It was a fantastic night at the Caravan Industry Association of Australia‘s Gala on the Gold Coast on Friday May 17th. This is the night the industry celebrates the achievements of its members and awards outstanding efforts in five categories. The winners of the awards are listed below.
The Eric Hayman Award for Excellence is our industry’s most prestigious award, now in its 28th year. The award recognises extremely influential and hardworking industry leaders who have made a positive impact over the years.
This year, the recipient was Caravan Industry Association of Australia CEO Stuart Lamont.
Stuart has been instrumental in transforming two National Associations, RVMAA and CRVA, to form a single National Association, Caravan Industry Association of Australian and the introduction of an elected board.
As CEO he has been instrumental in a range of important industry activities including research and funding development, RVSA advocacy, implementation of a robust compliance program, growth of the Let’s Go Caravan and Camping marketing brand, the introduction of the Future Leaders Program and the incredible growth of the Caravan Industry National Conference.
The Richard Davis OAM Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Peak National Body was introduced in 2016 in dedication to the late Richard Davis OAM. This year it was awarded to Peter May.
As the then President of the Victorian Trade Association, in 2012 he raised the concept of the amalgamation of then CRVA and RVMAA at an industry forum and was ridiculed by some, but he was not deterred.
In October 2013 he met at the Middle Park Hotel in Melbourne with Mark Lindsay and Stuart Lamont to carve out what a new organisational structure could look like. The following month Peter represented the concept to the Industry Forum with greater acceptance and the start of the journey towards merger began.
He served on the Board of the then CRVA, and was a strong advocate for the appointment of an independent Board and the shrinking of the size of the Board.
Peter is a visionary and incredibly determined in persevering with his strong beliefs in the best interest of the industry.
Amanda has held the position of Manager- Strategy and Acquisitions within the G’Day Group for nearly two years.
She has been an integral member of the group’s management team and has been leader in the acquisition of over 30 parks and provided critical strategy direction to the Board on major investment decisions.
In the last 18 months Amanda has been involved in pivotal G’Day Group investment decisions such as new glamping development on Rottnest Island and the annual strategy for the Group where pivotal technology investment decisions have been made.
Amanda is a chartered accountant and also holds a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance (Business Valuation).
This year, Caravan Industry Association of Australia was pleased to launch a new award carrying the name of Gerry Ryan OAM in recognition of his longstanding contribution to the industry and industry body.
The inaugural Gerry Ryan OAM Award for Innovation was presented to REDARC for their Redvision Total Vehicle Management System.
Redvision is a central control hub that connects electrical devices and displays vital information for a vehicle or RV on its on-board 12V accessories, setting a level of automation which brings information and control together in one place.
The judges commented that it has been designed and made in Australia, has been released to market rather than in concept and is used in 4WD, campers, and caravans.
Each year we have the option of awarding or not awarding a Chairman’s Award for service to the industry. In 2019 the decision was made to recognise an outstanding contributor in Jim Carnavas.
In 1981, Jim and one of his fellow work mates purchased the Jayco / CUB dealership on the corner of Rode & Gympie Rd in Chermside.
He joined the board of Caravan Trade & Industries Association of Queensland in approximately 35 years ago, became President in 2001 and served for 18 terms until last year when he made the decision to step down. He is CTIAQ’s longest serving President.
Jim has been awarded Life Membership of CTIAQ, and in 2018 he was presented with the ‘Ron Chapman Award for Outstanding Contribution & Commitment by an individual’ to the Caravan Industry in Queensland.
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Learn MoreCaravan Industry Association Victoria Announces the AL-KO Innovation Hub – New Three-Year Partnership with AL-KO International to Bring Innovation & the Latest in Recreational
Vehicle Products to You!
The Caravan Industry Association Victoria (CIA VIC) are extremely excited to announce a three-year partnership with AL-KO International Pty Ltd who manufacture, markets and distributes a comprehensive range of products for the trailer, caravan and RV markets in Australia and New Zealand as naming partner for the newly established ‘AL-KO Innovation Hub’ which will be launched at the 2019 Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow.
