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An inspirational and moving episode of Ch 9's Random Acts of Kindness in which Caravan, RV & Accommodation Industry of Australia (CRVA), the peak tourism body behind We Love this Country, help made one deserving couple’s caravanning dreams come true was aired on Channel 9 on Sunday June 21. Channel 9’s heart-warming new show is about thanking ordinary Australians who have dedicated their lives to helping others, often at great personal sacrifice, by showing them a ‘random act of kindness’ in return.
CRVA was approached by Channel 9 with the request to help struggling pensioners and grandparents Bill and Lorraine Rose from Tumbi Umbi, NSW by treating them to an amazing surprise. We jumped at the chance to help make a simple wish come true… Bill and Lorraine survive solely on a pension and care full time for their five grandchildren, one of whom recently underwent heart surgery, and live in a tiny three bedroom house. Far from feeling hard done by, these amazing grandparents give back to the community, volunteering with an organisation helping other grandparents in a similar situation, actively supporting the local school and coaching the local junior soccer team. Bill and Lorraine loved to take the kids away on fishing and camping holidays, but with such a large brood, finding accommodation was often difficult and expensive. Finding the ideal holiday solution for this family was where the Random Acts of Kindness team and CRVA stepped in, providing the deserving couple with a fully equipped Windsor Rapid pop-top caravan. Lorraine Rose said she had the surprise of her life when she received the Windsor Rapid. “We saw the caravan, but just thought it belonged to someone else. When Karl (Stefanovic, Random Acts of Kindness presenter) said the van was actually ours, I just couldn’t believe it. The kids had the time of their lives exploring it and pointing out all the special features.” Lorraine said the much appreciated caravan has given her family the boost it needed.
“Looking after these little ones has been a challenge, but having this caravan will give us the freedom to get up and go when we want and take a relaxing break together. It’s just what we needed to get out of the house and away from the everyday grind.” The Rose family has wasted no time making the most of holidaying in the van, enjoying the convenience and comfort of caravan parks, like Two Shores Holiday Village on the NSW Central Coast. They also plan to take a road trip later in the year to visit long-lost family around Australia. “The caravan parks we have stayed in along the coast have been lovely. The kids have so much fun and there’s a lot for them to do – they love the van, too!” The 5.2 meter long Windsor Rapid caravan comes with air con, 150 litre Dometic fridge, microwave, 2 fold out double beds, lounge and café style seating, 13 ft roll out awning and full annex to fit the whole family. To find out more about the Windsor Rapid visit www.windsorcaravans.com.au/rapid Alan Graham's Caravans and RV's kindly provided some filming and product assistance. Visit http://www.alangrahams.com.au/ for more information on Alan Graham's dealership. Random Acts of Kindness was filmed at Two Shores Holiday Village on the beautiful shores of Tuggerah Lake, a short drive north of Sydney and home to spectacular surfing beaches and national parks. For more information on Two Shores and other Holiday Villages along the NSW Coast visit www.hvgroup.com.au
To enter this competition return to the email version of this e-newsletter in your email inbox and follow the instructions from there. UPCOMING CARAVAN SHOWS 2009 Caravan, Camping and Off-Road Sale SA
Held at the Adelaide Showground in the Jubilee Pavilion and the new Duncan Gallery and Goyder Pavilion, the all under cover sale is set to have the largest number of exhibitors to date. When: Fri 7 - Sun 9 August
2009 Penrith Caravan, Camping & Holiday Expo
Head to Penrith Panthers from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September 2009 for some great PRE-SUMMER SALES and bargains for all you need on your next caravan and camping holiday. When: Fri 11 - Sun 13 September
The team at We Love This Country has collected plenty of notes on our travels around Australia.
Where is it?
