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Caravanning News exclusive Phoenix boss sorry after company folds A locksmith replaces padlocks on the Phoenix factory gates Story and Photo: Dennis Amor OWNER of failed Phoenix Caravans Greg Rosenthal has apologised for letting people down after his company went into voluntary liquidation. Meanwhile, the liquidator warned that creditors would most likely lose their money. In an exclusive interview with Caravanning News, the 70-year-old businessman – who bought the Queensland-based company in 2003 for a reported $1 million – said he had no option but to cease trading after orders plummeted. "People are just not spending," he said. The Phoenix factory in Caboolture is empty and deserted. A local locksmith engaged by the landlord has changed all locks at the premises. But all the company's completed and partially-completed caravans had already been moved to nearby Sunland Caravans. Owner Roy Wyss said that last week he bought the Phoenix name, unencumbered assets and staff liability. "The Phoenix name will remain," he told us. Terry Rose of Brisbane insolvency firm SV Partners has been appointed liquidator. Mr Rose said: "Things are in their early stages but it does appear there will be no returns to creditors. There will be a shortfall to the secured creditor." Have your say

Body found in hunt for missing caravanner, 71, may take weeks to ID

The abandoned and bogged rig. Inset: Mr Worthington

IT could take several more weeks before the body found near where a 71-year-old caravanner disappeared in the Northern Territory is officially identified. Although it is thought to be that of missing South Australian Peter Worthington, a police spokesman told Caravanning News there has been no official confirmation. DNA is being used to identify the remains, which were discovered after a huge police air and ground search 200km south of Alice Springs. They were about 4km from where Mr Worthington's silver Ford Falcon sedan and white Millard caravan was found partly bogged and abandoned on a remote stretch of the Stuart Highway 10km south of Erldunda. Mr Worthington was on his way to Darwin to visit his son Steven and a grandchild he has never met. Steven said it was out of character for his father not to telephone him every night. Mr Worthington's keys, wallet and 'phone were found inside the Falcon. Police sergeant Shaun Gill said: "We would be happy to hear from anyone who saw Mr Worthington or his rig before July 17."

'Any negativity will be taken seriously'

ROADSTAR BOSS HITS OUT AT RUMOURS

Competitors accused of tarnishing reputation

A Roadstar Tamer

By Dennis Amor
Have your say

THE man behind the resurrected Roadstar brand of caravans has come out fighting after allegations that other manufacturers are rubbishing his product.

Angry Victorian businessman Ken Nizam is now threatening to take action, warning: "Any negativity will be taken very seriously."

He has accused a salesman for a major Australian caravan manufacturer of attempting to tarnish Roadstar's name at a recent show in NSW so he could secure a deal with a potential customer, who went on to buy a Roadstar Tamer caravan.

Mr Nizam has now taken his grouse to the Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Association of Australia, appealing to sales people and manufacturers to end the "nonsense and disgusting rumours". 

NOMADS SAVE BOAT BUILDERS FROM SINKING

GREY nomads like former truckie Graham Johnstone are helping keep boat builders afloat during tough economic times. The 71-year-old keen fisherman from Kempsey in NSW is among the growing army of caravanners who would never dream of leaving home without their trusty tinnie. Caravanning News caught  up with the member of the Port Macquarie Regional Caravan Club after one boat builder admitted that grey nomads had helped his company survive the global economic crisis.

Old farts in caravan parks hit social media scene

JOHN Williamson's funniest song ever continues to put smiles on the faces of Australia's grey nomads. Caravanner Chris Jacobs tells Caravanning News that Old Farts in Caravan Parks – the title track on John's CD of the same name – has quite a following on YouTube, where more than 16,000 have logged in for a laugh. The number is claimed to be the country music singer's most popular humorous song of all time. "It could even become the caravanners' national anthem," quipped Chris, from Victoria. Check it out by clicking here.

Small screen blues for digital viewers
POOR television reception on the new digital service is driving caravanners crazy, according to travellers and a Queensland caravan park operator. Caravanners have complained to Caravanning News how they often have difficulty getting decent reception in some areas of south-east Queensland.

