Year of the Tracked Vehicle (Corowa 08)

[Ian Pullen]

As all is now behind us, a new committee is finalised & the earlier thread is closed. I ask any and all interested participants for the Year of the Tracked Vehicle to forget what has transpired and move forward with us. There will be numerous questions from many people and I will be happy to answer as many as I can. You can post them here, or PM if you wish.

Suffice to say, we want this to work, for you. For this to happen we need your support. I realise that not everyone is going to be happy with some aspects but bear with us. Due to the very nature of the theme there HAS to be some concessions. Remember, one year at a time... If the particIpants want the swap meet to stay where it is then so be it. Let's get over the coming event before you sound off.

The local council are working in with us and there have been changes at the airport that have been placed there by council (eg the photo area is now fenced off due to the local B&S Ball). These are things that are now permanent whether we want them there or not, so we have to accept them. Changes will happen, we have to keep abreast of current laws, liabilities & circumstances - that is all a given. To believe that the week we enjoy will sail along unchanged is really a head-in-the-sand approach.

That is where we come in. Let us know your thoughts, feedback and concerns; this is your event, we just co-ordinate it. Having said that, let's be practical shall we with any feedback? Not just a bleat for the sake of it, legitimate things only. Look at what personality clashes have caused in the past!

I suggest that the new website is checked regularly as this is now the official site. (Not that we are going to leave you Geoff!!!)

On behalf of the new committee I am looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible in March.

Bring It On..........

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

First of all, let me congratulate Ian and the others on the new committee for their dedication and perseverance! I believe that Corowa the Event is in good hands and will go a long way in future under their leadership.

I have been asked to provide a new website for Corowa, which I have done. Still in development, the site is http://www.corowaswim-in.org and will be dedicated to the event itself rather than its organisers. Very shortly, you will start to see all relevant documentation regarding participation in Corowa, together with downloadable maps, charts and so on, covering every aspect of the event.

Right now the domain is available with only a header page, but I stress this will be filled in shortly. From year to year, the site will be headlined by the current event ahead; this is to say that the next three months will be headlined by the Corowa 08 [Year of the Tracked Vehicle] event, following which this focus will be shifted over to Corowa 09.

Any questions regarding the site may be posted here, PM'd to me directly or emailed to me. As I'm still involved with Jan Thompson's Corowa Project 30, it will be a busy time for me, and I may call upon you for help from time to time! In the meantime, enjoy what you will see and let us look forward to a belated but happily-progressing Corowa 08 show!

Thanks,

Jif

[Keith Webb]

Originally posted by rynoki
WOO-HOO!!

Looks more like a YA-HOO brain

[Ian Pullen]

Ladies and Gentlemen. The aim of the committee is to be able to process any and all information and disseminate it out to you as soon as possible. This way you as entrants will be aware of what is transpiring as it comes to hand.

I will be placing a set of rules particularly aimed at the AFV entrants shortly.

In addition I hope to be able to place up how the Street Parade will run (we hope). As large tracked vehicles will be driving up the main street of a small country town, there has to be some changes as to how it has been done in the past.

Having said that, the LP Carrier pilots and the gentlemen driving the soft skinned vehicles should not expect any major changes as to how it has been done previously.

[Ian Pullen]

As mentioned previously, here are a set of guidelines that AFV owners/drivers need to adhere to. There is nothing overly out of the question here and most of them are basic common sense and safety requirements that are echoed in most clubs.

There are also a few guidelines included for the Carrier Pilots to read.

On behalf of the committee, we do not want to come over looking like control freaks or fun police. Remember that in this world of litigation and insurance, this entire week we enjoy, could become just a memory if we do not act on the side of caution.

