Caravanning News

Caravanning News

Advocacy for owners of recreational vehicles throughout Australia has become one of the driving forces of the Australian Caravan Club, it was announced this week at the Shepparton Showgrounds at the 10th anniversary national muster of the Club.

In its 10 years since formation in 2006, the Australian Caravan Club has evolved substantially.   It has developed from being a new social oriented operation to one of substantial strength and weight in the RV Arena.   While maintaining its social element, the Club’s focus has grown to include advocating for members and RV owners across Australia as a key component.

‘Opportunities to represent the Club and RV owners to Government is an important aspect of the Club’s activities,” said Tom Smith, outgoing National Chairman of the Club.  “A lot of work is undertaken by volunteers from the development of policy by an eight person team.   The team seeks to drive input and focus on better value for members and RV owners.”

“We do what we do because passion drives our members to continue to foster professional responses and input to issues across Australia affecting RV owners.  There are no paid officials of the club undertaking this.  Our members have a strong belief in what they do and seek to make a positive contribution,” said Mr Smith.

As an example the Club has been integrally involved in the Liverpool Plains Shire Council efforts to encourage RV activities in the Shire.  As a result of this significant input, Tom and the Club’s involvement is acknowledged in the report overview.

‘Our advocacy and policy committee has also been working with the Fraser Coast Council about opening up the area to free camping for RVers.’

 

 

Incoming Chairman Craig Humphrey has been invited by the Queensland Government to attend the State’s premier Tourism Policy event Destination Queensland (DQ) in Mackay later this month.

“I was pleased to accept the invitation to DQ and importantly this will be my initial representation of the Club as Chair at this level. I view this as an important opportunity for the Club.  I will be seeking to build on the great foundations that Tom has developed over the past 5 years,” said Mr Humphrey.

“The Club has a proud history of being involved in many policy issues.  We consider we have demonstrably achieved much and will continue to really punch above the weight for a young and all voluntary organisation,” Mr Humphrey said.

 

 

For further information, contact Tom Smith on   0429 870 823 or Craig Humphrey on 0409 605 890

Incoming Chairman Craig Humphrey paid tribute to outgoing Chairman Tom Smith and his wife Sandra at the 10th Annual General Meeting of the Australian Caravan Club (ACC) held at the Shepparton Showground on Saturday.
 “Tom steps down after five successful years as Chairman of the Club,” Mr Humphrey said.  “I have had the honour of working closely with Tom over these years.”
 
Mr Humphrey thanked Mr Smith and his wife Sandra on behalf of the 4,500 members of the ACC.
 
“Tom and Sandra have left the Club in a very strong position,” Mr Humphrey said.’

Sustainable growth was the main theme of the Australian Caravan Club’s inaugural Futures Forum held during the Club’s 10th Anniversary National Muster at the Shepparton Showgrounds last week.
“Over the past 10 years the growth of the Club has been well guided by the Board and a wonderful band of committed officials”, said incoming Club Chairman Craig Humphrey. “However the Board felt it important to harness ideas from members on achievable development options for the Club for the next two years."

Craig Humphrey - Club Chairman

 

72 members representing branches from around Australia were encouraged to put on their thinking caps and place on the record, input in five topic areas –

• Future National Musters
• Role of branch officials
• Membership
• Web Development and
• Communications and Marketing

“Members were encouraged to think well beyond two years, with a possible five and ten year timeframe,” said Mr Humphrey.
“I am happy to report the workshop has produced some great ideas,” Mr Humphrey said in his address to Club members at the Club’s AGM. “We will now develop a Club Strategy to analyse the feasibility of each suggestion and where practical, develop and implement these suggestions.”
“Suggestions included establishing educational videos on the Club’s website, emphasising to members the need to collect expenditure data to demonstrate the economic benefits to local communities that RVers provide, improvements to the membership renewal process, and investigating ways of communicating better to members who are not computer literate.”
“Our Club highly values the views of its members and branches. The Board is looking forward to working with members to bring the outcomes from the Futures Forum to fruition.” Mr Humphrey said.

For further information, contact Craig Humphrey on 0409 605 890

 

 

 

‘Value for money, clean amenities, well maintained sites, and friendly staff are the criteria Kui Parks aim to deliver to caravanners, Bert Van Spronsen from Kui Parks said today when addressing members of the Australian Caravan Club (‘ACC’) at their Shepparton National Muster.
 
ACC members were offered a $10 gift voucher for use at Kui Parks if they signed up today.  A large number of ACC members attending the national muster took up the offer.
 
Mr Van Spronsen also urges ACC members to ‘Like’ Kui Parks on Facebook and check out Kui Park offers available at Kui Parks on their way home.
 
Kui Parks offer a 20% discount off the cost of a 2 year Loyalty Membership for ACC members.  
 
Loyalty Members receive a 10% discount off published rates to a maximum of $30 per stay.’
 

Long term Chairman of the Australian Caravan Club Tom Smith, today announced that he would be surrendering the Chairman’s role at the end of the Club’s Annual General meeting on Saturday 22 October 2016.

The announcement was made during Mr Smith’s address to Club members at the opening ceremony of the Club’s 10th Anniversary Annual Muster being held at the Shepparton Showgrounds this week.

Tom Smith

“I have been Chair now for five years”, Mr Smith said.  “A year ago I raised with the Board the option of relinquishing the Chairman’s role.  At the time I was encouraged to stay on for another year.”

“Following this my main concern has been for an orderly and seamless transfer over the year.  The Board indicated to members that succession was in the wind by naming then Secretary, Craig Humphrey as Deputy Chairman,” Mr Smith said.