Second respite caravan at award-winning park
A SOUTH Australian caravan park now has two caravans specially for people arriving in the area for medical treatment. The second respite caravan at the four-star Wallaroo North Beach Tourist Park, 157km north-west of Adelaide, was bought by the local mayor's community fund. A member of the Family Parks chain, the award-winning park also has new managers ... Steve and Lynne Hamdorf. The couple lived in Wallaroo for over 40 years but has returned after running caravan parks in Queensland. Have your say

Sleepy Bauple gets rest area approval
FRASER Coast Regional Council has given the thumbs up for free overnight camping in a sleepy Queensland village. Work on the 48-hour rest area in the centre of Bauple, north of Gympie, is expected to begin this month after councillors unanimously gave their approval.

Stolen rig in high-speed police chase
CARAVAN thief Geoffrey Smith who topped 150kph as the stolen rig was chased by police is now behind bars. Smith, 34, was drunk behind the wheel of a stolen vehicle towing the caravan, which he stole from a Black Saturday bushfire survivor, when police arrested him at a Victorian service station.

Bright future for Escape2
ESCAPE2 Holiday Parks and Resorts has been awarded a 21-year lease for a Victorian caravan park famous for its English elms, oaks and maples trees. The acquisition of the four-star Bright Caravan and Camping Park brings the company’s property portfolio to 13, conveniently spread across five Australian states.

'Rogue's gallery' a big hit on forum
AN online "rogues's gallery" of shoddily-built caravans requiring repair within the first five years has attracted thousands of hits. Former police officer Barry Davidson, who helps run his family-owned Caboolture Caravan Repairs business north of Brisbane, has posted graphic and shocking photographs on a popular caravanners' forum highlighting the worrying problem. His company claims to be the largest independent RV repair and service facility in Queensland and one of the biggest in Australia. Nearly 16,000 people have now viewed his gallery, posted under the name Cabcar. Mr Davidson comments on his thread: "These photos are here simply as a warning that all is not as it may seem in the RV Industry." Have your say

Slide into new roomy Jayco luxury
JAYCO has improved its Sterling range of caravans with the release of the new double slide-out version. Just the press of a button in the innovative model expand both the bed and dinette can expand or contract, providing extra room.

Park sponsors inaugural running festival
THE 3.5-star Forster Beach Caravan Park at Forster in NSW is sponsoring the town's first running festival. It will feature a children’s fun run, five-kilometre fun run/walk, 10-kilometre run and a 21.1km half marathon. The festival on September 11 is expected to attract around 600 entrants. Have your say

Action on thieving travellers welcomed
CARAVANNERS have welcomed a clampdown on thieving backpackers in a West Australian coastal town. "These rogues are giving us all a bad name," Victorian grey nomad Horace Day, 72, told Caravanning News. "We are sick and tired of all us travellers being tarred with the same brush."

Chain offers free stays for kids
AUSTRALIA'S biggest chain of caravan parks is inviting families to shake off the winter blues with a short break where kids will stay for no charge. BIG4 Holiday Parks is giving families extra motivation to escape the winter hibernation and take the little ones away for free during July and August for stays of two nights or more.

New executive officer for CTIAV
THE Caravan Trade & Industries Association of Victoria has a new executive officer. Robert Lucas took over the role on July 1 from Peter Wright, who has held the position for the past 10 years.CTIAV president Peter May said the change in management would strengthen the association at a time of growth and development.

Clampdown on illegal camping
ILLEGAL overnight campers at WA beaches may soon have their vehicles wheel-clamped or impounded. The City of Stirling is amending its Caravan, Parks and Camping Grounds Act to legalise the action in time for summer. Its Scarborough, Brighton and Trigg beaches are plagued with travellers sleeping overnight in carparks. Meanwhile, Tourism WA is formulating plans to provide a state-wide network of dedicated overnight stops within 350km of each other for caravanners and other RVers. Have your say

Earthworks no death knell for park
CARAVANNERS have been reassured that giant excavators and other heavy machinery are not sounding the death knell for a popular Sunshine Coast caravan park. Major earthworks sparked concerns over the future of the popular Tripcony Hibiscus Holiday Park at Caloundra in Queensland.

Washing machine 'money laundering'
SOME caravan parks have banned caravanners using their own onboard washing machines, it has been claimed. According to a popular online caravanners' forum. parks in WA and Queensland now slap an extra charge on travellers with their own machines. "It gives a whole new meaning to money laundering," quipped one grey nomad. Have your say

Organisers toast supershow success
OVERJOYED organisers were toasting the success of one of the nation's biggest caravan and RV shows. They said the NSW Caravan, Camping, RV and Holiday Supershow had broken numerous records, with the first Sunday seeing the largest crowd numbers since the event was launched 43 years ago.

