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| Riverina |
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| In October 1988, Egfroth moved several hundred km west from Sydney to Cootamundra, a small country town in the lush Riverina district of New South Wales. The nearest major town was Wagga Wagga, 90km south and the nearest re-enactors in Canberra, 200km east. Within a fairly short time, Egfroth and Bill Dowding, previously of Newcastle on the east coast of NSW, were driving to each other's towns on alternate fortnights to train. Fraternal connections and joint training were also developed with the Ancient Arts Fellowship in Canberra, and combined public displays held in both Canberra and Cootamundra. |
| After a recruitment display for the local roleplaying club by Egfroth and Bill Dowding, about Christmas 1988, a group of four Varangians began practising on a weekly basis in Wagga Wagga. |
| Riverina's newsletter was called the Berserker's Battlecry. It was published on an irregular basis, with at least 11 issues. (The last copy in my possession is from January 1994) |
| When it was re-formed, Riverina grew fast, and became a large and effective garrison, to the degree that it was able to host two National NVG Gatherings. The First Wagga gathering was in September 1993, the second on 4 September 1994. |
| By June 1990 the group had expanded into the neighbouring (only 100 km away) town of Tumut ; Egfroth was moving to Port Hedland in Western Australia and handed over the presidency of Riverina to Robert Shore. the Riverina Garrison was presented with its charter at the 1991 Mediaeval Convention at Cataract, N.S.W. Shortly afterwards, Robert Shore vanished without trace, possibly abducted by aliens. The Tumut branch folded, and Wagga went through the doldrums for 12 months. |
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| Wagga Garrison receives its Charter. L-R: Peter, Christobel, Anthony, Toni, Robert Ely, Robert Shore, John Sultana(?), Tim |
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| (left) Fulcrem in his first armour and helmet |
| (right) Ian Kelleher and Gerard Regan training. |
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| It was proposed to call the Garrison the White Ravens, from the aboriginal name of the town of Wagga Wagga ("place of many crows"). But at the end of 1994 Riverina suddenly disappeared - all members but Ian Kelleher moved elsewhere - to Perth, Tasmania, Melbourne and Sydney. Riverina Garrison was disbanded on the 15th of January 1995. |
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| Attendees at the First Wagga Gathering, September 1993 |
| Forest Battle - First Wagga Gathering |