“Over the past year Craig and I have worked incredibly closely on all issues to ensure that there was an understanding between us on the direction of the Club. I am very glad to say that this has worked very well and the workings of the Club will be well championed.”

Mr Humphrey has been on the Board for seven years, and Club Secretary for the past five years. The Board has also undergone change with 2 new Directors – Graham Christie and Lynne Friis joining during the year.

“I wanted to ensure that the Board was stable and with the appointment of two new Directors I have spent the year working with all to ensure smooth and active pursuit of the Club’s activities. I am very pleased with the workings of the Board and it is timely for the change in the Chair.”

“I am also pleased to announce that we have today allocated portfolio responsibility to Lynne Friis for Marketing and Communication.  Graham Christie will continue in the role of Membership Support. Maria Minchin will assume the Secretary role from the AGM.”

“I would also like to place on record my personal thanks and the Board’s appreciation for the great work given to the Club by Deb Cohen over four  years and more recently Bruce Beausang, both of whom left the Board during the year,” said Mr Smith.

With the announcement, Craig Humphrey noted “I am very honoured to become Chairman and have a great role model to move forward in Tom’s way of guiding the Club. I am also grateful that he has agreed to remain with us as Deputy Chair.”

The Directors will now have the following portfolio responsibilities-

  • Craig Humphrey – Chairman
  • Tom Smith – Deputy Chairman and Policy, Town Assistance and Advocacy
  • Maria Minchin – Secretary
  • Rob Tudor – Treasurer and Webmaster
  • Graham Christie – Membership Support
  • Lynne Friis - Marketing and Communication
  •  

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For further information:

Lionel Mussell – 0414 893 320

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

MAJOR RAFFLE PRIZE REGISTER & VALUES
    AS @: 8/10/2016  
NUMBER Qty Donated by Prize Unit Value $
1 1 RACV RACV VOUCHER $500.00
2 1 R.J.Batteries 105 amp hour battery $462.30
3 1 Wayne Ritchies Knee board $390.00
4 1 Stone the Crows Free Nights $350.00
5 1 Land Base 6 months prescription $230.00
6 1 Award RV Airosonic Bladeless Fan 12 volt $199.00
7 1 Dream Pot Dream pot $189.00
8 1 B.E.S.T. Water Filters Water Filter $110.00
9 1 Clark Rubber Chriopractic pillow $100.00
10 1 CIL Donation $100.00
11 1 Suncoast Caravan Milenco grand aero mirrors $80.00
12 1 Avon Plush Fleece Jacket $80.00
13 1 Springer Solar Voucher $50.00
14 1 Big 4 2 years membership $50.00
15 1 Clark Rubber Inflatable Chair $50.00
16 1 Games World Backgammon Set $50.00
17 1 Cover me jules Hooded towel $40.00
18 1 Cover me jules Hooded towel $40.00
19 ! Family Parks 1 year membership $40.00
20 1 Top Tourist 1 year membership $40.00
21 1 Top Tourist 1 year membership $40.00
22 1 Top Tourist 1 year membership $40.00
23 1 Top Tourist 1 year membership $40.00
24 1 Tathra caravan park 1 free night $40.00
25 1 Tathra caravan park 1 free night $40.00
26 1 Tathra caravan park 1 free night $40.00
27 1 Tathra caravan park 1 free night $40.00
28 1 Avon Patchwork bag $35.00
29 1 Safety Dave First aid kit $30.00
30 1 Kui parks Voucher $30.00
31 1 Kui parks Voucher $30.00
32 1 Kui parks Voucher $30.00
33 1 Kui parks Voucher $30.00
34 1 The Hose Bag Hose Bag $30.00
35 1 The Hose Bag Hose Bag $30.00
36 1 The Hose Bag Cable Bag $30.00
37 1 Avon Colour changing clock $25.00
38 1 Avon Memory foam flip flops $25.00
39 1 Avon Talking clock $25.00
40 1 Avon Back pack $25.00
41 1 Avon Floating tea light $25.00
42 1 Kui parks 2 year membership $24.00
43 1 Kui parks 2 year membership $24.00
44 1 Kui parks 2 year membership $24.00
45 1 Kui parks 2 year membership $24.00
46 1 Goldstar trading Miracle Shammies $20.00
      TOTAL  $3,946.30

ACC Stand at the Echuca Great Outdoor & 4x4 Expo by Kaye Hocking

The ACC Murray River Ramblers Branch held a muster at Tongala so we could attend the Expo and man the ACC stand.  Six vans pulled into Tongala in very inclement weather.  With rain falling, Kaye, Ian, Vince & Cathy ventured to the Expo site to set up the stand.  Amid the mud and slush, it was with much amusement we watched caravans being towed in through the mud with tractors.

We had a corner site with two walls undercover “thank goodness”.  We set our stand up on Thursday afternoon then went back to our vans for happy hour.  Friday morning Kaye & Ian set off to man the stand and park their car in 4 inches of water.  Gloria & Phil came in after lunch, luckily they had gumboots.  Saturday the sun came out for a while and Kaye & Stan looked after our stand.  Vince & Cathy did the afternoon shift and we all met at the Falcon Hotel for tea.    

Sunday dawned overcast and gloomy with rain pelting down.  Peter, Chris & Kaye headed to Echuca to do the morning shift.  Heather & Rob relieved us for lunch, then Gloria, Phil, Ian & Kaye packed up the site and waded out to their cars with the show kit, tables and chairs.  The organisers of the Great Outdoor Expo at Echuca are to be congratulated for their tireless efforts to make the Expo go ahead, spreading heaps of wood chips and straw to make walkways through the mud, and checking on stallholders to see if all was well with them.  After a cold wet & muddy 3 days, we signed up seven new ACC members.

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