Councillors spring into action over cheap wine ban
ALICE Springs councillors have defended the right of grey nomads to enjoy a cheap tipple in the desert town. Coles and Woolworths have been accused of attempting to force up the price of wine by banning two-litre casks and refusing to sell bottled wine for less than $8. Now the town council has decided by five votes to three to plead with the supermarkets for a change of heart. Alderman Murray Stewart said grey nomads, backpackers and pensioners all wanted consumer choice and reasonable prices. Have your say

Grey nomads in roadside knife attack ordeal
TWO elderly Victorian caravanners camping overnight in central Queensland underwent a terrifying ordeal at the hands of a knife-wielding bandit. They struggled with the armed man when he struck at about 11pm as the grey nomads, in their late 60s, slept in their caravan near Clermont.

Trakka travellers right as rain
CARAVAN manufacturers are keeping a close eye on Australia's first RV rainwater harvesting system which could revolutionise the industry. In heavy rain Trakka’s new automatic system can fill a watertank in about an hour, reducing the reliance on mains water during extended trips.

Parks warned on new minimum pay rates
CARAVAN park operators are being reminded that new national minimum wage rates are now in force following last month's annual wage review decision by Fair Work Australia. The Fair Work Ombudsman last year recovered more than $25,000 in underpayments for three employees working for a Darwin caravan park. Ten other parks in the Northern Territory capital also fell under the searching spotlight of Fair Work inspectors.

Council drops controversial park sale
A SOUTH Australian council has dropped controversial plans to sell its $300,000 caravan park for just a tenth of its value. South Mallee District Council outraged locals when it announced the 16-site Lameroo Lakeside Caravan Park, about 210km south-east of Adelaide, would be sold for $30,000.

Easier caravan parking on the cards
CARAVANNERS and other RVers may eventually find it easier to stay awhile in a NSW coastal town after the local authority turned the spotlight on parking. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has now identified a range of proposed measures to improve parking, including better facilities for caravans and campervans. "It is important to consider road users other than cars when determining on-street parking provision," a working paper on the council's draft parking strategy pointed out.  Have your say

Towies accused of outback 'rip-offs'
TOWIES have come under fire for allegedly ripping off stranded caravanners in remote areas of Australia. One caravanner whose 4WD broke down on the Oodnadatta Track in outback South Australia claimed he was forced to cough up nearly $1000 to have it transported 120km on a breakdown trailer.

Park's future to come under $210,000 microscope
THE future of Quinns Rocks Caravan Park in WA will come under the microscope. Wanneroo City Council has provisionally set aside $210,000 in its latest budget to employ consultants to determine the future of the park, 22km north of Perth. It has also earmarked $30,000 for improvements at the 60-site park which has 16 long-term residents.   Have your say

State of Origin reward for 'top gun' salesman
WHEN it comes to selling a popular brand of imported caravans, Brisbane salesman Greg Wetkin has been dubbed a "top gun". And to reward his efforts in selling the Adria range at the recent Queensland Caravan Camping & Touring Holiday Show, Greg was taken to the first game of this season's State of Origin series at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Gold for Lane Cove in national awards
SYDNEY'S Lane Cove River Tourist Park figured prominently in the National Accommodation Industry Awards for Excellence. It scooped two golds after being voted best park in the Sustainable Tourism and 3.5-star categories. And park manager Andrew Daff also received an ACES award for his "attitude, commitment, enthusiasm and service". Gold awards also went to NSW's White Albatross Holiday Park in the 4.5-star category and Queensland's Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort in the 5-star category.  Have your say

Rugby league legend wows show crowds
CARAVANS were not the only stars to shine at a major Queensland's show. Legendary rugby league player Steve Renouf and his own luxury caravan, The Pearl, certainly attracted the crowds to Brisbane RV's tent at the Caravan, Camping & Touring Holiday Show in Brisbane.

Only two takers for $1 caravan park
A NSW council which offered to lease its caravan park for just a dollar a year has received only two expressions of interest. Brewarrina Shire Council in the state's west will now consider what to do when it meets on July 22.

Thieves beat security in $110,000 caravan heist
DETERMINED thieves overcame a security alarm, electric fence and security guards to make off with a unique $110,000 caravan from a WA dealer. Police are still looking for the brand new 24ft Supreme Territory which is thought to have been towed away by a Queensland registered Nissan Patrol with a dinghy on top.

For stories from the last six editions of Caravanning News, click on the appropriate month:

June 2011	May 2011	April 2011	March 2011	February 2011	January 2011