Dalrymple
Drifters Member Profiles
Dalrymple
Drifters Member Profiles
T41768 Barry & Gigi Whitemore with Jack
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.
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.
Doug and Veronica first got into campervanning in 1992 when they bought a 1972 Coaster. In this they went to The Red Centre, via Broken Hill, Tibooburra, Innamincka, Birdsville and Dalhousie Springs. A very exciting trip due to a bit of rain, which necessitated “Bus” being pushed or pulled out of the mud several times by a 4WD.
The next year Doug retired from his job as a motor re-winder, Veronica took long service leave, and they spent five months going ‘right round”. A magnificent trip, including two rallies in NSW, with Bus never missing a beat.The Island Wanderers were formed around this time and Doug and Veronica became founding members. Many happy times were had at rallies around the state, with Doug helping with the pre-planning of venues, in association with Geoff Walker.
Eventually other forms of travel took over, and Bus was reluctantly sold in 1997. Veronica retired from her job in Microbiology at the LGH in 2002 and in late 2004 they bought Dizzie, an aqua 1976 Nissan E20 pop-top (the recent trips to NZ, USA and UK had not got rid of the itchy feet). In 2005 they took Dizzie to South Australia where he did a sterling job of taking four adults, lots of luggage, and a week’s supply of food and grog over the Adelaide Hills to Murray Bridge for a houseboat trip on the Murray. In June Doug broke his hip but that didn’t deter them as in August they went up to Dubbo, Lightning Ridge, Goondiwindi, Tamworth and The Hunter, a Sydney Wanderers rally at Wollombi, and returned home on the Sydney Spirit.
In April 2006 they met up with Peter and Marie in the Flinders Ranges, and continued up the Oodnadatta Track, where Doug became ill and ended up in Coober Pedy hospital with bilateral pneumonia. After a week of magnificent care there, he was flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital by the Flying Doctor. Veronica and Dizzie got there two days later. So - back home after one month instead of the planned three. 2007 saw them having a great 11000 km trip to the Barcaldine rally, Western Queensland, the Gulf of Carpentaria and The Daintree. Doug’s adult kids, and grandkids, are in Adelaide, Sydney and the US, and Veronica’s son and daughter live in Launceston. Doug loves to cook, read, and do crosswords. Veronica plays euphonium in two bands, bushwalks with the School for Seniors, and enjoys needlework and knitting. They are both Life Members of the Launceston Jazz Club. They are foundation members of the Dalrymple Drifters, and have thoroughly enjoyed the rallies they have attended. Doug and Veronica travel with their “canine” friends, Deefah and Beefer, who don’t eat much, don’t bark a lot, and can go to National Parks.
Greg & Margaret Rainbird joined the Dalrymple Drifters in August 2007 after being a member of the Island Wanderers for some years. Greg & Margaret have completed a couple of mainland trips, the latest in 2007 with two other Tasmanian rigs all attending the Barcaldine 2007 Rally and then moving off through Queensland, Northern Territory and finally heading south at Tenant Creek into South Australia and then heading home to Tassie.
Greg & Margaret also visit Casino for the Anniversary Rally – during that rally they upgraded their Bedford Motor home (a converted “book mobile”) which had considerable power under the bonnet so to speak. Their current rig is a Winnebago Leisure Seeker named Osprey after a large sea bird. The rig is very comfortable and they both enjoy their trips to various rallies throughout Tasmania and the mainland.
They reside at St Helens on the sunny East Coast of Tasmania where Greg has virtually retired as a commercial fisherman, a profession he has followed for many years. Greg and Margaret’s 60 ft aluminium fishing boat is now skippered by their son Troy, eagerly overseen by them both. The vessel fishes for the prized Tasmanian Crayfish during the Cray season. The catch is exported in most case to South East Asia (China). They have both attended a number of Tassie CCR over the years. Margaret participated in the 2007 Dalrymple Drifters Ladies disc bowls team at Barcaldine.
