past events

15th national meet at Bonalbo NSW 2019

 

 

 
 

Australian CamperTrailers Group

 

2019 national get together
at Bonalbo NSW

 

photo courtesy Greg Conlon 

The Australian CamperTrailers Group's 15th national meet was held in the Bonalbo Showground over the week from Monday 30th September to Friday 4th October 2019. Bonalbo is located on the Clarence Way, off the Bruxner Highway between Tenterfield on the New England Highway in the Great Dividing Range & Ballina on the Pacific Highway along the coast.

The week attracted one-hundred & eighty people in eighty-eight camper trailers, caravans, motorhomes, slide-ons & tents from around Australia. 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.

Gates to the showground opened on Friday morning & saw around half those attending arrive during the course of the day. The weather saw warm days & cool evenings, although the temperature did dip down to single figures early on several mornings. A big thanks to the Bonalbo Showground for supplying the much needed firewood to keep everyone warm during the cool evenings. 

monday morning opening

The Monday morning opening started the weeks activities. Kevin Phillips welcomed members & went on to tell of the groups Yahoo beginnings in September 2001 & how the group has grown to the present day owing to the popularity of camper trailers. The campertrailers.org website has three medias for members to exchange tips, tricks & travel information, namely the long running Yahoo Group, a Forum & a Facebook Group.

Showground president Dave Whitney welcomed the Australian CamperTrailers Group to Bonalbo & wished all a pleasant visit to the region.

Rob Sanderson described the events & workshops over the week hosted by members & invited guests on a variety of subjects relating to camper trailers & camping in general.

Jason Cox outlined the showground housekeeping over the week. 

While the group was gathered member Greg Conlon spoke about the involvement he & wife Kerry had with Blaze Aid & how others could get information to help those effected by the recent bushfires in the region. 

Joy and Dave Wilkinson finished the opening by hosting a 'Getting to Know You' with members attending their first national meet introducing themselves.

The Australian CamperTrailers Groups 15th national meet was then declared officially open. Members were invited into the  pavilion for tea or coffee.

 



 

photo courtesy George

Bonalbo
 

Out the front of my van
Toast and coffee in hand
Look down across the yard
Seeing glimpses
Campers Caravans buses and cars

A group that comes together
For the love of many things
Primarily camping and the out doors
And joy and friendships it brings

We meet through out the year
But September is a special time
We try to bring together
200 plus at the one time

There’s fires, workshops
Meetings - to grow the mind
But most importantly - the chance to a small community
For us all to be a bit kind

Banter well that’s a given
Practical jokes more than a few
Plenty turned up at the cattle yard
We even had Elvis too

As we come towards the end
Of another great week
I already look forward
To next year’s annual meet

                                              George Mavros

 

introduction
attendees
the week
community day
the closing