2011 Australian Van Nationals

**Gaddy** · 23-06-2010, 09:00 PM

Too true M8!!
I remember your van there. I think i heard you having a convo with some one about that night being the first time you and your young bloke would sleep in the van!! We tried to get in Sat to see the vans but a well worded sign out the front of the event made it clear that the show for the public was Sunday not Saturday!! When we got back sunday , as I said earlier, there were many vans not there.
I also agree that a cruise around Cowes and the Island would be essential to attract more public attention, especially if you are relying on the gate takings to pay your costs!!
All credit too the organisers as Im sure it takes alot of forward planning, but I also hope that all the feedback on here helps with future events!!

**Mazdragon** · 23-06-2010, 11:05 PM

Thanks for more feedback guys. Intially the cruise was to go through Cowes, however, we'd been down earlier in town and the traffic was chaos, there was a market on and a number of other things as well. Yes, totally agree, it would be fantastic to do the cruise through Cowes, but we would have added our 50 & more odd vehicles to the chaos. Parking on the foreshore etc? Have you ever tried to park a large number of vehicles in the middle of Cowes? We'd like to do that, but the space just simply isn't there. We'll look into doing something, but there's no guarantee, ok? As to advertising, myself and 5 others were down about a month prior to hand out flyers - we walked Cowes, Rhyll, Newhaven, Sanremo, Wonthaggi and various other towns handing out flyers to shops and the like. The council would not let us provide info any earlier at their offices due to other festivals etc on prior to easter. We did also advertise in the local paper, local radio stations and they in turn put an ad on local tv stations. I myself did the Dicko & Dave advertising agency thingy on the radio (yes live Melbourne radio). So advertising wasn't an issue. In regards to food at the venue - we were let down by the caterers who at the last minute decided they would not do lunches. Yeah, great! how do you think we felt? Anyhow, we tried our best and bought sausages, bread, drinks etc. Not realising the influx of the crowds, we sold out a lot faster than expected. We went and bought more and sold out of that as well - the effort was certainly made to try to cater, but keep in mind - we weren't catering in the first place, that was supposed to have been done for us. Next year, we're planning ahead and definitely doing it ourselves and not relying on others, so there'll be heaps of food and drink. In regards to location? Let's see, where do we start? Albury/Wodonga (a fair few years), Pambula (2x), Maryborough, Naracoorte, Nabiac (NSW), Gympie (QLd), Port Augusta (SA)... and probably a fair few others as well. The Australian Van Nationals are held whereever there is someone willing to put in the effort at their choice of location. Vanners are welcome to put forward a presentation at the Nationals so everyone can vote.
Also, this year, the aim is to get some other clubs to come along for display day as well. We're in touch with a number of other clubs and will try to get them to come along for the day - you are all welcome to join the force and get others there as well. The more the better for us. I remember the days when SSM's used to join in as well and we had huge shows - unfortunately, times change, people grow up & change their priorities.
We'd really like to make this work again and make it better and bigger - there's a few of us who'd love to see the days of huge shows return. Let's make it happen, take the bad with the good, sure not everything always goes the way you want it to. If you as an entrant are annoyed with something - how do you think the organisers feel if something goes wrong? Why not help out instead? Don't ask what can your vanning organiser do for you? or what r u gonna get out of it? ask yourself what you can do for vanning in Australia and do it.
Ok, enuf from me again...
(PS: just read what i've written, yes i'm gonna leave it like it is even though it sounds i'm recruiting LOL)

**agr071** · 23-06-2010, 11:14 PM

Was it possible at all to get on the race track for a "GENTLE" cruise, MAZ?

**Mazdragon** · 24-06-2010, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by agr071

Was it possible at all to get on the race track for a "GENTLE" cruise, MAZ?

no, it wasn't unfortunately......

**hux454** · 24-06-2010, 03:00 PM

G'day Maz,
Went to the Van Nats couple of years ago when it was in Mt Gambier. Live in Wodonga so the missus & I cruised down the Hume to Anglesea then along the Great Ocean Road to Mt Gambier for the Nats then back again. Was a 2,000km road trip & had a ball.
Just a thought, most vanners seem to be in the NSW/VIC region. Maybe having it in some central location to these 2 states would maximise participation (Woolongong, Wangaratta, Albury/Wodonga) etc. By having it way down south at Philip Island could deter potential entrants (like me for instance) having to travel so far.
Somewhere in central Vic or NSW might be the go. Don't think I'm trying to tell you how to your job. I think you & your organisers do a great job. Just a positive comment for future events.

Cheers,
Glenn.

**jennie285** · 24-06-2010, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by hux454

G'day Maz,

Just a thought, most vanners seem to be in the NSW/VIC region. Maybe having it in some central location to these 2 states would maximise participation (Woolongong, Wangaratta, Albury/Wodonga) etc. By having it way down south at Philip Island could deter potential entrants (like me for instance) having to travel so far.
Somewhere in central Vic or NSW might be the go. Don't think I'm trying to tell you how to your job. I think you & your organisers do a great job. Just a positive comment for future events.

Cheers,
Glenn.

Sounds much closer for the ones in central NSW and even Newcastle area.....

**Mazdragon** · 24-06-2010, 10:19 PM

thanks guys and gal, yeah, we know, but whoever puts on the nationals, gets to choose where it's held. If the votes had gone my way, we'd be going to Benalla... However, they didn't so we go to where the chosen location is for the winning bid. Maybe next year?? come along, join in and vote....

BTW, Phillip Island is a great holiday destination, lots to see and do so you can make a real holiday out of it....