beefsteak and burgundy club
34^th convention
on board P&O Pacific Eden from Outer Harbour,
Adelaide 24-27 March 2017 Hosted by Woodville S.A

Embarkation

As we were about to board the lyrics of a song from my boyhood kept running through my mind:

In South Australia I was born, heave away, haul away
In South Australia ‘round Cape Horn, we’re bound for South Australia

Haul away your rolling king, heave away, haul away
Haul away, you’ll hear me sing, we’re bound for South Australia etc

Well, we did not have to haul away and we did not go around Cape Horn but we were on a ship for a three day journey that took us up and down St Vincent’s Gulf several times!
We booked early and paid our $250 per person registration and $849 each P&O Booking fee. 171 members and guests registered; with I think 169 attending following a cancellation through illness.
Some of us had already made an early start at a pre convention dinner hosted by Lee Miller. Remember at Hobart on Sunday, she, the Brinkworths and Yaxleys and Jill and I thought about forming a new club called B&B Brunch? A slight hitch was that we lived in three different States. Hence the dinner prior to this convention. Gaye and Tim Fischer, chief organisers of this convention and staff from P&O were some of the other attendees. It was a good prelude for our food and wine cruise.
As we arrived at the shipping terminal we were greeted by “Lollypop girls” carrying big B&B lolly-pops (but not wearing the promised bikinis) and they directed us to where to deposit our luggage, where to register and to help with any other information. Tim Fischer had recently compiled three Cruise letters and so we were all well prepared.

Registration

After dropping off our luggage we had no difficulty finding the prominently signed Registration Desk. We collected our pre-ordered Reversible Vests ($53.90 each) and our convention packs and name tags. The name tags had our name and Club printed on both sides, an initiative to overcome the problem of them flipping over. We reached our comfortable cabin, the entrance decorated with balloons bearing the convention logo. We had a window view (we decided against a balcony as we correctly forecast that we would hardly use it). There followed inspection of the contents of our “Show bags”. There was a handy pocket-sized booklet containing messages from Convention Convener, Tim Fischer, Bruce Perks, President Adelaide B&B Club, Captain Nicholas Boon, Captain of Pacific Eden and Woodville B&B Club history, (they celebrate their 50th anniversary on 3rd August this year), history of Pacific Eden, Convention Delegates list, and Convention Programme. For men there was a commemorative cap and an eyeshade for the ladies. An extra backpack was provided plus spectacle wipers. Each delegate received 50ml bottle of sunscreen lotion and a commemorative pack of ballpoint pen and key ring. In addition there were each three chocolates with convention instructions: “Place one chocolate on pillow each evening before leaving cabin for dinner. On returning to cabin to retire, notice chocolate on pillow, act surprised! Put on night attire, eat chocolate, brush teeth, go to bed. Sleep well!” There was also a leaflet promoting a post convention visit to the 1864 Clipper Ship “City of Adelaide” at Dock One, Port Adelaide. Tim organised a post convention tour for 10 or 11 am for delegates interested.

Friday Afternoon And Evening

We enjoyed a late lunch featuring a variety of dishes at the Pantry on Deck 11 while catching up with other delegates we know from previous conventions and meeting delegates we had met for the first time. This was to be a continuing practice throughout the convention as delegates were easy to identify as part of B&B either by their distinctive vests or lanyards.
After lunch we stood by for a Safety Drill, a rather tedious affair that could have been performed by our cabin steward but apparently that would not comply with regulations. At least P&O had some sense of humour saying “We can’t promise this will be the most memorable part of your holiday but all guests must attend.”
Afterwards we explored the huge area of the ship and awaited our departure, delayed owing to a shortage of pilots. When we did at last start to move a little girl near us became quite concerned about what would happen to the swimming pool! She had no conception of how everything so huge was able to move through the sea, including the pool.
As the convention programme did not begin until the following morning we dined with a group of other delegates in the Italian themed Angelo’s Restaurant. While food was generally included in the price of the voyage, wines were not and had to be debited to the user’s bill on the spot. It was ominous that the staff had little knowledge of wine service and we were to find that often the wine would not arrive until after the food was served. We still managed to enjoy ourselves.