1. No AFVs in Van Park
2. All vehicles are to be registered, on Club Plates or valid permit.
3. All vehicles to have third party cover.
4. No vehicle is to be driven on roads or paddocks without a crew commander for additional visibility.
5. All drivers and crew commanders are to comply with National road laws pertaining to alcohol consumption when operating vehicles.
6. No riding on top of vehicles at any time.
7. Lights must be on whilst on public roads.
8. Pedestrian traffic has right of way.
9. Working Intercom (IC) between driver and crew commander mandatory.
10. Any damages that occurr are the responsibility of the vehicle driver.
11. All vehicles are to be driven at walking pace with a guide on foot approx 5 metres in front of the vehicle when driven in pedestrian areas and close environs. This is mandatory within the airfield and pedestrian areas.
12. Guides are to wear a high visibility vest or clothing at all times when guiding a vehicle and must be visible to the driver. Vehicle is not to proceed if guide is not visible to driver.
13. There is to be no AFV movement outside of designated areas without KVE approval.
14. Public access to AFVs should be at owners’ discretion.
15. All of the heavier tracked vehicles are to be co-located within the one area to minimise damage to park grounds and increase vehicle security.
16. No AFVs to use the track along the riverside near the Van Park.
17. No moving AFVs after dark.
18. AFV owners are to adhere to directions given by staff and committee.

In addition there should be rules for owners and drivers of LP Carriers. These should include:
19. All vehicles are to be driven at walking pace with a guide on foot approx 5 metres in front of the vehicle when driven in pedestrian areas and close environs. This should be mandatory within the van park and airfield areas.
20. No vehicle driven without crew commander.
21. Controlled access to riverside track area during daylight hours only.
22. Guides must wear high visibility clothing when in high pedestrian and close environs.
23. All vehicles are to be registered, on Club Plates or valid permit.
24. All vehicles to have third party cover.

As stated earlier, it may look a lot, but most is common sense and a requirement of most clubs anyway. It just looks a lot when put down all at once.

[alexmacca30]

Further to Ians posts with the AFV guidelines, with any road movement on public roads, due to the nature of the AFVs it is mandatory that an approved Traffic Management Plan be put in place. I have designed a Traffic Management Plan which I have submitted to the Corowa Council Engineers for approval. At this stage the council are happy with what I have submitted. The Council have submitted the TMP to the NSW RTA. This is required because we cross a state government road. All being well, the RTA will approve the TMP and then I should hear back from the council with regards to the final approval. Once the TMP is approved and finalised I will post it on this forum.

Further, thanks to Ian we have the VRA on board. This was one of the major concerns with regards to the TMP as ALL traffic control Personell must be properly trained and qualified for the road closures. This is not something we can just ask volunteers to do.

By having a TMP in place and also having VRA man the TMP, we are very well covered should there be an incident. The idea is to minimise any risks involved with running these vehicles.

The participants taking the AFVs are spending a lot of money to get them to Corowa and should be able to use them.

Any other public road use must have a TMP submitted to the council. So unless there is a TMP submitted ther is no public road use.

I also ask all crews to be very mindful of causing any damage to the road infra-structure. This is especially important when it comes to the kerb and channel at the edge of the roads when turning. We do not want repair bills. This is something that I will be discussing with the council engineers but it looks at this stage as though it may be a user pays system. ie, if you damage the kerb, you pay for the repair. I will post more on this later.

I hope you all had a great new years

Alex McPherson

[Jan Thompson]

Only 10 weeks until the event and I am looking forward to catching up with everyone again. If you would like a copy of the entry form please send me a PM or an email. It is just being modified at the moment. The website will have a copy of this form and other details when it is officially launched.

The following is the Proposed Program. If there are any changes I will post them on here and the website. There is a possibility that we will have a guest speaker on Friday after the Driver's briefing. I will confirm those details at a later date.

29th Annual GPA Swim-In & Ex-Military Vehicle Rally

Proposed Programme of activities

Monday 10th March: No set activities.

Tuesday 11th March:
• 10.00am onwards: View the Bandiana Army Museum and the 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Museum

Wednesday 12th March:
• 10.00am to 12.00pm: Display of Vehicles for the elderly at Karinya Apartments, Guy St Corowa

• 10.00am onwards: View the Bandiana Army Museum and 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Museum

Thursday 13th March:
• 9.00am: Armoured Vehicle rally departing from Corowa Airport

Friday 14th March:
• 8.30am: Leave for Yackandanda. At 10.00am a talk will be given on the history of the area. After having lunch and a look around the town we will plan to arrive at Eldorado at 1.30pm where we will be able to look at the Museum and Historic Dredge.

• 6.00pm: Compulsory Driver’s Briefing at the Information Caravan at Ball Park Caravan Park.

Saturday 15th March:
• 7.30am: Armoured Vehicles to leave Corowa Airport in convoy and line up at the entrance to Ball Park Caravan Park.

