The Club commenced in 1999 following a mailout to known A'vanners around Australia. The response was overwhelming. The Club has grown to where there are now over 1,170 A'van members involving over 2,200 A'vanners in all states of Australia. Approx. 200 new members join each year - but this increase is offset by approx. 10% of members having to sell their A'van for a number of reasons - the main reason being that of declining health and onset of age concerns!
To be eligible for initial Club membership people must own an A'van folding camper - such as an Aliner, Cruiseliner, Sportliner, etc. Of the current membership approximately 90% own Aliners and 8% Sportliners. The Club was set up in 1999 by owners of A'van folding campers and this is clearly identified with the Club's logo of an A-frame folding camper.
Chapters of the Club exist in all states of Australia with an integral link to the Australian Committee, the Executive of which currently operates from Melbourne with interstate representation.
The Club also has a link to the U.S.A. where the Aliner Owners Club with their statement "Friends Don't Let Friends Use Canvas!" are our US counterparts. The U.S.A. Club has also had spectacular growth since its formation with a most successful May 2003 Aliner Owners Club Rally at Cherokee, North Carolina in the Great Smoky Mountains with 168 Aliners attending. Since that time major growth and development of the US club has been through a most successful regional structure - as indicated on their website. There may even be some interest in some of their members attending a future Australian Gathering - what a great celebration that would be!
Each Australian state has a Co-ordinator/s who are responsible for the operation of Club activities in that area. Co-ordinators receive copies of minutes from the Australian Club's Committee meetings and are most welcome to raise topics for discussion at Committee meetings or Gatherings. Most state groups also produce a state/region newsletter. Some smaller state sub-groups have now developed - such as the Strzelecki Group based in Gippsland, Victoria and the Riverine A'vanners based on Albury/Wodonga.
Australian Club entrance fee is $10 plus an annual membership subscription of $10.
Australian wide issues, interests and state activities are listed in the Club's Australian newsletter published in June, October and February. Updated versions of the Club's newsletter Calendar are available on this site. Members receive an annual AMD (Australian Members' Directory) now listing members' names in alphabetical order for all states of Australia.
The Club also maintains a register of members' towing vehicles - this can be of great help to people considering the purchase of an A'van or a change to a different tow vehicle.
At Caravan Shows Club members have often been available to talk about A'van folding campers to people interested. Involvement of Club members is usually best arranged by agents making their own arrangements directly through the Club's state co-ordinator/s.
In April 2007 the Club's 8th Australian Gathering was held at Swan Hill, Victoria. Over 460 people and 230 A'vans attended. The next Australian Gathering will be held at Busselton, W.A. from 1 - 5 May 2008.
The Club has members living in your area who would be happy to speak to you about their A'vanning experiences—if this would be of interest and assistance to you.
For further information contact Club secretary, Brendon Smith at e-mail: bjsmith@vegas,com.au