2017 A'VAN NATIONAL AGM

Friday 28th - Tuesday 9th May, 2017

We finally arrived in Denmark to set up and ready ourselves for the fun and games of an A'Van gathering. This includes catching up with old friends from around Australia, and making new friends.

There is, of course, a lot of chatting to be done; all subjects are covered.

There were 187 vans in all set up in the fantastic Ocean Beach Caravan Park. The amenities here were very clean and modern, and the grounds were excellent. There were 14 vans from the South Coast group, 26 people in all, including a couple of solo travellers who were brave enough to do it alone.

The very first thing we did was catch up with our friends from Gerroa to visit Lake House Winery, in the hope of seeing the Splendid Fairy Wren in all it's splendour. Apparently during the mating season, the males turn the brightest of blue to attract their mates, and they love the Lake House Winery grounds, so there are usually lots of them. Unfortunately, we were a little late for the burst of colour, so we had to content ourselves with some wine tasting, a very delicious cheese, meat and fruit platter along with a shared bottle of wine. Oh well - sometimes there are sacrifices to be made!

The weather was just so sunny, and the surrounds of the lake absolutely stunning. We had a very enjoyable long lunch, and had to rush back for a 4 o'clock First-Timer's meeting . As we are the Co-ordinator's of the South Coast Group, we have to make sure any newcomers to the AGM are made to feel welcome and answer any questions they may have.

Another beautiful setting at the Denmark Sea Rescue Hall overlooking the ocean. Just such a beautiful location. Then there was the general happy hour for everyone. Whew - only Day 1.

The Annual General Meeting was held in the Albany Entertainment Centre. It was a very spectacular building and I did hear the comment "Sydney Opera House - eat your heart out!" Yes, it was that good.

The Centre is uniquely located at the edge of Albany's Princess Royal Harbour, which has a great history. The harbour hosted Western Australia's first European settlers, welcomed early immigrants, farewelled the ANZAC troops and accommodated a bustling port trade.

Stirling Terrace is a very historic street and part of the Port precinct, and it has a number of heritage listed buildings that look out over the Albany Harbour. Stirling Terrace was named after James Stirling, the first Governor of WA.

So after the AGM we had a fun lunch for the South Coasters at a pub in Stirling Terrace. As we were all in the one spot, lunch was in order, but the table numbers grew to about 36.

A few of us followed lunch with coffee and absolutely "melt in the mouth pastries" from a really quaint French Patisserie located 2 doors from the pub. The kilos are going on at a rapid rate!

There was always something to do or somewhere to go, or just pop into town for shopping, lunch or coffee. Once again, A'Vanners are found everywhere and anywhere in Denmark. The Pie Shop did a roaring trade. There are also the local tourist attractions for everyone to get out and about to see and do.

There was fun bowls, dragon boating very well organised by the local Dragon Boat Club, two games afternoons, a campfire and uke night, plus two official dinners at the Denmark Riverside Club.

We also enjoyed a delicious lunch with the ACT group at the Boston Brewery, and once again, the grounds here were just lovely.

We always have a great time at this week long event, and avail ourselves of everything the area has to offer.

We stayed a couple of days longer so that once everyone had finally left, I could do all the washing, and we could go and do all the sights and tourist areas we had either missed, or didn't have time to do.