negativity towards "Hat Head" for the 2016 NATS

[Administrator]

Hi everyone,
there has been a lot of negativity towards HAT HEAD being the venue for the 2016 Nats.

I've been receiving personal messages and phone calls mostly from the guys that attended the South West Rocks event at the weekend.

And yes, we have been listening, and the venue will change.
It's imperative that we are happy campers at the Nats

It is not too late to change the venue, we have plenty of time ......... like 21 months!

The guys from "Time to Roam Magazine" did a lot to negotiate the event, not so much the actual caravan park (Hat Head), but the support of the town and "The Macleay Valley Coastal Holiday Park Group". Their support was to be a lot more than just a caravan park, with the town of Kempsey getting behind our event (like Cowra ..... and unlike Broken Hill). The Macleay Group have some very good connections with the Kempsey Shire Council.

Anyway, the points raised by some of our members are very valid, and I appreciate their feedback.

So, an alternate venue has been suggested in South West Rocks, which is being considered. I spoke to Phil yesterday from TTR about the concerns, and they 100% support doing what is necessary in order to make the event a good one.
They will be promoting the event via their mag.

All those who have registered their interest in the event so far will be recorded including requests for dogs. We have always been "pet friendly" at our events and will continue to do so........ In fact myself & Jenni were the first to bring a dog to the inaugural Nats in Morgan SA in 2006, the dog was actually flown from Perth to Adelaide  (smart dog!)

We do however wish to remain close to Kempsey, because there are some good things planned ...........so stay tuned folks!

Mark

[JBJ]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for listening to our genuine concern about the venue.

It will be a great area to have the nationals.

I believe this next one will possibly be the biggest yet, as almost everyone loves a holiday near the beach,

Thanks again from Boots & I

JBJ

[Koala]

Hi Mark
Thank you for reconsidering the location.
The area has much to offer with many potential venues. It will be great if the local council and other organisations can come on board.
It will be a big one!!!!!

Koala

[smiles]

Hi Mark

Thanks for reconsidering the caravan park venue. Hat Head is a lovely charming & old fashioned park but unfortunately not enough infrastructure to have a Nationals!

As you rightly said, the Kempsey location is great with so much to see & do. Just in SWR itself are the obvious standouts like Sandy Cape Lighthouse & the Trial Bay Gaol. While in SWR I got the ph no to arrange small group tours up the top of the lighthouse, which I imagine could be sensational as the lighthouse is the highest above sea level in Australia. Nice little museum inside lighthouse too.

Anyway, I think this is going to be a GREAT NATS. Fantastic swimming weather, wonderful location, heaps of vintage vans all parked together. Smiles!

[boblor]

Hi Mark and fellow VVers
If you choose SWR Tourist Park it will be a great Nats and most probably the biggest held to date. We can all be located together in the Park with good facilities and appears to be great Management.
When we called in at the w/e to look it over, it was obvious that was most suitable for our Nats, and still in the Macleay Valley a lovely area to spend a week or so. Facilities like Clubs,hotel, cafes, antique theatre, golf course etc.including shopping mall and service stations, all close by the Park.
I look forward to the offical announcement.
Cheers boblor

[don257]

COOOOOL!!!! We will go with the flow. doug and vick

[Daggsey]

Jul 24, 2014 17:18:44 GMT 10 boblor said:

Hi Mark and fellow VVers
If you choose SWR Tourist Park it will be a great Nats and most probably the biggest held to date. We can all be located together in the Park with good facilities and appears to be great Management.
When we called in at the w/e to look it over, it was obvious that was most suitable for our Nats, and still in the Macleay Valley a lovely area to spend a week or so. Facilities like Clubs,hotel, cafes, antique theatre, golf course etc.including shopping mall and service stations, all close by the Park.
I look forward to the offical announcement.
Cheers boblor

Bit sad really that it appears the vintage caravan movement is gradually turning into a club with all the niceties......entertainment, golf courses, cafes. No doubt there will also be a predominance of modern cars. Just imagine if the same criteria had been applied to Coledale or Munmorah or any number of popular venues over the past 10 years

The unfortunate thing about this is that small towns like Hat Head will lose their caravan park for a residential/commercial development because they aren't getting the support and everyone will whinge "isn't it a shame we're losing our coastal caravan parks around Australia".

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with South West Rocks, like there is nothing wrong with Busselton or Port Macquarie or Mandurah......they all have fairly major infrastructure and are very popular destinations during holiday periods, especially over Christmas/New Year.

Just my point of view from a position of supporting the smaller communities in our country.

Daggseyformerstudent/prefectKempseyHighSchool