2018 VV NATIONALS - Additional Activities

[Don Ricardo]

2018 VINTAGE CARAVAN NATIONALS

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

1. SWAP/SELL/BUY TRADING TABLES - Saturday morning, 21 April

A number of people have requested an opportunity to set up a swap/sell trading table. The best time for that will be on the morning of Saturday the 21st. Saturday is intended as an "in house" day when Nationals attendees will be free to wander the caravan park, meet each other and visit each others' vans. So clear out your sheds and cupboards and bring all those bits and pieces that you'll never need, but may be just be what another vintage vanner is looking for.

2. CHARITY AUCTION - Tuesday, 24 April at 4.00 pm

It has become a bit of a tradition at the Nationals to hold an auction with all the proceeds going to charity. This year the proceeds from the auction will be divided between:

• The Flying Doctor Service - this is one of Firefighter's favourite charities, and has been selected in his honour.
• The Mark Hughes Brain Cancer Foundation - a foundation based on the central coast of NSW which raises funds for brain cancer research and has been suggested by a forum member.

The auction is a lot of fun, allows you to bid for an item to add to your van or collection, and raises funds for some worthy charities as well. So bring an item to contribute to the auction that may be worth 10, 20, 40 or 100 dollars to another vintage vanner, so that you can contribute to the funds raised. Items for the auction may include goods, services or subscriptions.

And if you've already left home and not brought anything to add to the items for the auction, maybe you can drop in to a second hand shop on the way and buy something for the auction table? (Sorry, that's a cheeky suggestion, but why not?  )

3. BRENTEN'S TRIMMING/UPHOLSTERY DEMO - During Happy Hour on a day to be announced

Brenten is a highly skilled automotive trimmer and upholsterer who held a couple of well attended 'how to' demos at the 2014 VV Nationals at Broken Hill. A number of people have asked for a repeat, and Brenten is happy to oblige. The demo will be held during Happy Hour on a day to be decided. Listen out for an announcement, and watch the daily activities written up on the central whiteboard.

4. FUEL STOVE & LANTERN SHOW & TELL - During Happy Hour on a day to be announced

A number of vintage vanners including Koala and Akeepsake will be bringing some items from their collection of fuel stoves and lanterns, and an opportunity for a show & tell will be arranged during a Happy Hour on a day to be decided. Listen out for an announcement, and watch the daily activities written up on the central whiteboard.

Anyone who would like to bring a fuel stove or lantern, or associated item, to be part of the show & tell is welcome to do so.

5. YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT USING THE VINTAGE CARAVANS FORUM ANSWERED - Day and time to be decided

A number of vintage vanners run into problems posting on the forum, and particularly with posting photos. If there are enough people interested, we will hold a Question & Answer session about using the forum. Day and time to be decided depending on demand.

6. AND WAIT THERE'S MORE... (but no steak knives as far as we know!)

If you're looking for more things to do during your time at the Nationals, forum members Scot have compiled a magnificent list of additional, great activities in conjunction with local traders. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Thanks to Scot for this great contribution to the Nationals. Well done guys and much appreciated!

[Don Ricardo]

If you're attending the 2018 VV Nationals in Wangaratta, and haven't seen this post from Scot, then it's well worth a read so that you get the most out of being there...

Apr 2, 2018 21:27:27 GMT 10 scot said:

We have just returned from our annual trip to Wangaratta during which we have finalized our contribution to the Vintage Caravan Nationals.

Bike Riding:
There will be a number of push bikes and helmets centrally located in the caravan park and available without cost to anyone attending the Nationals who would like to explore the local area.
Painter’s Island Caravan Park is located at the start of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail.
www.railtrails.org.au/trail?view=trail&id=50

In addition there is a network of short rides in and around the city of Wangaratta.
We have also located a track which runs between Painter’s Island and the Wangaratta Caravan Park where our friends with dogs will be staying. A short walk <10mins, even less on a bike along the top of the levee bank joins the two parks. We encourage everyone from both parks to make use of this track either by foot or bike.
Wangaratta and surrounds also have a great network of Geocasches, many of which are easily accessible by bike.
geocaching.com.au/

A short ride north from the caravan park along the Rail Trail you will come across The Vine Hotel. This is a great stop for a cool drink, coffee, lunch or dinner.
For anyone attending the Nationals who wish to dine at The Vines, they have generously offered a complimentary sweet with any main meal; please collect a voucher prior from a stand near the bikes.
www.thevinehotel.net.au/

A complimentary drink bottle and map is available for those using the push bikes.

Camp Fire:
Fire restrictions are currently in place and likely to be still in force during our event. As a result we are unable to have individual fires in the park. We have spoken with Paul and Penny who have suggested a communal fire in a designated area of the park away from our vans and close to the camp kitchen where Paul is able to provide the safety/permit requirements.

