What do you get when you put a bunch of people from both Sydney and Canberra on a dive boat for 2 days with good food, fine weather, lumpy seas, plenty of wine, and trivial pursuit ? It could be suggested that one may have some rivalry appear during the course of such a life and death game representing the survival of each state, something akin to the state of origin football. It would also be false to assume that those involved wouldn’t feel some great personal loss if they happened to be on the non victorious side.

And so it was that the rivalry became a trivial pursuit, a test of storage and recall. And the winner? Canberra of course, the centre of Australian administration. But only after a day of diving Jervis Bay. That centre of relaxation and tranquillity, north of Canberra, south Sydney. The dives… as usual, interesting, challenging but at the same time relaxing, especially aboard the resort ship Ocean Trek.

The red, bleary eyes of a number of the divers Sunday morning was testament to the empty Vodka bottles astrewn in the recycling tub. However, there were no confirmed reports of pancakes being set free into the ocean so there must have been a modicum of control applied. There will be some of us however that won’t be able to look at oranges, Milo and sugar the same way ever again.

As the game continued, it became apparent that the sides were almost evenly matched intellectually. 9 divers from Canberra against 4 divers from Sydney. Canberra pulled it out with a close win. There was plenty of drink and good times following the game. Weedy Sea Dragons were abundant on the dives along with plenty of other sea life and an alleged turtle sighting. A very fun and lively weekend was had by all.