An update on our Club's Progress.
The Australian Caravan Club was launched in September 2006, when some
forward thinking caravanners perceived a real need for a truly
representative national organisation to meet the wide variety of
interests and needs of caravanners and camper-trailer owners. Our
objectives are clearly set out in our Constitution.
Existing caravan clubs and Associations do an excellent job running
social and rallying activities for caravanners, but do not appear to be
a single body able, or wishing, to speak up on National issues. We see
ourselves, in part, as a lobby group - not as an organisation set up to
attack the RV industry – but rather to work with existing organisations
for the benefit of all caravanners and camper-trailer owners.
The Australian Caravan Club was set up using the model of the UK's
‘The Caravan Club’ - an organisation with huge benefits for members
with a current membership of more than 300,000.
Dynamic Committees
We have appointed three dynamic committees to look after Independent
Camping, Marketing and our annual National Muster and AGM. These
committees are doing sterling work – the Independent Camping Committee
is responsible for liaison and lobbying of Government bodies and other
authorities to see that facilities for caravanners are not only
maintained but improved.
Our Marketing Committee has successfully organised our participation
in two major caravan shows – in Sydney and Brisbane - and has developed
a healthy relationship with trade advertisers and sponsors to enhance
our activities and provide more benefits for members.
ACC members receive a quarterly full colour magazine, The Nomad, with items of news, travel stories and technical information and we have our own dynamic website with an active members forum.
Local Branches
It was never intended that the ACC would be in competition with
existing caravan and camper-trailer clubs - we believe there is room
for both types of organisations and many caravanners hold dual
memberships including our Chairman and another Director.
Nine local branches have been formed with Western Australia and
Tasmania the only States still to establish branches. Our branches
organise social weekends called ‘Musters’ and similar activities
including our first ‘tag-along’ tour.
Strong Lobby Group
An informal alliance has recently been entered into with the
Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA), the National
Association of Caravan Clubs (NACC) and the Australasian Touring
Caravan, Motorhome and Camping Club (ATCMCC) to form an organisation
which will be known as ARVO (Australian Recreational Vehicle Owners
Inc.) to provide a strong lobby group on issues affecting all RVers.
Registered Company
Unlike other clubs that are State-based incorporated bodies, the ACC
is an Australian Registered Company that reflects our truly National
identity. Our club, which is owned by the members, is managed by a
Board of six Directors elected by our club members at our Annual
Meeting. All directors are dedicated volunteers who receive no
remuneration for their work.
Although our registered office is in Queensland, our club is a
National body with members from every State plus the ACT and the
Northern Territory.
Lionel Mussell
Chairman