St Florian Campsite

A St Florian’s Campsite

Run by your usual crowd of friendly and helpful St Florianites

This campsite, due to management skills and style of life, places no upper limit of 28 places on the campsite. The campsite will cost $80 total per person + $7.50 for fighters. The money will need to be payed to Michael Hewitt on 33489319 or 0413751324.

Acacia. Acacia looks after the kitchen and also holds the secrets of the first aid box. ‘Den Ma’ as she is known, is the bane of all those who would sleep in and those with hangovers. A greasy breakfast is prepared in the twinkling of an eye to the accompaniment of raucous laughing at the unholy hour of 6.00am. Should tragedy strike at any hour, Den Ma is at hand. Severed limbs, impalements and even 1^{st

degree decapitations are Acacia’s bread and butter.}

^{Bain, not Blayne, not Cain and not Rhyvane. Hailing

from Stornaway (also known as the Abyss), Bain is an all purpose agony aunt. If

you have any problems, particularly about armour, fighting, transport and such,

please see him at fighter practice

Michael. That’s me! I will be

taking bookings, looking after money and fielding general enquiries about the

whole bang and caboodle. If you have trouble contacting anyone on this list,

give me a call. If you can sing, dance or otherwise entertain, I wouldn’t mind

having a natter to you at some stage either.

Wolfe. Wolfe is not appearing is

this campsite.

Introduction

Rowany is a five day festival held over the Easter break. The

event takes places on the Tara Girl Guide’s camp ground in Silverdale, NSW.

During the five days are such activities as fighting, singing, dancing,

campfiring, attending collegias and of course, for those inclined, drinking and

socialising at the tavern. For fighters, one big attraction of Rowany is that it

is the largest war found in Australia. Much of the festival is focused on the 2

main war days. The field battle day is enhanced by the war muster in which

different units march to the central muster area in all their best fighting

regalia in a battle for the “Best Unit Award” awarded to a unit solely on

appearance. Collegias, or in other words, studies on varied subjects provide an

opportunity to learn new skills or at the very least improve on older ones.

Other activities such as plays, feasts, bardic circles are

available to amuse most still alive people.

Directions to get there are as follows: -}

^{Find the easiest way onto the Hume Highway

Take Camden, Liverpool, North Coast, (7)(89), Camden Valley Way exit off Hume

Highway.

Turn left at (89) Bringelly, Camden exit onto Camden Valley Way

Turn right onto Bringelly Road

Follow the signs to Bringelly, at the crossroads go straight ahead Bringelly

Road becomes Greendale} ^{Road

Go through Greendale and along about 5km of poor road, follow the signs to

Silverdale

Turn left onto Silverdale Road, at the roundabout take the left turn to

Silverdale on Silverdale Road

Go through Silverdale, at T-junction turn left onto Silverdale Road and then

take 1st left almost} ^{immediately onto Taylors

Road at the ‘Tara’ sign.

Follow Taylors Road to the right at the T-junction.

Continue alone Taylor’s Road and at the end is Tara Girl Guides’ Camp and

the Festival site.}

^{Transport

The trip to Rowany is full of mystique and wonder. Wonder at

why it isn’t closer to us. In any case, since the trip down and back takes up

so much of your time, I will try to give you an idea of what it is actually

like. In any case, it should be experienced at least once. You will find that

depending on your timetable, you will arrive on site somewhere between Wednesday

morning and Friday morning. The first activities begin on the Thursday

afternoon. The people that run the campsite usually take a convoy down quite

early in the week and while I cannot tell you how early we will go this year, we

will try to get onsite in a reasonable timeframe to ensure that the tents and

other bits and pieces are all available and ready to go for Thursday evening.

After 8 long years of Rowany some of the initial excitement

has worn off the 14hr trip when viewed objectively however, when we first get on

the road after everything is packed, the sun is usually starting to fall out of

sight. The day is hot and some have had showers to refresh themselves before the

marathon event. The convoy takes off (assuming no one has forgotten anything or

nothing has gone wrong.)

About 15 minutes down the road we stop to fill petrol and make

final preparations. The convoy vehicles are pumped full of Coke and lollies. The

rustle of a bag of chips is heard from all angles. As the light fails we pull

onto the freeway and step on the pedal. The conversations are animated and the

cars are filled with laughter and the sound of mobiles going off . Some people

hang out of windows like baboons and try and pass things between cars in a

foolish attempt to become roadkill. An amazing amount of testosterone is

expended during this time and all fighters are elevated to the status of demigod

of war, at least in their own minds.}

^{Things slow down sometime after dinner. This period is often

the most normal as most testosterone has evaporated and the 2 hr trip has

subdued the}^travellers^{.

