Oranjemund Online

ORANJEMUND DISCUSSIONS! => Things I Remember About Oranjemund! => Topic started by: Michael Alexander on December 18, 2007, 12:19:35 PM

Title: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Michael Alexander on December 18, 2007, 12:19:35 PM
What was your favourite attraction at the Mule Derby in your day? The answer would depend apon your age, I remember how the Ovambo's like that Test your Strength hammer and Bell effort!

:emot112:
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Delia on December 18, 2007, 01:04:24 PM
I'd have to go with the Derby Sausage stand (all ages) then as a kid i loved the putt-putt and the farm yard area, could spend hours there. And in my late teens and onwards, the Beer Garden became a popular stomping ground for the likes of myself, Leigh McBride, Natasha le Roux, Sheena Joubert, Freddie & Lorna Ahrens, Mark Swanepoel, Paula Willson, Noel & Andre Gottsch, etc. Thanks Freddie for always being "the older one" who could buy us booze (there and at Sporties)
cheers
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: joco Mueller on December 18, 2007, 04:02:49 PM
 :emot10: when the cine club started the mule derby in the sixties every idea was welcome. The md sausage was quite a runner,as well as the carusell for the kids.Biggest attraction were the races of course.
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Florrie van Zyl (Muir) on December 18, 2007, 04:36:33 PM
I loved the coconut shy(?).
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Stephen Brooke on December 18, 2007, 08:07:08 PM
My...and almost all the boys' favourite...the GO-KARTS!  Petrol driven jugganaughts with feeble brakes which caused many a prang into the bales of lucern (and the dads who dared venture onto the track).  My feet never seemed to reach the pedals properly and it was all over in about 1min... :emot186:
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Diana Rudd (Boehme) on December 18, 2007, 09:14:16 PM
Teenage years-checking out the talent  :sorriso2:
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Dalene Steenkamp (Coetzee) on December 18, 2007, 09:31:33 PM
 :emot112:

For sure the horses themselves  -  I still think that's where my "family" started to form in my mind.  Currently I have 16 horses and I'm waiting anxiously for a mare of mine who has to foal within the next few days.  Just bought an Arab stallion in about 4 months ago from the Sidi Stables  -  what a beaut!

Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Patricia Lotte on December 19, 2007, 03:38:33 AM
The Derby sausages of course ... the perfect size for a sausage ...  arse ... and what a great taste ...  fireworks ...
The candy floss wasn't bad either. I remember holding that stand with Felicity Bester on eyear. What a sticky day ...  :emot19: ...!
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Debby Opperman (Biccard) on December 19, 2007, 05:52:57 AM
The horses, derby sausages and watching the guys get sloshed and stupid in the beer garden under the hot sun. I was under age of course ..sigh..and was'nt allowed into the beer garden.  quickdop
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: barb (Fry) on December 19, 2007, 06:32:24 AM
as a kid, all the carnival style games - like rolling the penny into grooves  comes to mind later the more gimmicky things like the old turn table inside a washing machine that you sloshed paint into a where rewarded with a psychodelic picture at the end.

I remember shrinking empty bags of crisps as well, I think a microwave was used.
Some girls made earrings out of them -

The atmosphere was great - and everything really cos most od it we only saw once a year including the sausages. 





Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Michael Alexander on December 26, 2007, 10:30:40 AM
Crown and Anchor... and that other game of chance where you threw a dart a multicoloured board.... blue red white...

Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Florrie van Zyl (Muir) on January 04, 2008, 06:42:06 AM
My favourite was fishing into dyed water for metal fish with a rod and a magnet hook. Depending on what fish you caught, you could choose the prize.
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Diana Rudd (Boehme) on January 19, 2008, 09:45:53 PM
some realy old mule derby photo's 1962
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Diana Rudd (Boehme) on January 19, 2008, 09:49:02 PM
ok forgot how to do it
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Diana Rudd (Boehme) on January 19, 2008, 09:50:21 PM
and again
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Diana Rudd (Boehme) on January 19, 2008, 09:52:18 PM
must realy find out how to do this on one post
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: georg ruf jr. on January 19, 2008, 09:56:12 PM
Hi Diana
Right next to where you paste your pics, there's the option "More Attachments" Press and you'll see a new browser opening.
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Dalene Steenkamp (Coetzee) on January 19, 2008, 09:57:48 PM
Amazing  Diana


(When you click on Additional Options it opens a window that says Attach:  with a Browse button next to it  -  to the right of that there is a blue (more attachments)  -  just click on that and it will open the next window for you right beneath the first one you have opened.  Each time a browse button will appear, then you can add your photo, click the more attachment button and carry on.....)

We will see when you have succeeded
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Barbara Eia (Brownless) on January 19, 2008, 09:58:24 PM
Diana great pictures   is that you in the helecopter, if it is mandy looked like you when she was that age
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Diana Rudd (Boehme) on January 19, 2008, 10:00:23 PM
1962 me thinks it's me
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Michael Alexander on January 20, 2008, 07:16:03 AM
Is that your mom with her back to us , standing next to the pole?

Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Diana Rudd (Boehme) on January 20, 2008, 09:16:44 AM
Could have been hey, but no she she's on the photo posted in Mini gardens (sitting with my brother Keith).Thats Elsie in 1962
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Diana Rudd (Boehme) on January 20, 2008, 09:17:44 AM
Oops not Keith sister Irene
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Michael Alexander on January 20, 2008, 09:23:02 AM
It just looks like your mom's trademark Hairstyle and shirts....

yougogirl
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Diana Rudd (Boehme) on January 23, 2008, 07:43:13 PM
err durr I'm so doff sometimes. That is my mom and my dad next to her, my brother Keith is riding one of those horses.
The other photo's were 1962.    :emot112:

we need a blushing smiley
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Diana Rudd (Boehme) on January 23, 2008, 07:45:38 PM
Another attraction at the mule derby.
Richard and I.
Lets hope I get it right this time
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Barbara Eia (Brownless) on January 23, 2008, 08:21:32 PM
LOL   allgood  great pic of you and richard

yougogirl
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Michael Alexander on February 05, 2008, 11:38:09 AM
.... and a scan!
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Michael Alexander on March 06, 2008, 09:30:44 AM
Sorry not the Mule Derby but Xmas Tree 1975

Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Michael Alexander on August 22, 2008, 04:02:22 PM
Here are a few Mule Derby Scans from the 80's, thanks to Keith Ager....
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Michael Alexander on August 22, 2008, 04:04:07 PM
.
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: georg ruf jr. on August 28, 2008, 10:00:50 AM
I remember the merr-go-round. But what's that on the first pic?
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Michael Alexander on August 28, 2008, 05:08:05 PM
The Dunk tank!

Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Clive Symes on August 28, 2008, 06:49:11 PM
Mike did you mean to say the DRUNK tank ???

Just looking through the photos posted on the topis especially the early ones of the Planes, reminds me of when my Dad, Ronny Jew, Eddie Jones ( Dawn & Gloria's Dad)and a whle load of other people made the merry go round.
I still remember the "bombs" and machine guns being fitted to the planes
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Michael Alexander on August 28, 2008, 06:56:46 PM
 image201  The Drunk tank was next door in the beer garden.......

bar(1)
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: georg ruf jr. on August 29, 2008, 03:24:52 AM
Quote from: Clive Symes on August 28, 2008, 06:49:11 PM
Mike did you mean to say the DRUNK tank ???

Just looking through the photos posted on the topis especially the early ones of the Planes, reminds me of when my Dad, Ronny Jew, Eddie Jones ( Dawn & Gloria's Dad)and a whle load of other people made the merry go round.
I still remember the "bombs" and machine guns being fitted to the planes

It's incredable the way these things were all made in OM. The dragon and fuffyslide at the rugby field ect...The guys must've realy had fun.
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Clive Symes on August 29, 2008, 07:34:59 PM
JA George,
I think our parents had as much fun making and testing these things out as we had using them
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Johanvz on October 20, 2008, 06:53:50 PM
Man, what memories. I know this post is a little late but this thread is new to me.  I loved those planes at the merry go round. They meant a lot to me, even today.  It was thrilling to see the photos again. Thanks for posting them.

My parents took us to the Mule Derby when I was around age 5 I think. We rode a bunch of the rides including the planes. That afternoon when we got home I picked up a pencil and started drawing one of the planes from memory.  My parents were quite surprised to see the attention to detail.

Drawing became hobby and later turned into a career for me.  I drew and painted all through my school career.  After school I studied Mechanical engineering and became a Machine Designer.  Bottom line of the story. I have been drawing and designing machines for the last 23 years.

Only difference is that  today we use computers to make our drawings. "AutoCAD".  No more pen and paper. Also, most of what I do today is 3dimensional modeling of machines and then conversion to 2 dimensional drawings for manufacture.

It all started with those little planes. It is amazing to think that my career choice had its very first origins at the OM Mule Derby at age 5.

Yes, I do believe in destiny. Thanks again for posting those pictures.  I suppose that it is ok to download them for my album.
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Bertie Horak on October 21, 2008, 03:26:34 AM
 bravo Johan.  Wonderful to have such great memories and to make the connection.
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Dalene Steenkamp (Coetzee) on October 22, 2008, 06:09:45 PM
Jislaaik, Johan....  I don't think anyone would mind.  But would you mind if the museum or even the school downloaded your picture and story, for I think it would be fantastic if they could use it as an example for children. 

Great stuff and thanks for sharing with us.
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Johanvz on October 22, 2008, 10:13:16 PM
Thanks for all the kind words. 
I don't mind if someone downloads it for the museum or for the kids. 
It is my old teachers that I am worried about.  Some of them might just pass out if they make the connection.   Seriously!!!

Let me know if I need to post/send a link showing some design examples.
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: georg ruf jr. on October 23, 2008, 06:47:46 AM
Nice story Johann...  bravo
Title: Re: Your Favourite Attraction at the Mule Derby!
Post by: Carl Wrbka on October 23, 2008, 07:09:08 AM
Thanks for sharing that story, Johann. Following your dream to the end. It seldom happens nowadays.

While I was still a kid in OM, I was forever blowing things up and naturally thought of a career in bomb disposal or demolitions. Luckily though, this idea ended during national service, when I met some "ou manne" who had been doing the job for a couple of years already. All of them were about 60% deaf before the age of 40, and were all missing a couple of body parts here and there...

My favourite ride at the mule derby was definately the go-carts!