Museum of the Long Weekend - Canberra Oct 2013

[melanco]

In October 2013 we will celebrate the Centenary of our Nation's Capital by touring from three corners of Australia converging on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra and opening our vans to the public and sharing stories of holidays passed around the campfire. Just like it should be done.

Not for profit company Big hART Inc. has been working hard on raising funding and getting through lots of red tape with the Canberra authorities, finding our curators and planning the routes. Now it's your turn to get involved!

To find out all about these tours and event, click on to our website and have a look around, post a message about your holiday memories, and let us know how you would like to be involved.

It's going to be a ripper!

Cheers

Mel
Big hART Inc.
www.longweekend.bighart.org

[boblor]

Hi All VVers
I am planning to take part in this celebration and lead a core group from Cairns to Canberra, starting from Cairns on 23/9/'13 and arriving in Canberra on 17/10/'13.
I am also planning to take about 8 weeks to get to Cairns - a trek/tour, and I am looking for fellow VVers to join me on this tour. So if this interest you please make contact and we will bring it together over the next few months.
Mel is seeking funding and sponsorship for this event. We will be camped and on display at Grevillea Park Canberra.
Hope to hear from a few VVers re this proposal.
Cheers boblor ( I am on the road until mid March, MB0428 850 666)

[melanco]

Hey Bob

Your Cairns to Canberra leg has so far got the most participants, so it's going to be a corker!

Come on all you other states, let us know if you are interested in joining the tours, and also if you are interested in being part of the core group and having our creative team work with you to create a fabulous display of some sort in or around your van!

Either jump on to our website
www.longweekend.bighart.org

Or post here if that's too hard. I have finally worked out how to reply to blog posts without them disappearing into the ether, so let me know if you are coming! Happy to have people join us in Cowra to do the last short journey into Canberra, and also the Melbourne Festival event is looking very likely and that will be the weekend following Canberra, so you could do both events in a ten day break.

More soon

Cheers
Mel

[aquamum]

Has anyone else been onto their website
I saw a few forum posts that were not answered

[melanco]

Hi Sandra

I have been trying to answer all the posts... it has taken me a while to wade through all the IT issues, but we are on track now! Did you have any question that you needed answered??

Cheers

Mel

[Miss Molly]

Hey Boblor,
just noticing your 'convoy' dates...may want to join you (all) from Bris Vegas, will get in touch before then...
Cheers,
MMx

[crusader]

Hi Mel,
I did one post on your site and you replied, but my second post back to you seemed to disappear into the ether! We intend to come from south of Hobart and would love to get in touch with any other Taswegians who will be joining in.
Crusader

[Vintage Caravan Magazine]

Hi Mel,

I'm keen to join in on the QLD tour, if I can swing it I'd like to start in Cairns too but if not I will join in when you hit the Sunshine Coast.

Cheers,

Lisa

[bethsometimes]

Hey there!

Just to introduce myself - my name is Beth Sometimes and recently i've come onboard MUSEUM OF THE LONG WEEKEND as a kind of 'overseeing curator' of the activities that will be putting together the more intimate and creative aspects of the 'museum'.

Things have been a bit quiet as we missed out on some funding which has meant a bit of a rescaling of aspects of the project, but it's totally going ahead and we've been busily applying for more!

I've been chatting with artists who are going to be collaborating on the project and some of the caravanners who have expressed interest. If you're one of those people and you haven't heard from me yet, then you will very soon! Or feel free to e-mail me directly at [e-mail]. Currently registering people and creating a database of attendees.

Check out the website www.longweekend.bighart.org/ it's been majorly updated: I've been trying to streamline the information and simplify things for readability. We welcome direct e-mail contact if you'd like to become involved, as detailed in the CONTACT tab.

Looking forward to talking with interested parties!

Beth

[boblor]

Hi Beth
Welcome on board, we look forward to your imput.
This is a great event to be taking part, I am still looking for more people to come to Cairns to take part in the trip back to Canberra.
So we look forward to continual updates as they occur.
Cheers boblor

[bethsometimes]

Hi everyone! Been having some interesting chats with people from diverse locations who are keen to be involved! Especially looking for people who are willing to spend some time with an artist who would come visit and work with you and your family to create some kind of installation in/around a caravan about holidays and stories from the history of the caravan/your family etc that would travel to be a part of the 'museum' and celebration. If this sounds like you or someone you know please get in contact or encourage them to! We are very flexible and open to ideas that are meaningful to participants so if you have a great story lurking around or some interesting mementoes that could come out of the closet then GET IN TOUCH! [e-mail]

[cluelesssharon]

Hi Bob
Where's your dates? We would like to join you for a few days on route at the Sunshine Coast.
Take care
Sharon & Steve

[Vintage Caravan Magazine]

We'll be joining in on the Sunshine Coast although Noddy is keen to start from Cairns so we'll see how the schedule is and maybe...
Looks like a leisurely cruise compared to what we usually do!
Noosa - Caloundra in one day? Phew that's gonna be exhausting!
Really looking forward to this and to being a part of something that is for such a great cause too!

[tooleyau]

All the conversations to date have been about convoys getting to Canberra. However, as I live in Canberra, will be attending the museum of the long weekend, and my Niece is getting married on the Sunshine Coast on 30 October I was wondering if there is a return convoy organised. If that is the case then we would like to join in the fun for the journey north.

Michael and Anne.

[cobber]

G'day Michael & Anne,

Don't know if a tour from Canberra to the Sunshine Coast is on the cards but...... we have just received the itinerary for the tour and it is also available on the Museum of the Long Weekend Web site.

