The June long-weekend was the date for the Annual Gathering of the Clans for 2025, and this time all the clubs descended to the Kalgan Caravan Park, just outside of Albany. In all there were about 120 participants that came in caravans, tents, RTT’s and swags scattered around the picturesque site by the mouth of the Kalgan River.
The weekend was an opportunity for old acquaintances to catch up again and particularly for the Albany 4WD Club, who hosted the gathering to make new friends as well as show off the Great Southern Region to everyone. Participants started arriving on the Friday and Saturday and had the opportunity to look around Albany and the environs. On arrival the association led by Liz coordinating all the activities, had been hard at work setting everything up, including a large tent beside one of the park kitchens and an area for fires for members to stand around and chat. This certainly created a location for all to gather and to chat at different times of the day.
Also ahead of the gathering the Albany 4WD Club had produced 5 treks for the members for the Sunday, but the highly anticipated West Cape Howe trek had to be cancelled as the Parks & Wildlife had run some prescribed burns which left us with 4 treks. No matter, the members at the Gathering signed up on the Saturday and by the time of the afternoon meeting they were all full.
Liz and Merv welcomed all the members at the Gathering and running through the activities and treks that were going to take place on Sunday. We were all treated to a selection of food from two suppliers which were gobbled up and washed down with beers, wine and other drinks. We were all then treated to a loud and raucous concert by The Shantymen. It was a good night and it certainly got the Gathering off on the right foot, with plenty being discussed around the fires, preparing for the trips the next morning.
With all the cars lined up the next morning, the trips and Trip Leaders set off – BRAD – Cosy Corner and the Windmills, RENE – Gull Rock and two trips to VIV & MERV Group 1 & ANDREW Group 2 Cheynes Beach and beyond, then setoff. From all accounts, there were no major challenges apart from a small route change for Brad’s trek, and Andrew having to tow a Mitsubishi that had lost its immobiliser chip from the key, which provided some enjoyable challenges enroute to Cheynes settlement. The RAC picked the car up and took it back to Kalgan caravan park. Andrew then took the rest of the team, after an easy lunch on the beach, where I must add that the Indonesian 4WD club put on a great spread for all to share. Andrew’s team then went on to see some stunning scenery, whales breaching and Subaru’s showing that they were more than capable of tackling the beach and more difficult tracks, contrary to others past views on the capabilities of an ‘all-wheel-drive’.
Back at the caravan park everyone got stuck into some bevy’s and discussions of the day’s treks, which by the sounds of the other ones were all very enjoyable. Liz ran a wrap-up meeting of all the members as well as handing out the various prizes for the Golf and the ‘Clangers’ on the trips. It was evident that everyone enjoyed themselves on the treks as well as the whole weekend of the gathering. The Albany 4WD Club had some people asking about doing the WCH trip at a later date, something that we are definitely open to, so the clubs need to get in touch and we can sort it out.
In recollection of the weekend all in the Albany 4WD Club were very positive about how it was run and how the members enjoyed the connection with the other clubs. We as a club would certainly like to join up with other clubs and do joint trips when possible and we look forward to the next Gathering in two-year’s time.
We must say thanks to Liz and her team of the Association because without them this would never have happened. Thanks also to all the clubs for just joining in and having a good time.
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Posted: 24 June 2025 by wp_admin
Annual Gathering of the Clans – 2025
The June long-weekend was the date for the Annual Gathering of the Clans for 2025, and this time all the clubs descended to the Kalgan Caravan Park, just outside of Albany. In all there were about 120 participants that came in caravans, tents, RTT’s and swags scattered around the picturesque site by the mouth of the Kalgan River.
The weekend was an opportunity for old acquaintances to catch up again and particularly for the Albany 4WD Club, who hosted the gathering to make new friends as well as show off the Great Southern Region to everyone. Participants started arriving on the Friday and Saturday and had the opportunity to look around Albany and the environs. On arrival the association led by Liz coordinating all the activities, had been hard at work setting everything up, including a large tent beside one of the park kitchens and an area for fires for members to stand around and chat. This certainly created a location for all to gather and to chat at different times of the day.
Also ahead of the gathering the Albany 4WD Club had produced 5 treks for the members for the Sunday, but the highly anticipated West Cape Howe trek had to be cancelled as the Parks & Wildlife had run some prescribed burns which left us with 4 treks. No matter, the members at the Gathering signed up on the Saturday and by the time of the afternoon meeting they were all full.
Liz and Merv welcomed all the members at the Gathering and running through the activities and treks that were going to take place on Sunday. We were all treated to a selection of food from two suppliers which were gobbled up and washed down with beers, wine and other drinks. We were all then treated to a loud and raucous concert by The Shantymen. It was a good night and it certainly got the Gathering off on the right foot, with plenty being discussed around the fires, preparing for the trips the next morning.
With all the cars lined up the next morning, the trips and Trip Leaders set off – BRAD – Cosy Corner and the Windmills, RENE – Gull Rock and two trips to VIV & MERV Group 1 & ANDREW Group 2 Cheynes Beach and beyond, then setoff. From all accounts, there were no major challenges apart from a small route change for Brad’s trek, and Andrew having to tow a Mitsubishi that had lost its immobiliser chip from the key, which provided some enjoyable challenges enroute to Cheynes settlement. The RAC picked the car up and took it back to Kalgan caravan park. Andrew then took the rest of the team, after an easy lunch on the beach, where I must add that the Indonesian 4WD club put on a great spread for all to share. Andrew’s team then went on to see some stunning scenery, whales breaching and Subaru’s showing that they were more than capable of tackling the beach and more difficult tracks, contrary to others past views on the capabilities of an ‘all-wheel-drive’.
Back at the caravan park everyone got stuck into some bevy’s and discussions of the day’s treks, which by the sounds of the other ones were all very enjoyable. Liz ran a wrap-up meeting of all the members as well as handing out the various prizes for the Golf and the ‘Clangers’ on the trips. It was evident that everyone enjoyed themselves on the treks as well as the whole weekend of the gathering. The Albany 4WD Club had some people asking about doing the WCH trip at a later date, something that we are definitely open to, so the clubs need to get in touch and we can sort it out.
In recollection of the weekend all in the Albany 4WD Club were very positive about how it was run and how the members enjoyed the connection with the other clubs. We as a club would certainly like to join up with other clubs and do joint trips when possible and we look forward to the next Gathering in two-year’s time.
We must say thanks to Liz and her team of the Association because without them this would never have happened. Thanks also to all the clubs for just joining in and having a good time.
Category: Events, wa4wda Tags: Association, Gathering
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