Time to Roam Magazine Issue 11 - October/November 2014 | Page 14

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The Gill’s twin Propert folding caravans, Tammy and Ruby

BUDGET OPTIONS
ESSENTIAL
Free camping has become
so big these days that
rubbish bins overflow
and toilets are overused
and can be unhygienic.

Wollongong’s
Vintage Treasures
We are writing to you on behalf
of The Australian Motorlife
Museum at Wollongong
NSW, to thank you for the
complimentary copies of the
magazine Time to Roam
This gesture is very much
appreciated by us all, and of
course you might realise that
some of us head for the articles
on heritage caravans.
Motorlife had a most enjoyable
visit last year from The Gills, whom
you featured (Issue 5) in connection
with their Propert caravans. We
loved talking to them, and gained
much information on Properts
generally, and on the Propert
on display in the Museum. This
Propert has been around Australia
twice, once behind a Morris 1100!
It also frequently was rallied behind
a 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom.
Also on show is a circa 1956
“Gem” caravan, which I believe
was built in Rockdale, NSW. This
second van was purchased
to provide accommodation in
Melbourne, having been driven
from Sydney for the 1956 Olympic

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Games. This Gem has been kept
in original condition, complete
with red venetian blinds, and the
like. Following this adventure the
same owners travelled to spots
on the scenic south coast of
NSW for regular holidays, often
at Shoalhaven Heads. When the
family no longer had this use for
this plywood van, they donated
it to Motorlife, where it is on
display alongside our Propert.
To make up an interesting trio,
we also own a 1911 Kampa Trailer,
which was an American design,
sold by mail order, as was often the
case then. This camper trailer was
imported into Tasmania from the
US by the original owner, sold from
his estate to another Tasmanian
gentleman, who restored it with new
canvas, and some new wooden
supports, and who then towed it
behind his 1911 Model T Ford, and
his 1912 Talbot car, when attending
various veteran rallies. Together
they were quite a sight on the road,
and gave pleasure to many.
Visitors show lots of interest in
our collection of caravans, and
as you would be aware there are

many who pursue ownership of
a period caravan, often seeking
to tow it behind a car of a similar
perio