I think most of us are more aware and understanding of different types of travellers and their reasons for what they do, however its the non-travelling public who are apt to tar us all with the same brush. Sadly.
Cheer up folks, we still live in a wonderful country where we have the right to travel and camp. If we lived in Syria the only travelling we'd be doing is to run for the border!!

Unfortunately many members of the public will see these complaints and the blacklisted towns as coming from a body that represents, and therefore speaks on behalf of, the majority of Grey Nomads and will judge us accordingly.

In fact CMCA represents and speaks on behalf of only a minority of Grey Nomads (63,000 members) and the majority of Grey Nomads (Caravan and Camper Trailer owners) are even denied an entitlement to have a say in their policies. By Comparison Big4 has 480,000 members and Top Tourist 260,000 members.

These figures were obtained from a letter from Cr Kylie Farinelli (Cassowary Regional Council, Nth Qld) to a member of this forum (http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t50816169/cassowary-coast-regional-council-closure-free-camp-site/?page=1&sort=oldestFirst).  This previous post is well worth a re-read.

-- Edited by jimricho on Monday 22nd of October 2012 10:14:35 AM

I reckon there's a fair point to be made about "demands".

We tow 1994 van, old but suits us. When unhitched, we can use any parking place in any shopping centre in any town, big or small. When hitched up, we park in back streets and walk.

This week we met a large RV towing a trailer with a boat who would find difficulty parking in any place around town. Now, he was whinging, but whose fault was it ? Certainly not mine, nor the local community.

I don't know if he lived in it full time, but that's not the point, as its not a matter for anyone but the owner/driver.

The local community is not responsible for accomodating extra large rigs plus towed toys, and me thinks it smacks of selfishness to demand it.

To some extent, I reckon the travelling community has to be responsible and accountable. We need more dump points, but councils are not responsible for them, either to install nor maintain...... Not that you can rely on travellers either, as we have all seen the results of toilets being dumped in rest areas and stopovers.

We need free camps too, but who has recently taken pleasure in the filthy toilets and the litter/garbage left around?

So, tell me, why a few $$$$ spent in the local pub, or petrol station gives us any right to demand anything, given the filthy remnants we leave behind.

Rosie

I don't "demand" - but am grateful if a town provides larger parking areas for caravans, motorhomes etc., either just for shopping or to rest up for a day or so.

I understand that maintenance of these areas is up to the council, and uses ratepayers money, but the places provided are usually large parks or areas that most times would sit unused - at least by providing a rest area for travellers, there is usually some money spent in the town.

It is our choice to travel the way we do - we don't expect anyone to provide us with caravan park facilities for nothing - we do pay our way - if there are donation boxes we put our money in, we spend money in the towns - and enjoy what is provided for us. If there isn't a free camp available - we will stay in a caravan park - usually a low cost one if available.

RL (John) - I understand that you have listened to the CMCA reports, and I have met some very aggressive CMCA members - rude ones in fact! The CMCA obviously believe they are speaking for all "older travellers" - when it is only their members they represent - and even in that there is a division in thinking, from what I have heard.

No-one "owes" us anything - especially not a place to stay for free!! We need to be thankful for what we have, and just enjoy ourselves out in this amazing playground we call home.

Yes I remember that post and I remember the person who put her Private email up on the forum did not respond to her post , It is a shame we are all on this forum link to that that incident , I felt shame and sent her an personal email pointing out it was just one person not the combind thinking of this forum