CARAVANNING NEWS


STOP PRESS	OCTOBER 30: Harley Owners Group national rally completely fills Nuriootpa Caravan Park in SA's Barossa Valley --- OCTOBER 29: Firebugs torch caravan at South West Recreation Centre, Bunbury, WA, causing $40,000 damage --- OCTOBER 20: Melbourne couple escape unhurt as caravan catches fire on Albury freeway near Wodonga, Victoria --- OCTOBER 17: West Australian caravanner, 47, dies in horrific smash on Stuart Hwy south of Darwin. Wife and two young sons also injured			LINKS	REST AREAS	ED'S HOME PAGE
Queensland outback	Carnarvon Gorge	Sydney circular	Imbil	Santa's trip	Formula One interlude	Moore Park Beach turtles

Brisbane Weather Forecast, Australia

October 2007

Editor: Dennis Amor
PO Box 678
Caloundra
Queensland 4551
Australia
Click to send email

Jeanette hopes others learn from her misfortune

Jeanette Boswell - robbed at Queensland caravan park

Warning after sneak thief robs lone caravanner

Story and Photo by DENNIS AMOR

FIVE minutes ... that's all it took for a sneak thief to raid grandmother Jeanette Boswell's caravan in the dead of night, leaving her virtually destitute.

The 67-year-old widow from New South Wales (pictured above) had slipped out at 4am to use the toilet at a Queensland caravan park. And that was when the looter struck.

"I was away for about five minutes and didn't even know I had been robbed until I woke up later," shocked lone traveller Jeanette told Caravanning News. "The thief must have been in and out of my caravan in a flash, taking all my money, cards and drivers licence.

"I just hope others can learn from my misfortune. Never ever leave your caravan unlocked, not even for a second." [More]

Woman charged after walker dies
A WOMAN died when a 4WD collided with a group of walkers and then crashed into a parked caravan. Police said the 4WD was driven away from the scene, but later located in a nearby street where its driver recorded a positive blood alcohol reading. The accident happened in Graham Street, Edmonton, north Queensland, when the 4WD ran into two women and a girl enjoying an evening walk. One of the women, aged 58, died at the scene and the two other pedestrians were injured. Police said the vehicle then crossed the street and collided with a parked caravan on the opposite footpath. They alleged the driver reversed away from the caravan and drove off. The caravan was badly damaged. Police have appealed for witnesses. A 35-year-old woman was later charged with drink driving after allegedly blowing 0.15%, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death while adversely affected and failing to remain at the scene and showing callous disregard. She has been issued with a notice to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on November 26.

Boat doubles as caravan
A GOLD Coast company has built a boat which can double as a caravan. After a day on the water the Southbeach Vacationer can be dragged onto its trailer and easily converted for staying at caravan parks. [More]

Man jailed for sex assault on child
A FORMER security guard has been jailed for indecently assaulting a young girl at a Queensland caravan park. The court heard the man had no explanation for his 'bizarre' behaviour. [More]

Scary welcome during festival
CARAVANNERS touring Victoria's Mornington Peninsula in October might be forgiven for rubbing their eyes in astonishment. For round every bend they will be greeted by whimsical and highly fanciful scarecrows. [More]

Park set to fall under redeveloper's excavators
ANOTHER popular beachfront caravan park in Queensland is pulling down the shutters to make way for redevelopment. Mackay's Bucasia Beachfront Caravan Resort will be the latest to fall under the redevelopers' excavators. [More]

Theatres turn spotlight on RV holidays
THEATRES are capturing all the fun, excitement and sometimes sorrow of caravanning and motorhoming in Australia. Two stage shows have already thrilled audiences in Queensland and New South Wales. [More]

Parks set for $1.3 million upgrades
MORE than 40 caravan and camping parks on Victoria's Crown land are to be upgraded thanks to a $1.3 million grant. The government said it would provide better holiday experiences for travellers while also improving water and energy savings. [More]

Parks in hunt for missing Red Centre tourist
SCORES of caravan parks have been recruited in the hunt for a German tourist, missing for eight months. Traveller Georg Schneider was last seen in January in the tiny town of Yulara, 18km from Ayers Rock. [More]

