Our 2018 National Muster Ends…but 2019 plans are already under way
Day 7 brought our 2018 National Muster at Denmark WA to a close.
First item on the agenda was the drawing of the Monster Raffle where members eagerly checked their tickets.
Following the raffle draw, the closing ceremony began. Our Chairman Craig and muster organiser Brian paid tribute to the many local businesses and members who had worked tirelessly to ensure our muster was the success that it had been. Special tribute was paid to Michael and Mandy from the Big4 Ocean Beach Caravan Park at Denmark for being such fantastic hosts.
Members were then invited by our 2019 National Muster organisers Terry and Pam, and representatives from ‘I am Warrnambool’ and the Warrnambool hosting park to come along to our 2019 National Muster at Warrnambool in Victoria in October 2019, and experience the many attractions that the Warrnambool region has to offer.
The closing ceremony ended with the traditional handing over of our Club’s muster banner and the Australian flag by our Denmark team to the Warrnambool team.
Members have already started making their homeward journeys. No doubt the Nullarbor will be fairly busy over the coming week.
The Australian Caravan Club wish everyone safe travels home.
Great Day on Day 6 for members at the National Muster
Dragon Boat Racing, Whaling Station Tour, Annual General Meeting and a dinner dance made for a great day for members at the last full day of activities at our National Muster.
While our more adventurous members took to the water for a dragon boat race, others did a bus trip to Albany where they went through a guided tour of the Whaling Station, climbed up the steep track and viewed the wind turbines at a Wind Farm observing magnificent views along the coastline, and visited the Natural Arch and The Gap where they observed remnants of the days when Australia was still linked to Antarctica. Other members enjoyed freestyling the day at the many attractions in the region.
Returning back to camp, we had our Club’s Annual General Meeting where our Chairman Craig Humphrey was re-elected for a further three years, and marketing director Deb Bott was elected for three years. Both directors were unopposed. Motions awarding Cec and Di Caterer and Derek Hale Life Memberships for their many years of dedicated service to our Club, were carried unanimously and with great cheers. Members then posed for the annual National Muster group photo.
A big day concluded with members dancing the night to the music and song of ‘Big Men Working’ at a delicious two course dinner dance where members shared friendships and their adventures of the day.
Charity Afternoon Tea, Food Tour and ACC Futures Forum
There was no slowing down in activities on Day 5 of our National Muster in Denmark WA.
Four buses departed just after 9am taking busloads of members to various food tasting locations in the Denmark region, with the buses changing venues throughout the morning to ensure no busload was in the same place as another at the same time. Members happily sampled the many tastings offered at The Toffee Factory, Denmark Chocolate Company, Bartholomews Meadery and Denmark Farmhouse Cheese Factory. Members purchased numerous items at the various venues, and enjoyed a sumptuous lunch at different venues. The food tour was very well organised, and ice-creams at The Toffee Factory were a definite hit!
Guest speaker at the Charity Afternoon Tea was Roger Seeney from Black Dog Ride. Roger spoke about the formation of the Black Dog Ride in Busselton in 2009, the decision to ride around Australia to raise awareness of depression and suicide, and to fundraise for mental health programmes. Some of the funds raised are used to provide training to provide support to depression sufferers. On behalf of our Club, our Chairman Craig presented Black Dog Ride with a cheque for $500. Members enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea.
The day finished with the ACC Futures Forum where representatives from our branches got together to discuss ideas. This has been an item at our last three National Musters.
Spirits Remain High Despite the Weather
The heavens opened on Day 4 of our National Muster. However, despite the rain and an evening thunderstorm, spirits remained high. Members did not let the weather spoil their fun.
We had two very informative presentations in the morning. The first by Dragan Vasic from Lovells Springs informed members about the various towing upgrades on our tow vehicles available to us. Dragan also updated us on the topical issue surrounding GVM and GCM upgrades and where each of us currently stood, depending on the State in which we live. He also made himself available both during and after the presentation for members to approach him with various questions.
The second presentation was by Marjorie Pagani, the CEO of Angel Flight. Marjorie explained to us how Angel Flight functions, and how much it is dependent upon donations and the generosity of individual pilots.
Sadly, the rain caused the cancellation of our Barefoot Bowls afternoon. However, it did not prevent a huge attendance in the marquee for the Casserole evening where members interacted with each other, enjoying the entertainment, while the thunderstorm raged outside.
RV club demonstrates strong growth over the past 12 months
At the 2018 National Muster of the Australian Caravan Club (ACC), which is being held in Denmark in Western Australia, the Director for Membership Support, Graham Christie, informed members of the strong growth in membership over the past 12 months.
7 new branches were established in the last 12 months and the club now has 53 branches Australia wide, 19 in Queensland, 13 in New South wales, 9 in Victoria, 6 in Western Australia, 5 in South Australia and 1 in Tasmania. The average number of RV’s per branch is 27 with 3 branches having over 50 RV member units.
37% of the RV member units reside in Queensland, 28% in NSW and ACT, 17% in Victoria, 9% in Western Australia, 6% in South Australia and 3% in Tasmania.
The club expects the strong growth to remain steady as the club continues with its focus to “Promote the use of recreational vehicles and the RVing lifestyle throughout Australia”
The ACC was founded in September 2006 and is now the second largest multi brand RV club in Australia.
Our members continue to enjoy Denmark and its surrounds
Day 3 of our National Muster was a bright, warm, sunny day with temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius or more.
A winery tour was the highlight of the day, with three busloads of members electing to sample the wines of the region. Many chose the optional lunch at Boston Brewery.
Other members toured Denmark and the region independently. Members (Lindsay and Kerry) were spotted swimming at Greens Pool, visiting Elephant Rocks and doing the Tree Top Walk at Valley of the Giants, while others drove to Albany and toured the Whaling Station.
The day finished with Happy Hour and the Board held an Information Session where members were informed about the work that the Board and Club Officials undertake on a daily basis.
Visit to National Anzac Centre and Sundowner evening prove popular with National Muster attendees
Day Two of our 2018 National Muster started with gusto with an early morning walk for those who dared brave the cool morning temperatures.
Three buses departed for the National Anzac Centre at Albany during the morning. Here, members were very moved learning more about our ANZACS where so many Australians and New Zealanders lost their lives during World War 1. We learned about the importance that Albany and King George Sound had played in housing our convoy fleet and its place as a departure point for our armed forces during the Boer War and World War 1. Members enjoyed the interactive display in the Centre itself, roaming around the various remnants of the fort from days gone past on the adjacent hill, and taking a trip in the bus up to the top of Mount Clarence.
Later in the day, there was entertainment at Happy Hour in the marquee.
The Sundowner Evening where finger food was provided, was a great hit and well attended and enjoyed by all.