A large fire drum is under construction and we have received a donation of fire wood from the Myrtleford and District Landcare Group. The Ovens Landcare coordinator has kindly offered us her ute to transport the wood. We invite our talented members (musicians, recite poetry, tell us a yarn) and our mates from the other park to join us fire side each evening.

For those wishing to show their appreciation of the generosity provided by the Myrtleford Landcare Group, Boomerang Bags handmade by the group will be available for purchase, $5 from site 160A. All money raised will go towards the wonderful work this volunteer organization does.

Arts Trail:
We wish to give a bump to Warrens suggestion to visit Benalla.
vintagecaravans.proboards.com/thread/17026/street-art-benalla
Benalla has an extensive network of street art throughout the city centre. It is best explored by foot remembering to go up the laneways, around the back of buildings and occasionally looking over your shoulder to see what is behind you. If you wish to find the car and caravan pictured by Warren you must start the trail at the Mokoan rest stops (both sides) of the highway approximately 10kms north of Benalla.
www.exploreaustralia.net.au/Victoria/High-Country/Winton/Mokoan-No-1-rest-area
www.exploreaustralia.net.au/Victoria/High-Country/Winton/Mokoan-No-2-rest-area

A nice addition to this Arts Trail is a 15 minute drive to Goorambat where further street art is found on the towns silos and in the local church.
www.walltowallfestival.com/goorambatchurch/
www.walltowallfestival.com/silo-art/

An alternative route to returning to the highway is to travel via the Winton Wetlands (currently dry lands) and on to Glenrowan as suggested by Warren.
wintonwetlands.org.au/
This eerie attraction highlights the environmental destruction that has been bought about when humans interfere with nature. Fortunately it is now under redevelopment and is one of the world’s most significant environmental, social and economic renewal projects.
Whilst the road around the wetlands is sealed, the road across is good but unsealed. We can highly recommend the Mokoan Café for a quick bite to eat and great coffee.
wintonwetlands.org.au/visit/hub-cafe/

We have been able to source maps/brochures from the recent Benalla Wall to Wall Festival and also have maps of the Winton Wetlands which can be picked up from a stand near the bikes.

Factory Shop:
The Wangaratta Woollen Mill sells discontinued, end of run and over stocked kitting yarns and patterns from its factory shop – 18 Textile Ave, Wangaratta VIC 3677
www.facebook.com/pages/Wangaratta-Woollen-Mills/355167271218230

Markets:
Unfortunately our timing is poor when it comes to finding any large markets in the area over the period we will be in Wangaratta.

On Saturday 21th April Moyhu has a farmers market in its village square – there are a number of fresh produce stalls, craft items, plants and live music. We noted that Moyhu also has a pop-up op shop that was open when we visited over the Easter period. Moyhu is about a 20 minute drive from Wangaratta.
www.mymarketsvic.com.au/directory/moyhu-farmers-market-29.html

Wangaratta has a weekly Sunday Market – fresh produce, trash and treasure, and plants. This market is small and we were a little disappointed, it is however only a short drive from the caravan park.
www.mymarketsvic.com.au/directory/avian-park-raceway-wangaratta-market-273.html


We would like acknowledge and thank our generous sponsors who have embraced our planned visit and have been keen to welcome us all to Wangaratta, where possible we encourage you to support these businesses with your custom as a show of appreciation. We wish to reassure everyone that we have no business connection to any of the sponsors.
North East Water
The Vine Hotel –Wangaratta
Myrtleford and District Landcare Group

(Activity heading highlight added - DR.)

[scot]

Thanks Richard, I was just putting together some other information, timely.

Just a couple of additional events that have come to light and may be of interest.

Anzac Day – Wednesday 25th April.
I have attached a link to the services in the Wangaratta area.
The dawn service is located only a short walk from the caravan park.
If anyone is interested in joining us in attending the dawn service I thought we could meet at the amenities block 5.45am for the short walk across the bridge.
www.australias.guide/vic/event/wangaratta-anzac-day-services-2018/


Open Gardens.
This event is on the weekend of the 21st - 22nd April.
www.facebook.com/MyrtlefordCommunityGarden/photos/gm.227033937846080/1591887987585372/?type=3&theater


Pumpkin Festival
Murmungee’s annual Pumpkin Festival is on during our visit – 21st April.
www.facebook.com/GiantPumpkinCompetition/photos/a.136658226517761.1073741827.136653929851524/848517245331852/?type=3&theater


If you are not in a hurry to get home you might like to extend your stay in the region and attend the following two events:
Autumn in the high country – 27th April – 6th May
The very best time to visit the Oven’s Valley is in the autumn.
www.brightautumnfestival.org.au/

Eldorado – off the Grid Festival – 28th April
offgridlivingfestival.com.au/


Weather:
Have just checked the forecast – perfect weather awaits us!!
www.theweathernetwork.com/au/14-day-weather-trend/victoria/wangaratta