2011 Australian Van Nationals

**agr071** · 21-06-2010, 07:50 PM

Welcome Maz to the forum. :D

**Mazdragon** · 21-06-2010, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by agr071

Welcome Maz to the forum. :D

thanks Agsy... did you get my last email re the entry form you had filled in? i.e. the balance at the end...

**Gaddy** · 21-06-2010, 09:13 PM

I have to be honest we made the trek to the Island this year (on my bike lookin 4 a van!), and was a
little disappointed with the turn out!
We stayed in Cowes and saw 2 Schmick Vans parked in the street that werent even at the event!!
Then there was an accident on our way off on Sat avo that closed the road off the Island for hours!!
Even with no accidents it takes ages to get onto and off the Island!!
Im not knockin the organisers or anything but I think that the Island is just TOOOOO far away for alot of ppl to get to! And accomodation is scarce aswell!

More opinions please!!!

**Blocker** · 21-06-2010, 09:41 PM

It's a pity circumstance made it difficult for you, and I agree that accommodation is hard to find (unless you have a shack

)

I read that the Van council take suggestions on the weekend at the event, so it might be good to do the trek down there just one more time and make a suggestion for a different venue.

Australia is a massive island, so it will always be a pain for someone wherever it gets held.

**jennie285** · 21-06-2010, 09:57 PM

If at least 4-6 of our group (forum) plan on going, we would be more than interested in making the trek down......it would be better to be in Bendigo, or Ballerat, or even Newcastle, as 3-4 hours closer for us...but we can just make a holiday out of it.....Blocker is right, we are all so spread out, that nowhere is close for any of us.....:neutral:

**Gaddy** · 21-06-2010, 10:00 PM

I agree that some one will always be tooooo far away from the venue!! Ive got family on the Island so accom is not really a prob and the bike trip was great!!
I was just a little disappointed that I didnt get to see ALL the vans!!
It seems the way they run it is one day is for the entrants only, and the next day is for the public to come see.
I was only the PUBLIC this year and there were a lot of vans in the pics on their site that werent there on the PUBLICS day!!
So I guess that I am just a little disappointed that I didnt get to see ALL the vans !!
Im sure if the gods work in my favour that I might be able to make it down there again in 2011!!
Any chance of THIS site having a group display there?? Would be a great way to spread the word!!!

**agr071** · 21-06-2010, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by Mazdragon

thanks Agsy... did you get my last email re the entry form you had filled in? i.e. the balance at the end...

Yes i did and thanks. :D

**agr071** · 21-06-2010, 10:48 PM

I was a "PUPPY" vanner in 2009 at Geelong.
I admit the public day was a very quiet day indeed BUT as i was there for 4 days i had a ball.
Wandered around to camp fires all weekend and ALWAYS found someone to talk to.Never a dull moment in my opinion.I was never refused a spot at anyone's campfire.Kids had entertainment as well and there was a cruise on the saturday.It went to a theme park.We cruised with over 100 vans and then on the way back i got my van's picture taken for Street Machine. :D
You are part of a family event and even though it's still a hike down to Phillip Island, my family will be there in 2011 in the HZ.

Just remember it's only what you make it.

**Gaddy** · 21-06-2010, 10:55 PM

Nice one M8!! Maybe it will be different if Im there in a van!!
Might just see you there!!

**Mazdragon** · 22-06-2010, 07:31 PM

Hi, thanks for the feedback peoples. Yes the island is a little further away, even for some Melbournites, maybe it has something to do with crossing a bridge... but that's what they're there for, to get over it (LOL). Anyhow, yes the event is actually a 3 day event, officially starts on the Friday and everyone packs up on the Monday. Some people have taken to arriving earlier and departing later, depending on the venue where it is held this is usually not an issue, people make a holiday out of it. Yes, it was a bugger last year with the accident on the bridge... that, my dears p*ssd a lot of people off. We got stuck at the pub for 4 hours! The Sunday is always public day - show'n'shine where the entrants get judged (if you mark yourself down for judging). It was a huge success this year and we're hoping to repeat the success again next year. Having said that, if entrants don't come forward like they did last year, it will be a strictly budget event again. We simply don't have the finances to purchase heaps of merchandise to sell, unfortunately without the money, we can't make the money to put back into the show. Yes, last year was a success, mainly in numbers through the gate, but there are also the bills to pay for the privalege.
The year after may have a number of different options, we hearing rumours in regards to W.A. I myself would love to go there, it's even further than Phillip Island... I also did a presentation this year to go to Benalla, I came a close second in the votes. If, and only IF, we get the support again this year and the promise is there for the year after, will I consider presenting again for Benalla. So, it's up to the vanning community to make it happen. The public have this thing about panel vans, the mystique of what happens in the back of them for starters (though for some of us it's not a mystery!LOL) We would love for you all to come, come for the weekend and camp with us. Everyone is welcome, I remember my first Nationals many moons ago, and yes, you are welcome to rock up to anyone's campsite/firebin and chat away with drink in hand. You'll get heaps of ideas, info on how to modify your van, just when you think you've finished!
Ok, i've waffled enuf now..... hope to see you all there.
Maz