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FAMILIES WITH SICK CHILDREN PRESCRIBED A HOLIDAY IN THE SUN
Each family will enjoy a free five-night stay with customised
children's activities, created specifically with the abilities and
needs of the children in mind. Arts and crafts, treasure hunts,
colouring-in Jemma Hawks, an event organiser at Starlight Children's Foundation, couldn't speak highly enough of the impact that the experience will have on the families, "The Starlight Children's Foundation is always looking to provide relief to families with sick children who need to break away from the hospital lifestyle to spend quality time together."
"The children were very excited to hear that they had the opportunity to getaway with their family. The children of these families spend a lot of time hospitalised and, when they do have some time away, their difficult financial circumstances often prevent them from doing something special on the occasion. So the children are always ecstatic to discover they will experience quality time with their family and have the chance to interact with other kids in a fun environment." The programme will continue throughout October and November and is the first of three charity rounds with another two programmes scheduled to run in February to March and May to June next year.
WE LOVE THIS COUNTRY LAUNCHES ON FACEBOOK
The official We Love this Country Facebook page gives you the chance to keep up to date with relevant Caravanning and Holiday Park news, events, competitions and product information. If you love the Caravanning, Camping and Holiday Park lifestyle and want to express it with Facebook, than head on over and become a 'fan' of the We Love this Country Facebook page. Go to the We Love this Country "Facebook" Page Bessie Bardot and partner Geoff Barker are giving up their colourful Sydney inner-city celebrity lifestyle for something more inspired. The couple has given away all their possessions to needy strangers to travel around Australia in a Motorhome helping worthy causes and looking for new opportunities with baby daughter, BlueBelle. Winnebago is partnering with Bessie and Geoff by providing a Longreach C3136SL Motorhome to assist them in spreading the message of life change and more inspired living.
"The concept of the Life Change Experiment all started a few months ago from a deep and persistent desire we both shared to grow and experience more from our lives," Bessie said. "As much as we appreciated the successes we have had, we both shared a gnawing feeling that life was passing us by. We had more to offer and more to learn and sitting at home, fearful of change, as we had been for so many years, was not going to help us discover what that was." "The old saying 'keep doing what you've been doing and you will keep getting what you've got' rang clear one day when I recalled a story of ancient invading armies who burnt their ships to keep the troops focused, with no thoughts of retreat," said Geoff. "So in the same spirit, we decided to leave no room for retreat. Give away our Mercedes, the entire contents of our house, scooters, computers, cameras, designer clothing, our successful businesses and social set lifestyle (approximately $400,000 in value) and step forward, unfettered into the unknown" On the way, Bessie and Geoff will be conducting seminars encouraging others to live life to the full, as well as speaking to various well known personalities who have an inspirational story to tell. Already, Bessie has interviewed Benny Elias, Susie Moroney, Jeff Fenech, Angry Anderson, Annalise Braakensiek, Deni Hines, Koby Abberton and Tania Zaetta and will put together a 'share the wisdom' section on the website. With over ten million hits on their website and 40,000 requests from needy Australians, they have also decided to devote their travels to drawing attention to and helping out with some of Australia's most worthy unsung causes. Rallying the help of individuals and sponsors to provide much needed items and services they hope to encourage others to step out of the box, help others and live life to the full. Bessie Bardot is a businesswoman, author, television host and socialite. She married Geoff Barker, formerly "Commando" from the Australian version of Gladiators and now a best selling author of seven books and an international speaker. Bessie is an Australia Day ambassador and has completed three tours to the Middle East to entertain Australian, UK & US troops. She hosted her own national radio show on the Austereo network and is a professional public speaker. Bessie is also the CEO of Movers Shakers celebrity contact brokers and PR and media firm, bubblemedia. The Life Change Experiment is expected to run for around six months. Follow Bessie, Geoff and BlueBelle on their journey by logging into the Life Change Experiment website. UPCOMING CARAVAN SHOWS Pre-Christmas Caravan & Camping Sale QLD South Coast Caravan and Camping Show NSW RV & Camping Leisurefest - Bendigo VIC Winners of Charlie and Boots Movie Tickets Thank you to everyone who took part in August's VIP Club 'Father's Day' Competition. The following VIP Club members scored a free double pass to Charlie and Boots:
WE LOVE THIS COUNTRY SIDETRACK The team at We Love This Country has collected plenty of notes on our travels around Australia. FLEURIEU PENINSULA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA Where is it? Fleurieu Peninsula is one hour's drive south of Adelaide, on the way to Kangaroo Island and is part of the Melbourne to Adelaide Touring Route. (See it on Google Maps) Why go? Fleurieu Peninsula is South Australia's playground. Whether you're a thrill seeker, a nature lover, a foodie or just looking for the ideal family seaside getaway - The Fleurieu Peninsula has it all. Situated on the southern coast of Australia, the Fleurieu Peninsula is surrounded by the Southern Ocean and has everything from historic river and coastal towns to ancient forests and sandy beaches, world class wineries and local produce to surfing and whale watching. Things to see & do:
Local favourites:
Where to stay: Goolwa Caravan Park
(GOOLWA) Western KI Caravan Park & Wildlife Reserve (KANGAROO ISLAND)
Adare
Caravan Park & Holiday Units (VICTOR
HARBOR) Wellington
Caravan Park (WELLINGTON) Wide Bay Australia Bundy Thunder Power Boat Spectacular When:
