Thursday, July 3, 2025

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Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Mackay Caravan Club Branch Celebrates 10 Year Milestone

The Sugar City Pioneers branch of the Australian Caravan Club (ACC) celebrated their 10th Anniversary at the Sarina Showgrounds on the weekend of 8th of June.

The branch held a Muster over the weekend with 15 vans attending, and many more members joining for a day trip for the Sunday celebration and cake cutting ceremony.

Sarina Showgrounds were selected for the Muster, as it was the location where the branch was formed 10 years ago.

The branch publicity officer Paul Eyles said, “The Showgrounds were great.

“We shared the showgrounds with a Tractor Pulling competition on Saturday with the bonus that the organisers issued all campers with free admission.”

The Australian Caravan Club was founded in September 2006 by a committed group of caravanners who felt that clubs at the time didn’t focus sufficiently on protecting and representing the interest of caravan owners.

Since then, the Australian Caravan Club has grown significantly and now represents owners of all forms of recreational vehicles; caravans, motorhomes, campervans and camper trailers, slide on campers and fifth wheelers throughout Australia.

Members Gordon and Laural Rollinson had hosted several get togethers of ACC members in the region prior to the formal meeting at the Sarina Showgrounds 10 years ago.

As the ACC was growing, one of the ACC Board members at the time arranged a meeting at the Sarina Showgrounds with local area members along with members from the Rockhampton ACC branch with the aim of starting an ACC branch in Mackay.

Paul says the meeting was successful as a secretary was engaged and the Sugar City Pioneers were formed.

“We were lucky enough to have most of the original executive members cut the 10th anniversary cake, with the original treasurer travelling from Innes Park near Bundaberg for the weekend.

“As with any caravan muster, the local community of Sarina benefited with members visiting local attractions, pubs, clubs, butcher, bakeries and coffee shops.

“The branch has been very fortunate in having keen and hard-working members who have arranged numerous musters, dinners, casual picnics in a park, information days, and of course two Christmas Dinners per year.”

Regular social outings are important events, as they allow an easy get-together of members to catch up, as not all can attend musters.

The North Qld branches, (Rockhampton, Mackay Townsville, Cairns) have held several joint musters which have been a great success, considering the great distances we must travel, compared to our sister branches in the southern areas.

The Sugar City Pioneers certainly lives up to the Australian Caravan Club motto, “Where friendships and adventure begin”.

“We’re looking forward to many more years of travelling, friendship, learning new skills and good health.”

Find out more about the Club, by visiting the Australian Caravan Club website or Facebook page.  The Sugar City Pioneers can also be contacted through the website.

The Sugar City Pioneers branch of the Australian Caravan Club celebrated its 10th anniversary with a weekend muster at Sarina Showgrounds, honouring a decade of travel, friendship, and community connection. Photos supplied

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