Some went stag but some had their partners with them.
A wee dram went down velvety-smooth.
But, oh deer, there was no venison on the menu — although the beef and lamb hit the spot.
The West Taieri club had volunteered to host the function, which is open to anyone who has been accorded life membership of any rugby club in Otago.
There was just one problem.
"Our clubrooms are undergoing a bit of a refit at the moment, so we had to find an alternative venue," West Taieri life member Fred Doherty said.
And they did not have to look far.
They managed to find "a deer shed at Woodside" — though that might be underplaying the facilities at Black Forest Park.
The deer farm proved an ideal setting for the knees-up.
"It was bloody tremendous — something really different," Doherty said.
"They’ll always remember coming to West Taieri.
"We’ve already had a few emails from people saying how much they enjoyed it."
New Zealand golf great Greg Turner was the guest speaker, regaling the crowd from a spot in the selling arena at the deer park where the auctioneer normally runs the show.
Attendance was high — no fewer than 144 life members from across the region, including six women, a number that will only grow in the coming years.
Doherty said West Taieri’s refitted rooms should be operational by the start of next season.
The club had three teams, including its first colts team, this winter so needed to convert part of the hall next to the clubrooms into temporary dressing sheds while the main area got refurbished.
