Coromal Windsor #15 17th National Caravan Clubs' Rally Amazing Albany, Western Australia October 14-22, 2019 www.17thnationalcaravanrally.org.au Dardanup Heritage Park a grand at(tractor)ion A dream of Gary Brookes, a love of bulldozers and a determi- nation to preserve our nation’s heritage has produced one of Western Australia’s most iconic tourist attractions. Situated just outside Bunbury, the Dardanup Heritage Park is a must-see during your National Ral- ly wanderings. Open only on Wednesdays and Sundays between 9.30am and 4pm, the park boasts a stagger- ing 140 tractors and bulldozers, 50 stationary engines, 21 trucks, vehicles of many kinds — the big- gest bulldozer is the TC12 Uclid, which was the largest in the world when it was introduced in the ear- ly 1960s — a working sawmill re- located from nearby Collie with workers’ cottages; a stand-alone military museum, complete with an ex-Australian Army Leopard tank and a missile. A fully restored 1911 Ruston Proctor Traction Engine. Expert workmen have brought hold memorabilia and antiques, innovating and tweaking the park. each vehicle back to its former glo- including washouse, toys, musical “We try to do justice to everything ry in the park’s workshops. instruments, radios, lamps, china we do and it’s the best men’s shed One of the many highlights of the and much more. around,” she said with family and park is the fully working print shop The brainchild of Gary and Jill volunteers of all ages making the with the only working Linotype Brookes, the park opened in Oc- park a going concern. type-setting machine in the State. tober 2003, just two months after The day I visited, preparations There is also plenty for the ladies Gary died. were being made for its oldest with rooms stashed full of house- Jill holds the reins and is forever CONTINUED PAGE 2 17th National Caravan Clubs' Rally Newsletter #15, April 2019 1 From tractors to a Leopard tank FROM PAGE 1 volunteer’s 90th birthday celebra- tions. “I’m so privileged to be part of their lives. The camaraderie is just unbelievable. They’re willing to pass on their knowledge to every- one.” Gary and Jill ran Brookes Trans- port for more than 31years and the first, second and third trucks in that business are on display. Timber for the project was all cut at the relocated sawmill, which op- erates on the first Sunday of each month. There are so many sheds full of vehicles that you will be amazed. Pride of place goes to a pair of fully restored traction engines. See two working Tangye engines — the 100 horsepower model is one of only two in the world still operating. “Everything is running. It’s not a static heritage park. It needs to be a working reminder of how things used to be,” Jill said. “It’s about ‘Keeping Memories Alive’ — our slogan — and we have heaps of space for parking caravans.” You will be amazed at the sheer size, diversity and presentation of this outstanding private collection. Family passes are available and there is a huge restaurant and one corner devoted to an expansive display of miniature vehicles. Allocate the day to get around this huge step back in time, which is largely under cover. 2 17th National Caravan Clubs' Rally Newsletter #15, April 2019 Still ‘room at the inn’ as October date nears Registrations are still being When the programme is settled, sought for the National Rally. a form will be available on the web- According to Canberra, there site for people to sign up for their were many late entries for the 2016 favourite activities. rally in the preceding months. Fishing and craft are the two With natural attrition and new events that need advance warning sign-ups, the rally attendance as kits have to be purchased and Amity replica graces number is hovering around the 500 assembled in the coming months. Albany foreshore mark. Coffee on the go The interpretation of the brig There are still many more sites For those coffee addicts there is Amity, based at bottom of the city available in the central Centennial no need to wander too far to im- centre, was constructed to coin- Park venue. bibe as a coffee van will be on site cide and recognise the 150th anni- We are expecting a late charge for the duration of the rally. versary of the arrival of the original for Albany with WA clubs expected And then there are the many vessel on Christmas Day 1826. to boost their current 151 number. coffee shops in the city while you Its arrival, under the command Programme are wandering around seeing the of Major Edmund Lockyer, marked Every endeavour is being made sights. the beginning of the establishment to finalise the National Rally pro- People who have declared dis- of the first European settlement, in gramme and get it published. abilities will be catered for with what is now called Western Austra- This will aid attendees in arrang- close-proximity sites to all the ac- lia. ing Busy Blue Bus tours and other