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A caravan dealer and camping accessory retailer from the North Coast of Tasmania, Dennis Austin has undertaken over 15 years continuous service not only serving and representing the interests of caravanning in Tasmania, but at a National level where he has served as a Board member and currently holds the Treasurer position. Dennis, through his commitment to the industry, has voluntarily left his business for large chunks of time to learn about other sectors and states in an effort to understand the pressure points within the industry and to attempt to unite individual components of the industry together – all on his own time and in many cases with his own money.

It is however his political work and tenacity which will leave a significant mark on the industry. Through his political connections the industry has had unprecedented access to Federal Cabinet Ministers, Senators and Members of Parliament, including the Former Prime Minister, Ministers for Small Business, Industry and many other portfolios. The way in which the industry thinks regarding lobbying has changed significantly through the efforts of Dennis Austin and culminated recently with the industry having an exclusive dinner with the Treasurer just weeks before the Hon Scott Morrison MP handed down his first budget.

Dennis was in a state of shock at the announcement but delivered one of the most memorable acceptance speeches acknowledging the patience of his wife Marilyn who he referred to as a caravanning widow. “I couldn’t have done what I did without the support of my wife” said Dennis.
“It is one of the things that one never dreams of, and I wouldn’t have dreamed in my wildest dreams that I would be up here.  To me the most rewarding thing of all is the wonderful friendships, the special friendships we have with so many folks.”