Saturday Business Session 8.30-10am-The Torquay, Midships Deck 11

Adelaide President Bruce Perks opened proceedings to a large gathering of delegates and started talking about a delegate who had given enormous support to Beefsteak and Burgundy Inc. Suddenly I realised “That’s me he is talking about!” Since writing a report for my club from the first of now twenty five consecutive conventions starting with Adelaide in 1986 I have sent a copy to Adelaide to use as much or little as they see fit. I suppose I am an advocate of record keeping, starting with a diary my parents gave me for Christmas in 1955.
It was an honour to be asked to come forward with Jill at my side, to receive a framed certificate in appreciation of those reports to Adelaide which they have titled “The Freebairn Report”. Thank you Bruce and the Adelaide B&B. It was a kind and generous acknowledgement.
Bruce, entering in to the spirit of the venue sported a sailor’s cap as he then continued the meeting, taking Minutes as read of the memorable Hobart Convention last May hosted by John Bowen Club. He covered a range of topics including that there are now 183 clubs worldwide with the latest addition being Johannesburg South Africa. A minute’s silence was held in memory of deceased members. Adelaide plans to host the 2024 convention to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of B&B. Vin Thomas is compiling a history of B&B and he spoke about getting clubs to provide details of their founding for inclusion. Bruce spoke about the extraordinary contribution made to B&B by General Secretary, Craig Thornquest. Craig spoke about the continuing work-in progress with the Club’s website. Attracting younger members remains a big issue. One line of argument is to promote B&B as a step in self development and a chance to be comfortable with public speaking in a friendly environment. Some clubs are having joint meetings to boost numbers and share ideas. Affiliation fees are likely to increase by $5 to $375 Public Liability insurance and $195 for overseas clubs which are not covered by Public Liability.

Convention Presentations

Once again Rick Paltridge and Wendy Hollick spoke eloquently about the Black Swans, Penola and Coonawarra Clubs hosting of the 2018 Convention to be held from 9-11 November. As I can collaborate from years of experience, Coonawarra is one of the best red wines (particularly Cabernet Sauvignon) regions in Australia. The 2018 Convention programme features food and wine showcasing the finest regional produce from across the Limestone Coast region. The convention programme can be viewed at coonawarrabsb.com and general enquires can be made with the Convention Secretary at cheers@coonawarrabsb.com. Delegates were invited to complete a quiz about the Penola district with the prize of a Magnum (or bigger? We now live in such a “free” Society that P&O can confiscate all alcohol attempted to be brought on board so it was not on show. At least you can reclaim your beverage after departure). We later learnt that a member from Never Never Ladies won and it will be delivered to her.
Caroline Balfe from Blumers Queensland spoke about hosting a joint Convention with Fortitude B&B in Brisbane in 2020, from 15th to 17th May. It was given good support from the delegates and is likely to be approved by Adelaide B&B. That would leave a four year gap to the Adelaide Convention and so there is opportunity for other clubs to step forward. That completed the Business session on time and we proceeded to the next item on the programme.