Plea for rest stop in goldrush city
THE Mayor of a famous goldrush city in Western Australia wants more facilities for caravanners. Kalgoorlie-Boulder's Ron Yuryevich believes a purpose-built rest stop for caravanners would help attract more tourists to the city. [More]

Compact lamp makes light work of the dark
CARAVANNERS can lighten things up with a new cordless inspection lamp small enough to fit into their tow vehicle's glovebox. Heavy portable torches for peering into those dark corners in caravans and motorhomes are a thing of the past. [More]

Gift vouchers make for perfect holiday
A LEADING chain of caravan parks is now offering gift vouchers for holiday accommodation. The company says it is leading the way in making it even easier for people to get out and about and experience the wonders of Australia. [More]

Rock booze plan watered down
AUTHORITIES have watered down plans to ban alcohol at one of the Red Centre's favourite tourist attractions. They have decided to ditch the idea after a tidal wave of opposition from tourists, including caravanners. [More]

Another award for Lane Cove
THE multi award-winning Lane Cove River Tourist Park in NSW has scooped another major honour. It has now been named one of the State's leading eco-tourism operators, winning the Award for Excellence in Conservation-Eco Tourism. [More]

Park weighs anchor and sails into Big4 chain
A ROYAL Australian Navy caravan park has sailed into the Big4 organisation. The lakeside three-and-a-half star Bungalow Tourist Park, about 230km south of Sydney, has become the latest to join the holiday park chain. [More]

Action stations as new model unveiled
EUROPEAN caravan builder Adria says it will shake up Australia's small-caravan market with its latest offering. The new compact, fixed-roof Action model features a shower and toilet - all for the price of a pop-top. [More]

Perverts back behind bars
TWO convicted child sex fiends are again behind bars after spying on children at a Victorian caravan park. A jury convicted the perverts after hearing they had set up camp near a toilet block and photographed youngsters as they went to and from the building. [More]

Council verges on action over illegal caravan parking
A WEST Australian town is clamping down on people who park their caravans on grass verges. Cottesloe Town Council officials claim there have been complaints about caravans and boats left on verges in the Perth beachside suburb. [More]

Gong for family-owned park
A family-owned Victorian caravan park has been named as one of Australia's best small businesses. Colac Colac Caravan Park continued its winning ways when it scooped the prestigious honour in the Victorian Small Business Champion Awards. [More]

Booming coastal town set for new park
A POPULAR beachside tourist town in Western Australia is getting a new caravan park. The State Government has already identified land for the park at Kalbarri, about 590km north of Perth, to help meet the needs of the growing number of travellers. [More]

Caravanners snap minister breaking law
CARAVANNERS have caught Federal Tourism Minister Fran Bailey red handed ... illegally using a mobile phone while at the wheel. They used their camera to snap the Minister who later admitted her indiscretion. [More]

Man accused of child sex assault
A MAN has been charged after a five-year-old girl was indecently assaulted at a Darwin caravan park. Police allege the 57-year-old assaulted the girl at the Berrimah park sometime between 20 August and 9 September this year. He was bailed to appear in Darwin Magistrate’s Court in October on one charge of indecent dealing with a child under 10 and aggravated assault.

Park wins 'green' grant
A VICTORIAN caravan park has won a $90,000 grant to help it become a shining example of how tourism can benefit the environment. The money will go towards new environmentally sustainable accommodation and an education facility. [More]

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

Caravanning News - September 2007 edition
Caravanning News - August 2007 edition
Caravanning News - July 2007 edition
Caravanning News - June 2007 edition
Caravanning News - May 2007 edition
Caravanning News - April 2007 edition

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the prior written permission of Dennis Amor.
Copyright 2005 Dennis Amor
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LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR

Why must everybody
have to suffer

REGARDING your story on the alcohol ban at Ayers Rock (September edition). This is a bloody disgrace. What next, there's an aboriginal drinking problem in Darwin and Cairns so ban alcohol there too? By all means, throw the book at anyone who supplies grog illegally to aboriginals, but why affect everybody with this legislation. We always have our responsible 'happy hour' in the early evening and will now have to avoid these locations
where alcohol is banned, or dump our grog on the side of the road when entering such an area. What a ridiculous situation! Shades of prohibition from last century in the USA. Not happy, Jan!

