CARAVANNING NEWS - June 2008 edition


STOP PRESS	JUNE 29: Axe-wielding man charged after fracas at Country Club Caravan Park, Rockhampton, Qld --- JUNE 28: WOMAN, 45, charged with arson after caravan and vehicle set alight at Ayton north of Port Douglas, Queensland --- JUNE 27: Woman, 73, dies when campervan and bus converted into mobile home collide in Maryborough, Queensland. Husband, 74, taken to hospital and in critical condition --- JUNE 25: Caravan and tow car overturn on Great Western Hwy near Bathurst, NSW. No one hurt --- JUNE 19: TEENAGER charged with raping woman at First City Caravilla Caravan Park, Cairns --- JUNE 9: Ronald Shattock receives OAM in Queen's Birthday Honours for services to national caravan park industry and tourism in South Australia --- JUNE 5: Moves forging ahead to form national lobby group to protect interests of Australia's recreational vehicle users			LINKS	REST AREAS	ED'S HOME PAGE
Queensland outback	Carnarvon Gorge	Sydney circular	Imbil	Santa's trip	Formula One interlude	Moore Park Beach turtles

Brisbane Weather Forecast, Australia

June 2008

Editor: Dennis Amor
PO Box 678
Caloundra
Queensland 4551
Australia
Click to send email

GRAND OLD MAN OF CARAVANNING DIES
VICTORIA'S grand old man of caravanning Joe Jeans has died, aged 105. An active caravanner who hauled his 'van to Queensland every year until he was 102, the former seaman died after a short illness following a fall. His caravan, which he built himself at Geelong College's Austin Gray Centre while in his early 90s, was his pride and joy. "He was an amazing man and loved his travels north to Queensland in his caravan, which he handcrafted," College head of Fine Art Phil Taylor told Caravanning News. He said staff and students held a wake at the college and would sadly miss the Syrian-born adventurer, who taught himself to read, write and speak seven languages. Joe went to sea after qualifying as a ships carpenter at age 12, his travels bringing him to Australia where he met and married his late wife Vera in 1960. Joe had no family and was still driving until three weeks before his death. He was a regular visitor to the College where he cheerfully shared his skills and knowledge.

POLICE PROBE MYSTERY BLAZE AT CANIA GORGE CARAVAN PARK

POLICE are investigating a mystery midnight blaze which destroyed the manager's home at a four-star Cania Gorge caravan park in Queensland.

A guest raised the alarm after spotting flames inside the residence and shop at the 34-site Top Tourist Cania Gorge Tourist Retreat near Monto.

Police said the buildings were evacuated and no one was hurt. Investigations into the cause of the outbreak were continuing and scientific officers had attended the scene.

Fire crews from Monto and Moonford tackled the blaze and prevented it from spreading to other parts of the park. A Queensland Fire and Rescue spokeswoman told Caravanning News the shopfront was "well alight" when firemen arrived.

A spokesman at the park said he was "too busy" to comment when contacted by Caravanning News but it is understood no guests were evacuated and the park is operating normally, though without its shop.

Couple's miracle escape as rig rolls ... and rolls ... and rolls

LUCKY TO BE ALIVE!

By Dennis Amor

THIS is all that remains of a couple's beloved caravan after an horrific crash on a Queensland highway.

Police told Caravanning News the Hervey Bay caravanners were lucky to be alive after their caravan and tow vehicle flipped and rolled several times when caught in turbulence while attempting to overtake a truck.

The dazed war veteran and his wife were rushed by ambulance to hospital while their two small pet dogs were freed from the wreckage by a vet who took them to her veterinary clinic to be cared for while the injured couple recovered. [More]

Council lashed over rest area plan
CARAVAN parks in a NSW town are up in arms over council plans to establish a new overnight rest area. They have accused the council of "doing the dirty" on them by allowing unlimited free overnight stays. [More]

Wheelchair-friendly caravan offers dignity
A VICTORIAN company claims to be the first in Australia to specialise in caravans for the physically disabled. Accessavan says its wheelchair-friendly caravan allows people to travel with "dignity and independence". [More]

Sewage: a whole new can of worms
A NEW sewage treatment plant at a Victorian caravan park has opened up a whole new can of worms! In fact, thousands of the wrigglers are successfully handling raw sewage and waste water at the park on the Mornington Peninsula. [More]

Free access to cyberspace
CARAVANNERS will find it easier to access the internet while touring SA's Yorke Peninsula. The district council's Finance and Corporate Services Committee has approved the provision of free broadband internet hotspot access within council caravan parks.