After full review of the Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow and extensive engagement with our key target markets – the Association identified a need to provide an interactive area that would showcase the latest and most innovative technology in recreational vehicle travel.
CIA VIC’s Chief Executive Officer, Rob Lucas, said ‘For the Association to continue to attract consumers to the Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow in this highly competitive environment, it was essential to listen to what our consumers were saying and provide a more engaging and innovative space where they could view the latest innovations for recreational vehicles. ‘We have had a long-standing relationship with AL-KO International and were excited when they indicated their commitment and saw the value in partnering the Association with this newly created innovative precinct. Everyone at the Association looks forward to working with AL-KO International
to develop this area over the coming three years.’
The future direction of the Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow is to be more innovative, engaging and provide a quality experience for all that attend – with this new partnership and the introduction of the AL-KO Innovation Hub, we can achieve this.
The Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow commences Wednesday 20 February until Monday 25 February 2019 at the Melbourne Showgrounds – discover more on all the new improvements or purchase tickets at caravanshow.com.au, then go make some memories…
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Learn MoreCaravan Industry Association Victoria acknowledges the sad passing of two passionate contributors to the Caravan Industry – David Hams and Gerald Anderson.
It is with great sadness that the Caravan Industry Association Victoria acknowledges
the passing of both David Hams and Gerald Anderson. Both were passionate and
engaging contributors to the Caravan Industry and well respected by those who knew
them.
David Hams was part of the ‘Hams Family’ who after seeing a caravan complex in the United States that housed multiple dealers, established Caravan City in Croydon which grew to include 10-12 dealers with between 1,200 to 1,500 caravans on site at any given time. In the early 1970’s David joined the family in the Millard dealership and then in the late 1980’s began working at Premier Caravans in Campbellfield before commencing his own caravan hire business including building caravans for hire in the early 1990’s. David’s whole family was involved in the caravan industry and his career alone covered three decades.
Robert Lucas, Chief Executive Officer of the Caravan Industry Association Victoria, said ‘The Hams family are well known for establishing Caravan City and many of our industry pioneers remember David fondly for his contribution to the industry and friendship to fellow industry members.’
Gerald Anderson started out as a motor mechanic trade instructor until Tom Harding
recruited him to become involved in the caravan industry approximately 25 years ago. Since that time Gerald has been a great role model for caravanners, a creative and forward-thinking educator who was extremely well liked by all who meet him. In the early days, Gerald assisted Tom and the industry in the promotion of ‘safety on the road’ through the Safari Outback tours and in later years even lead tours. He was a great advocate for the industry and was a regular at our shows right up until this year’s Melbourne Leisurefest where he was working on the Hardings Swift Caravan Services stand.
Robert Lucas, Chief Executive Officer of the Caravan Industry Association Victoria, stated ‘It is passionate advocates like Gerald who continue to strengthen and improve this industry – he was always willing to listen to his fellow caravanners and assist where required.
Both David and Gerald will be sadly missed by the Industry, the Association and its
members and anyone who had the privilege to know them.”
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Caravan and camping trips are the perfect way to explore Australia’s great outdoors and they also present a fantastic educational opportunity!
Caravan Industry Association of Australia’s 2017 Real Richness report found that 94% of campers believe camping enables children to engage socially, 97% believe it allows children to learn about the environment, and 71% believe it improves children’s behaviour. Importantly even 69% of non-campers surveyed believe it teaches children important life skills.
Australia is home to some of the most unique nature, sights and travel opportunities in the world, all of which offer fantastic educational opportunities.
Now, two families are set to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey combining adventure and education.
Caravan Industry Association of Australia has come together with Tourism Central Australia to create a “Real-Life Classroom” competition, supported by Apollo Motorhome Holidays and Ted’s Cameras.
The competition is open to families with children between the ages of 5-13. If you are enthusiastic, up for adventure and ready to capture some amazing experiences on video or by photo, this could be the perfect opportunity.
The lucky winners will be awarded the ultimate real-life classroom prize – an incredible trip to see some of our country’s most iconic sights in the great Northern Territory.