I think there are only two caravans from the Sydney region booked to do the tour , we start from Windsor and join the main convoy at Bathurst, then travel to Canberra via good old Cowra

Anybody thinking of attending this event should contact the 'Creative Team' via the web site

Cobber.

[tooleyau]

Cobber,
Thanks for the reply.
The organisers have been kind enough to provide email addresses of the Queenslanders coming south,and I will be checking with them about the return trip. Just haven't got around to it yet.

Mike

[boblor]

Hi All VVers
I am still looking for more starters fron Cairns and joining us along the way. So we now have the route/ stopovers/dates etc. so give it some though, I am sure it will be a great adventure for all who take part. PM me if you think I can assist you in any way, - but I have no money.
I averaged out the accommodation for the whole trip, and it is around $23 p/n, this is very reasonable for 31 days.
Cheers boblor

[aquamum]

Hi everyone

I'm booked in with MOTLW and look forward to joining up with you all out the back of Canberra somewhere

I'm in Sydney so please let me know the where and when - thanks

Sandra

[bethsometimes]

hey guys - glad to see there's some activity here and people talking about it! News from organisers land is plenty and there's some updates on our website www.longweekend.bighart.org/ including the itinerary and some details in the BLOG section for attendees. We've still got room for about eight more vans in Canberra so if you know anyone who might be keen, let them know it's happening! It's going to be a meet with a difference though with about 14 artists working with a number of the vanners to create diverse installations and ways of engaging with the themes of the project - recreation vs productivity, active ageing, connection, communication, solitude etc
Looking forward to meeting everyone down the track...! Beth

[boblor]

Hi All
It is with regret I have to withdraw from this even at this late stage due to medical problems which have been identified in the recent week. You can be assurred I will follow progress with keen interest as participants travel.
Cheers boblor

[Jennison]

sorry you won't be there to lead the charge from up nth Bob,get well soon
regards
jenno

[bethsometimes]

Hi MOTLW’ers!

I’ve been ringing around everyone who’s coming over the last week – it’s been really great catching up and if you haven’t heard from me yet you will soon. Been fielding questions from some people so here’s an FAQ answer sheet for everyones benefit!

1 There are no charges for staying at Grevillea Park in Canberra.

2 Yes, pets are allowed.

3 You will be able to leave the site anytime over the weekend as you wish however are strongly encouraged to be onsite and ‘open for business’ with your van during the open hours 10-12am and 2-4pm on Saturday and Sunday days. In addition you are encouraged to attend the evening events of 6:30-9pm Friday/Saturday nights. (More info on those forthcoming).

4 Power will be available for those who require it.

5 (Unfortunately) We are not allowed to park vehicles aside from caravans on the grass areas. Parking space has been allocated for hot rods etc very close to the caravan parking area.

6 Only vintage vans (or very near vintage or special in some other way) are allowed to camp at Grevillea Park by stipulation in our agreement with the land management agency.

7 If you have friends with vans who are accompanying you to Canberra they must contact and register with us directly to camp with us at Grevillea Park.

8 We’d love it if you could all to set up a table and chairs in front of your van so that during opening hours there’s somewhere for visitors to sit with you to chat about vans/holidays/ideas!

9 We arrive onsite on Thursday 17th October about midday from Cowra, except a few people who are coming in their own time. We can leave on Sunday evening or monday morning, as suits you.

10 There will be BBQ's and a catering tent set up onsite with plenty of extra tea bags for visitors etc. Bring your own food but feel free to use the communal facilities.

11 The postcards I sent most of you recently are for promotional purposes and to stick on your fridges etc. You can send them to Canberra based friends as invitations.

Expect more updates soon! There's a new blog post with more info on the website too: www.longweekend.bighart.org/latest-updates

This is big! And amazing! Looking forward to meeting you all. Beth and Jody.

[tooleyau]

Dear Beth and Jody,

In your last post you said. "5. (Unfortunately) We are not allowed to park vehicles aside from caravans on the grass areas. Parking space has been allocated for hot rods etc very close to the caravan parking area."

The comment about parking is a bit of a concern. I am sure all hot rod owners, and those with attractive cars also have concerns. I would not leave my car parked in a public carpark overnight, and I am not comfortable leaving my car unattended in a public car park. The only parking available at Grevilia park is the public carpark at the hospice. This is close to a major road. The other carpark is beside the 'Boathouse by the lake' restaurant. Leaving cars unattended in a place where intoxicated people wander is even less of an option.

So, to clarify.
What do you mean by 'close to caravan parking'?
Is the area under lights?
Is there any security available?

As a Canberran I know that all sorts of people wander around the lake at night and this area is a very remote area, and I for one will not be leaving my car in an unsecured area.

Michael.

[Jennison]

I would echo Toolyus' concerns here . Apart from the practical and security problems of having your car located away from the van , I WAS intending to tow my van with my old period matching towcar....apart from anything else having it parked with the van completes the picture? .....at Grevillea park we are not talking "lawns of parliament house" (where they are paranoid about oil dripping cars)....its just scrubby grasslands !!
You need to act on this, it's a most unsatisfactory situation and most VVers with old cars will not be happy nor find it aceptable.
People using the park, (sailors, joggers, walkers etc) leave their cars parked on the grass there every weekend?!!!!
regards
jenno

[lyneth]

Not wanting to be a "Worry Wart" but after seeing comments have to be a bit concerned too about where my car will be parked. Was going to bring some additional vintage accessories that would be put away in the car at night. I had presumed my car would be with me. Is this a space issue due to numbers or simply someone thinking we are going to wreck the park by having a car parked there for almost 3 days? Not a good thing to drop on us so late in the organising.
Beth could you please supply a map of what is proposed. Maybe that will answer our concerns
Cheers
Lyneth and Lazza