Trevor Bennett, clerk of course, penned these thoughts...
What did you learn ?
Part of the job (being CoC) is to take the flack for those hard workers whose decisions may appear to not have been as good at the event as they were before it. The messages have been passed to those that needed to hear them.
I learnt that it's not personal. The mates who were venting their spleen, and the mates whose decisions were being accused and ridiculed, are still my mates.
Have the presentation of trophies straight after the event has finished. At least that may save the Kiwi Champ getting razzed by the celebrating Aussie Womens Champ. (Mind you, from a female perspective, he may well be gorgeous!)
Justin Gough and Maurie Blanchard are a lot more than 'just' Aussie Sidecar Champions. Maurie's been riding Trials nearly as long as I have and I've heard him threaten retirement a couple of times before. His trophy acceptance words have always been entertaining, but this this years effort in presenting his boots ("9 Aussie Titles, and only 10 dabs") to Jack Herbert for Connor Sens to grow into was pretty special.
What a champion, in every sense of the word, Jake Whitaker is. He's been runner up two Aussie Titles in a row, winning the Kiwi Title in between. Yet in his few words he wanted to acknowledge his mate Kyle Middleton who had had to retire due to an injured ankle. They became good mates riding for opposing teams in the Oceania Trials Championship.
Jack Herbert and Connor Sens for their Sidecar effort. Mal Loone for his Sidecar section tuning, and his Sidecar technique teaching.
Neil Price's effort in helping revise the Open Solo sections at the end of Day 1. Likewise Les Hellyar for the Masters / Youth line. Ollie for helping Macca and I place a few extra blue splits early on Sunday morning
Graham Peace's apology to the Open Solo riders when accepting his special plaque.
Graham Peace for loaning the CoC a magnificent quad !!
Kristie McKinnon and Michelle Coleman happily accepting finishing on a tie of zero so that Sue Ferris and Estelle Boorer could happily finish with a tie on smiles.
Justin and Maurie doing likewise in Chairs, although they did drop a tad more than zero, so that the Sens / Herbert (Sen), and Herbert / Sens (Jun), teams could also finish.
Col Zar in coming forward to suggest the Open Solo sections be toned down a little was great, but not as important as Col Zar fronting up to the Official on Sunday morning to appologise for swearing on Saturday. You're a Champion in more ways than one Col!
A big thankyou to each of the Observers, and card punchers, who helped me resolve the half dozen disputed point issues during the course of the events, and also to those competitors who were witnesses.
To Adina Reed, for coming up to me in the middle of the paddock, to say thanks for a great trial, and that her Dad reckoned I was the most switched on Official in Trials. I did hear from a couple of others that I should be switched off!
A few Interstate phone calls and I can confirm that Tim Price's shoulder dislocation popped back in with minimum to no damage. He went back to work today (Tuesday).
Jamie O'Neill was back at the Trial, albeit on crutches, on Sunday arvo. He has his foot strapped, and did confirm that he was not in a section when he hurt his foot.
Jason Byrne was actually walking when his knee gave way.
Kyle Middleton has left for Europe after tests and X-rays found nothing broken. He's been instructed by his Physio on how to strap his ankle.
Tony Coomber has two small breaks in his ribs, and severe bruising around his kidneys. He's off the bike for eight weeks. He could see the irony of "blaming the section setters". I had actually rung him to congratulate him on the wonderful job he'd done with the 'Blue' sections.
Witnessing the high pressure rid-off for the top four Women. Michelle riding first and appearing to produce a typical tidy clean, but actually getting "fived" for riding across the end of a blue split. Having the Observer appologise for doing his job in having to give her a 'five'. Having Sam King standing right next to me saying "He gave me a five for the same thing earlier !"
Having 38 Juniors and 13 Women Competitors, each being a new record for an Aussie Title.
Putting in my CoC Report that the Open Solo sections were far, far, too challenging. Masters sections were far too challenging. Hoping that this was not lost on future section setters.
Cheers
Trevor Bennett
Clerk of Course.