10.30am - 12 noon Welcome Meet and Greet

As we enjoyed canapés and various white and red wines I looked at my watch and decided that in addition to Tim’s description of this being the unconventional convention I could add “theconventionwhenyoushouldnotwatchyourwatch”. I suppose it was all about getting staff to serve us outside of busy periods but it did make for drinking at an early hour during our Convention Programme. Nobody seemed to mind too much but some delegates forgot their manners when it was Tim’s turn to speak. He needed a giant ship’s bell to quieten them, a tap of the microphone being inadequate. He and Gaye looked like king and queen of a Moomba Victoria parade dressed in regal gowns and headwear supplied by members of their Club. Tim and Gale were presented with a special lifebuoy by Bruce Perks. The ship’s captain and the head chef also spoke. For some time, what had become a B&B mascot before being thoughtlessly stolen, but eventually returned by various clubs over the years, “The Duck” was this time formally returned by Phil Yaxley, who had recovered it and had it repaired. Tim asked me to give a brief account of its history for those delegates unaware of its association with B&B going back to the Launceston Convention in 1999. Further information may be found on the Adelaide website www.bsb.org at Conventions scroll down to The Duck and read on to “A brief history”.
The duck was presented to Rick and Wendy for safe keeping until the next convention. Regrettably they had to keep it under lock and key rather than on display for fear of another infantile theft.
Following the Meet and Greet session we all gathered for a professional group photograph. Tim arranged for us all to get a copy via email after the convention.
During the afternoon some kicked on to lunch while others had a nanny nap before late afternoon drinks and dinner. Once again we were part of a group who dined together, this time at The Waterfront Deck.

Sunday 8.30 10.30 am Cooking Demonstration And Tastings - The Torquay.t

After a hurried breakfast we arrived at The Torquay, hardly recognisable from the Business Session the previous day. A full scale kitchen was in progress with the hostess being one of our dining partners the previous Thursday. Various delegates were called upon to assist her make a range of canapés. P&O has a policy of using local ingredients in its kitchens and all came from South Australia. There were no knives used to assist in the food preparation as part of P&O’s obsession with security. (My 2 inch bladed pocketknife was confiscated for the duration of the cruise at check in).
The range of canapés was extensive and despite some being offered around at the demonstration there was ample left (I think the kitchen was busy as well as the delegates) to be carried through to an adjoining room for consumption with a range of white and red wines from the Hunter Valley. What did I say about watches? When we finished it was still pre noon!
Once again we soldiered on as there was a stagged seating arrangement for

From 5pm Grand Finale Dinner- The Waterfront Restaurant

To cope with the numbers we were requested to dine at 5.15. We had a table for four and enjoyed the company of Christine Murphy and Val Freebairn (my sister in law) from Alexandra S.A. Club. We were treated to a delicious dinner but there were many rumblings from delegates, such as Townsville, who had travelled great distances, at the thimble size servings of the wines. The waiters, acting under instructions from their management were miserly. Tim could not have foreseen this and he did his best to ginger them up a bit and I think when it was realised that they had a lot left over, servings were more generous, but we do like to have our wines served with the appropriate food as I mentioned earlier. Menus and tasting notes were provided.
As often seems to be the case, all too soon the official proceedings came to a close. When I think of how we run our own B&B venues one of the first things we aim for is privacy. As Tim said from the outset, that is not going to happen on a cruise ship of this size. He also said at the Meet and Greet, “This is the unconventional convention but also the only one so far that has been a convention on the move!” Bearing in mind that there was no other club putting a hand up Jill and I think that he, Gaye and his committee did an excellent job and as I took a snap of the setting sun the words of Spike Jones came to mind

“As the sun pulls away from the shore and our boat sinks slowly in the west”

we wish them the pleasure of relaxing at last and looking forward to Penola in 2018.
Before retiring we had nightcap drinks (they somehow managed to buy bottles to take to a room) with Sheoak Hill delegates.

Postscript

As a longstanding member of Beefsteak and Burgundy Club I find that when people know that I appreciate fine food and wine extraordinary things happen. After the convention we stayed at Nuriootpa with one of Jill’s sisters. She invited guests whom we had met before and they arrived with a bottle of Seppelt 2004 Show Sparkling Shiraz, a sparkling red of such excellence others fade in comparison. At dinner’s end the guest produced some 1915 Seppelt Para Tawny Port. This port defied description, so full of flavours and length and the oldest wine I have ever tasted. Vintaged the year of my Mother’s birth, we joined in proposing a toast to her memory.

Jim Freebairn

Jim Freebairn Nital Victoria