Australian CamperTrailers
national meet at Bardine 2011

introduction

    The Australian CamperTrailers Group's 7th national meet was held at Camp Cypress in Baradine, 45 kilometres north west of Coonabarabran off the Newell Highway on the New South Wales Northwest Slopes & Plains over the week from Monday 26th to Friday 30th of September 2011. Baradine & in particular Camp Cypress offers an excellent location to explore both the Piliga Forest & the nearby Warrumbungles National Park.

    The meet attracted around 112 camper trailers, caravans & tents with over 250 people from as far a field as Western Australia. With this number we really added to Bardine's population of 800 people who were only too pleased to share their town with us all. The hospitality shown to members of the CamperTrailers Group by the local Baradine community will be held in our hearts for some time.

    It was no surprise having some of the best rain makers in the country camped in the one spot when the heavens opened delivering around 40mm, much to the delight of the local residents, although some of us campers ended up with soggy ground underfoot. A big thanks to those who jumped in & helped move Ian & Edythe to higher ground.

    As the temperature dropped after dark the smell of burning cypress timber filled the air as well as plenty of laughter was heard from the many campfires. Camp Cypress was able to supply us with enough wood to keep everyone warm.

    Driving down the main street you could not help notice all the posters on the shop windows welcoming the CamperTrailers Group to town. These were made by the kids from the two local schools & depicted camper trailers & camping scenes.

    A big thanks to Barry & Margaret Pierce who helped us during the busy influx over the weekend with more than 100 camper trailers arriving on the Saturday & Sunday. While Marg helped Carol with admin duties, Barry filled in by telling the new arrivals a few bad jokes while Rob & Kev where out settling in the camper trailers that had previously arrived.

    A huge thanks goes to Gina from Camp Cypress who kept the amenities sparkling even during the damp times when we could not help trample bark chips inside. Carol presented her with a little gift for her kind efforts. Although often working behind the scenes, Garnet the Camp Cypress caretaker was always on hand & nothing was an effort. 

sunday opening

    Sunday evening saw the start of the week with the grand opening in the old showgrounds rustic pavilion. Group co-owner Kevin Phillips welcomed members to the 7th national meet & thanked the Camp Cypress committee 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 to over 6100 members with the present day popularity of camper trailers. 

    The Warrumbungle Shire Mayor, Cr Peter Shinton, welcomed the group to town & wished us all a pleasant stay pointing out some of the local sights worth looking at. Neil McDonald, Chairman of the Camp Cypress board also welcomed the group to Baradine. National Parks and Wildlife Service area manager Jon Whittall looked forward to having us along for the three guided tours the national parks where conducting over the week & explained what we could see.

    It just so happened the following Friday was when the group was started some ten years ago. Forth generation baker in Mudgee, Peter & Liza McDonald rallied to the occasion with a huge mud cake decorated with the CamperTrailers Groups logo. Rob, Kevin & Jason then cut the cake.

    Group co-owner Rob Sanderson 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.

    Group co-owner Jason Cox outlined the communities involvement on Wednesday's Baradine Day. It was an understatement to say the town was thrilled to see us there. Activities included a cooked breakfast by the two local schools, street stalls, barefoot lawn bowls, a baked dinner & a one man band to finish the night off.

   Joy and Dave Wilkinson hosted another 'Getting to Know You' session at the end of the opening while everyone celebrated with a slice of birthday mud cake.

 

 

please click clippings to enlarge
Coonabarabran Times Thursday, 29th September, 2011	Coonabarabran Times Thursday, 6th October, 2011	Coona Times 13th October, 2011

 

itinerary

 introduction
attendees
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
photos
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photos3
photos4