Don's campervan affair
WHEN The Daily News ran a story about a Tweed couple launching a campervan club in 1986, Don and Erica Whitworth and the reporter never guessed that 26 years later its membership would peak at 60,000.
"I'm delighted with the progress of the club," Mr Whitworth said.
"It was one of my better ideas."
He has attributed the success to "contagious enthusiasm."
"It has also been a family affair," he said.
The couple's love of campervan and motor home holidays started in the 1970's with a VW Campmobile.
Their branch office was the back of their van.
"It's funny,' he reflects.
"Back then anyone investing in a $2000 campervan was considered eccentric, to say the least.
"Now it's so popular and many people have literally taken their house on the road."
"There's so much to see in Australia.
"The elasticity of having a motor home beats the fixed planning of staying in motels.
Mr Whitworth has been awarded the OAM for his work and for his contribution to the community in general.
"I'm surprised by this honour," he said.
"I've always just done what I enjoy doing."
