The Australian Cultural Evening is now the most awaited feature of the WinWriters Online Help Conference, held annually in Seattle. It is also very exclusive, and again this year the cream of the world's online documentation professionals helped redefine the meaning of the word "culture".
Unfortunately, we were very light on for Australians this year. And even for New Zealanders, who are normally a dime a dozen. In fact, we only had one native Australian. Fortunately, over 20 people from other parts of the world volunteered to be temporary, honorary Australians for the night. This was sanctioned by special permission from the Australian Consul General in Washington, Sir Bruce Rump.
The evening started with a peanut fight at the Schooners bar at the Seattle Sheraton. From there, the tone lowered considerably. A full, detailed report is hard to make, as no-one has a full recollection of the events. Fortunately, a camera came along for the ride, and we can piece together the events through the lens.
Cultural Highlight 1. The Schooners Bar.
"Schooner" is a New South Wales term for a large glass of beer, so it was very appropriate that we started here. This shot was taken shortly after the distribution of Yowies. Everyone is quiet, so far.
Five minutes later, and everyone's a comedian. Here we see Dawn Seibert, Allen Beebe, Matthew Ellison, and Georgette Ellison getting into the swing.
Suddenly, a Scot appears in their midst. It's Chris Burden! In the background are Adrian Roberts and Ellen (facing camera in shock at right, looking startled).
Mike and Hary were with us for a while, and helped kick the evening off to a good start. Don't know who the girl in the foreground is. If you are willing to own up, e-mail me and I'll name you.
The famous Minnesota Three Fourths, Grant, Kelly and Patricia, try to work out how to open their Yowies without breaking the chocolate.
Not even an hour into the evening, and it's not a pretty sight. Michelle Ratcliffe, Tony Self, Joe O'Connor, Eileen Coccia, Colleen Reilly, and Bruce Watson (clockwise from left), try to escape the camera's glare.
The attack of the killer Yowies. Allen proudly shows off his new friend.
Cultural Highlight 3. McCormicks' something or other.
Yes, what about Highlight 2? That was the Century Plaza, I think. We stayed there long enough for another food fight, a few arguments, and sufficient disruption to the other customers to make it worth while.
Enjoying our meal at McCormicks Fish House. Note what everyone ordered for dinner. Here we see Chris Burden, Bruce Watson, Carol Anne Wall, Dawn Seibert, and Allen Beebe (clockwise from left).
Allen offered to take a photo, but had trouble working out which end to look through. We understand he will be released from the Ear and Eye Hospital as soon as the headaches go away.
Oh look, everyone's behaving themselves. Matthew Ellision, George Ellison, Joe O'Connor, Eileen Coccia, Tom Des Saint, Tony Self, Colleen Reilly, Chris Burden, Bruce Watson, Carol Anne Wall, and Dawn Seibert.
Cultural Highlight 4. A Bar Whose Name No-One Remembers.
I don't know if our taste was slipping, but what a great bar. Good music, even from the free-for-all jam sessions. We couldn't have said this if any of us played, but fortunately, everyone had lost the capacity to write their own names on the Jam Musicians page.
A Yowie escapes from Chris's ear, but doesn't disrupt his drinking.
The Cardroom, that was what it was called. Great things for the memory, cameras! Allen and Dawn cause a riot on the dance floor, with Chris and Eilleen doing their bit.
"Help me, I can't see!" But at least I'm happy under a neon map of Australia.
The night wears on, and the crowd thins out. Shortly before kick out time at 2 am, and we can still work the camera. Tony, Chris and Tom show how it's done. Aussie, Aussi,e Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi!
All rights reserved. These photos may not be used in a court of law. The people described in this story are not based on any persons living or dead, according to a limited definition of what that means.