Avan Advocate March 2017

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1 ABN Web: March 2017 Volume 1/2017 President s Report Susie and I have enjoyed our van this year with several interesting adventures varying from fully serviced caravan parks to fully self -contained free camping testing the off road capabilities of our van. In January we attended the 25th Elvis Festival at Parkes. We camped in the grounds of the local Rugby League oval, no power and the "home" and "away" change rooms converted to male and female shower blocks. The showers were hot and cold water but with 40+ degrees I never even tried the hot water. The festival was amazing and I have never experienced anything like it before (indicates my sheltered past). We missed some of the best parts of the festival over the weekend so may have to return for the full experience. However we didn t miss the Avan Picnic on the Saturday and that more than made up for it. We drove straight from Parkes to Jilliby on the day before the picnic at Robert and Barbara's and enjoyed their hospitality on Friday night, joining a small team for the setup Saturday morning. Robert's massive shed has enough tables, chairs and gazebos to rival a hire company so we are lucky to have such well-equipped hosts for this event. Many enjoyed the pool as did Susie and I, some enjoyed the flying fox as did Susie and I, I also tried the water slide and although warned found it a challenge and will NOT try it again. This was a great day catching up with so many good friends we have made in this group. Our journey to Junee and back took 18 days and we had a ball. The first week we spent in Hawks Nest at the Myall River Camp with friends from the Campertrailer group. This is primitive camping, only facilities are composting toilets (very clean) and drinking water available at a tank. Campfires are allowed and this is a great camp ground for anyone wanting to try out being selfcontained, especially in the warmer months. Leaving Hawks Nest we headed to Dunn's Swamp east of Rylstone in the Wollemi National Park. Pit toilets cleaned daily, camp fires and various walks make this an interesting camp. Great for kayaking with hire facilities on weekends and in school holidays but also popular at those times. From Dunn's Swamp we travelled to Sofala and free camped on the Turon river at First Crossing. Long drop toilet here also. No drinking water but the river is fine for washing, showering etc. Our higher clearance on the Off Road van makes getting into and out of the riverside camp spots just that bit easier. We left Sofala the next day after wandering through the town and headed to Junee to join in the fun with our group at the caravan park. The whole state was sweltering in 40 degree temps and Junee was no different. The pool was a relief and those with air con took advantage of that feature. Susie and I enjoyed our visit to Junee with the club, especially the railway museum, old refreshment rooms and the Licorice factory. Together with Lindsay and Elaine we had the golf course to ourselves, lucky we didn't bother to score. From Junee we headed north to Cootamundra via the most interesting Tea House at Bethungra for lunch and turned right (our only plan). We found Jugiong show ground free camp on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. It was Valentine's day so diner at the pub was a winner. Left Jugiong heading south via Gundagai then Batlow to head to Blowering Dam to explore various free camps on the western shore of the dam. The combination of forest roads and recent storms challenged our off road van / Prado capability but we found a delightful camp all to ourselves. Again pit toilets the only facilities. Page 1

2 President s Report (Con t) Avan Advocate March 2017 From Blowing Dan we headed into the high country finding a beautiful free camp at Three Mile Dam near Mt Selwyn. Here we explored the nearby region including Cabramurra (the highest town in Australia) then moved onto Old Adaminaby caravan park. By now the temperature had dropped significanly and we were visiting Op shops looking for cheap warm clothing plus other "must haves". The general store in "new" Adaminaby is definitely worth a visit, if they haven t got you don t need it We drove back along the eastern shore of Blowering Dam heading north and onto the Hume Highway sadly. Not ready to go home we stayed at Taralga north of Goulburn. We free camped behind the pub, had dinner at the pub as a final night celebration. Happy Caravanning Craig. Gathering at Forster for the 2016 AGM and Christmas Dinner 34 vans gathered to enjoy the grass at Forster Lakeside Caravan Park, which was the best I have experienced, the amenities were spotless, the camp kitchen suited the group perfectly and the staff couldn t have been more helpful. This all added up to a fabulous gathering with our Christmas dinner at Club Forster setting a bench mark that will be hard to match in the future. Morning / afternoon tea or lunch by the lake was popular and the daily happy hour regularly extended to the camp kitchen curfew of 9.30pm. Highlights of the camp were::- Successful and brief AGM with all committee positions filled Wonderful Christmas dinner with our traditional visit by Santa, a three course meal, dancing and a photo display of past memories. Busy trading tables together with our Sunday Sausage sizzle Very pleasant river cruise and a visit to The Great Lakes Winery on Monday. An energetic coastal walk hosted by Warwick and Bronwen Williams with a coffee at the end in a beach front restaurant. Spectacular decorations on some vans, simple displays on others all added to the festive feel with the winner judged by the park staff being Errol and Joy Henderson Committee ( L R ) Vice President:: Elaine Baker Secretary:: Kevin Spencer Treasurer:: June Spencer President:: Craig Quinn Webmaster:: Linda Heffer Welfare:: Barbara Young Program C-ordinator ::Lindsay Baker Newsletter:: Tim Fenton And at the Dinner Page 2

