For the 13th time Golden Oldies Cricketers from Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, England, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA enjoyed the 'Fun, Friendship & Fraternity' that is a Golden Oldies World Festival.
Sunny skies and windy conditions greeted participants as they assembled to march around Queenstown's lake esplanade in a 'Parade of Nations' not to be forgotten. Led by a Scottish Pipe Band, the parade assembled in Earnslaw Park to be greeted by dignitaries, including the Mayor of Queenstown, Clive Geddes, Air New Zealand Deputy CEO, Norm Thompson. A Maori Challenge, accepted by Festival Ambassador Glenn Turner added colour to an already colourful event. View the Opening Ceremony here.
An open air Welcome Party in the main street of the historical ex-mining town of Arrowtown was a great hit and included bands, solo musicians, 'can-can' dancers and an appearance by a sheep drover and his dogs making their way amoungst the revellers!
The first of three 'play days' got off to a fine start at eighteen different grounds throughout Queenstown and the Southern Lakes District, and as far south as Invercargill, to cope with the capacity 60 teams entered. View the playing action here.
Optional activities and events were a feature of this 13th World Festival and included an exclusive Golf Tournament, an evening lake cruise and dinner at the Colonels Homestead at 'Walter Peak', high country sheep station. Two 'Cricketers Forums' were held at Festival Bar - 'The Googlers Arms'.
The traditional mid-week Picnic was held at an 800 acre Deer Farm, 'Moonlight Stables' and offered Golden Oldies an array of optional activities. In addition to music, dancing and some fine hospitality, lassoing, gumboot throwing, skeet shooting and archery, together with 4WD drive farm-bikes, helicopter and jet-boat rides made for a unique 'rest day' from the cricket! View the Picnic day here.
A formal Gala Dinner for 1,000 broke all records for the largest such event in Queenstown. Showcased at the Queenstown Event Centre and including iconic New Zealand rock 'n roll stars from the 60's and 70's, Ray Wolfe and Suzanne Lynch together with 'Austin Powers' and 'Freddie Mercury', the night was a huge success and one to be remembered. Winners in the Air New Zealand Awards Ceremony presented by General Manager New Zealand Region, Cam Wallace during the evening included the following:
Special Merit Award - Phil Boyes, Auckland Cricket Society, New Zealand
Best Team Uniform Award - 'Midmar Golden Bulls', South Africa
Friendship Award - 'Lincoln Wahines', New Zealand
Personality Award - Harry Solomons, 'Australian Sri Lankans'
Spirit of the Festival Award - 'The Primary Club of Australia'
A memorable week and one to be repeated for the 14th time in 2010 in Harrogate, England.