Things to do & see:
Local favourites:
Did you know? Where to stay: Inverloch Holiday Park Prom Central Caravan Park Leongatha Apex Caravan Park Toora Tourist Park Coalfields Caravan Park
Darwin City Muster Be prepared for a spectacular night of infectious country rock, bush ballads and blue grass at the Darwin City Muster. This popular event promises to be a great family night out under the stars with Australian country music legends Lee Kernaghan, John Williamson and Sara Storer taking the stage at the Gardens Amphitheatre. MC Charlie King will introduce the recipients of more than 60 Golden Guitars who will perform their bush ballads and high energy country rock. Food stalls, hot and cold drinks and bar services are available – just bring your own chair and enjoy the show! Where to stay: Hidden Valley Tourist Park FreeSpirit Resort Darwin Lakes Resort & Caravan Park Darwin Boomerang Motel & Caravan Park Oasis Tourist Park BIG4 Howard Springs Holiday Park BIG4 Hayes Creek Holiday Park Sunliner, the well established Motorhome brand, has recently branched into manufacturing Caravans. The range, which was officially released in May 2009, consists of four models; the Holiday, Advantage, Kinder and Provincial. All four models feature an ultra-modern stylish finish and range from a cost of approximately $48,000 to $80,000. Visit the Sunliner website for more information.
CARAVANNING NEWS It's Business as Usual at Chrysler Jeep Australia
Chrysler Australia will continue to provide quality motor vehicles, parts and services to Australian consumers under the Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Mopar parts brands through the current network of dedicated and professional authorised dealers. “Australian customers can rest assured that it’s business as usual for Chrysler Australia. We are a solid, profitable business and here to stay” assured Gerry Jenkins, Managing Director – Chrysler Australia. “Despite the global economic challenges and the downturn in vehicle sales in most countries, we are one of the top international markets for Chrysler, and are the leading right-hand drive market in the world” added Jenkins. The global strategic alliance announced with Fiat SpA will form a new company that allows both Chrysler and Fiat to fully optimise their respective manufacturing footprints and the global supplier base, while providing each with access to additional markets. In the future, the advantages of the new company will provide exciting new motoring options for Australian consumers. Website: www.jeep.com.au/
NSW government makes caravanning dream a cheaper reality
Caravans and camper trailers in NSW will be around $1,000 cheaper as of July 1, 2009 thanks to the abolition of Stamp Duty on caravans and camper trailers which was announced in this month’s NSW State Budget. Scrapping of stamp duty will benefit both NSW consumers and businesses alike, bringing them in line with all Australian states. “Consumers of caravan and camper trailer products have been severely disadvantaged over the years by having to pay excessive taxes in NSW when they could purchase the same vehicle interstate for substantially less,” said Caravan and Camping Industry Association of NSW (CCIA NSW) CEO Barry Baillie. Mr Baillie said the $1,000 savings would now give buyers in NSW the opportunity to spend more on their travels. “As the fastest growing domestic tourism sector in Australia, caravan and camper trailer holidays will now be even more affordable for Australians this year with additional dollars being spent in regional communities on caravan and RV trips.”
For the ABC’s of towing get back to school with Tow-Ed
Under the guidance of towing gurus Julie and John Eggenhuizen, Tow-Ed operates a network of dedicated towing courses led by qualified instructors that provides a nationally recognised qualification. As well as giving drivers the confidence to tow safely in a fun and supportive environment, Julie Eggenhuizen said the course saves money. “We consider this course to be an excellent investment in safety that generally costs less than 1% of the purchase price of their caravan.” The towing school recently celebrated the graduation of its 2,000th student. The landmark towee, Doug Morris, of Gwandalon, NSW, was presented with a pair of towing mirrors to mark the special event. Doug said he planned to put his new skills, and new mirrors, to use when he tours the country with his wife, Jenny. “We will do a few small trips around Victoria and South Australia to start off with, then do a trip around the block next year,” said Doug. For more information on Tow-Ed’s towing training courses contact:
Sydney RV Centre Opens New Dealership