Conversations on tactics, politics and other academic subjects rule the tongue.

The period stretches out and out as we pull over the range and into the cold,

cold night air of the highlands. It is now obvious that all those people who

were wearing jeans when it was so hot had a very good reason for it. Six hours

out of Brisbane we stop to pick up Bill. It is very cold and we are shivering.

We have a cup of tea at Bill’s house which revives us temporarily.}

^{A new period comes upon us at one in the morning. People are

weary and those driving are relying on their wakey wakey’s to keep them awake.

We stop for a cup o’ coffee. The coffee tastes the same as the other 15 cups,

but fails to penetrate the stomach lining that is coated with junk food. The

desperate, eat a large greasy meal in the hope it will spark some amazing

transformation. Convinced they are refreshed, the party leaves the station and

continues. At 2 or 3 am, the sleepy drivers realize that their wakey wakey’s

are asleep. Drivers change and spirits drop. Really serious discussions like

religion and personal subjects are kept softly in the front seats but some have

resorted to describing in minute detail text based adventure games to keep

themselves awake. Wakey wakey’s try to think of something to talk about that

will keep both themselves and their driver alive but soon fall into

unconsciousness. The drivers sigh in relief as the wakey wakey ceases the mind

numbing attempt.

Some interest is sparked as light hits the horizon at 5.30 am.

Bleary eyes are seen to rise in the back for short periods but fall away again

moments later. By 8.OOam we are in hell. McDonalds appears at and suckers us in

every time because taste is no longer important.

The next 3 hours aren’t pretty as Mic and Kev go for the

throat. Kev wants to play a tape of compiled music labelled “death beast, sex

slave, rock god and fiends from underworld filth”. Michael does not want him

to. Negotiation fails and trial by combat seems the only way of deciding the

issue. An uneasy truce is called as UN intervention allows tape to be played.

Tape seems to have mysteriously disappeared. Kev seems convinced that it is not

a coincidence. Trial by combat continues. Everyone is cranky and grumpy. We

arrive on site. The old crusty campaigners, stand and talk for a few moments

before unloading everything. The newbies stumble around in confused horror

before crying out and falling to the ground. After a slapping, they are ready to

work. One chain gang crawls back into the vehicles and heads to town to shop and

the other starts digging holes and putting up tents.

Consider your transport carefully. After all, you’ll learn

to despise it unless it has an inbuilt swimming pool and luxury roomettes.}

^{Flying is the least exhausting and most pleasant form of

transport but has some drawbacks. It may be a little more expensive and you will

have to find someone to transport your gear and also locate transport to the

site from Sydney airport.}

^{If you are a Plebeian, like everyone else, you will have

to drive. Welcome to the joys of convoys. Between Tuesday and Thursday many St

Florianites will be leaving the shire in convoys. Some seats are available for

the minute cost of petrol down and back (usually about $50-60). Unfortunately,

the days of plenty of seats in dodgy old vehicles without heating have all but

gone, leaving well oiled crews of car hirers to provide your transport. Again

the cost is greater.}

^{The things you will need to take into account when

searching for transport are}

^{1) When you can/want to leave (what holidays you have)}

^{2) Budget}
^{3) Amount of gear}

^{At Rowany

Rowany itself is often very different from what people

expect. When you arrive, it is a field with a few tents. There are a few

buildings here and there and a slope and you are tired and cranky after having

driven for 12-14 hours. You see the camp and curse it for the desolate hole it

is. The secret is to force yourself as quickly through the digging, tenting,

shopping, carrying etc.. as possible, have a shower, come to the pub for

dinner and then hit the sack. It all looks better in the morning.

Many will tell you that you get out of Rowany what you put

in. Whilst this is true in some respects, it also depends on what sort of

person you are. If you are the sort of person who doesn’t mind sleeping in a

wet towel on an ants nest every night and changing clothes gets in the way of

valuable fighting time you can hop in the car with your armour and leave.

