View Single Post
  #96  
Old 14-04-08, 05:32
Lang Lang is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 1,650
Default

Just a couple more thoughts on Corowa.

The airport base encouraged the attendance of several warbirds (and our morning Spitfire wake-up call). These aircraft would not come just to fly over a camp 5 kilometres away, they came because they were present at a visible event at the airfield. I understand there are several more owners of interesting aircraft looking at coming next year.

Camping at the airport will not become compulsory due to lack of space in the forseeable future. There is plenty of space at Ball Park (even with the semi-trailers there is lots of space for many more attendees). It only becomes more crowded on the last couple of days anyhow and the extra people are not there for a holiday but to have a full-on military vehicle weekend.

People gather for varying periods of up to 10 days. This is more than adequate to cater for the needs and enjoyment of individual families. With many runs and plenty of swimming or shady tree time the wife and kids can be immersed in military vehicles to the limit of their attention span. The 'next generation" training can reach saturation point during the stay.

I think as many kids as possible should come along on the day runs and everyone should enjoy their company at the various museums, historic sights and scenic spots.

Despite family orientation this is first and foremost a military vehicle enthusiasts event. I do not believe the requirements of family members who are not excited about the prospect of a few hours hanging around the trucks (either in or out of the sun) should even be taken into consideration for the short period of the parade and swap meet.

The parade and swap is the serious military vehicle highlight for the hundreds of people - most without children and many without wives - who have spent thousands of dollars and travelled from all over Australia and even overseas. This is their moment in the sunshine, it is the big kids time. If the little kids want to come along for the ride that is great but they should not create extra work, changes to the program and route or any loss of activity for the big kids.

If participants can't keep their wives and kids interested, happy or comfortable or make alternative arrangements to keep them occupied for a couple of hours in a week's festivities it is not up to others to do so.

Lang
Reply With Quote