ACC Stand at the Queensland Outdoor Adventure & Motoring Expo

Toowoomba Showgrounds

(5-7 August 2016)

Well, what a great event, a great team of volunteers, and a great result.

When visiting the capital of the Darling Downs in August you can expect cool winds, and we certainly had those at the beginning, but we also enjoyed some sunny days. Those who camped at the Showgrounds really enjoyed the atmosphere of a major event in the largest inland city in Queensland, plus the country smells and friendliness.

This event was well attended, up 10% on last year, with new members joining our Club, from Rockhampton to Armidale, Goondiwindi to Landsborough, and everywhere in between. We gained 35 new members and friends over the 3 days, plus a couple more in the following days, and there is now a strong possibility of a Toowoomba branch in the near future.

It was great to see ACC members Allan & Heather from Buderim and Maureen & Bruce from Brisbane, as well as Danny & Denise visiting from NSW. We also met Malcolm & Diane, two of the very early ACC Members in Queensland, and discussed the development of the ACC over the past 10 years.

I hope you all enjoyed yourselves, returned home safely, and perhaps even bought the usual gadget or two for the van! Some members were looking at new vans and motorhomes, accessories and parts, towing and other equipment, 4x4’s and boats, even safaris and lifestyle products.

A big thank you to the willing volunteers for the ACC stand (Dennis & Geraldine, Lawrence & Petra, Tom & Sandra, Lynne & Ray, Val, and Trevor. Some of your travelling included from Tara to Moreton Bay, and Sunshine Coast to Inverell. Your valuable time and effort taken to support the ACC cause is very much appreciated.

Lorraine Owens

CoOrdinator

“ ACC Chairman Tom Smith presenting the first of our RVSTAY signs to Inverell Boats And Caravans who are part of our Member Benefits Scheme inside the ACC

The idea of the Signs is to make it easier for Members when on the road to Identify  Businesses that are suppling Benefits to our members., and can therefore enjoy the improved service and discount

BTW Inverell Boats and Caravans have the best price for LPG refills in Inverell

So keep your eyes peeled for these signs when travelling

A new Special Interest Group has been set up called the ACC English Van Owners Group.

This group is formed to share tips, advice and general information regarding the maintenance, parts availability and modifications to imported English caravans and motorhomes.

If you are the owner of an English van and would like to share your experiences and tips, or receive advice from other owners, join the ACC English Van Owners Special Interest Group

Some of the members from the Lockyer Valley RVers took a members caravan along to the Helidon Heritage Fair and met with local residents talking about the Australian Caravan Club and the area's local branch the Lockyer Valley RVers, It was a lovely sunny day and interest in the club and local branch was a lot higher then expected with 2 new members joing the club plus an existing member signing onto the Lockyer Branch.

NOTES FROM THE BOARD

JULY 2016 CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE – Tom Smith

As an update on Club management I wish to announce that due to work pressures Bruce Beausang requested to leave the Board as at the 31/5/16. It is with reluctance that the Board has agreed and I thank Bruce for his efforts over the last 4 years.

To fill the vacancy from 1/6/16 until the 2016 election Lynne Friis former President of the Eastern Explorers will join the Board as a Director. Lynne brings with her a wealth of RV Experience and also has an extensive legal background which will greatly assist the Club.

A reminder to members who wish to receive a hard copy of The Nomad that postage and handling costs will be added into your Club Membership renewal from the 1st July 2016.

Also please remember to complete the National Muster application either online or from the copy in the latest NOMAD.

ADVOCACY and POLICY TEAM update by Graeme Tree Our focus over the last couple of months has been more on internal matters for the Club. However our State Reps remain active.

Ray Cornall in Queensland says things are a little quiet at present but he continues to meet with Fraser Coast and is keeping up to date with developments in that state.

Eric Cumming in Western Australia tells us that the Western Australian National Parks is opening up camping sites at Yanchep National Park from July this year, in a trial to expand camping options close to the metropolitan area. Yanchep National Park is 50 km north of Perth along Wanneroo Road which becomes Indian Ocean Drive. This route takes you through coastal plains to Geraldton avoiding the heavy haulage route of the Branch Highway. Yanchep will be a useful stopover for travellers wishing to sight see around Perth city and suburbs. Well done Ray and Eric keep up the good work.

BRANCH SUPPORT COMMITTEE update by Graham Christie ACCL Insurance - We often hear “we’re insured when we go on a muster with the ACC, that’s why we sign the form when we get there.”