Caravanners blown away by unusual visitors
VISITORS to a NSW caravan park usually arrive by road ... but not this particular group of travellers. Caravanners were blown away when eight helicopters swooped into the riverside park on the border of the State's outback for the final night of the Helibiz Safari. [More]

Caretaker sought for Apple Isle park
A CARETAKER is being sought to run a caravan park in an historic Tasmanian hamlet. Located in a picturesque corner of the Apple Isle, the park offers more than 150 pitches for travellers. [More]

Water plea to travellers in drought-ravaged city
CARAVANNERS visiting a NSW city are being urged to fall into line with locals and cut their water usage. The plea comes after level five restrictions were introduced to the drought ravaged area. [More]

New aviation park takes off in NSW
AVIATION buffs will be in their element at a new caravan park which has opened in New South Wales. And more than a hundred travellers gave it a full work out at a recent air show. [More]

Parking warning to showgoers
AUSTRALIA'S largest caravan exhibition, which opened on June 4, is expected to smash all previous attendance records. But organisers of the Queensland Caravan, Camping and Touring Holiday Show, have issued a parking warning to visitors. [More]

More families hit the road
RISING interest rates and household budget strain are forcing more holidaying Australian families onto the road, it has been claimed. Families now account for up to a quarter of the caravan, camping and touring market. [More]

Renters shake off bowser blues
DESPITE escalating fuel prices, the road ahead still looks smooth for motorhome rentals. Business continues to boom as caravanners suffer bowser blues in the face of record prices at the pumps. [More]

Disaster strikes on first day of round-Oz trip
SHOPPERS dashed to the aid of a couple whose caravan burst into flames on a supermarket carpark. Disaster struck on the first day of the travellers' planned round-Australia odyssey. [More]

Caravan parks hit the market
ANOTHER popular Queensland caravan park could fall to developers. And two others in the same West Australian town have also hit the market. [More]

New heart for caravan-cum-boat
A BOAT which converts into a caravan has a new heart. The innovative Vacationer 240 now has an inboard engine, making it even more exciting on the water. And afterwards, it can be dragged ashore and dragged to a caravan park for a comfortable night's rest. [More]

Working holidays need not be so taxing
CARAVANNERS on working holidays could benefit from a seminar planned for the Sunshine Coast. Keynote speaker at the Working Holidays and Taxation workshop will be an expert in the field. [More]

Wheel clamps in fight against rogue campers
CARAVAN parks in Western Australia are reporting a drop in bookings as fuel prices continue to skyrocket to record levels. One park has reportedly turned to wheel clamps to beat people who free camp and use its facilities illegally. [More]

Grey nomads in the spotlight
THEATREGOERS in regional and rural Australia will soon be sharing in the fun, excitement and sometimes sorrow experienced by grey nomads. A theatre company has been given a grant to take its play featuring a fictional couple's life on the road to 11 venues around Australia. [More]

Life sentence after park stabbing
A MAN who stabbed another to death at a Queensland caravan park has been jailed for life. Mitchell Lindsay Bell, 43, was said to have inflicted horrific injuries on his 48-year-old victim who had his throat slashed and suffered 18 stab wounds. [More]

Showground will soon welcome larger rigs
UPGRADING of Maitland's showground in NSW will benefit travellers with larger caravans and motorhomes. Work will soon begin on improvements after the showground received an $89,000 State Government grant, meaning it will be able to accommodate larger rigs.

Public land camping sometimes acceptable: Ombudsman
QUEENSLAND Ombudsman David Bevan believes that limited caravan parking and camping on public land is sometimes acceptable. And he cites the annual migration of southerners to the warmer climes of the Sunshine State as a prime example. [More]

Park campaigner Arch dies
ARCH McKechnie, who worked tirelessly for many years to improve the caravan park industry, has died. Mr McKechnie, of Wallaga Lake, NSW, was deputy Bega Valley Shire president in 1988. He was also involved in tourism promotion and civic activities in Bermagui.

Supershow prize will see adventurers hit the road
FORMER campers and sailors Cyril and Mary Kavanagh of NSW are now planning to hit the road. The adventurers from Elanora Heights have just won this year's major prize in the NSW Caravan, Camping, 4WD & Holiday Supershow's Passport competition ... a new Jayco Discovery pop-top caravan. [More]

For stories from the last six editions of Caravanning News, click on the appropriate month:

Caravanning News - May 2008 edition
Caravanning News - March/April 2008 edition
Caravanning News - February 2008 edition
Caravanning News - January 2008 edition
Caravanning News - December 2007 edition
Caravanning News - November 2007 edition

SEND YOUR COMMENTS OR
STORY IDEAS TO
CARAVANNING NEWS

Advertisement

A DIABETIC PET?

