Lennox hosting grey nomads

LOOK out Lennox Head - grey nomads will be taking over the town this weekend.

Summerland Caravan Club members enjoying their time at Lake Ainsworth Holiday Park; (from left) Christine Russell of Dunoon, Beverley Grant of Ballina, Bob Smith (rear) of Ballina, Chris Finch of Wollongbar, Jean Roach of Fernleigh, and Shirley Campbell of East Ballina. DAVID NIELSEN

LOOK out Lennox Head – grey nomads will be taking over the town this weekend.

More than 300 people will converge on the coastal village for three days from tomorrow for the NSW Association of Caravan Clubs’ 2010 state rally.

But locals won’t have to worry about any trouble from these mostly retired folk.

Bob Smith, who is the secretary of the host club, Summerland Caravan Club, said it would be a ‘pretty relaxed’ weekend.

“It’s also going to be a lot of fun,” he said.

“We’re expecting about 150 vans to turn up from 18 different clubs across the state, which equates to more than 300 people.

“This is the first time that a state rally has been held in this area, so it’s a really great opportunity.

“We’ll be putting on a bit of entertainment and showing people around.

“The official opening is going to be held on Saturday night and that will be followed by a big dinner.”

On Sunday there will be a disc bowls competition to determine which is the champion caravan club.

The caravanners will set up at the Lake Ainsworth Holiday Park for the three-day event, although it is expected that many will stay on for a bit longer to enjoy the sights of the Northern Rivers.

Some have already booked to stay until the end of the month.

With hundreds of extra people in town, retailers can expect to see a rise in trade.

Mr Smith said conservative estimates showed that each person would spend about $80 a day.

“That’s at a minimum,” he said.

“So we will be injecting quite a bit of extra cash into the local economy, which is great news.”

The Lennox Head Chamber of Commerce agrees and has thrown its support behind the rally. Many businesses are also offering the grey nomads special discounts and offers.

It’s all part of the plan to help retirees spend their children’s inheritance. Research shows older people are now twice as likely to spend their money on an Australian adventure.

So what’s the big attraction in hitching up the caravan and setting out on the road? “Becoming a grey nomad gives you the chance to wander around and see whatever you want,” Mr Smith said.

TOP ‘MUST SEE’ SPOTS FOR GREY NOMADS TO VISIT

- The Kimberley

- Tasmania

- Cape York Peninsula

- The Great Barrier Reef

- Uluru

Source: Apia survey

Originally published as Lennox hosting grey nomads