• 8.00am: Line up under the bridge for the Parade out to the airport. The tanks will be in the first packet of vehicles followed with a 5 minute gap by the Carriers and the third packet will consist of all other vehicles and will leave 5 minutes after the Carrier packet

• 8.30am: Final Compulsory Drivers Briefing at the start of the parade.

• 9.00am sharp: Parade departs Ball Park for Corowa Airport. You will be shown where to park your vehicles upon your arrival at the Corowa Airport.

• 9.45am: Swap Meet at the Airport run by the Corowa Rotary Club with a sausage sizzle lunch. Cost $5 per stall holder. Buyers/lookers free.

• Afternoon - vehicle activities.

• 7.00pm: Presentations and Auction at the BBQ area near the oval.

Donations for the Auction would be appreciated!

Sunday 16th March:
• Vehicle activities throughout the day and farewell to new and old friends.

• 8.00pm: Wind-down 3 course Carvery Meal at the Corowa RSL Club, 30 Betterment Pde Corowa. $17.00 for Adults $8.50 for children under the age of 12. [Put your name on the list at the Site Office if you would like to attend.]

[Ian Pullen]

To answer a question that has already been posed to me about AFVs and LP Carriers in relation to the Van Park. People need to realise not to get too trapped in the term "tracked vehicles".

I have already spoken to the Van Park owners in relation to AFVs (tanks) in that location and why it is NOT a viable proposition. To recap, this is a SAFETY issue in addition to the damage that will happen if these large vehicles are let loose in this close environment.

Hence, the decision has been made that NO AFVs (tanks) will be allowed in the Van Park. For those who are planning to bring an AFV (tank) but wish to stay in the Van Park, the decision to camp away from your vehicle will be wholly up to owners/entrants.

I am sorry but there will be no concessions with this decision, as said before, this is a safety issue. If anyone has issues with this decision, it is one that you can take up with me and not the committee as a whole. I will happily listen to both sides of a discussion.

If I am prepared to listen to your side, then I expect you to give me the same courtesy and listen to mine.

LP Carriers have done OK in the Van Park in the past, so I do not foresee any changes to that. The Van Park owners are happy with this type of vehicle still in their location.

As with all things though, we need to be sensible with this if we are going to be welcome back.

[alexmacca30]

Even at the van park there have been concessions in the past with the carriers in trying to keep them off the asphalt surfaces to a degree as they usually open the double gates located near the caravan storage area. This way the carriers can obtain access to the tracked area by the river without travelling on made surface roads.

[Jan Thompson]

Details regarding camping at the Corowa Airport.

Tabitha Hughes from Corowa is co-ordinating the facilities at the airport.

•Fees will be $10 per head per day for any of the following
a)Powered site (maximum number of sites are 20)
b)Any bed or mattress (12 people maximum via 4 bedrooms)
c)Any tent site

•There will be no charge for trucks or tanks at the airport (advised by the Mayor)

•The items below are included in the daily fee:
a)showers and toilets
b)use of a swimming pool
c)free tea and coffee, cold water or cordial
d)Large open room with fans & open fire

•There is a café on site and participants can request the following
a)breakfast – eg. bacon and eggs on toast $7.00 or bacon and egg toasted sandwich $3.50
b)Lunch available at cost
c)Dinner – meals must be preordered before 2pm. Approx $13.00 per head for cooked meal. $15 Meat pack for 2 people includes salad.

•Tabitha has the key to double gates to the farmers block adjacent to the photo shoot area. Hopefully this area will be available for driving of vehicles.

•Tabitha has the key to the loading dock area. The loading dock needs some repairs and hopefully the mayor can organize for this to be done prior to 10th March.

•Strictly, no animals at the Airport at any time.

If you are planning to camp at the airport please let me know so I can inform Tabitha Hughes. She will be collecting the site fees.

[alexmacca30]

Well that rules me out....Not sure how to help run the escorts etc if I am not allowed at the airport...

Can I get an exemption?

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by alexmacca30
Well that rules me out....Not sure how to help run the escorts etc if I am not allowed at the airport...

Can I get an exemption?

Methinks you're buggered mate... you heard the lady: "no animals at the Airport at any time"... if you promise not to run out in front of traffic though, we'll allow you to run loose just outside the gate. Your food and water bowls will be there, under the tree, and you can run the escorts from there onwards (as long as you don't pee on the ladies).