If you are people like me, you like personal comforts and

dislike dirt in your bed and boot marks on your pillows. If you are this sort

of person, then you have two choices. Start your own campsite or join St

Florian’s. Fortunately for newbies, A SF campsite caters for the large range

of people between wet towels and feather beds and we’ll help you get a

footing in a new environment.}

^{Finally, there are the ‘period campsite’ people who like

things to be ‘just so’. If you are this sort of person you will find

period campsites of like minded people in St Florian such as St Sebastian’s

and White Company etc... You will find however, that these campsites are

invitation only and if invited, they will expect you to a) abide by standard

rules set in place (authenticity) b) contribute effort and possibly finance to

the campsite, that is, no riding on other people’s}^labour^.

^{For the last two groups, things become a little more

complicated. There are things that need to be done.

Deciding on a campsite

1) How much effort you want to put in

2) Budget

3) Desired comfort level

4) Level of attachment to modern conveniences

5) Transport room available

6) What you want to do at Rowany

1) How much effort you want to put in :- The more

complicated your dream for a campsite becomes, the more planning, effort,

finance and dedication is required. Just ask Ulfgar or Constanzia. If you are

interested in the period campsite, there are things like cooking, pavilions,

clothing etc.. to be considered.

2) Budget. How much money do you have to spend on this

enterprise. Costs mount quickly.

3) Whether you want a four poster bed in your pavilion or a

foam mat in your bivouac. Remember changes of clothes and a variety of foods.

How to deal with muddy boots and torrential downpour. How much light you want

in your campsite.

4) The degree of authenticity you wish to experience.

5) How much room do you have to transport this ever growing

pile of gear

6) When you arrive, do expect to be attending collegia,

fighting all the time etc... what ‘special’ gear will you need for your

activities.

St Florian’s Campsite

This St Florian’s campsite (we are all really St Florian’s

campsites) has been in existence for quite some years and has finally settled

down to a core of ‘hosts’ (introduced on page 1) that will be able to assist

you in your Rowany disorientation. While the food is neither authentic nor

extravagant, it is tasty and enjoyable. Dinner time can be quite enjoyable if

you enjoy company. The money you provide the campsite goes towards the food you

eat and the tents you use. This St Florian’s campsite provides a shower tent

containing two showers and water chuffers to provide the hot water for the

campsite so as to avoid the trek and lines to the far distant showers.

Unfortunately, we are still working on having the huge ready supply of water

near the campsite for baths so no steaming hot baths this year®. The Baron of

Riverhaven for which we are and always will be exceedingly grateful constructed

these facilities for us. A Kitchen tent is provided to hold the gas stoves and

food laden tables that provide us our meals (thanks Acacia).

This year we will be fortunate enough to have a large tent to

contain our armour and also a tent in which to dine. We are looking at

purchasing some hay bales to make sure all is kept dry and to provide handy

makeshift seating The fire... .1 forgot to mention the fire. So warm. ..so hot..

.arrgghhhh it’s burning me... All newbies learn a new safety dance on the

first day. It’s called the Wolfe two-step.

Accommodation :- If you are

going to Rowany you will need somewhere to lay your sleepy

head. Many can tell you that sleeping on the ground in the dew after a

hard night at the tavern is only sometimes rewarding, especially if you

plan to fight the next day. You will need to supply yourself with some

sort of tent or building in which to sleep. Normally, people sleep in

tents. Big tents, small tents, round tents, square tents, orange tents,

white tents, long tents, short tents etc... If you wish to sleep in

tents, you have two choices 1) Provide your own tent 2) Hire a tent from

Rowany.}

^{If you are choosing the former, you will want to take into

account the size of the tent. Remembering that you will be living in this tent

for 5 days, it will hold all your gear and serve as a place in which to dress

for the day. Remember, ladies that your dresses are difficult to put on

especially while lying down. Being a luxury bunny, I do prefer to take a 4-6 man

tent for 2 people.... hmm .. .comfort. The Rowany cottage tents are a good size

for 2 people and tall enough to stand up in if you are relatively short. They

will sell fast though, so if you plan on hiring, do it now. If you have not got

a way of getting a tent, let me know and I will}^endeavour^{to find one for you. Day to Day :-}

^{At Rowany, you will find that there are certain things

you will need to bring. The days are warm and the nights can be very

cool. Bring clothing that will allow you to be comfortable in both

extremes. In the likely event that it will be wet, you will need bring

clothes suitable for rain and mud and enough towels to ensure that they

have time to dry if no sun is available. I suggest that women invest in

a least one set of men’s garb like basses or tunic and trews as it can

be more comfortable in the wet.}
^{Feasting Gear: -}^{Make sure

you bring eating utensils including knife, fork, spoon , plate, bowl,

goblet and possibly even a mug for hot drinks.}
^{Chair :- chairs are invaluable. After all, what

will you sit round the fire on? A director’s chair from any hardware

shop is usually sufficient. I have been asked to stress the chairs issue.