The New Winnebago range is featured and they also have a great display of pre-owned A class and smaller RVs, and can relocate vans between dealerships for your convenience. The spacious Penrith dealership has room to consign larger A Class Motorhomes and currently has over 10 A class RVs new and pre-owned for you to choose from. Max Mayo, Dealer Development Manager of Winnebago, said that the new Sydney RV dealership in Penrith demonstrates confidence in the Winnebago brand. “Sydney RV has proven itself as a professional and astute dealership. It is pleasing that they have sufficient confidence in Winnebago to further invest in our brand and we are happy to support their expansion into Sydney’s greater West”. 13-15 Lemko Place off Castlereagh Rd, Penrith PROFILES Hema Maps publishes more than 200 map titles and distributes an unequalled range of city, state and regional maps, travel guides, globes, atlases and other products throughout Australia and beyond. A Brisbane based private company, Hema Maps started in 1983, distributing the Queensland government’s mapping range within the state. Since then, they have expanded rapidly and continue to grow – creating more and more mapping products for distribution to an ever expanding market. Address: 25 McKechnie Drive, Eight Mile Plains QLD 4113 Want the motorhome lifestyle but not ready to make the big purchase? Why not try before you buy with Apollo Motorhomes. Apollo’s fleet of over 3000 quality vehicles and more than 200 friendly staff have helped tens of thousands of people enjoy the freedom of travelling the open road. Simply hire the vehicle of your choice for the time you need it and enjoy the confidence of travelling in a vehicle from Australia’s most modern fleet; well maintained and serviced to the highest industry standards. Apollo Motorhomes offer personalised service, flexibility and competitive rates at branches located throughout Australia. Address: 698 Nudgee Road, Northgate QLD 4013 Over 15 years, A'van Caravan & Campers has revolutionised the RV industry; along the way, many thousands of holiday makers, travellers and adventure seekers have happily experienced new heights in style, comfort and value. A'van Caravans & Campers continues to set new benchmarks in RV design and innovation. A’Van’s revolutionary construction techniques and sophisticated designs deliver a quality range of campers, caravans and motorhomes. A'van recommends pre-painted aluminium in its body construction due to its important and unique benefits over fibreglass, including weight per square metre, surface appearance, UV-resistance, low dirt-retention and ageing resistance. Every A'van RV carries a 12 month manufacturing warranty, ensuring peace of mind on your travels. For a full list of dealer locations visit their website. Address: 7 Webster Way, Pakenham VIC 3810 Trader Classifieds produces a range of specialty magazines including the ever popular, monthly Caravan World magazine. Every issue contains recreational vehicle reviews, towing vehicle tests, travel stories, readers’ own tales, and information and advice from highly qualified and authoritative columnists such as Malcolm Street, Philip Lord and Lionel Mussell – and a message from the CRVA. Other caravanning and RV publications include Motorhome & Caravan Trader, featuring new and used caravans, motorhomes, 4x4s and campertrailers for sale Australia wide and Campertrailer Australia, a bi-monthly guide to new campertrailers and holiday destinations by specialist writers. Visit the Trader Classifieds website to read more and subscribe: www.traderclassifieds.com.au If you want to tow a trailer to the local tip or a caravan to the top of Australia, Hayman Reese has the products to assist you to make the trip safely and easily. Hayman Reese designs, manufactures, tests and distributes towing systems, including towbars, hitch receivers, weight distribution systems, sway controllers and all the other accessories you need to be set up for safe towing. Hayman Reese has been Australia’s leading manufacturer of towing system products for more than 50 years. Their products are stocked at a variety of locations throughout Australia and the southern hemisphere. Address: PO Box 4050, Dandenong VIC 3164 Brisbane RVs is Brisbane’s leading caravan and motorhome dealer stocking many of Australia’s finest RVs. There are so many new and used motorhomes and caravans to choose from. Brisbane RVs are well known RV specialists that have been servicing the Australian motoring public for years. A wide range of products are available to suit every taste and budget. Brisbane RVs stock many fantastic caravanning brands inlcuding Crusader, Paramount, Millard, Retreat, Galaxy and Winnebago. Brisbane RVs can also assist you with your RV sale. Ask about their Australia Wide Warranty Program available on most used RVs at no charge. Find Brisbane RVs at two great locations: Address: 3763 Pacific Hwy, Slacks Creek QLD 4219 Address: 284 Bruce Highway, Burpengary QLD 4505 If the Grampians is your destination or you are looking at taking a break between Melbourne and Adelaide, Wimmera Lakes Caravan Resort is an ideal spot for your holiday stay. Located on the Western Highway at the eastern end of Horsham, the park promises visitors an enjoyable