Dalrymple
Drifters Member Profiles
Dalrymple
Drifters Member Profiles
In 1999 Don & Sue T16082 decided to purchase their first Motor home after
deciding to retire from their business. After much thought it was decided to
call their Motor home "Phoenix", they then set about making modifications to
make it more comfortable for them and their four legged friend Bobby. They were
bitten by the travel bug very early and their first Rally after joining the
C.M.C.A. was in their hometown of George Town, where Don was a councilor on the
Municipal Council for around 11 years. It wasn't long before Don who has an
impressive public/community and social welfare volunteer background found
himself elected the President of the Island Wanderers Chapter. A position he
held for four years steering the chapter to new heights and was responsible for
extensive equipment purchase and upgrade of the Chapter trailer to make the
Rally's much more comfortable for attendees. There are few rally's that they
have missed and always participated in Chapter events. Don & Sue have traveled
extensively through most states especially for the National and Anniversary
Rally's of the club over the past 6 years and take the opportunity to catch up
with their children and grandchildren in the various States whilst traveling.
When asked their favourite spot in Australia they both agree that besides their
home State of Tasmania it is Tocumwal on the Murray River.
Don was a member of the CMCA National Advisory Committee for approx 4 years
before it was closed some short time ago and was always keen to put forward
matters that assist members enjoy the lifestyle of and freedom of Motor homing.
He was Rally Co-ordinator of the successful 2004 National Anniversary Rally at
Quercus Park where we had around 1000 rigs in attendance - he was supported by
Sue and a wonderful team of Tasmanian volunteers from the local Chapters.
Don & Sue regularly welcome C.M.C.A. members to their home town of George Town
and are only to happy to extend their friendship and supply any information that
traveling Motor homers may require about the district and beyond, while they are
on the road stop and have a cuppa and chew the fat they both will, along with
Bobby, make you welcome. In 2005 Don & Sue resigned from the Island Wanderers
(their original Chapter and one in which they had made many friends) and started
up a new Chapter in Tasmania, the Dalrymple Drifters Chapter No 77 of the CMCA.
The Chapter is predominately based in and around the Tamar Valley (central north
area of Tasmania). The Chapter was opened in Jan 2006 and has around 20 members.
Don is also a Director of the Bass & Flinders Centre in George Town a tourist
"must see". The Centre houses the Norfolk and a number of other maritime items
of interest.
Deb and Norm Jnr followed Norm’s parents into the realm of motor homing some seven years ago. They purchased their first camper at that time and have spent a number of memorable moments in it. (Including being wet through at Fingal). They decided to sell their first camper and look for something a little larger. In 2003 Norm came across a Toyota Coaster (1977 model) which he considered had potential and with his skills he was prepared to “do it up” and achieve their initial dreams of something larger.
The Coaster which was for a considerable period coloured battle ship grey is now painted white and has been given the nick name of the “Urgen Virgin”
Deb is known in the Tasmanian motor home fraternity for having a beautiful “alto” voice and she has entertained many a motor homer at Chapter rallies including singing at the 2004 Quercus Park Anniversary Rally. Deb co-ordinated the “skits night” at the 2004 Anniversary Rally. Deb also enjoys many areas of craft work – not to mention Norm has a good handle on tapestry.
Both are keen members of the Bell Bay Volunteer Brigade and spent considerable time at the East Coast Fires in Tassie in Dec 2006 where they on occasions were in the “thick of it” along with their other brigade colleagues.
Deb suffered a major stroke in March 2004 and has had a couple of minor strokes since that time. Before this she worked as a repository technician at a major hospital; in Launceston and enjoyed motor homing during weekends.
Both joined the Dalrymple Drifters after being members of the Island Wanderers for a number of years. Deb was the Inaugural Chapter Secretary and in Dec 2006 was elected as Chapter Vice President. Norm is well known to Chapter members as a “Parkologist”
They reside in George Town, the oldest town in Australia and are both involved in a number of local community projects.
John recently relocated from NSW to Tasmania after living in NSW for approx 21 years.
John and his wife Christine started motor homing nearly 12 ago and they both enjoyed many magic moments. Nine months of each year found them on the road. Christine passed away in the year 2000 and John has continued the life style, travelling with his companion, a large golden retriever.
John moved to Tassie where his son Ian lives and now enjoys the lifestyle as a true Tasmanian.