tion. After appropriate funding and events during the nine days. Of course, that could mean being research, the construction of the The Busy Blue Bus tours are now close to the entertainment during replica began where it now stands available via the website. the evening, when you might wish in 1975, with Stan Austin acting Rally Manager Derek Atkinson to have an early night... No chance. as the project supervisor and Pe- explains why it is so important to Entertainment ter Van de Brugge as the leading register and pay for activities. A broad range of entertainment shipwright. “There are limited spots available has been engaged for the eve- It is also believed that some la- for some activities and it is impera- nings while the memorial breakfast bour was also supplied from vari- tive that we get participants signed and bush poets’ breakfast will also ous government agencies involved up to aid with the planning. be major attractions. with unemployed people. “We are working hard to get Western Australia is going all out At the time an expected “working the programme to you in the May to make sure that this National Ral- life” for the vessel was about 30 newsletter and on the website. ly is the “best ever”. years. “With less than seven months to go, time is running out as some Eastern States rally goers are think- MAKING ing of hitting the road,” he said. Disc bowls ANYWHERE Disc bowls organiser Brian Dear- le is keen to know how many peo- ple are interested in his event, Camec provideshome access to a wide range of RV & which is scheduled for four days Caravan products and accessories through our Welshpool retail store and national partners. on the AFL oval in front of Centen- Empowering you to make anywhere home nial Stadium. for your family before and during your travels. He also asks whether there were Discover more: 190 Welshpool Road, clubs, possibly Western Australian, Welshpool who could bring sets of bowls with camec.com.au them to be used during the major championship. Please contact Brian on 0417 998 405 or email briansdearle@ making anywhere home outlook.com. 17th National Caravan Clubs' Rally Newsletter #15, April 2019 3 National Anzac Centre beckons On November 1, 1914, the first story. Discover your sense of na- year on Anzac Day, thousands of convoy of Australian and New Zea- tional pride when you visit the 1914 locals and visitors solemnly gather land troops departed for the Great departure point where more than atop Mt Clarence for the dawn ser- War from King George Sound, Al- 41,000 servicemen and women left vice, looking out over King George bany. for Gallipoli. Sound to commemorate the Dig- For many, Albany was their last Experience the legend that gers who perished in the Great sight of Australian soil. Today, Al- shaped a nation at the National An- War. bany is known as the birthplace of zac Centre — Australia’s foremost Wreaths are laid upon the waters the Anzac story and is the home of museum honouring the Anzacs. of the Sound, as they have been the National Anzac Centre. Albany’s special place in the since April 25, 1930. Nothing captures the public remembrance of World War I is Show your rally lanyard to gain a imagination quite like the Anzac recognised the world over. Each discount at the door. Make sure that you bring your Rally Registration Receipt to Albany so that you gain speedy access to the ground. No receipt, no... 4 17th National Caravan Clubs' Rally Newsletter #15, April 2019 The Coromal Windsor 17th National Caravan Clubs Rally MERCHANDISE ORDER FORM NAME: ____________________________________________ Rally ID Code: _______________________ HOUSE ADDRESS Number and Street: ____________________________________________________________ Suburb: ________________________________ Post Code: _____________________ Rally Shirt Cloth Badge Metal Badge Men’s Size Women’s Size Item Item Cost Cost Number Number Polo $36 each $ Metal Badge $6 $ Cloth Badge $6 $ Postage $ Total $ NOTE: 1 Postage is $12.00 for single shirt and $14.00 for two shirts 2 Merchandise orders forms should be sent either by Email or post to the Rally Registrar 3 Merchandise orders will not be regarded as completed until full payment has been received either Electronically or by Cash, Cheque or Money Order. 4 All Electronic Fund Transfers, Cheque or Money Order Payments must have your Rally ID Code attached to ensure funds are allocated to Your Account. Signature .............................................................................................. Date ........................................... 17th National Caravan Clubs' Rally Newsletter #15, April 2019 5 Travel west on the Great South- ing experience and you can be phenomenon called the Green ern Highway from Albany to the assured the walkway’s lightweight Pool, a sea pool with brilliant blue- town of Walpole, home of the Wal- steel trusses do provide secure green water.