T41768 Barry & Gigi Whitemore with Jack
Barry originally came to these shores as a “Ten Pound Tourist” in 1955 at the ripe old age of ten with his parents and three brothers. After a couple of years hanging around the “midlands”, finally settled in George Town where he served as an apprentice electrician at Comalco Bell Bay. On completion of his apprenticeship in 1967 he joined the Royal Australian Air Force as a “Sparky”.
In 1974, after retiring from the R.A.A.F. Barry went to the Middle East as the Electrical Engineer for the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services. After completing his Commercial Pilot Licences in 1979 on both Rotary and Fixed Wing aircraft in Florida U.S.A., he joined Aerogulf Services Co. in Dubai and eventually retired as Chief Pilot and Training Capt. in 2004
While in Dubai he met and married Gigi, who was born and raised in Manila, Philippines and was working at the Dubai International Hotel, which, at the time, was the Pilot’s and Air Traffic Controller’s watering hole, as it was opposite the Dubai International Airport. According to Barry she was his favourite barmaid (and still is!).After marrying in 1988, Gigi quit her job as Barry would come to pick her up from work but would arrive 4 to 5 hours early, with the result that his bar bill was more than she would earn! And she would have to drive him home!! Gigi later joined a computer company as a receptionist and drove herself home.
They returned to GeorgeTown every year on annual leave to visit family and friends but didn’t get to travel around much so they decided to retire in Jan. 2004, along with their dog “Jack”, buy a “Caravan” and travel around the country. That didn’t last long and in 2005 they saw the “light” got rid of the “caravan”, bought a little Winnebago Freeway and joined the C.M.C.A. After their maiden trip up to Port Douglas and back they then joined the “Dalrymple Drifters” and the rest is history. They both enjoy their weekend rallies and “Happy Hours” with all the new friends they have made. Gigi enjoys pottering around in the garden and looking after her two dogs, Jack and Barry! And Barry still enjoys flying and arriving 4 to 5 hours early at the pub!
Sam and Barbara joined the Dalrymple Drifters at the inaugural rally in Jan 06. Sam (his nickname) was born in Tasmania fair while ago and spent about 32 years in the Army in total. Most of the time spent in the Eastern states with a couple of side trips to Malaya and South Vietnam thrown in. Barbara is Victorian born, they met in1962 married in 1965 and when Sam took his discharge in Jul 1992 they hit the road in their Toyota Hi-ace and spent the next 14yrs on the road. The Hi-ace was literally home for about 10 of the 14yrs. Due to circumstances beyond their control it was 1999 before they completed the lap around the block even though they clocked up more than 59000km in the mean time. There was quite a bit of ground covered more than once and about half was using a troop carrier and camper trailer. In Sep 07 they became the proud owners of a Winnebago Adventurer on Fiat chassis. Barbara is very pleased with the onboard facilities, while Sam says the distance covered during his nocturnal treks is reduced remarkably. They own a house on Bribie Island Qld and one in Mowbray Tas (since 2001) and at the time of writing their time is divide between the two, with visits to their children thrown in where they can. They have two children and five grandchildren all living in Northern Victoria. Neutral territory.
Barbara came from a rural background centered on sheep and wool production and her hobbies include lapidary and silver work. Sam was a bricklayer before his military service and since retiring from it has been gainfully employed by said children on several construction tasks for “somewhat less than award rates” but is happy to be able to help.
The Victorian membership number arises from the fact that for 15yrs their postal address was care of their son in Nanneella Vic, even though Sam was conscripted by the now Dalrymple Drifters President and another CMCA member at the Launceston RSL on Anzac Day 2004 shortly after the Rally at Quercus Park.
There are good times ahead, with Barry, Don, and co at Happy Day, er, Hour.
Brian
& Jean joined the Dalrymple Drifters in December 2007.
Brian originally came from the Emerald Isle and joined the Royal Navy in 1967.
