Armoured Corps Museum Visit - Corowa Week 13th March 2014

[Dianaa]

Expressions of Interest Wanted!

The AULRO forum had recently planned Christmas BBQ trip to the Australian Armoured Corps Museum at Puckapunyal which unfortunately had to be cancelled because of committements of the museum volunteer organising the event.

Subsequent to that cancellation a small number of us are looking at the possibility organising a (long) day trip from Corowa Swim-In to the Armoured Corps Museum. This could be included in the schedule of events but is not yet an official activity.

Date: Thursday 13th March Corowa Swim-In Week 2014 - visit to Armoured Corps Museum,

Information: Scenic drive on C and A roads from Corowa through Yarrawonga and Sheparton to Seymour (216km/80KPH) and the Australian Armoured Corps Museum Puckapunyal.

Lunch at Puckapunyal/Seymour and then drive via Hume freeway back to Corowa (199km/80KPH).

Departure Ball Park 07:30am sharp arrival at Pukapunyal 10:00 to 10:30am

Depart Seymour/Puckapunyal before 4:00PM arrive Corowa 6:30pm

Depending upon interest will see what arrangements can be made for a lunch venue and any other activities.

Would like to know if anyone is interested so we can commence negotiations with the Museum or cancel the planning.

Diana

[Jan Thompson]

Thanks for the phone call last night Diana. Once you decide on plans let us know and also if you can give us the details of a trip coordinator we will promote this in the next KVE newsletter.

In 1996, the year following Back To the Track, we visited Pucka and even though it was a long day it was a very enjoyable day.

[Bob McNeill]

Would it be more feasible to fill a bus or two as some might be put off by the distance, take a picnic lunch and talk to others instead of watching white line. my 2 bobs worth.

[Dianaa]

Hi Bob

You could be right on the money there, but we've already had at least one Vic member indicate he'd be interested in meeting up at Puka on his way up to Corowa.

For those coming down from Corowa, it will all depend upon numbers, some people with more modern ex-mil vehicles that can maintain todays highway speeds may enjoy being part of a convoy. It may be a case that we hop into a couple of SUVs and scoot down the highway.

Now that you've mentioned it will keep the bus idea as a possibility, the cost of the bus may work out as much as the fuel used in the group.

Diana

[Jan Thompson]

Organising a bus is a good idea however people never seem to commit to attendance much on trips. KVE will not be organising this but we can promote the event and try and encourage people to contact the organiser of this activity.

Please remember to send in your 2014 Entry form if you are attending Corowa. Send me an email kveinc@optusnet.com.au and I will forward one your way or take a look at the website and down load one. www.corowaswim-in.org

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Dianaa

Would like to know if anyone is interested so we can commence negotiations with the Museum or cancel the planning. Diana

Definitely keen to attend on my way up to Corowa (plus one passenger).

[Dianaa]

Originally Posted by Tony Wheeler

Definitely keen to attend on my way up to Corowa (plus one passenger).

Hi Tony

Victorians making a stop on the way up to Corowa currently look like a larger group than those doing the round trip!

Everyone's welcome!

Diana

[Dianaa]

A reply from the Museum:
"Hello Diana

Your planned day of visit is during our normal operating hours and your group is most welcome, 20 + will give you an entry fee of $5.00 ea.

At this stage there are no restrictions on/to visitors to the museum in Pucka, other than the normal security standards for photography and proof of ID for entry to Pucka.

Joe Linford
Curator
APS 5
Australian Army Tank Museum
0357357285

wwww.armytankmuseum.com.au"

[Dianaa]

The Tank Museum visit has been confirmed with with the museum. They are offering us the group admission price of $5 per person.

There are now people arriving direct from Melbourne and regional Victoria. They are planning to arrive at the Pukapunyal Museum around 10:30 am.

The people from Corowa, will likely not arrive before 10:30 am and more likely around 11:00 am.

BBQ facilities are available and we will likely have lunch around 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm. There willl be an optional visit to Ron Fry's place after lunch and both gorups heading off to Corowa around 3:30 pm. The route will be direct along the Hume Freeway north.

I am interested to know about numbers attending and whether people will be taking older vehicles in convoy (in case we need to arrange brake down contingencies). There is also an option of using more modern military vehicles or even modern civilian vehicles carrying groups of passengers and making it more comfortable day for what will be a long trip. (5 to 6 hours of driving)

Remember this is an active military base. Participants will need to carry photo ID and wearing of current Australian military uniforms is to be avoided.

Diana

[Jan Thompson]

All sounds good. I could put a list up on the board and encourage people to put their name down if they are planning to attend along with the vehicle they are driving if you like. The only problem is that people don't seem to commit these days.

[Dianaa]

I'm pretty sure we'll find out the the attendance numbers sometime after 7:30 am on the 13th. Most likely when a late starter catches up with us en-route.

I'm thinking of having a Jeep/Land Rover sized trailer and a truck (Mk3 Inter type) A frame on the trip.

If there's only a few participants, I'll have my civvy D4 in Corowa and there will be at least one other Disco so we could easily take 8 passengers and do the trip in 2 hours at 110kph. Otherwise I'll use the SIII FFR and do the trip at 70-80kph.

A message on the notice board will be good, but had planned to do that any way.