{"id":295785,"date":"2021-03-16T18:25:01","date_gmt":"2021-03-16T08:25:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=295785"},"modified":"2021-03-17T17:08:52","modified_gmt":"2021-03-17T07:08:52","slug":"solos-take-over-showgrounds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2021\/03\/16\/solos-take-over-showgrounds\/","title":{"rendered":"Solos Take Over Showgrounds"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Blackbutt Show Society president Charles Gibling says the current SMCA Solos Network visit is the largest number of campervans and caravans to have gathered at the Blackbutt Showgrounds<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

March 16, 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

Blackbutt Showgrounds has become the latest South Burnett tourist hotspot thanks to a week-long visit by 349 motorhomes and caravans.<\/p>\n

The very welcome “invasion” has kept Show Society volunteers and Blackbutt Lions Club members very busy, but is also adding some very useful dollars to local coffers.<\/p>\n

The visitors are members of the Campervan and Motorhome of Australia’s (CMCA) “Solos Network”.<\/p>\n

“Solos” are grey nomads who are travelling alone for various reasons.<\/p>\n

Spokesperson Dorian Marsland-Smith said the visitors were having a ball in Blackbutt.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The group holds an annual Spring Rally and an Autumn Rally somewhere in Australia every year, but this is the first time they have come to Blackbutt.<\/p>\n

“We like to go to towns and regions which have suffered through drought or bushfires or other natural disasters,” Dorian said.<\/p>\n

“We spend between $80,000 to $100,000 in a town in a week.”<\/p>\n

Blackbutt Show Society president Charles Gibling said it had been estimated that every $1 that showgrounds campers spent translated into $3.80 for the region, which will help local businesses.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He said the Blackbutt Showgrounds were a perfect facility for the visitors.<\/p>\n

“We have the space and all the facilities that they wanted, for example, the hall and disabled toilets,” he said.<\/p>\n

And he estimates the grounds can probably hold 390-400 campervans or caravans.<\/p>\n

The CMCA Solos arrived in Blackbutt in stages from mid-last week.<\/p>\n

One hundred volunteers arrived first to mark up parking spots, organise the COVID plan and catering, and set everything else up.<\/p>\n

First-timers arrived three days later, which gave the newcomers a chance to get to know each other and enjoy a special Welcome Dinner on Saturday night.<\/p>\n

The rest of the campers came on Monday, arriving either as individuals or in small “tag-along” groups.<\/p>\n

All the visitors were temperature-tested as they arrived.<\/p>\n

Two vans travelled from Western Australia, six from South Australia and the rest from Victoria, NSW and Queensland.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Solos also travel with their own first aid team, and a first aid tent has been set up at the showgrounds for the visit.<\/p>\n

The Show Society has fenced off a special dog exercise area as many of the campers are accompanied by small dogs.<\/p>\n

The visitors are joining in local activities such as line-dancing, yoga and bingo in the Memorial Hall, as well as taking short trips organised by a local bus company.<\/p>\n

They are also taking part in special events, such as a fancy dress “B for Blackbutt” dinner-dance planned for Friday night, and enjoying live entertainment, cards and games at the showgrounds.<\/p>\n

A wood-chopping exhibition has also been organised.<\/p>\n

Dorian said the CMCA had 70,000 members, including about 900 in the Solos Network which was formed in 1997.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“We have a policy – one person in one vehicle,” Dorian said.<\/p>\n

The Solos provide a safe and friendly environment for the travellers.<\/p>\n

“Their support is unreal. The kindness and support they show each other is unreal,” Dorian said.<\/p>\n

“But it is not a singles club. Some of their partners are staying at home.”<\/p>\n

Their next rally – in Spring – will be at Cohuna in Victoria.<\/p>\n