The rapidly growing Australian Caravan Club has held it’s first highly successful social weekends in Queensland, NSW and Victoria and more are planned for the rest of the year.

In Queensland, club members gathered at the Forest Glen Big 4 Caravan Park near Nambour and had a great time despite some  heavy rain at times.

Two Club Directors, ACC Secretary Grant and Treasurer Julie, were there to outline the progress of the club’s plans to become the leading body representing caravanners and camper-trailer owners in Australia. They told members that the first edition of the club’s colour magazine, the Nomad , which was produced ‘in-house’ was the start of a new professional quality magazine of interest to all caravanners with regular columns providing suggestions, help and practical information for all travellers. The second edition would be mailed in March.

A similar function was held at the Dunleith Tourist Park on the Central Coast of NSW and once again the Secretary and Treasurer were there to share information with the enthusiastic members.

The Top Tourist Golden Nugget Tourist Park at Epson near Bendigo was chosen as the venue for the Victorian gathering and this time the club’s Chairperson Lionel, and Webmaster Rob, were there to represent the Board and pass on information to members.

Members at all the meetings voted to hold at least four local weekend gatherings a year.

Club Shirts a Winner
Directors modelled the club’s new polo shirts at all the ‘Meets’ and they met with universal acceptance. Shirts are the first in a line of merchandise that will be available from the club’s new ‘shop’.

A Voice for Caravanners
With a potential membership of many thousands of caravanners and camper-trailer owners, the ACC will lobby for better conditions for its members. It will continue to address issues affecting all caravanners such as the efforts of industry lobby groups to curtail the rights of caravanners to camp where they like and be forced into overcrowded caravan parks. Many of  these have ‘No Vacancy’ signs displayed every day during peak times.

 Over the last seven years the numbers of caravans on our roads has continually increased every year whilst the number of operating caravan parks has steadily decreased.  We are concerned that the ongoing efforts of these lobby groups will have a significant negative impact on the RV industry for years to come once caravanners find that there is nowhere for them to use their caravan due to insufficient accommodation in parks and all non park areas banned.

Surely in a country as large as Australia with such a large travelling population, there is a great need for more ‘budget’ camping areas - whether they are in caravan parks or some of the many other alternative camping sites.

The number of RV manufacturers producing self-contained units is growing and the huge sales of publications listing free or budget camping sites are evidence of the growing interest in alternate camping. Caravan parks and their associations would do well to improve their own facilities so that people will want to stay with them and not be forced into it because there are no alternatives.

Many councils around the country recognise the tremendous benefits to their area of encouraging people to stay awhile in their municipalities. These councils are aware of the amount of money spent by RVers in their shops, supermarkets, hotels, clubs and service stations.

The ACC has already lobbied industry stakeholders about the ongoing saga of LPG regulator failures and has publicised a South Australian Coroner’s suggestion that new caravans should have their tare weight and ball load recorded prior to sale.

National Gathering in NSW

Byron Bay in Northern NSW has been chosen for the historic first National ‘gathering’ and Annual General Meeting in September. Besides being a fairly central spot for Queenslanders and NSW members, the club hopes that caravanners from the southern States touring the north during the southern winter might add the gathering into their homeward itinerary. For more information visit: www.australiancaravanclub.com.au or write to: ACC Secretary, PO Box 473, GOLDEN BEACH, Qld. 4551

Information from:

Lionel Mussell,
Chairperson,
Australian Caravan Club
PO Box 473
GOLDEN BEACH Q 4551

NSW members listening intently at Dunleith.

Queensland members relaxing and socialising at Forest Glen.

Sparky and Kasey from Cairns were with their owners visiting the Victorian gathering.

The new polo shirts were modelled at the Victorian gathering by Lionel (front left) and Rob (front row - third from left).