Eureka Bandits members at the founding of their new club .

The Australian Caravan Club ( ACC ) formed its 50th branch in Ballarat , Vic , in early May . The ACC Eureka Bandits branch was formed at the Sebastopol Bowling Club , where an inaugural meeting was held and a committee elected . The new branch has a starting base of 19 members and will cover RVers living in the Ballarat region and its surrounds . “ The formation of our 50th branch is most certainly an exciting achievement for our club and its members ,” ACC chairman Craig Humphrey said . “ Our club is constantly growing , with new branches forming to fill in the gaps in areas where we have no branch structure – the formation of the ACC Eureka Bandits fills a gap in the Ballarat region .” Newly elected ACC Eureka Bandits branch president Angela Jones said members present at the meeting were very enthusiastic to see a new branch of the ACC in their area . “ We are all very excited and really looking forward to our first muster together ,” Ms Jones said . For more information on the ACC or the Eureka Bandits , phone the ACC on 1800 734 493 .

The Victorian Caravan Parks Association has welcomed tourism funding announced in the Victorian state budget , which was handed down in May . “ Funding for a number of major projects , including the Geelong Regional City Deal to fund the Geelong Convention Centre , phase two of the Shipwreck Coast masterplan over four years , and other investments in naturebased tourism , including funding for cycling infrastructure across the Grampians region and a multi-sport Murray River Adventure Trail is urgently needed ,” VicParks CEO Elizabeth White said . “ These vital initiatives must proceed so that the visitor economy can continue to grow in regional areas , and more jobs can be created as a result .” Ms White also welcomed funding boosts for training and education across the state . “ Victorian employers are currently experiencing critical staff shortages in skilled hospitality and park management positions ,” she said . The budget also contained initiatives to develop broader investment in regional and rural areas , Ms White said . “ In particular , we support plans to cut payroll tax rate for regional employers and to further promote regional tourism in Victoria , whether this be by local , interstate or international visitors .”

VicParks CEO Elizabeth White ( left ) at Valley View Caravan Park , Whitfield , Vic .

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