G’day to all the avid Halfmind.com readers from all of us here in sunny Perth Western Australia. Now being Aussies, a few words can turn into a diatribe especially after a few beers. So enough of the dribble, we hope this prompts a laugh and tells you a little bit about hashing down under, the challenges we faced and lessons learned in our efforts to bring Interhash to Perth.
The Historian Reports the Birth of Hash in Western Australia
Despite being at ‘Down Under’, Western Australia has accumulated a fairly credible hash history over the years. The first Hash House Harriers Chapter was founded in Perth by Geoff ‘”Pop” Edwards and Peter “Cans” Edwards (son of Pop) who came from Mother Hash, Kuala Lumpur. They got together with Mike Farrar from Sydney and a few other ole hashers and held the inaugural Perth H3 run in February 1970.
Harriettes and a Breached Birth
Now Perth hash took its responsibility to the community seriously (as hashers do) and has since given birth to quite a few hash chapters. They branched out with the wives of Perth H3 and in July 1978 there was the first Hash virginal birth by Wes “Old Wares” Carter who started the “Perth Harriettes". Soon after Perth H3 had a breach birth and out popped “Hamersley H3” - (and ever since Hamersley have been taking it up the arse).
Oh! A Caesarian and a Hash Grandchild
In 1981 Perth H3 had another birth but this time by caesarian to “South of Perth” know as the Gentleman’s Hash, and in May 2002 they had a caesarian split resulting in a Grandchild called “West Coast Hash”. Many more clubs have formed over the years and we now have quite an active hash community in Western Australia.
Hashing (8) eight days a week???
Hashing can keep you busy in here in WA – starting with Monday (and we all know what day MONDAY is….yes, it’s a Hashing Day) with a choice of four Men’s hashes and Ladies walking hash. TUESDAY (being two finger day) you can run with the Harriettes and WEDNESDAY (is a W*nking day) with mixed runs and a Ladies only hash. THURSDAY (is a thumm day) also with mixed hashes and a Mens only hash and FRIDAY (yep, you guessed it, it’s a F*cking day) here the hashing is mixed. If you’re an early bird there’s SATURDAY morning hash (and yes Saturday is a drinking day so they start early), that leaves SUNDAY (which is a day of rest for a hasher) but you’ll find a family Hash in the afternoon and if you’re around long enough you can catch the once a month hash for the oldies still hashing.
Supporting the Communities
Now who said Hashers just have fun (leaving chalk, paper and pissing all over the place) and don’t put something back into their communities? Perth holds several charity runs each year including the “BLUE DRESS” run supporting Motor Neurone Disease which is held in memory of a dear Harriette who now runs with us in spirit. Other joint runs support the Salvation Army and the Rehab Centre where we give wheel chair patients (known as “Wheelies”) a run for their money.
Nash Hashes and International Hash Events
Over the years, Perth has hosted a few big hash events including two Nash Hashes in 1993 and 2003, and the 1999 Pan Asia Hash which attracted some 1400 hashers.
The Race is On, Bidding for the Almighty Interhash!
During the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Interhash, Perth announced they would bid for Interhash 2004 where a unanimous support went to the Tassie Bid team for 2000 which was enjoyed by all, along with comments that this was the most organized Interhash event ever.
The Perth Interhash Bid Team were in Tasmania actively promoting the 2004 bid while the race was on to host the 2002 Interhash which was virtually tied between Cardiff and GOA, with the final decision going to GOA leaving the Cardiff Bid Team deflated in its wake after its second bid and failed.
GOA Interhash was held in September 2002 where there was no hash chapter, and you could say this was the start of changes with distance and the threat of global terror with a much smaller group attending, this was the start of changes to the Interhash for those who know but still carried the traditions and a good time was had by all in a part of India.
The Perth Bid team was bidding in GOA with Cardiff and Wellington promoting strongly for 2004, where Edmonton announced their first bid for Interhash 2006, all in good form trying to persuade the traveling hashers to bring Interhash to their country.
The outcome was a unanimous vote for Cardiff Interhash 2004 and at the end of the day no-one knows better than a bidding country the years of hard slog and voluntary effort that go towards preparing for an Interhash, bid good on Cardiff!! While the Perth Bid Team were disappointed and still had time to have a well earned holiday which is what Interhash is all about.
Dedicated and Loyal Hashers
As it turns out PERTH is a sucker for punishment and announced its intention to bid for INTERHASH 2006 after missing out on Interhash 2004 being six years on. The Perth Bid Team is still dedicated to bringing Interhash to Perth Western Australia and comprises a group of experienced traveling hashers who are looking for the support of the global hashing community who would like to have a safe, clean, unique destination for Interhash 2006.
Our Learning Experience
The Perth Bid Team has experienced many highs and lows in the six years we have been in the bidding race. Starting out as a bunch of keen hashers we have learned from experience and have learned a lot over the years and have taken everything in our stride.
Following our open disclosure policy here are a few things we think are essential to putting in a strong bid:
Assemble a experienced dedicated bid team who are well travelled in the hashing world
Be prepared to go through at least two bidding cycles from the time you nominated.
Prepare a financial budget and business plan to outline of your bid plan.
Actively promote your bid and ask other hashers to advocate your bid by the way of ambassadors.
Be prepared to travel to the end of the Earth to promote your bid.
Carry out fund raising to support the Bid.
Secure financial sponsors who are tourism based with funds to support the bid.
Keep the cost of hosting Interhash as economical and affordable as possible for all.
Ensure you have the on ground local hash support to host an Interhash to provide the hashing fraternity a hashing holiday.
Our Pledge to “YOU” for Interhash 2006:
Host the 2006 Interhash weekend out of Peak Tourist Season to be as affordable as possible, our dates chosen are 31 March to 2 April, 2006.
Provide open disclosure on the hosting of Interhash 2006 in Perth.
Provide security as required due to any global threats.
Keep registration prices as affordable as possible.
Provide a full financial report to participants by post within six months after the event.
Bidding countries will have access to the registration database four months prior to the event to send out information on their bids.
Recognize the GM’s by hosting a forum to discuss the workings of Interhashes so future bidders don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
Provide an up to date, interactive web site with links to other bidders.
Run hash markets as a trade fair with stalls at no cost for hash market traders to provide with assistance for business hashers who need visas.
Free promotional booths space for bidding countries.
Free CAT bus transport in the city centre to the Interhash venue and free shuttle buses between the airport, venue and city centre.
Registration will be fast and easy using bar coding.
No charge on transfer of registrations.
Interhash hash games as there were in the early days.
Sensational ferry trip (Two Boats) for a full day’s entertainment to run, swim and party at Rottnest Island as part of the Interhash registration leaving early and returning late (limited numbers )
Pre and Post Ambles including a Hash grape stomping Wine Festival with a mucky duck jazz band in the Swan Valley, hash train to the South West and many more still in the pipeline.
At the end of the day Hashing is to be cheap and fun! So !!!!
WE’RE READY……….ARE YOU?
You can hash eight days a week in Perth with 600 regular hashers in and around the Perth area.
We have the expertise locally to host a great event and will give you an Interhash that’ll be