A'van Club of Australia

155 A'vans Attended the Pambula Rally - WORLD RECORD

This website is no longer actively updated.
It has been left as a reference point only.

Hi to all -

As indicated previously we are both currently working full-time (from morn till night) and so will have to be very brief re Pambula.

In brief - 150 A'vans and over 300 people attended from all Australian states except the N.T. Weather was beautiful throughout and all present seemed to have a great time. Highlights included the Friday night Sing Song held in the "A'van Marquee" featuring Ian Blencowe and others including our youngest performer Mel, aged 2!! Approx. 200 attended and all had a great time before departing to the strains (??) and actions of the 'Chicken Dance.'

Brendon (Secretary) was interviewed by local ABC FM radio which has a wide coverage throughout the region.

Saturday morning was busy time with over 300 people attending the AGM - many people said it was the best AGM they've ever attended - probably because over 30 prizes were drawn!! Almost 100 prizes were given out over the weekend!

Saturday afternoon 'free time' saw members engaged in a wide variety of activities - walks, drives, golf and cruises from Eden and Pambula Lake. The Merimbula-Imlay Bowling Club was the venue for almost 300 people for the Saturday evening Dinner and Dance - featuring locally based entertainer Andy Dennis. A most successful night thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Sunday morning saw a visit by the local WIN TV including an interview with Joan, our re-elected President! The usual A'van walking tour followed before the Picnic lunch and official 'Au revoir."

For the A'vanners who remained on Sunday night a very entertaining 'Trivia Night' was organised by Jim and Margot Baker from South Australia. Again the A'van marquee was filled to overflowing and the 170 attendees certainly had their knowledge extended!

Monday morning saw a gradual departure of A'vans for destinations throughout Australia - although by Tuesday morning over 20 were still there!

In summary - a great weekend for all and our numbers must give us the world record for attendance by our members - with the 150 A'vans - A'liners, Sportliners and even 1 A'lite!.

Our thanks to Garry and Narelle from the Big 4 Holiday Hub at Pambula Beach for being such wonderful hosts. Many of us hope to return to their park in the near future. Comments from other participants welcomed on the web-site - including photos if possible.

Brendon & Joan

elcome to the A’van Club of Australia Inc! On behalf of the Committee and all members we cordially welcome you as a member of this special group of people who form the A’van Club of Australia Inc.

The Club was initiated in February, 1999 through discussions with Jeff Van Baardwyck of A’van Campers Pty. Ltd. at Hallam. Jeff was most supportive of the Club concept and paid for the first mail-out to "A’vanners" to see if there was sufficient support to form a Club.

Since that date over 760 A’van owners (i.e. about 1500 people) from all states and territories of Australia have joined and this is a most exciting development.

A'Van Club of Australia in Canberra

The main purpose of the Club is to:

1. share ideas of common and mutual benefit;

2. encourage friendship and co-operation amongst people interested in A’vans;

3. collaborate with other similar clubs and organisations;

4. hold meetings and outings to further members’ interests;

5. to provide and publish from funds a quarterly newsletter—The A’vanner.

The A’vanner

This newsletter is the main source of communication for the Club. Contributions and comments are always welcomed and the newsletter is published in March, June, September and December.

Click on the thumbnail to see the front page of the March 2001 A'vanner

Stickers

The A’van Club of Australia Inc has for sale car/van stickers with our logo on them and these are available to Club members from the Secretary for $2.00 each.

ACA Office Bearers

President Joan Smith (03) 9436 1356

Vice-President Dale Brain (03) 9801 7624

Secretary Brendon Smith (03) 9436 1356

Treasurer Jan Eury (03) 9438 5137

Records/DTP Colleen Woolley 0419 505 511

Committee members

Wayne Francis (03) 9754 6860

Nancy Brain (03) 9801 7624

Joe and Glory Lockhart (03) 9787 5173

State co-ordinators

ACT

            Eddie Houghton (02) 6287 2007

NSW—Sydney/Central Coast

            Barbara and Jeff Douglass (02) 9639 0079

Queensland

            Graham and Barbara Chapple (07) 3359 8937

SA

             Brian and Mary Farmer (08) 8337 5722

Tasmania

Ted and Jane Winkler (03) 6424 3206

Reg and Toni Harvey (03) 6343 3333

Victoria—Strzelecki 2000 (Gippsland)

Carol & Frank Achterdenbosch (03) 5997 8336

WA

Jim and Margaret Andersen (08) 9398 5869

The AMD

The Australian Membership Directory

This is proving to be a most valuable resource in generating communication amongst members.

It is pleasing to see that even though the Club has been operating for less than two years some local, regional and interstate groups ("clusters") have been formed (see updates in each newsletter). Everyone is an equal member and anyone can initiate a formal, or most informal "cluster". Any groups formed should appoint a ‘Club contact person’ to report happenings for the newsletter.

Members’ comments indicate they find the AMD most useful.

Subscriptions

Annual subscription is currently $10.00 per year, are due on 31 March and are payable in advance. Membership Enquiries: avanner@email.com

What we don’t do!

The Club is not a forum for individual complaints—any such concerns should be taken up directly with A’van Campers Pty Ltd.

The contact numbers of them or their agents in each State are listed below:

Vic Melbourne (Oasis) 03 9761 4933

NSW (South) Camden East 02 4658 1929

(North) Gosford 02 4328 4800

NT Winnellie 08 8947 0054

Qld Bethania 07 3805 5499

SA Carey Gully 08 8390 1226

Blair Athol 08 8262 2500

WA Perth 08 9443 1133

Tas Burnie 08 6435 2643

If you need to contact Secretary Brendon Smith, you can do so in any of the following ways:

PO Box 1

Yarrambat Victoria 3091

Tel: (03) 9436 1356

Fax: (03) 9436 1778

e-mail: avanner@email.com

Venue for the 2001 AGM

Holiday Hub is set in 25 acres of natural bushland which abounds in Australian native wildlife. Our modern amenity blocks are spacious and spotlessly clean. Enjoy our new Camp Kitchen with upstairs lounge where you can enjoy the panoramic ocean views. Free covered barbecues are available throughout the park. Bazil's by the Sea, the park's licensed restaurant, is just a two minute walk away. Enjoy a superb meal together with a glass of wine or drop in during the day for a cappuccino and cake. The Hub General Store offers a wide range of produce and a big range of takeaway food including our famous home made pies. On the park's eastern boundary is five hundred metres of golden sands and sapphire blue ocean waters which has been rated as one of the best on the Australian coast. Patrolled in summer and safe for all the family. Should you wish for quieter waters, the Pambula River mouth, only a scenic one kilometre walk away, offers a safe, sandy, shaded area with picnic facilities and playground for the tiny tots. The northern and western boundaries of Holiday Hub are bordered by the Ben Boyd National Park, a splendid eco area with two, very rare dunal lakes. These are unique on the NSW coast. The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service do offer Holiday Hub guests the opportunity of enjoying guided tours of the park. Details can be obtained at the Reception Centre or phone for a Reservation: 1 800 677 808. (information above taken from Hub's AWARD WINNING website)

General map of the Pambula area

Click here for an actual park site map