OWN a diabetic pet and need a holiday? Experienced housesitters and animal lovers will care for them in your own home. We even bring own accommodation! Sunshine Coast and north Brisbane areas.

Details: 0402 855 409

LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR

Bendemeer ruffles a few feathers

I HAVE just read the article in the last edition of Caravanning News about Bendemeer residents not being happy about free camping, 'freeloaders' not supporting the local caravan park and stopping at other spots in or around the town. Most travellers only stop overnight at such spots, then replenish their food and fuel requirements at businesses in the town before moving on to another destination. I don't think the local traders such as petrol stations, supermarkets, chemist and vehicle repairers etc will be happy either when travellers decide to take ALL their business to another town that is happy to allow 'free' overnight stops. I, for one, am a motorhome owner and I do stay in caravan parks and also stop in designated overnight spots from time to time in towns that enjoy the fact they receive my support through the money I spend with local traders. I am now in the throws of planning my trip north for the winter, as do many caravanners and motorhomers, and after reading your article I will now make every effort to avoid Bendemeer and other towns and take my hard earned dollar to where I feel they will appreciate my business unconditionally.

A. Lawrence,
via email.

I AM a traveller in a self contained motorhome and have spent not a small sum setting this up for independent travel. I have no objection to paying camping fees or for any other service I receive, but I do object to being held to ransom by caravan parks that insist on charging me for facilities I neither require or desire. Unfortunately, it is the narrow minded approach of the likes of the Bendemeer Community Development Committee that obviously cannot see that if we are not forced to spend a large part of our budget on facilities we do not need, we would have more to spend in the local community. When towns take this approach all they do is send the message Australia-wide ... that travellers are not welcome. Most will not go where they are not welcome and, unfortunately, everyone loses.

John M.,
via email.

WHAT an interesting place to visit! Have decided that whenever I read of a free camp area being closed down I will write to the local community and, referring to my travel notes, let them know how much I spent in their town last time I free camped in the area! Perhaps if we all did that, and maybe even dropped a note into local council offices with the dollar-tally whenever free camping, it would keep a lot more free camps open.

Annie,
via email.

Good web page - I've bookmarked it. Been reading about Bendemeer and sent the Tamworth Regional Council an email with my thoughts on the matter. This 'freeloader' won't be stopping there for any supplies.

Brian Moyse
Queensland

Motorhome swap wanted

WE are a retired couple with a 2002 2-berth Fiat Ducato motorhome interested in swapping motorhomes with somebody in Brisbane.
We are experienced motorhomers, having owned six over the last 20-odd years. We live in Golden Bay, South Island, New Zealand. We are interested in a swap in July of this year. The swap wouldn't have to coincide.

John.
jjgoldenbay@actrix.co.nz

WORLD BRIEFS

Nostalgia
brings boom

NOSTALGIC parents are abandoning overseas holidays in favour of Britain's caravan and camping grounds. Latest figures from the National Caravan Council show a 20 percent rise in park bookings for July and August and an increase in caravan sales. High bills, the low exchange rate and environmental concerns were also factors in the increases.

HIGH class American prostitution madam Deborah Palfrey has reportedly committed suicide at her mother's caravan park in Florida. Police were said to have recovered suicide notes after she was found hanged.

THE owner of an English caravan park has been fined $35,000 over dangerous gas installations. Faults were found at nearly 30 caravans at her park in Doncaster, including leaks, dangerous carbon monoxide levels and faulty flues. She was also ordered to pay $17,000 in costs.

AN English holidaymaker died and three caravans were damaged when fire broke out at a Spanish caravan and camping site. Investigations are underway into the tragedy at the La Corona campsite near Tarragone south of Barcelona.

A MASSIVE 16km traffic jam built up after a caravan overturned on a North Wales expressway. The caravanners escaped unharmed in the accident at Rhuallt Hill, but other holidaymakers suffered the pain of several hours stuck in gridlocked traffic.

RESIDENTS of a caravan park in America's Laurens County reported seeing a huge funnel cloud before fierce winds uprooted trees and downed power poles. Caravans were damaged but no one was hurt in the wild weather which struck the Pageant Trailer Park.

MULTI-MILLION dollar lotto winners Pat and Stan Cable plan to go shopping ... for a brand new caravan. The English caravan enthusiasts from Suffolk, who are in their 60s, scooped nearly $10 million when their six numbers turned up trumps. But they have no plans to move out of their modest two-bedroomed council house near Eye. Instead, they will splash out on a new sofa for their living room.