The Roma Rugby Race Day joined Churchie’s Boarding on the Road calendar last year. This year it was a model of collaboration between several elements of the Churchie community. A contingent of over 100 from the Churchie Day Boy community travelled to Roma on Saturday 27 June to experience several events, the centrepiece of which was the Race Day itself. Credit is due to the Schools’ Parent Connect Group, in particular Emma Gasperini, Jacinta Apel and Kate Velge, who put out the call for day boy families to venture into the bush to interact with boarding families and others for a fun social weekend.

Many parents, current students and Old Boys of differing ages cycled past the Churchie tent, positioned near the finishing post of the racetrack. Tom and Kate Giles (Gerald House) offered hospitality to many attendees at the tent.

For Race 3, sponsored by Churchie, Tom Giles joined the COBA President Andrew Fleming in presenting the prize to the connections of the winning horse.

On Saturday evening, most of the Churchie racegoers met at the Royal on Ninety-Nine Hotel for dinner to close off a most enjoyable afternoon in the bush, with many of the boys facing off on the pool tables on the top floor.

On Sunday many families travelled to Surat to enjoy the hospitality of Angus (Gus) and Chrissie Chandler who welcomed over 80 of the Churchie community to their property, “Russell Park” for tennis and lunch. Gus is president of the Churchie Boarding Support Group.

The success of the weekend was the result of the efforts of many people from different parts of the Churchie community and their efforts are to be commended. The Roma Rugby Raceday looks a short odds favourite social fixture on the Churchie calendar for years to come.

Pictured Below: With Tom Giles (Gerald Housemaster), Churchie OBA President Andrew Fleming (1979) presents to the winning connections of the Churchie sponsored Race 3.