Please bring a chair and use it. Please do not occupy somebody else’s

chair when they are standing and never remove a chair that is not your own

from the campsite. This means that everyone will need to clearly mark his

or her chairs.

Cloak :-

cloaks keep you warm and they are soft and friendly. They can act as an

extra blanket or a pillow. All in all, a very useful item.

Large mattress :-

very comfortable. Remember to place a blanket under the mattress to stop

the air inside from getting really cold.

Table :- You have the option

to hire tables when you book and I always hire two. One to put in my tent

and one to put in the armouring tent. Bain says hire your own table, don’t

use mine. Fighters will be essentially hiring half a table each to go in

the armouring tent as part of their campsite fee.

Light: - Always take a lantern

and a torch. Put a torch in your tent and practice a little for operating

a lantern so it doesn’t get all black and yucky.

Money: - There are several

things to spend money on during this excursion. I will list the things

that I spend on. Car hire, Petrol, food , munchies, pub meal trip (15) and

very rarely, a mug or two of cider at the tavern . You also have the

opportunity to buy fighters (retailing for $10 and up) in the fighter

auction tourney, St Ursulan martyrs and things from the stalls on market

day.

Armour: - Obviously, if you

are a fighter, bringing your armour will be useful. Do not forget to bring

spare strapping and tools for last minute repairs. Do NOT forget your

authorisation card or forget to bring your mesh.

Fighting If you are going to

Rowany, you may want to consider fighting. You can fight on the field as

either a heavy fighter or if you eschew those close combat encounters, you

could try fighting as a light. Armed with axes or arrows, you can strike

fear into the hearts of your enemies at a more dignified distance. If

either of those things appeal to you, you will need to begin training

immediately and aim towards ‘authorisation’ before Rowany arrives. If

you have questions about fighting and authorisation, speak to Lord

Phillipe du Lac at fighter practice. Of course you will need to organise

armour as quickly as possible. Whilst new armour may or may not be ready

by festival depending on what you order, there are some loaner items out

in the St Florian void which could allow you to compile a ‘harness’.

Once your armour and authorisation have been sorted out,

you may wish to find a unit to fight for. There are various units within

St Florian that comprise the St Florian’s Division. The Ventbarre unit

will be based in and around the area of the St Florian’s campsite and it

is entirely possible that other units may also use the campsite as a

muster ground. For more information ask around at fighter practice. If you

are considering fighting light you will need to address the issue of

ammunition. Arrows can be expensive and you will need a fair few for a

decent fight.}

^{Finally, Rowany is all about having a good time but not at the

expense of other people. Like the SCA, this campsite is built on an}^honour^{system. We rely on everyone to do the daily chores they are assigned and to take

good care of the equipment we use, whether that means cleaning up after

yourself, wiping down tables or covering up food after use. A good dose of

humility and consideration is required when living in close proximity with so

many people. If you have any health requirements or food requirements, please be

sure to fill out the attached form correctly so that we can be prepared for any

eventuality. Please be aware that we will be trying to manage the campsite as

efficiently, cost effectively and smoothly as possible and it will be

appreciated if you listen to any announcements and follow any requests we give

concerning the campsite and your interaction therein. If you have any questions,

suggestions or issues you would like to raise, feel free to call me on

0413751324, 33489319 or email me on Winston@bit.net.au

<mailto:Winston@bit.net.au>}

^{Please complete this form and return to Michael Hewitt with

money to confirm booking. $80 + 7.50 per fighter.}

^Name ^{Fighter Y/N} ^{Arrival Time} ^{Departure Time} ^{Dietary Requirements} ^{Tent Y/N -Size} ^Notes* ^Cost

Total

* With regards to the notes, please list anything you could supply which might be of assistance to the campsite or any other requirements you may have.

^Name	^{Fighter Y/N}	^{Arrival Time}	^{Departure Time}	^{Dietary Requirements}	^{Tent Y/N -Size}	^Notes*	^Cost