Two Great CIKA Supporters

We would like you to meet Helen and John Holcombe who have been long time supporters of Wood Days and have had a longstanding friendship with CIKA members Christine and Andrew Duyvestyn.  Their involvement with the Wood Days over the last fifteen years became “hands on” in the last ten, when the role of Damper Cook was allocated to John who took it on with all the energy required to make and prepare up to twenty dampers a day, to be cooked in camp ovens on the open fire.

During this time the numbers attending the Wood Days grew substantially and Helen not only assisted John, but was full time on the food and drink sales and in food preparation for the Saturday dinner.  With this increase in attendance, there was a need to upgrade the weather protection, toilets and tanks on the property.  John and Helen offered their support at the working bees that took place three or four times a year as well as providing materials including tanks and iron, for which we are very grateful. Helen and John were a major part of the Coach Drive, an eleven day journey undertaken in 2006, starting in Port Fairy and ending in Melbourne.  They were there every day, caravan in tow, and played a major part in helping to raise the $71,000 that this event attracted. They saw the result of this effort when they visited the Biobank at MCRI following the fundraiser and had an opportunity to view the Leica Microscope that was purchased with the money raised.

On the evening of 13 of November at the Wood Days venue, Helen and John were presented with the 2021 CIKA Champion award by CIKA president, Sandra Lehrer.  Both of them were very surprised and humbled by this recognition, and both reiterated that the rewards from being involved with CIKA via the Wood Days were the driving force behind their continued support.

Congratulations and well done.