Important Announcement regarding the 2021 Corowa Swim-In

Following a review of COVID-19 Regulations and detail discussions with the Federation Council,  it has become very clear that it would be impossible to run the 2021 Corowa Swim-In in its normal format. To fully comply with the stringent safety requirements of the COVID-19 Health Regulations will be very onerous for our volunteer group.

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We have a responsibility and duty of care to our members, event participants and the local community. At present, we are held in good regard in the Corowa area due to increased business in the tourist off-season over many years. This could be quickly lost if a case of COVID-19 were attributed to someone from our event and all goodwill would be lost. It is only 4 months until March and this current virus situation will not go away quickly. Implications are widespread and it impacts on all facets of the event and it will be difficult to  adhere to COVID-19 precautions. Our advice is that there will be no insurance cover for COVID-19 related claims.

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The KVE Committee have discussed the implications and reluctantly come to a decision to  postpone the 2021 event and transfer the themes Year of the Jeep & Year of the RAAF Vehicle  until 14th to 20th March 2022.  To explain in more detail, there would have to be an overall COVID-19 safe business plan, then EVERY activity/event would need a separate COVID-19 safe business plan.  The street parade would need a COVID-19 safe business plan. Social events would be restricted on numbers. Events with food come under a different set of COVID-19 compliance and would impact BBQ’s and the Friday night dinner. The Swap meet will need to have appropriate spacing and stall holders provide hand sanitiser – numbers in undercover area, possibly restricted with an entry and exit point and Marshalls at each site to keep numbers at the recommended number. Not only must the COVID-19 safety plans be prepared and approved, we will be required to prove that we have monitored compliance. This would be a large impost on everyone and detract from the casual event atmosphere.  Vehicles including amphibians would only be permitted to have the driver and their immediate household in them.  

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Nobody can predict how long this COVID-19 situation will continue, nor do we know what restrictions may still be in place in 4 months’ time.

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The potential for the Year of the Jeep theme is that it could be larger than the one in 2010, so it makes sense to postpone it and, in the meantime, there could be more interest generated in the theme and everyone will be keen to get back to normal and we could have the largest ever gathering at Corowa in 2022. It would not be fair to run the event if there were still border restrictions in place across the country. Some will recall that we only just managed to complete this year’s event as restrictions on gatherings came   into effect the day after it finished.

To the participants that have already sent in their entries and paid, we will give you the option of requesting a refund or passing your entry and fee to the 2022 event.  We intend to continue sending out regular issues of KVE News via email and the website www.corowaswim-in.org  to keep you informed on planning and any new activities. By 2022, the refurbishment of Ball Park Caravan Park will be close to completion and they will be keen to see us return. For those of you who have booked accommodation or camping at the various places around Corowa it is advisable to contact them now to transfer your deposit to 2022.

The dates for the 2022 Swim-In are Monday 14th to Sunday 20th March 2022.

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President – Khaki Vehicle Enthusiasts Inc.

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