Australian CamperTrailers
national meet at Wellington 2012

introduction

The Australian CamperTrailers Group's 8th national meet was held in the showground at Wellington, located on the New South Wales Central West Slopes & Plains, over the week from Monday 1st to Friday 5th of October 2012 & hosted by the Wellington Lions Club.    

The meet attracted around 105 camper trailers, caravans & tents with over 240 people from as far a field as South Australia, Western Australia & Tasmania. It was great to see such a diverse group of people attending, from young couples, families, retirees to grandparents with their grandkids, all enjoying the camaraderie of like minded people. Someone said it was like a sixties caravan park where the kids were safe to play with their new found friends around the campsite without danger.

When you have some of the best rain makers in the country camped in the one spot, it was no surprise to see 25mm of rain fall on the Friday night, much to the delight of the local farmers. This saw several large puddles form around the showground which gradually soaked in over the next couple of days.  As usual the campfires were the hub of the evening & a big thanks goes to the Wellington Lions for supplying the much needed firewood.

With gates opening on the Friday we had around fifty camper trailers roll in to the showground during the day in anticipation of the week to follow. Somehow we managed to fit everyone in over the next few days & even accommodated all those who needed a powered site. 

 sunday opening

Sunday evening saw the start of the week with the grand opening in the undercover area behind the grandstand. Australian CamperTrailers Group co-owner Kevin Phillips welcomed members & official guests to the 8th national meet & thanked the Wellington Council & Lions for the effort that went into the preparation before our arrival. He then went on to tell of the groups beginnings in September 2001 & how the group has grown with the present day popularity of camper trailers. Funnily enough it was this very day eleven years ago that the Yahoo Group started. 

The Wellington Shire Mayor Cr Rod Buhr, welcomed the group to town & wished all a pleasant stay pointing out some of the local sights worth looking at. He himself is a camper trailer owner. Lions Club president Duncan Chapman went on to also welcome us to Wellington & said he looked forward in helping with the cooked breakfast & money raising activities, particularly on the Wednesday community day. These much needed funds would be directed into the community where needed.

Group co-owner Rob Sanderson presented the Wellington Council Tourism, Promotions and Media Liaison officer Sharon Toynton with a certificate of appreciation & thanked her for the untiring efforts she showed in helping to make sure the national meet was a success. Carol Sanderson then gave her a small present to say thanks.

Rob went on to outline the itinerary for the week with workshops held by members on a variety of subjects relating to camper trailers & camping in general. Being an internet based group there are subjects where the information cannot be easily exchanged through typing & this is where face to face workshops come into their own. A number of invited guests presented information workshops including Colin Hopgood from Best Water Filters, Warren Williams from Workabout Australia, Stuart Peddle from Redarc & Armin Pauza of Lithium Batteries Australia. Of course a national meet would not be the same without workshops from Jamie Hazelden & Shane Adams from Jamie's Touring Solutions, formerly Dynamic Solar Solutions.

Nominations for the person who most represents the group trophy would also be up for grabs as was the Wellington Wally's award for the most funniest or embarrassing moment over the week.

Group co-owner Jason Cox outlined the Wellington Lions & communities involvement on Wednesday's Wellington Day. The day would start with the Lions cooking breakfast followed by a number of community based stalls, a jumping castle, face painting & a snake handler. George Mavros would also once again host the hardy's Vs the softy's bolle competition. The afternoon happy hour included a book swap, sell & swap camping gear & also a kids treasure hunt. The even would finish with two local bands & an auction.  

Joy and Dave Wilkinson hosted another 'Getting to Know You' session at the end of the opening with members attending their first national meet introducing themselves.

newspaper articles

please click to enlarge
Wellington Times 1st October 2012	Wellington Times 4th October 2012	Wellington Times 5th October 2012

from wellington lions

itinerary