He served for 6 ½ years. During that time he travelled all over the world but
never visited Australia. Later Brian met and married
Jean. They lived in various parts of England before migrating to Melbourne with
their 15 month old son. Brian worked for Westinghouse before being retrenched. I
decided that I would work on the oil rigs as I
wanted enough money to buy a house. I arrived in the city in response to an
advert in the paper and found two queues outside the interview offices. I joined
the short one and found, that as I entered the
interview room, that I was in the one for employment for Comalco. This explained
the short queue. The interview was short and I was offered a full time job in
Tasmania. When I went out, the queue was even
longer for the oil rigs and so I decided not to bother. I was employed as an
electrician by Comalco and spent over 20 years on shift before going into an
office job and staying there until May 2007 when I
retired after 30 years. We are blessed with two sons, one on the West Tamar and
one in Queensland.
My hobbies are my computer and travelling. I spend a few hours most days at the
local community radio Tamar FM. We bought our motor home to see this great land
but Jean & I have agreed that we need to
see the south island first. Jean also hails from the Emerald Isle and loves to
travel anywhere in the world. Jean retired in May 2007after 20 years at Ainslie
nursing home. Jeans hobbies include gardening, dancing and the odd bottle of
Merlot. Disc bowls have now been added to the list. We both agree that being
retired is great and gives us the freedom to go away, when we want for as long
as we want. We are looking forward to being grandparents in April. We have
enjoyed the rallies and the wonderful people that we have met.
Jim and Sharon joined Dalrymple Drifters in December 2007 They were
previously members of a Four Wheel Drive Club and travelled extensively through
Tasmania, South Australia and Southern Victoria.
Their mode of transport was in a Range Rover with a roof top camper or a small
caravan in tow. After Jim suffered a heart attack a few years ago it became time
to slow down a bit so they purchased a Mazda T3000 motor home and sold the
caravan. They have since refurbished this to their liking and it is an ongoing
project. They attended the Tassie Combined Chapter Rally at George Town in Feb
2008 and their first Chapter Rally at Chain of Lagoons in April 2008 and are
looking forward to many more.
Sharon grew up in Bracknell Tasmania and is a personal carer at a nursing home in Launceston working night shift. She enjoys cooking, reading and all types of craftwork. She is looking forward to joining in the craft groups at future rallies. Jim grew up in South Launceston and was a panel beater for 22 years and is now an insurance assessor at RACT Launceston where he has worked 21 years. Sharon and Jim have two married sons and 4 grandchildren with whom they spend as much time as possible.
Greg and Sue have been members of the Club for 12 months, joining The
Dalrymple Drifters in April 2007 with their Hino motor home. A month after
joining they set off on their maiden trip to the Mainland for 5 months. Most of
this time was spent in Q'ld, travelling as far North to Cooktown and west to
Longreach. The next adventure they hope to go on in next couple years will be
Adelaide/Alice Springs/Darwin way. Greg's home town is Launceston and he has
spent last 30 odd years working for Aurora, at present as a Credit Officer (that
translates into the bad guy who will disconnect your power if you forget to pay
your bill!). Sue is a coastal girl from Burnie, who moved to Launnie in 2004 to
be with Greg. Greg has travelled overseas many times and he took Sue on her
first overseas trip to Canada that year and they set-off again in 2006 to the
USA. Unbeknown to Sue, Greg had a plan up his sleeve and while they were in Las
Vegas for Easter of 2006, he proposed and 23 hours later Sue finds herself
hitched (well if its good enough for the celebrities!) then they continued
travelling the USA for 5 weeks, through 11 states.
They currently live in Mowbray after commencing renovations in 2004 of an
old house, which snowballed until only the four walls of the old bathroom were
left standing and no roof (thank goodness they weren't actually living on the
premises while renovating). 8 long months later it was finally finished in 2005.
Sue is currently semi-retired (from the paid workforce) just doing some casual
work for previous employee, no signs of Greg retiring just yet-he has to go out
and earn the money.
They have recently become grandparents for the first time in Nov 2007 to Meg,
who lives in Burnie. Greg's other passion, besides Sue, is his VW's of which he
has a substantial collection, not only the toy variety, but the real thing as
well. He has been collecting since purchasing his first one in 1968. Greg was
elected onto the Dalrymple Drifters Committee at the 2007 AGM.