Here are the answers to various questions and the outcome for your information

Question 1

All service organisations have insurance on their members. Members are covered for all eventualities from when they leave home; to the task/event and until they arrive home. Does ACCL insurance coverage do the same?

ACC: No – the ACC holds Business Insurance which provides for Public Liability cover plus Liability Insurance which provides a variety of insurance classes for Directors and Officers cover. By definition “Public liability insurance protects a business owner and their business against claims of personal injury or property damage that a third party suffers (or claims to have suffered) as a result of the business activities”.

Question 2

If ACCL holds Business Insurance and Liability Insurance, do they cover all ACCL events and Branch Committees (President, Secretary, Treasurer and/or Vice President?)

ACC: Yes – providing that prior approval has been granted by the Board for the particular event. This then gives the event the status of an “endorsed activity”. The term ‘Officers’ extends to members who take part in the day to day management of ACC branch level committees. Note that the period of cover is for the start and finish dates specified in the event application.

Question 3

How does the ACC ensure that for insurance purposes it has an accurate record of attendance at an approved muster?

ACC: All muster attendees including friends/non-members must be included on and sign the Muster Attendance form (children must be recorded but are not required to sign).

Question 4

Does ACCL insurance cover personal injury

ACC: Only so far as “third party” claims are concerned. ACC member personal injury / personal liability cover is a matter for each individual.

Question 5

Does ACCL insurance cover loss and/or damage of personal equipment to and from events?

ACC: No

Branch secretaries and others who organise events such as musters, tagalongs, day outings and lunches need to gain approval in advance of the event to be covered. Those attending need to sign a Muster Attendance form and the branch secretary/organiser needs to return a copy of the form to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. after the event for club records.

If you have any more questions please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CLUB SHOP

Following a wonderful 5 years of coordinating the Club shop Di and Cec Caterer have now passed the responsibility to Alan & Heather Hermann. The shop will continue as strong as ever and we thank Cec and Di for their outstanding efforts over the past years. The club shop phone number remains the same but now with the dulcet tones of Heather to support members.

TAGALONG GUIDELINES

The Board approved the draft of the Tagalong Guidelines and Registration Form on receipt of advice from the Club’s Solicitor and Insurance Company. Both documents will soon be available in the documents section on the website. It is expected that all ACC members will use this process for all Club approved tagalongs. Tagalong is a term the Club uses for events others might call roving musters, roving rallies or safaris. The TAGALONG Guidelines have been forwarded to branch Secretaries.

The ACC is on the move

As a part of the growth of the Club the Board is seeking the assistance of members in the following roles-

Advocacy and Town Support Representatives

We are seeking two members to fill the roles of Advocacy and Town Support Representative for Victoria and Tasmania .These Roles are to represent the Club at State level making representations to Chambers of Commerce and Councils on issues impacting the RV traveller. You will be working in close relationship and be part of the Advocacy and Policy Team. Please email expressions of interest or request for more information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

State News Reporter

Seeking a member from each state to co ordinate and produce material from Branches for publication on the web and Facebook. Basic computer and writing skills would be required with material published to the website by our Web Editor. Please email expressions of interest to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ACC National Show Coordinator

A coordinator is required to work with the Branch Support Committee Chair to seek opportunities for recruitment through ACC attendance at Caravan Shows and other RV events. Following identification of suitable show opportunities liaise with the show organisers to book ACC sites at the shows. Please email expressions of interest to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Breaking News - WA to host the 2018 National Muster Due to the positive survey result indicating that members are willing to travel to Western Australia the Board is pleased to announce that the 2018 National Muster will be held in WA.

Gasmate Butane Fire Lighter

Sitro Group Australia Pty Ltd is undertaking a voluntary recall of the Gasmate Butane Torch Model BT1000 purchased between 13/10/2015 - 31/1/2016. Defect: When the torch is engaged with the gas cartridge as detailed in the manufacturer's instructions a gas leak may occur. Hazard: Consumers may be at risk of injury from a potential gas leak.
What to Do: Consumers should stop using the product immediately. A replacement unit is currently being tested and finalised and will be ready in short order.
Consumers can register to receive a replacement unit or they can contact Sitro Group Australia to discuss an alternative remedy.
For further information, please call Sitro Customer Service Line on 1300 174 876 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sitro Group Australia is recalling the product to ensure the safety of our customers as an ongoing commitment to maintain the highest possible standards of safety and product quality at all times