Corowa 2009 -'Year of the Amphibian & Year of the Blitz 2'

[Keith Webb]

Hey! I resemble that!

Seriously though what an excellent idea - I'm sure we'd all love to catch up with our mates from OS - we could also arrange some pertinent side trips to various museums - I'm thinking of places like Bandiana and Puckapunyal Army museums to start, then of course we could plan to take in a Temora Aviation Museum airshow too - there will probably be one around the week after the Corowa event.

Go for it, Jif & Co.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

Hey! I resemble that!

Seriously though what an excellent idea - I'm sure we'd all love to catch up with our mates from OS - we could also arrange some pertinent side trips to various museums - I'm thinking of places like Bandiana and Puckapunyal Army museums to start, then of course we could plan to take in a Temora Aviation Museum airshow too - there will probably be one around the week after the Corowa event.

Go for it, Jif & Co.

Except that I think they might need special permits to talk to the likes of you and Ian and so on... and of course we'd have to arrange a special briefing we might tentatively entitle "How to Avoid Salesman Bob" or "Evading the Infamous South Australian Border Raiders"... anyway, I'm sure with preparation this can all be worked out.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

Hey! I resemble that!

Keefy, it occurs to me that in no way, shape or form do you actually resemble my Lara, so give it up while you're ahead!

Sorry mate, have one on me...

[Plushy]

Jif you have set your sights a bit low if you going for Lara. maybe you should up the ante and try for a something better like Sarah-Jane King [Chiko Roll girl ] or Elle Mcpherson etc ,etc .

[Howard]

Excellent idea, Jiffy!
I'll help where possible in any way I can! Bring it ON!
HH

[Jan Thompson]

The event in 2009 will commence on Monday 9th March and will finish on Sunday 15th March. It will be the 30th Year of the event and the 29th Anniversary. It will definitely be a big year and the themes will be 'Year of the Amphibian' and 'Year of he Blitz 2'.

History of the GPA Swim-In and Military Vehicle Rally

Annually a group of ex-Military Vehicle Collectors gather at Ball Park Caravan Park at Corowa on the beautiful Murray River to display their lovingly restored military vehicles, conduct a parade, swap meet and have a ‘swim-in’ with amphibious vehicles.

The event was initially organised by Ian Grieve [Qld] and Alan Newton [SA] and was for Amphibious Jeeps [Ford Model G.P.A. ¼ -Ton 4X4 Amphibian] but with so much interest amongst military vehicle enthusiasts it became a large-scale gathering not only with GPA’s but also other historic military vehicles.

People have asked “Why was Corowa chosen as the venue of this event?” Corowa, on the Murray River, just west of Albury is a fairly central location. It has fresh water, with easy river access and is an historic town. The collectors enjoy the wrecking yards and disposal stores in Albury and Wodonga. There are a variety of shops, wineries and antique shops to make this a family orientated event. The townsfolk of Corowa have always welcomed our presence and we look forward to returning each year to enjoy their hospitality and support.

The event now attracts collectors from throughout Australia and the world.

In 1999 we achieved recognition by the Guinness Book of World Records for “the largest gathering of Ford GPA amphibious vehicles since the Second World War”. This number being 16 including the famous Amphibious Jeep “Half-Safe” which circumnavigated the world during the 1950’s and has been donated to the Guildford Grammar School in Perth. In March 2002 we achieved recognition by the Guinness Book of World Records for “the greatest gathering of privately owned Ford and Chev Blitz trucks since 1945”. In 2003 the theme was to get as many WW2 Studebaker trucks together. We had 21. In 2004 the Theme was ‘Year of the Dodge’. We had 34 Dodge’s and a total of 120 ex-military vehicles in attendance. In 2005 our theme was WW2 Pattern Carriers. We had 21 Carriers. The theme for 2006 was Armoured Cars and we had a variety of rare types of vehicles.
In 2007 the themes were Year of the Cycle and Year of the Staff Car. The total number of vehicles was 166. We had a number of vehicles in each theme category and we were really impressed with the large number of motor cycles.


You are guaranteed to have a great time.

Wow ... you folks could well all be Canuckistunned in 2009. Are you Aussies all ready for that?

BTW ... I keep visiting the Corowa Swim-in site for this years event and the Corowa30 site and see nothing new in either I know I won't be attending this year and very unlikey to for 2009, but am still really interested in keeping up with the events and sites Any news on if and when the sites, especially the SwimIn one will be updated? Just wondering ...

Hey, the habit of topping Guiness records ... do it again, I say

I can't believe the time has flown and it's already only 2 weeks to Corowa!!! Wow.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Vets Dottir 2nd

BTW ... I keep visiting the Corowa Swim-in site for this years event and the Corowa30 site and see nothing new in either I know I won't be attending this year and very unlikey to for 2009, but am still really interested in keeping up with the events and sites Any news on if and when the sites, especially the Swin0In one will be updated? Just wondering ...

You know I've been busy with other things in the last month, MLU amongst them... I'll get both sites updated as time allows.

[Ian Pullen]

Geoff, that's great news. I have had numerous people asking me about the sites and I keep saying to hold on and just keep checking occasionally.

I thank you for your work and efforts Geoff, & I know you appreciate that time is fast running out.

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

"How to Avoid Salesman Bob" or "Evading the Infamous South Australian Border Raiders"

Here I am sitting quietly browsing MLU and finding myself in both Keefy's and Ball-Spinnington-Jif- Geoff's cross hairs. WHAT DID I DO WRONG? Anyway I have learned to cope with mere mortals.

However the idea of a Cannuk invasion is marvelous and Camp Moseley will be available for anyone wanting to stay in our fair state. Also if you need a hand with any logistical problems, just ask and I know that the other Oz MLUers will offer the same.

SALESMAN BOB

Originally Posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball

You know I've been busy with other things in the last month, MLU amongst them... I'll get both sites updated as time allows.

Yes, I know you've been verra busy Master Sunray all over the place these days

(Thanks for some update comments re the sites )