovely locals and have spirited conversations.
Show Jumping Project
One of the main events at the Goondiwindi Show is show jumping. Many of our volunteers assisted the organisers in this event. Participants aided in setting up the equestrian courses. During the competition, Big Lifters were spread out over the fields to return equipment, reset obstacles and monitor the show.
Our members were prepared for anything - if a pole got knocked down, they would be on the job in seconds :)
Setting Up
Each day, we split up in various groups to get tasks done. Setting up was a big job, but together along with the show organisers, we helped run a successful event. Tents, stalls and activity spaces were all part of the big job but was no trouble as we worked as a team.
Other Volunteering Projects
Throughout the event, we were also in charge of managing tables and chairs, including putting them out, washing them and cleaning them.
Whilst the show was in action, our team members had the role of handing out wrist bands and programs. This was also done in conjunction to monitoring the entry and exit gates and greeting people.
The final thing that was done was the big last day clean up - packing up and returning all the equipment at the end.
Joy was no stranger to us on the trip. Over the course of the trip, we spent much time together developing personal growth, engaging in service learning and making new relationships.
Some of us even had the opportunity to play games whilst packing up the pavilions. There were some board games available which was definitely taken advagtage of but most of the time was spent getting to know each other.
One night, we made a camp fire near where we slept and also got to enjoy strolling around the showgrounds together and even went on a few rides on the last night.
We are also very grateful to the lovely organiser of the show as they not only provided us with platters of sandwiches but also bought us meals from the food trucks/stalls that were there to feed us.
"Showing up and learning names with name bang, the longest bus trip I’ve done on big lift so far
Horses jumping!
We got a shed. She’s got a view and some fireplaces. Perfect. Not too bigeither. But nowhere to run from the snoring.
Helping the circus move their apparatus. The Wheel of Steel and heavy machinery.
Some people helped with ticketing.
I loved watching the circus. The juggling really inspired me. My first time seeing ribbons in real life. The Wheel of Steel is hard to watch. Damn those pegs are hard to get out. At least my cartwheels are 7/10."
~ Christopher Ayling, Trip Participant 2022
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