2017 Ratting Day
Report and photos from Tina Glass and Dawn Repetto
The traditional Ratting Day, which is held once a year, was announced on Friday 26 May 2017 at around 7:15am. The fishing gong was rung by Chief Islander Ian Lavarello, Acting Agriculture Officer Martin Green and Dereck Rogers. The morning started off with rain but then turned out to be a lovely sunny day.
 Digging out the rats |
 Dogs hunting for rats |
 Rats are close |
 Even the children know what to do |
 |
Soon there was lots of activity in the village and everyone that was taking part meet up in their gangs and headed out to the Potato Patches. The bus and private vehicles were used to transport women and children in their team gangs to the camping huts at the patches were they prepare a cook meal. After lunch in the late afternoon everyone return back to the Settlement. The highlight of the day is when the tails are counted to see which teams have won. Counting took place at the Veterinary Clinic; the judges were Dr Martin, Veterinary Officer Joe Hollands and Dereck Rogers with Administrator Sean Burns as referee. |
 Outside the clinic waiting for the rat count |
 Rat tail counting by Derek Dr Martin and Joe the vet |
 Counting tails |
 Measuring the longest tail |
 Prizegiving outside the vet clinic |
 Group photo of winning teams |
After the presentation of prizes the gangs had some refreshments at island homes and a dance followed in the Prince Philip Hall to celebrate the day.
Winners
Tails per Man |
Longest Tail |
|||||
| First prize: | Second Watron | 41.3 | First prize: | Below The Hill | 31.1cm | |
| Second prize: | Coolers | 34 | Second prize: | Old Pieces | 25.2cm | |
| Third prize: | Below The Hill | 27 | ||||
Booby Prize: | Farm | Total number of Rats Caught | 399 | |||
Full Results
| Team | Below the Hill | Coolers | Farm | Johnny Patch | Old Pieces | Second Watron | Twitty Patch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Tails | 135 | 68 | 0 | 25 | 14 | 124 | 33 |
| Tails per Person | 27 | 34 | 0 | 12.5 | 2.8 | 41.3 | 5.5 |
| Longest Tail | 31.1cm | 24.5cm | - | 24.1cm | 25.2cm | 24.7cm | 23.9cm |