CorowaSwim-in.org

21^ST ANNUAL GPA SWIM-IN AT COROWA NSW.

It is hard to believe that the past 12 months have passed so quickly. Maureen Bell and I left Sydney mid morning on Wednesday 15^th March and arrived in Corowa that afternoon after searching through various antique shops and making a few purchases. After unpacking we started socializing with those who had arrived earlier some of the week prior. We decided to eat out at the Royal Hotel as the publican had been very generous to us in 1999. It was great to see the improvements to the hotel over the past 12 months. We enjoyed a delicious meal in the beer garden. The remaining stayers (3 female and 1 male) were treated to complimentary drinks at the end of the evening.

We all deserved a sleep in on Thursday morning and then after checking out the local shops we relaxed in the caravan park while the men went ‘ratting’ at Uptons and picked up a few bargains. During the day more people arrived and that evening we had a large BBQ. With contributions form everyone the meal was delicious. It was great to see Alan Newton from SA who has very recently had a major operation. The Hedges families arrived at 9.00pm with John on his Harley Davidson and Max driving his recently restored Chev Blitz. The restoration was started 18 months ago by Max’s son Robert prior to his untimely death after which Max took on the project and with the help of many friends and family Max was able to complete the vehicle along with the sanding and polishing of the timber back they departed for Corowa. This vehicle is a credit to Max under the circumstances. Also with the Hedges was a new club member Barry Goodrick from the ACT in his short wheel-base Land Rover.

On Friday morning 2 ‘mystery trips’ departed for their tours of the area.  Unfortunately the one leaving for Howlong left prior to the designated time which annoyed some people. The other trip to Bright left once the leader Terry Oakley arrived. At 9.00am we went up to the council offices and discussed the plans for the Swap Meet and sausage sizzle on Saturday, dropped into the Police station and the Corowa Free Press offices. Maureen and I spent a few hours looking at the shops at Rutherglen and then did some wine tasting before deciding to eat at All Saints Winery. Later that afternoon the ‘mystery trip’ participants arrived back after they had an interesting drive through the countryside. We ended up at the Star Hotel for a delicious meal on the balcony. Gary Martin from Yass arrived for his first weekend at the Corowa swim-In. We then waited for John Oldenmenger to arrive with Maureen’s Fire Brigade Jeep loaded on his truck. After a puncture he arrived at midnight. Maureen is very appreciative of John’s efforts.

On Saturday morning the number of vehicles had doubled overnight and the all lined up for the usual procession to Rutherglen. The weather was overcast but the rain held off. The Police were very supportive again and stopped the lights on the bridge and provided an escort for the convoy. 41 vehicles participated in the procession and a further 4 were waiting for us at Corowa. A swap meet was held in Bangerang Park where the local Lion’s Club put on a delicious barbeque lunch for us. This turned out to be a very popular venue by participants and spectators. Next year we have been asked to liaise with the council and a market day will be held in conjunction with our activities – given the APEX train should be operating. Our efforts last year have encouraged the town and they are quite willing to support us. As usual there were many bargains to be found. The GPA’s gave people rides in the river and later in the afternoon John Mackie arrived with Jim Bennie’s DUKW.

At 5.00pm a meeting was organised for participants of ‘Trek 2000’. It gave participants the opportunity to meet the organizers: John Hedges (NSW), Max Hedges (NSW), Allan Wright (SA) and Allan Carpenter (Vic). The proposed itinery and details of camping sites, medical information and general discussion where participants asked questions and offered some very important information. If you are interested in this trip and were unable to make it to Corowa please contact John hedges immediately on 02 62262281.

Following the meeting we had a group barbeque. It was great to talk to people from the eastern states, SA and WA. We were commenting throughout the week how Corowa has become a very popular event on the calendars of all clubs. Over the years I have noticed that people have extended their friendships particularly since 1995. After dinner Jim Bennie took a number of us for a ‘moonlight cruise’ on the river in the DUKW. It is rumored that the police had a phone call stating that a load of ‘boat people’ were invading Corowa via the Murray River. On investigation it was discovered that when the DUKW departed the water and went onto land that it was in fact a group of enthusiasts in desperate need of an ice-cream. Unfortunately at 10.30 the ice cream shops had closed – Geoff Denniss was disappointed.

On Sunday most of us had to make tracks back home. Some people were fortunate to be able to stay on. We said our ‘good-byes’ and headed for Sydney. The weather was miserable most of the time.

Thanks to John Hedges for taking over some of the organizing. If you are interested in attending next year organize your accommodation now at the Ball Park Caravan Park on 02 60334282. The dates will be Tuesday 13^th March to Sunday 18^th March 2001

Vehicle list:

1939 LP4 Armoured Car
2 BSA Motor Cycles
LWB Land Rover
1942 Chev Panel Van
Zundapp Motor Cycle
2 Harley Davidson Motor Cycles
4X4 Blitz Fire Tanker
Inter Truck and Searchlight
1941 Ford ¾-ton Utility
3 SWB Land Rovers
3 Dodge Weapons Carriers
1953 Ford CL 2 ½-ton
4X2 C15 Blitz
Ferret Scout Car
3 GPA’s
Studebaker
21 Jeeps
Chev Utility
DUKW

Jan Thompson