The past month has seen some major changes introduced at RVMAA - notably the endorsement by members at the recent AGM to the conversion of the Association from an incorporated body to a public company limited by guarantee.

This marks the beginning of the "new" RVMAA as a truly national entity with the power and relevance to represent Australia's RV manufacturing industry at all levels.

While the formalities to effect this landmark change were made at the AGM, support for the change was overwhelming from all members through the provision of numerous affirmative proxy votes from those who could not attend the AGM and the provision of completed applications from members to join the new company.

From my perspective it is extremely pleasing that members have readily and wholeheartedly embraced this governance change, which I am confident will position us to better fulfill our objects and deliver more value-added member services/products.

To all members I thank you sincerely for supporting the changes and I look forward to continuing to work with you and on your behalf in the interests of advancing the Australian RV manufacturing industry.

I'd also like to thank those members who devoted considerable time and energy with the review of our product compliance program. Some 25% of our members across Australia participated in either a development or validation review team and contributed invaluable industry knowledge and expertise that has assisted greatly in the development of a proposed framework for a more contemporary, robust and relevant compliance program.

Appropriate regulatory authorities and senior officers have been consulted as part of the review process, and I have informed key federal ministers, shadow ministers, parliamentary secretaries and their advisors of our plans during my visits to Canberra over the past couple of months.

The proposed framework will be reviewed by the board very soon and when endorsed an implementation plan will be activated. The framework will initially apply to locally manufactured RVs by members and prospective members and then potentially extended to imported vehicles and non-members once embedded and proven.

At this time program approval will hopefully occur in September with documentation and tools developed by mid October, the launch will take place in late October and the program rolled out in November.

The course is being set for a new direction for your Association and along with the board and staff, I look forward to enjoying the journey with you.

Chief Executive Officer 

The Association's new Board was announced at the Annual General Meeting, held at Tullamarine on 23 August. Working with David Duncan to steer the "new" RVMAA to success will be four regional directors and two independent directors, all of whom were elected/appointed unopposed. Regional directors are:

On 30 August, Energy Safe Victoria convened the inaugural meeting of a working group to discuss gas safety related issues with caravans. The meeting was chaired by Enzo Alfonsetti from Energy Safe Victoria who is also the chairman of the committee for the gas installation standard AS/NZS5601. 

The working group consisted of representatives from the Plumbing Industry Commission (PIC), the Recreational Vehicle Manufacturer's Association (RVMAA), Vicroads and the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA).

The purpose of the working group is to review some of the gas safety related issues that are encountered in the caravan industry. Furthermore, an opportunity exists to exchange ideas and consider any proposals that may later be implemented within the industry and that would lead to an increased level of safety. We will keep members informed of the working group's progress. 

Refer to ADR43/04 and Section 21.3 of VSB-1.

Occupation Health & Safety can be confusing for some as the more you delve into "best practice" for safety, the more complex and in depth the subject can become. This can often lead companies to believing that to put a safety system in place is all too hard or places an unrealistic commercial burden on the company and its people. In reality it doesn't have to be overly complicated and - by adopting some simple safety practices - businesses can improve their compliance immensely.

The expectation of authorities and the application of the relevant laws are scalable dependant on the size of the company and resources - people and funds - available to them. If an accident occurs, especially a serious one, then it may be deemed by virtue of the accident that the company has not provided a safe workplace. In the company's defence, it must be able to demonstrate that it is proactive and trying to do its best to provide a safe workplace (and not just verbally).

A common area of exposure to companies / directors is ignorance of the applicable laws and a self-belief that the many good practical safe practices in place means they are "ok" when in fact they are still very exposed under the laws.

Welcome to Caravan & Camping e-book

The past few weeks has seen increased activity for CRVA in preparation for the second phase of the Experience Caravanning and Camping campaign highlighted by television advertising, national television co-operative, and the launch of a 'Welcome to Caravanning and Camping' eBook. This activity has been strategically placed to talk to non-users of Industry product in an attempt to grow the market at a critical planning time as the weather starts to turn for the better.

The industry as a whole continues to work together for the benefit of the industry with a host of consumer and show conferences, significant meetings to address the issue of non-compliance, and exciting new initiatives, a bevy of industry research projects, and the sharing of marketing collateral to deliver more consumer marketing of great industry product.                             

Read more.