Saturday 6 November and Sunday 7 November 2009
Sandy Hook is transformed with temporary infrastructure for the spectacular. This includes two spacious pit areas, on-site catering and bar facilities, children s rides and grandstand seating. There is a large free car-parking area, and much more. Take a picnic blanket and fold-up chairs, hat and sunscreen, and experience the excitement of Australia's best power boat racing and lunchtime display entertainment. Where to stay: Turtle Sands Caravan Park BIG4 Cane Village Holiday Glenlodge Caravan Village Bundaberg East Cabin & Tourist Park PROFILES Castlemaine Gardens Caravan Park
Enjoy long walks around the lake, feed the abundant birdlife, have a BBQ, go for a swim, explore the town or simply relax at your site or cabin. Amenities include:
Bookings for cabins and powered sites during school holidays, festivals and events in Castlemaine are essential. Address: Doran Avenue (off Walker Street), Castlemaine VIC 3450
Park facilities include:
During peak seasons, a dedicated Social Club coordinates activities and event for adults and children alike. Address: 746 Back Eildon Road, Eildon VIC 3713
Located two and a half kilometres through Airlie Beach on the Shute Harbour Road, toward Shute Harbour, Airlie Cove Resort and Van Park is the closest BIG4 park to Airlie Beach town centre and all tour drop-off points - which take you to the fabulous Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands. Accommodation facilities on site range from powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites, to cabins and modern Balinese-style villas. Located at the doorstep to the fabulous Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands. Amongst the shady and lushly grassed grounds lies a range of facilities, including:
Address: Shute Harbour Road, Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) QLD 4802
Due to overwhelming demand, the range was soon expanded to include styles and sizes to suit users from all walks of life, from traditional fibreglass and polyethylene ice boxes to portable 12V fridge/freezers, designed specifically for the harsh Australian environment. Evakool delivered the ultimate in portable fridge/freezers, pioneering their unique dual temperature system - the first of its kind, allowing users the option of a fridge, freezer or a combination of the two. Evakool s comprehensive range of products also includes accessories such as solar energy panels, portable power packs and drink dispensers. For more information about Evakool s- complete range of products, to learn more about their five year, no-fuss warranty and for your nearest stockist, visit www.evakool.com. Phone: 07 5492 7777
With products for starting and automotive applications to sealed VRLA and solar batteries, Alco Battery Sales can meet most market requirements and are always looking to new products and technologies. Alco Battery Sales has a large mobile and dedicated sales team to meet the market s continued growth and pride themselves on supplying quality products and service. Phone: 1300 883 643 Offering a broad range of services to their customers, Tecnoform integrates in-house design expertise with material and processes research and development, applied engineering, efficient manufacturing and sophisticated logistics. All company activities are actioned and monitored according to ISO-9001:2000 standards. Products include:
Visit the Tecnoform website for more information on their products and services. Website: www.tecnoform.com
Providing quality without the high price tag, buyers are guaranteed high standards, value for money and custom made designs, accommodating the different needs of individuals from families to retirees. Galaxy Caravans are renowned for creating quality products, from stylish exteriors and finishes to lavish interiors, utilising the latest trends and technologies For your nearest dealer, visit www.galaxycaravans.com.au. Address: 828 Cooper Street, Somerton VIC 3062
For water lovers, there are hire boats available nearby and small boats can be launched directly from the park. For larger boats there is an all-weather and all-tides launching ramp located at Port Albert, with access to hundreds of kilometres of sheltered waterways. Port Albert Seabank Caravan Park is family and pet friendly and boasts 130 large powered sites, as well as numerous unpowered sites, on site cabins and large camping areas. Address: Old Port Road, Port Albert VIC 3062
The design of the CUB flip-top camper means the roof section becomes a hard floor when the camper is open, creating an immediate annexe up off the ground and doubling the internal space. This means more space to relax but no more to tow. Add to this a range of options such as single or queen beds, inside or outside kitchens, lightweight low tow touring models, or heavily constructed and rugged off-road models, and you have a serious Australian made camper. CUB campers are designed to travel low, minimising wind drag and greatly assisting with fuel economy. Due to their compact towing size, there is no need for clip on or wide towing mirrors. Want to try before you buy? Visit the website for more information about hiring a CUB Camper. Phone: 02 9896 3550
With nearly fifty years providing excellent customer service and quality products at competitive prices, Page Bros have a solid industry reputation and a loyal customer base who often return to trade-in their existing vans or have their van serviced. All used vans are serviced twice in Page Bros workshop before being handed over to the customer and used vans over $5000 come with a warranty. Page Bros have a well equipped workshop and will service all makes and models of Campers, Pop-Tops, Expandas or Caravans. They provide warranty work for Jayco and are also an authorised insurance repairer. Workshop staff are keen caravan enthusiasts themselves and understand the concerns and needs of van owners. Address: 46 - 48 Wells Road VIC 3198
In addition to a great range of stock and accessories, there's a fully equipped workshop and maintenance centre. Qualified tradesmen will service anything from panel repairs to a complete refit on all makes and models of RVs. Address: 59-63 Lear jet Drive, Caboolture QLD 4510 |
competitions, indoor games and movie nights are just a
few of the activities that the Starlight Kids can look forward to. 
