By DENNIS AMOR

THE man who transformed a lowly caravan park into a top tourist attraction has been honoured for his services to the nation's caravan industry.

Mr Shattock: humbled

"I am humbled and rather surprised," Ron Shattock told Caravanning News after receiving a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

"You do these things over many years but don't expect to be rewarded for it,"  he added.

The 67-year-old former chief executive of SA's West Beach Trust, which manages 135ha of coastal land including the award-winning Adelaide Shores Caravan Resort, Holiday Village and Golf Park, was also recognised for his tireless work towards improving tourism in South Australia.

Mr Shattock entered the caravan industry in 1975 following many years working in commerce, sales and marketing.

He designed, built and operated the Vines Caravan Park at Reynella in SA and was instrumental in launching the Caravan Park Association of SA.

Mr Shattock has worked with caravan industry organisations to promote and develop the industry and tourism in SA with emphasis on accreditation, quality standard, promotional opportunities, health and general planning considerations.

He has served as a board member and treasurer of the Big4 chain, is vice president and a life member of SA Parks and a member of the AAA Tourism Industry Liaison Group, the National Accreditation Board and the Metropolitan Seaside Councils Committee.

He was also a founding member of the Western Adelaide Consultative Group.

Mr Shattock admits many things have changed in the caravanning industry but believes "it is going along nicely".

"But with the current fuel pricing we have yet to see what the future holds," he said. "Quite a lot of caravanners are smarting and I think more will be taking trips closer to home."

Despite the soaring cost of fuel, Mr Shattock has no plans to park up his Jayco caravan and Pathfinder tow vehicle.

"I am a caravanner myself and retired so I could go caravanning," he explained. "But I'll probably be a little more cautious about how far we travel until we see how fuel prices are," he added.

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