[Jan Thompson]

The following information will also go on the Corowa website. We started a Voting Form in 2007 to give participants an opportunity to give their opinion on awards, themes and other suggestions. This will be included in your participant package you will receive when entering your vehicle. The organisers want to encourage input from everyone so please remember to complete the form during the week and place it in the Suggestion Box. If there are other suggestions for awards please let me know.


VOTING FORM
Please put this form in the Suggestion Box by 12 midday on Saturday 15th March. At 1200hrs this box will be cleared and any forms received after this will not be included. We need time to count and organize the results for the presentations on Saturday night.

Awards: Please give the person’s name and the reason for them to be considered for an Award.
1. Mal Mackay Memorial Award: This award will be given to an individual who appears to get the most enjoyment out of being at Corowa.
Name:
Reason why:

2. Hard Luck award:
Name:
Reason why:

3. Breakdown Award:
Name:
Reason why:

4. Longest distance driven in a military vehicle:
Name:
Number of Kilometres driven:

5. Encouragement Award:
Name:
Reason why:


6. People’s Favorite Choice: For your favorite vehicle attending this year.
Vehicle rally number:
Type of Vehicle:


Suggestions for a Theme for 2012


Suggestions for places to visit in 2009

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

I should throw in here that each document which appears here, whether operational or administrative, will be duplicated on the website shortly, together with a downloadable equivalent to fill out and mail back. I will advise accordingly as soon as each is up on the site.

We're starting from scratch here, people, so please bear with me on getting this going...

Jif

[alexmacca30]

[ Your food and water bowls will be there, under the tree, and you can run the escorts from there onwards (as long as you don't pee on the ladies). [/B][/QUOTE]

I thought that wheels were for peeing on?

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by alexmacca30
I thought that wheels were for peeing on?

Wellllll.....ok. As long as they're not Blitz wheels...

[alexmacca30]

You mean to say there's a difference?

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by alexmacca30
You mean to say there's a difference?

They're the ones that are taller than you.

[Ian Pullen]

You pee on my road wheels I'll have you neutered, (and slowly).

[alexmacca30]

OK I will try and behave and use a tree down wind

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Note to self: fill Alex's water bowl with warm VB...

[Scrivo18]

Hi Everyone

Now that everything is back on track, so to speak, once the temperature decreases some what we plan to get the Stuart out of the shed and do some maintenance and cleaning.
The transport is nearly organised as well.
I then just have to get the Bren carrier back from a mate who is using it as a template for his own restoration.
There is even a slight chance that the Halftrack may make the journey as well.
Hopefully there are some more rumblings of tracks in sheds around the country now that everything is going forward.

Tim

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by Scrivo18
Hopefully there are some more rumblings of tracks in sheds around the country now that everything is going forward.

Excellent, Tim! I have a really good feeling about this year, y'know... now that the dust is settling, it's time to churn it up again, this time with tracks! It will be great to see your Stuart making a nuisance of itself...

I urge everybody with any interest at all in this stuff to get out to Corowa this year... it's going to be a grand production, the likes of which have never been seen there, and a great lead into the 30th anniversary show in '09!

[Ian Pullen]

Tim, great to hear, especially if the 1/2 track can make it too.

I would like to echo Geoffs sentiment here in that anyone thinking about attending, should. It's going to be interesting to say the least.

Currently, we have a quite a diverse list of entrants as far as armour is concerned.

However, the airfield offers limited space for camping and housing for too many people. Especially if you are planning on tarping up next to 30+ tons of steel.

This is for a few reasons:
1. the basic layout of the area in that we will have the swap meet there in addition to the photo shoot,
2. there is only a set number of beds & powered sites, and
3. we want to keep as big an area as possible to run these vehicles around.

Therefore, if there is anyone else planning on bringing armour, let us know as soon as possible.

[Jan Thompson]

I currently have close to 70 vehicles entered for the 2008 event and am looking forward to receiving more entries over the next few weeks. For those who enter prior to the 28th February you will receive a free momento.

I have included some more information on the event below:

SWIM-IN PARTICIPANTS
A Swim-In Information Caravan (Site Office) will be set up at Ball Park Caravan Park to assist you with information regarding activities over the week. Please note the following:

(1) Please stop at the Swim-In Information Caravan upon arrival to ensure you get a vehicle attendance number. You will receive a certificate during the week to acknowledge your participation in this event. You will need to fill out the Participant Register and sign the Visitors Book as a record of your attendance.

