SWEETHEARTS OF SONG SANG IN ARATULA

One might be forgiven for thinking the worst if they had been entangled in the motorcade snaking its way down the Cunningham Highway in Aratula early on Sunday 8^th March.  However, it was simply a little further down the road at the entrance to the Aratula Hotel Motel where the conga line of cars, trucks and bikes was shepherded to parking spaces and where preparations were underway for a day of  frivolity, food, music, memorabilia and for petrolhead enthusiasts, an enviable display of classic and modern motorcycles, cars and hot rods,  all these facilitated by the wonderful organization,  ‘The 2 Hour Circle’.

And well you may ask!…Dalase Shilling, a resident of Ipswich,  launched ‘The 2 Hour Circle’ in 2019 when, after living his dream with the purchase of a brand new Harley Davidson, asked the question “Where’s a good place to go for a ride?” The answers came.  Cruising within a two- hour circle of Ipswich he discovered the beauty and bounty of an area he did not know existed and was compelled to share his discovery with like-minded people.  With Dalase’s passion, the support of friends and numerous generous local sponsors, “The 2 Hour Circle” was born and through the wellspring of social media, it has been a vehicle for highlighting the area as a tourism hub.   

Bushfires, landslides and road closures had taken their toll on the owners of the Aratula Hotel Motel and this is where Dalase and his band of road warriors from ‘The 2 Hour Circle’ decided to step up with some help.  With a mission to revive a struggling pub and give some relief to exhausted owners, the event on March 8^th was planned.  

Along with singer, Ian Schubert and Ella, another young songstress, a request was made of our Choir’s own Sweethearts of Song to provide a large part of the musical entertainment.  Though the choir during its infancy was no stranger to performances from the backs of  trucks, climbing a ladder to position themselves on the tray of the semi was a first for The Sweethearts but a request with which they were more than willing to comply.  As a representational crowd of colourful personalities gathered en masse on blankets and chairs under the canopy of shady trees in the garden or lined the bar within to partake of a cool drink and delicious food, The Sweethearts, Kathie, Carolyn, Maree and Susie  took the audience back in time to move to the beat of so many of the songs they knew so well. During extended intervals, Dalase distributed donated prizes for clever quizzers or just tossed gifts to lucky patrons at other times throughout the day.

Another addition to her ever- accumulating attributes is Alexis’s ability to keep a secret. Appearing under a tree, along with Joann, Ruth and Greg Skippen, their cheeky smiling faces were there to surprise and support.

If success can be measured by a smooth running and outstanding organization as well as numbers in attendance, then the ‘The 2 Hour Circle’ group should feel justifiably proud.  For this day, the town of Aratula and its Hotel were revived, the reverberations of which will hopefully continue to allow the town to be the stop ‘n’ go respite for travellers down the track. The Sweethearts of Song wish to extend their gratitude to Dalase Shilling and his corps of co-workers for their gracious and welcoming hospitality and the invitation to be a part of this rewarding event. 

By: Sue Walker