A TASMANIAN caravan dealer and accessory retailer has been awarded the
caravan industry's highest honour.
Dennis Austin, who owns Austin's Caravans & Leisure Centre on the Apple
Isle's North Coast, received the Eric Hayman Award For Excellence at the
Caravan Industry Association of Australia National Conference's gala
dinner.
The award is to the caravan industry what the Brownlow Medal is to
football.
First awarded in 1990, it recognises people, companies or events that have
made an outstanding contribution to the caravanning and camping industry
on a national scale.
It was named in honour of Eric Hayman, who began manufacturing towbars in
1951 and then founded aftermarket towing and industry pioneering company
Hayman Reese.
Mr Austin has been a national board member of Caravan Industry Association
of Australia for 15 years and spends an enormous amount of his time
interstate on industry and board matters.
He currently holds the position of treasurer and has been instrumental in
uniting individual components of the industry over the years.
Mr Austin has made a significant mark on the industry through his
political work and connections that have provided unprecedented access to
federal cabinet ministers, senators and MPs, including the former prime
minister, ministers for small business, industry and many other
portfolios.
His effort have changed the way the industry approaches lobbying,
culminating recently in an exclusive dinner with the Treasurer just weeks
before the Scott Morrison handed down his first budget.
Accepting the Eric Hayman Award, Mr Austin acknowledged the patience of
his wife Marilyn, who he referred to as a "caravanning widow".
"I couldn't have done what I did without the support of my wife," he said.
"I wouldn't have dreamed in my wildest dreams that I would be up here.
"To me the most rewarding thing of all is the special friendships we have
with so many folk."