(2) Place the Participant Number on your windscreen if possible. If you have no windscreen it can be put on your front bumper bar. We have tape or spray adhesive for you to use.

(3) If you are staying Sunday night, place your names on the list for the 3 course Carvery at 8pm so we can give firmer numbers to the Corowa RSL Club. We usually organise a courtesy bus to collect us and we will advise you of the time.

(4) Come and make yourself a free coffee or tea at the Information Caravan.

(5) Write up For Sale and Wanted Advertisements and look at the noticeboards to see articles on past events.

(6) If you have any newsletter articles on past Swim-In events please speak to Jan. She would also appreciate photos that she could use for her 30 Year Publication!

(7) Please give any donations for the Auction to someone at the Information Caravan.

(8) We are not organising a meal on the Saturday night but we would like you to bring over a chair and attend our Presentation and Auction commencing at 7.00pm.

(9) Please help with a donation of $10 per vehicle to assist towards the continued running costs of this event.

(10) We have a bright orange Suggestions Box. As you register your vehicle for the event a form will be given to you to complete to indicate ideas for future activities at Corowa, people who deserve awards or recognition, ideas for a theme in 2012 and for you to provide us with your memories of attending the Swim-In at Corowa.

(11) A whiteboard in front of the Information Caravan will advise of 'Today's and Tomorrow's Activities'. Please check this daily in case of time changes.

-----------

KVE Inc. does not intend to try to set any rules or regulations relevant to this gathering, but would like to bring your attention to the following points. This is relevant to our Insurance Coverage:

1. Vehicles attending must:
(a) be on full road registration,or
(b) be on conditional or club registration, or
(c) have a valid NSW Permit to move for the term of the event, and
(d) have a minimum of third party property insurance cover.

2. If an Amphibious Vehicle enters the river it then comes under the jurisdiction of the NSW Maritime Authority.

3. Weapons or replicas come under the jurisdiction of the NSW Police and may only be displayed if the vehicle owner has a relevant Firearms Licence or Commissioners Permit to do so.

The onus is totally on you the individual to comply with NSW laws and regulations.

The Committee of KVE Inc hope you enjoy your time at Corowa.

[phoenix]

Well it seems everything it back on track (what a terrible pun )

Not sure if i'm coming with a Tank just yet, but I will be coming regardless which will be good as it's going to be a big year. A couple of questions though.

Having only been to the Airport once, can somebody give me a bookmark on google earth or such to show me where camping is at the airport??

Also, hoe far away is it from public access as the owner of the vehicle that i'm going to help crew may leave the vehicle at the airport and camp at the caravan park. However if it's a very public area this will have to be rethought. Not sure the owners thoughts on that yet (he isn't really online). I'll have to call and find out if it's even going to be in the country in time.

I'll put a link to the Corowa page on REMLR, any chance of a reciprocal link??

Actually, I thought of the other question!! any more information on thursdays events? THe parade is saturday, so what is this? and is the VMR near the bandiana museum?? Just working out some timeframes as we drive up to corowa from the boat wednesday normally, but I do need to spend some time at bandiana copying (photographing) some documents and getting some more photos of the vehicles for REMLR.



Thursday 13th March:
• 9.00am: Armoured Vehicle rally departing from Corowa Airport

[Jan Thompson]

Hi all,
I was invited to attend the Australian Armoured Vehicle Association (AAVA) meeting today, Saturday 12th January. They are now organising transport for a number of their vehicles and the majority will be there at Corowa from Monday 10th March. They will be staying at the airport and look forward to using their vehicles during the week.
I look forward to receiving their entry forms along with many others that will be sent in the next 2 months.

[Sydneymver]

OOAAHH' break out the turret oil and hip flask !!!

[Scrivo18]

Hi Guys

I went to the local car club meeting during the week, have organised the transport, spare driver and 2/3rds of the way with the red plate rego for the Stuart and Bren.
It has been raining for a couple of days so the temperature in the shed should be much more enjoyable.
Although tomorrow I hope to fit the locking handles onto the arms of the 2 Pdr which will be another job completed for Corowa 2009!! Starting early.

Tim