David Nye
via email

Ed: David, authorities have now bowed to public pressure ... see updated story on this page.

Warning on gassing is authentic

THE story in your last edition about person's being robbed and gassed in their caravans is a hoax, according to the site Hoax-slayer. You may wish to check it out. Thanks for an interesting newsletter.

Eunice Carr
via email

Ed: There seems to be no reference to this on the site you mention, Eunice. Before running the story, Caravanning News checked with the British Foreign Office and they assured us it was authentic. The travel warning can be seen by clicking here. Scroll down to 'Crime'.

NSW rest area
information

CAN you or your readers help us with information about NSW rest areas and time limits for overnight rest stops. We have tried the RTA but with no real advice. Thanks.

Warren and Leata Connor
via email

Ed: You should be able to get a NSW rest area road map from the Roads and Traffic Authority listing all rest areas, click here. From my experience, most rest areas allow a one-night stopover and clearly sign the maximum time limit. Camps Australia is also a useful publication which gives information on budget and free areas for overnighting. Time limits are included. Caravanning News also carries information on some NSW rest areas on the Pacific and New England highways. Just click on the 'Rest Areas' link at the top of this page.

Great news ... and it's free!

GREAT site! Just loved the photograph of the clown in the previous edition of Caravanning News and all the other news for caravanners. And the best thing is that I don't have to pay anything to read it all.

Ken Worthington
Melbourne

Another tribute
to the Moirs

WE, as a family have had the privilege of knowing Joy and Bruce Moir (See Caravanning News, August edition) for many years. In fact we were neighbours for many of those years, and it is with some enthusiasm that we wish them well on their venture and adventure. There would be no more deserving couple. We have so much to thank them for as friends, mentors and helpers. The article in Caravanning News indicated only a small part of their achievements and abilities ... it would take a mammoth article to cover all. Bruce is in the process of documenting the family history so there remains a lot ahead yet to be written.

Fay and Ellis Rowe
Benowa.

WORLD BRIEFS

Antique caravan for stars' bub

ACTING couple Tim Burton and Helena Bonham-Carter have bought an antique 19th century caravan to help house their growing family. Now they are seeking permission to locate
the authentic $18,000 caravan in their London garden in time for the arrival of their second child in December.

THERE'S no excuse for people hiring motorhomes in New Zealand to miss their favourite TV programmes while touring. Kiwi Campers claims it is the first rental company to install satellite television in its four and six-berth vehicles. It also offers satellite navigation systems.

PREGNANT model Anita Harding, 20, was found dead in a caravan in Cornwall, England. Letters to her family were found alongside the body at Perran Sands Holiday
Park in Perranporth. The tragedy came just weeks after her Italian sweetheart Giancomo Agostini, 31, died suddenly.

THERE are now more than 80 manufacturers supplying recreational vehicles to the booming market in the USA and Canada. Statistics show nearly eight million households own at
least one RV.

ARSONISTS have been blamed for setting a protestor's caravan ablaze during an outcry over development work at an alleged sacred site in New Zealand. Police believe a Molotov
cocktail was lobbed through the window of the Maori's caravan at the North Island's Acacia Bay. No one was injured.

BRITISH caravan dweller Terence McGivern has been jailed for 10 years for sexually abusing children over a 33-year period. The 69-year-old Morecambe sex fiend was convicted of 23
charges including rape, indecent assault and gross indecency with a child. Police said it was one of the worst cases of child abuse they had come across.

AN Englishman is behind bars for murdering his travelling companion in Spain. Stuart Martin, 29, had denied killing 54-year-old Francis Ottley after an argument in their motorhome, a converted bus. Mr Ottley's body has never been found. The trial, at Maidstone Crown Court in the UK, followed cooperation between prosecuting authorities in England, Spain, China and Hong Kong. Martin was jailed for life.

FOUR people died in a horror smash involving a motorhome in the USA. Police said an elderly couple and their two young grandchildren were also injured when a car slammed into their parked motorhome at the side of Interstate Highway 35 near Ames in Iowa.