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4 January 2017 Summer Picnic at Jilliby Always a popular event hosted by Robert and Barbara at "Club Young". The weather was spot on. With many of the 54 members who attended enjoying the pool throughout the day and multiple antics observed on the flying fox. Robert and Barb put a lot of effort in to this event each year so it is pleasing to see such a high attendance with everyone appreciating their work. A highlight this year is the addition of the "Aliner Camp Kitchen", giving an unroadworthy Avan a new life. I wonder what additions we can enjoy next year. Some of the Members enjoying the facilities Page 4

5 Gathering at Junee There were five member caravans in total at the Junee caravan park, arriving and leaving at different times due to various travel plans, but a good time was had by all. Most happy hours were spent in the pool, cooling off after the day s high temperatures. We had a visit to the Round House Rail museum, which is still operational today and houses some interesting old train engines and carriages. Nearly ahlf of the Round house is dedicated to the museum, the remainder is a fully operational railway workshop working on locos and rolling stock maintaining a valuable skill base in Australia. A visit to Monte Cristo, consisting of the original homestead built in 1876, which became the servant s quarters and kitchen when the main house was built in Monte Cristo is said to be one of the most haunted homes open to the public and is hosting their 45 th Annual Ball in September, with guests dressed in period ball gowns etc. Our time in Junee would not be complete without a visit to the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory and were treated with samples of their products yum and some dollars later. A few of us enjoyed a round of golf, a tour of the old theatre and morning tea at the Railway Café, still in all its glory. Members also ventured to Wagga Wagga, the Aviation Museum at Temora and to Coolamon to check out a new cheese factory/café and a display of a lifetime of over 200 beautiful crochet garments by a Mavis Furner, at the historic Up-to-Date store, (she never used a pattern, imagine that ladies) Elaine Baker Monte Cristo Homestead Page 5

6 From the desk of PROGRAM CO-ORDINATOR The year got off to a good start with Junee being a great trip for those who attended, despite the warm weather. The venues for the rest of the year are all looking good with bookings for all gatherings being made. The November AGM venue is Budgewoi Holliday Park and the Saturday night dinner is at Halekulani Bowling Club and the menus on offer, are equal to Foster turnout last year. I will be working on the 2018 calendar shortly and hope to have the first half of the year s gatherings to present to members at the winter picnic in June. Just remember when you book a site, let me know so I can keep things up to date and please give some thought to hosting an event. Cheers Lindsay. SOCIAL NOTES Jim Tiberi (Wendy Field s Partner) was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Australia day s honours list..congratulations Wedding Bells. Congratulations are also due to President Craig and Susie announcing that they plan to marry. Sydney Central Coast AVan Web Site: Craig would like to refurbish the modifications page on our web site and is hoping to capture more information from members at the Forster gathering, so if you have made a modification to your van, which would be of interest to others, let Craig know. New login s have been ed to you so if you have not received one contact Linda Heffer Linda s contact: sccavan.webmaster@gmail.com We now have a members FACEBOOK page which is open to members of our club only. At this stage our Facebook site has 15 members but we are sure many more of you use Facebook so if you would like to follow this link you can add your name to the list. If you are not already on Facebook you will be asked to create an account and after this just search for Sydney Central Coast AVan. As this is a closed site you will have to be approved as a member. Page 6

7 CLUB TEE SHIRTS The cost of club shirts is $34.00 each and can be ordered through Kevin and June Spencer The club logo is on the shirts. Tracksuit Jackets and pants can also be ordered from Kevin and June with the cost being $48.50 and $28.00 respectively. These are in a Royal Blue colour with the club logo on the jacket. Embroidered Cloth Logo Badges $5.00 each (suitable for attaching to caps or jackets) Logo Stickers $4.00 each. Logo badges and stickers available from Treasurer, June Spencer Would any members like to purchase a copy of Caravanning Australia which is published quarterly. RRP = $14.95 Price to AVan club members $7.00 including postage Contact Secretary Kevin Spencer to order sccavan@gmail.com President: Craig Quinn thecraigquinn@gmail.com Vice-Pres: Elaine Baker elbaker1@bigpond.com Secretary: Kevin Spencer sccavan@gmail.com Mailing Address: 35 Noamunga Crescent, Gwandalan 2259 Treasurer: June Spencer sccavan.treasurer@gmail.com Program Co-ordinator: Lindsay Baker sccavan.program@gmail.com. Newsletter: Tim Fenton sccavan.newsletter@gmail.com Webmaster: Linda Heffer sccavan.webmaster@gmail.com Welfare: Barbara Young bmy229@gmail.com Membership Officer: Kevin Spencer sccavan@gmail.com Page 7