The children will become ultimate junior explorers as they set off (with their parents) on a 28-day trip in an Apollo Motorhome with return economy flights to Alice Springs, $100 per day to spend, entry to show-stopping Outback tourism experiences and an incredible Ted’s Camera’s prize pack worth $2,000 to help them document their trip.
The winner will document their four-week outback adventure using their new Ted’s Cameras ‘digital tools of the trade’ to create blog posts, photos and videos.
Caravan Industry Association of Australia CEO Stuart Lamont said “more and more Australians are taking time off work and taking their families on a caravanning and camping adventure.”
“While exploring this great country it is important to maintain consistency with the education system, and many parents will work with their children’s school to ensure that not only do their children receive the benefits of what they learn in the great outdoors, but they remain connected with the school curriculum.”
To enter the competition, people should submit up to a 60-second video to reallifeclassroom.com.au explaining what your family would like to learn and discover about Australia’s Red Centre and how your junior explorers would benefit from bringing the lessons from the classroom to life!
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Learn MoreThe National Caravan Industry Training College (NCITC) is an innovative partnership between CIA Vic and Wodonga Institute of TAFE. This is a significant investment for the future of the industry and aims to provide people with real opportunities for careers in the recreational vehicle industry.
Professional training to prepare you for an exciting career within the caravan and camping industry.
Learn MoreThe countdown is on to the 2016 Victorian Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow, which takes over Melbourne Showgrounds from February 24 to 29.
Great Aussie traditions like barbies and cricket in the caravan park, fishing in your best secret spots and relaxing on holiday with family and friends are more alive than ever, and the Supershow is where these memories begin.
Sponsored by CIL Insurance, the Supershow will be Australia’s biggest ever outdoors show with the most caravans, camping gear and outdoors accessories ever on show in one place.
There will be additions and improvements all over the Showgrounds, including a
new cooking stage, where a range of presenters will tantalise your tastebuds, and the Tourism NT Waterhole, a relaxing spot to enjoy some good tucker and experience a taste of outback life
Great competitions, free showbags, lots of entertainment, educational sessions and shuttle buggies will all return too.
The Victorian Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow is an event for every member of the family, with plenty of fun activities to keep thekids entertained.
The Supershow is Australia’s largest, it provides consumers with the 
opportunity to explore the numerous options to Go Make Some Memories in this great state and country.
Situated just 7km from the city, the Showgrounds have convenient parking plus trains to the front door over the weekend of the show.
Stay tuned for more exciting announcements regarding the 2016 Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow.
For further information on the 2016 Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow visit their website here
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2015 Victorian Caravan, Camping & Tourism Supershow has won Silver in the RACV Victorian Tourism Awards.
The Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow was presented with a Silver Victorian Tourism Award in the category of Major Festivals and Events last night at the RACV Victorian Tourism Awards gala event at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The Supershow was up against other major event nominations including the Australian Open, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, the Royal Melbourne Show and the 2014 Melbourne Cup Carnival, which took out Gold.
The Silver winner is awarded to the second highest scoring entrant in their selected category.
“We had two objectives when we started the submission process for the RACV Victorian Tourism Awards. Firstly we wanted our systems reviewed by an outside source to create best practise and secondly to be seen as a legitimate partner in the tourism industry,” says Rob Lucas, CEO of the Caravan Industry Association Victoria.
The Caravan Industry Association Victoria, (CIA VIC) has staged annual shows since 1954 and supports a multi-billion dollar industry, with the vast majority of the country’s manufacturers based here within Victoria. Today, the Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow is the largest travel and lifestyle show in the state.
The show costs more than $1 million to stage, but generates an incredible approximately $50 million in sales of recreational vehicles, camping equipment and accessories over its six days.
“Winning the award has been a wonderful reward for a fantastic team effort from everyone involved including the participating exhibitors and our own team who were responsible for the long-term planning and roll-out of this event,” continues Rob Lucas.
Preparations for the 2016 Victorian Caravan Camping & Touring Supershow at Melbourne Showgrounds from 24-29th February are underway and the association is hard at work to ensure the biggest and best show yet.
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