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After two years of cancellations
due to Covid, the Australian CamperTrailers
Group's 16th national meet was held in the Walcha Showground, Walcha,
NSW over the week from
Monday 26th to Friday 30th September 2022. Walcha
is at 1000 metres above sea level & located on the banks of the Apsley
River in the south-eastern edge of the New South Wales Northern
Tablelands at the intersection of the Oxley Highway & Thunderbolts Way.
The week attracted one-hundred &
sixty people in 80 camper
trailers, caravans, motorhomes, slide-ons & tents from around Australia. It was great to see such a diverse group of people attending
from all walks of life enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded people.
A rainy Thursday morning didn't deter the small group who helped to set up
the showground ready for the week ahead. The weather saw mostly fine
sunny days & cool to cold mornings during the week, despite threatening
skies there was only a thunderstorm one afternoon.
A big thanks to Brian Smith Timber Transport in Walcha for supplying the much needed firewood to
keep everyone warm during the cool evenings.
There was a long line on Friday
morning of eager members to set up camp before the official gates open
at ten am. During the day over half of those
attending arrived. The rest arrived over the weekend. Each was handed a
CamperTrailers showbag with printed material, name badges etc along with
a tourist information pack kindly assembled by the Walcha Tourist
Information Center.
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
www.campertrailers.org
website has progressed from the old Yahoo days to a Forum &
a Facebook
Group for members to exchange tips, tricks & travel information.
Walcha Mayor Councillor Eric Noakes attended the opening &
welcomed the Australian CamperTrailers Group
to Walcha & wished all a
pleasant visit to the region. Walcha Showground Trust Chairman Tim
Norton was also on hand to welcome members & thanked the
group for choosing Walcha as the venue.
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.
Jason Cox & Carol Sanderson
finished the opening by hosting a
'Getting to Know You' with twenty-nine members
attending their first national meet introducing themselves.
The Australian CamperTrailers Groups 16th national meet was then
declared officially open. Members were invited into the luncheon pavilion for
tea or coffee.
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