She said, "The scale of this particular project is larger than
our usual events. In the past we have helped families with sick
children by organising days out to recreational places like Luna
Park and providing weekends away in holiday accommodation for
individual families, however our project with NRMA Holiday Parks is
certainly our largest to date."
Mingle with like-minded Caravanners, Campers and Holidaymakers across Australia at We Love this Country's new Facebook Page.
Ride the horse-drawn tram to Granite
Island and meet one of Fleurieu Peninsula's most captivating
members of the wildlife community, the Little Penguins, who live
in the waters in and around Victor Harbor and Granite Island. Take
a guided Penguin Tour at dusk and see the penguins amble up the
rocky shoreline as they return home from a day of fishing at sea.
Enjoy whale watching between May and
October. The coastline between Victor Harbor and Goolwa offers the
most popular land-based viewing opportunities, or hop aboard a
whale-watching cruise. Be sure to visit the SA Whale and Marine
Centre at Victor Harbor to learn more about these spectacular
creatures and other marine life in the region.
The Wide Bay Australia Bundy Thunder Power Boat Spectacular is Queensland s biggest power boat race meeting. It incorporates two days of Australia s best racing featuring Blown Alcohol Displacement Boats, six and five litre Displacements, Hydroplanes, F1 and Tunnel boats, Unlimited Outboards, major trophy races and prize money. On show on Friday there will be a display of boats, plus a Meet and Greet with the Drivers, and an Official Welcome.
Castlemaine Gardens Caravan Park is ideally situated within walking distance to the historic township of Castlemaine and is nestled on the banks of Barkers Creek overlooking the historic Botanic Gardens and Lake Joanna.
Situated within metres of the alluring Goulburn River and only a short drive from Melbourne, you can relax in style and comfort enjoying all that Blue Gums Caravan Park has to offer. Boasting six luxury cabins, and a large number of powered and unpowered sites, a restful and serene respite from city life is a feature of a Blue Gums stay.
With National Park at its borders, Airlie Cove Resort and Van Park is a four and a half star, 28 acre tropical haven and is home to an astounding array of Australian wildlife.
Established in 1994 to meet the growing need of travellers who wanted an icebox that would retain ice for days as opposed to a few hours, Australian owned company, Evakool developed their first fibreglass iceboxes.
Alco Battery Sales has evolved to become one of Australia's leading importers and distributors of quality batteries for the RV Industry.
Tecnoform is an international and for the last twenty years, the company has been setting the benchmark for RV interior furnishings. Tecnodesign, the company's design and research division, has produced many of the industry's product innovations and style trends.
Established in December 2000, Galaxy Caravans have designed and manufactured a comprehensive range of quality caravans and pop-top vehicles.
Set on 18 acres, Port Albert Seabank Caravan Park is a picturesque, nature lovers dream, nestled in the midst of native gum trees and with direct access to the water. The park and the adjacent Old Port Trail are a bird watchers paradise with numerous varieties calling the area home, including Knight Herrons, Parrots and Galahs. 
CUB Campers are a leading camper trailer manufacturer in Australia, with over forty years experience and an extensive range of comfortable and reliable camper trailers to suit all needs.
Page Bros is a family-owned Caravan, Camper and Pop-Top dealership based on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. One of the first dealers of Jayco caravans, Page Bros are a premier dealer of new and used RV products.
Located just off the highway at Bribie Island turn-off lies one of Queensland s largest dealers of new and used caravans, with vans to suit all budgets, styles and needs from pop-tops to full size luxury caravans.