escape. Park facilities include a pool complex, children's playground, tennis, volleyball, basketball & netball court, well stocked kiosk with DVD hire and internet café, wireless internet access throughout the park, recreation room and TV room and a new camp kitchen and BBQ area. The Grampians National Park provides a breathtaking backdrop to the park while a mere half hour drive will have you in the middle of the Grampians surrounded by its beauty and magnificent views. Horsham is a lively regional city, centrally located in the Wimmera region with excellent shopping, dining and cultural activities. You can enjoy the beautiful Botanic Gardens, take a walk along the Wimmera River, visit Horsham’s Regional Art Gallery or take the family to enjoy activities like mini-golf, ten pin bowling or an indoor adventure children's playground. Address: 52 Amberley Crescent, Horsham VIC 3401
Located in the peaceful foothills just 4kms east of historic Bathurst and the Mount Panorama Racing Circuit, this quiet, landscaped park is close to tourist attractions – so it’s a great base to explore the region and its colonial heritage. Visit the Racing Circuit, museums, wineries, the Jenolan and Abercrombie Caves, ZigZag Railway, Blue Mountains, Hill End or Cowra’s Japanese Gardens. BIG4 Bathurst offers a wide range of accommodation. Stay in a self-contained cabin designed to make your stay as comfortable as possible with facilities including microwaves, TVs and DVD players. Cabins reflect the gold mining heritage of the area. Other facilities include a heated swimming pool, kids’ playground, camp kitchen, games room and huge movie screen. Address: 250 Sydney Road NSW 2795 Aspen Parks operate 20 beautifully landscaped and friendly parks throughout Australia. Whether you are exploring the magnificent Murray River, immersing yourself in the remote ruggedness of The North West or encountering the aquatic playground of the Whitsundays, Aspen Parks has a place you can call ‘home’ on your holidays. Aspen Parks’ resort style facilities include:
Relax in well appointed furnished cabins most with private living sized balconies comprising:
NATIONAL SPONSOR SPOTLIGHTS Manufactured Homes Insurance Agency Pty Ltd (MHIA) is a small but very strongly customer focused insurance underwriting agency specialising in the caravan and recreational vehicle industry. A market leader, MHIA offers security and peace of mind with all their policies underwritten either by Lloyd’s of London or QBE in Australia, and with insurance policies covering Caravan Parks, re-locatable homes, on-site caravans, Motorhomes and touring caravans, there is a policy available for every situation. Claims are handled by MHIA’s extremely efficient and customer focussed claims department, offering truly personal service and professionalism. MHIA has been operating from the Central Coast of New South Wales for sixteen years with its customer base throughout Australia and New Zealand. Address: Unit 19 / 1 Reliance Drive, Tuggerah NSW 2259
AL-KO manufactures, markets and distributes a comprehensive range of products for the trailer, caravan and motor home markets in Australia and New Zealand. The company is best known for its high quality running gear range, including axles, brakes and suspension products. In addition AL-KO offers its customers a wide range of accessories, as well as chassis and under carriage components. AL-KO is proud of its reputation for high quality products and services to the trailer, caravan and motor home market. Today the company utilises CAD, CNC and robotics to design and manufacture excellent products and with the aid of a modern computer system delivers high quality of service to its customers. AL-KO Victoria AL-KO New South Wales AL-KO Queensland |
Why go?
The drive from the entrance at Yanakie to Tidal River settlement is scenic and well-signposted, with car parks, beaches and bushland accessible via side roads. However, the best way to enjoy the spectacular scenery is on one of the many walking trails throughout the peninsula.
It’s business as usual at Chrysler Jeep Australia, one Australia’s most loved Caravanning vehicle brands, after Chrysler LLC announced a proposed strategic alliance with Fiat SpA and filed for protected restructuring under Chapter 11 of the United States bankruptcy provisions, as part on-going organisational changes. Chrysler’s international operations are not part of any bankruptcy filing, including Australia and New Zealand.
If you are on the market for a caravan or camper trailer and you live in New South Wales, you will soon have 1,000 good reasons to cheer!
Learning to tow a caravan, camper trailer or other type of RV requires skill and plenty of practice. Thankfully, Tow-Ed now runs nation-wide education courses to bring out your inner towing legend… 
Sydney RV Centre have added another dealership to their enterprise, opening their Penrith location in May. Over two acres of new and pre-owned motorhomes are now on display.