John was born in London UK in 1926 and joined the Royal Marines at the age of 17 years. He wanted to join the navy, but they wouldn’t take him and his love for ships saw you enlisted as a marine in 1943. He saw action in Europe and the Pacific. After discharge he joined the Merchant Navy and stayed in that profession for some years.
He moved to Australia from New Zealand in 1981 and hasn’t looked back since. When John lived on the mainland he was a member of the Highway Wanderers and usually still meets up with them on his annual pilgrimage to the north island.
John joined the Dalrymple Drifters as an inaugural member in January 2006 and has been along to most of our rallies, when not on the mainland.
He is always accompanied by “Sandi” his faithful companion. His motor home (a current model Sunliner) is always “spic an span” and a credit to him. His motor homes have always been called “Osokozy”. If you see our “oldest” Chapter member, on the road, say Hello, he is always good for a chin wag.
Des & Jacqueline started their motor home escapades around 2000 when they
had their first camper a “pop top”. In 2003 they upgraded to a Mercedes 140D a
more comfortable and modern pop top.
Initially they simply travelled around as campervanners, but had no involvement
with Chapters although they were members of the CMCA from the start.
When the advertisement appeared for the formation of the Dalrymple Drifters they
decided it was time to “check” a Chapter out. They are inaugural members of the
Dalrymple Drifters with Des being elected a Committee member at the formation
meeting.
At our first AGM, Des was re-elected as a committee person and Jacqueline
was elected at Chapter Secretary.
Des is retired and spent the last 20 years of his work life with Brambles as an
“operations supervisor”. Since retirement he has an interest in “limo” driving
for weddings.
Jacqueline is a keen crafts lady who gets involved in many aspects of craft
including, quilting, crocheting, knitting and other aspects of needle work. She
is also a keen reader.
They have 3 grown up children and have been married 50 years this year (2007).
They travel to the mainland on occasions and enjoy mixing with other motor
homers when ever possible.
Des and Jacqueline live in Launceston Tasmania.
Barry & Claire started their ventures in motor homing initially with a
”slide-on” unit affectionately named “Beauzoe” after their dog, at that time a
Belgium Shepard who travelled with them. Unfortunately the dog passed away and
eventually they purchased a newer motor home, a Mercedes Sunliner and yes,
another dog.
Barry & Claire started their ventures as caravanners, then into a VW Combi and
then back to a caravan.
Barry is lining up for retirement and kicks off on his first major mainland trip
in April 2007. They have attended a couple of National Anniversary Rallies and
“has been a “volunteer” on both occasions.
Their interests are enjoying themselves with an occasional game of golf thrown
in for good measure.
He enjoys fishing and it has been said that he would pull up beside a puddle in
the road to try his luck.
Barry & Claire joined the Dalrymple Drifters as inaugural members in Jan 2006
after initially having a couple of years with the Island Wanderers. Barry was
the Chapter Vice President in the Drifters first year and has remained on as a
committee person.
Barry has been involved with Local Government as a Works Manager for the past 10
years and prior to that was State Co-ord with DMR on asphalt plants. With all
that nearly behind him his can’t wait to get up on go – to the mainland for
about a five month R&R.
Both Danny and Rhonda share the same birthday although Rhonda has the
claim to fame by eight hours.
They started their motor homing carer in 2002 when Danny had a slide on unit.
Danny his father and his son (Nick) travelled to the northern island (Victoria)
to visit family.
This started their interest in the “grey nomading”. The unit was on a small
Isuzu 3 tonner and it provided an ideal opportunity to learn the tricks of the
trade. After this they progressed to a Mazda 3500 motor home in 2004. They have
completed a couple of mainland runs the last being to Western Australia.
Danny & Rhonda live in Perth Tasmania and in his earlier life Danny after
working on farms as a boy joined the Tasmania Police Force in 1971 for a 10 year
period – 26 years later he retired from the force.
Rhonda still enjoys her nursing career and both enjoy a glass of wine (or
casket) at happy hours.
They joined the Dalrymple Drifters in August 2006 after meeting up with Don &
Sue, at the funeral of the then Drifters Treasure, Quade Whitehead.
Both Rhonda and Danny enjoy the company of others; enjoy talking about their
trips and past life experiences.
Danny was elected as a committee member at the 2006 AGM.