Sam, I'm going to respond but please don't take this personally, it's just my thoughts and certainly not diected at you.

Firstly I'm not sure that we like the term wanderers makes us sound like some form of nomadic tribe with no culture or heritage. Most of us are proud of being Grey Nomads without some beaureaucrat deciding to change our name with as usual heaps of public consultation....

Look I wish you all the best with your research BUT we have had a gut full of it, everyone knows what we want, in a nutshell;
DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE EXPLETIVE DELETED FUEL PRICES
Organise cheaper caravan parks and roadside rest areas
Organise an Australia wide driving licence and a standard set of road rules for the entire country
Excercise some control over the exhorbitant fees charged by the NP&WS to even park your car and have a cuppa in some places
Make the consumer laws that are supposed to protect us from unscrupulous retailers more enforceable and damned well enforce them.

Now as to why we travel simple because we can, because we like the lifestyle, we like what is left of the vast outdoors and as we have paid taxes all our working lives we want to call in the marker for the service we have given society, it's now our turn to join the "whats in this for us" generation....

Everytime we complete a "survey" that is supposed to detirmine what we GREY NOMADS want the results are somehow turned around for commercial gain and the result is usually increased charges simply because some smooth marketing type sees us as an untapped resource to top up his/her wallet.

Can you pass on my thoughts to the good Dr Jennie?

Sam should pass on that Guru and Ma back Basil 100% as well.  Well said Bas!!

Go get 'em Basil i bet there is no question on the survey asking if we enjoyed having our name changed to wanderers with out any consultation. Johnw

"Wanderers" is probably a more inclusive name.

Not all full time travellers are seniors.

Often they are simply persons for whom the 'norms' of metrocentric existence are somewhat unpalatable and/or unlivable.

Unfortunately, as so many of our indigenous population know well, if one does not fit into the common concept of what is 'acceptable', then the controlling majority will do its utmost to either enforce conformity onto, or even eliminate, the 'offenders'.

The very concept of a "Tourist Industry" is in itself an anathema to those who would like to free up movement of the individual in this great wide land.
The idea that it should be necessary to pay for simple access to public lands is, in itself, a denial of the right to the enjoyment of the natural environment.
"User Pays" is further impost on those who have not devoted their lives to the accumulation of personal wealth and another increase in the wealth gap between the 'haves' and the 'have nots'.

Failure by the controlling authorities to rein in the activities of the ratbag element that is so content to wreak havoc on both public and private property is ample evidence that the creating of an ever increasing raft of laws and regulations will not succeed until proper policing of the existing ones can be established.

Perhaps we need more pro-active policing and a reduction in bureaucracy.

An increased awareness of the individual's responsibility to the common good would be of considerable benefit.

Just a few thoughts.

I'll try to put a few more together in, perhaps, a more coherent form.

Cheers

Nigel

[A soon-to-be proud "Grey Nomad" (a very particular sub-species of "Wanderer")]










-- Edited by Rolly on Thursday 25th of June 2009 02:36:35 PM

I agree - we are not wanderers.  I certainly am a nomad, free to move on when I choose (usually). I think Grey Nomads if less offensive than "Wanderers". What do they know? This poor student is being blasted in his innocence, for something he is not responsible for. I for one think it's better he get his info from the nomad's mouth. It will be the real thing. If something comes of it in the future it will be based on facts, rather than a public servants perception of the facts. I've offered to assist him with his research. If the questionaire misses the point, I will take the opportunity to set it straight. Maybe the Nomads can lobby to the responsible authorities for a better travel life. Basil, you make very valid points, but I think you've mis-directed them. I hope they will be used in the survey/research. We The Nomads need a voice of our own. Anyone know a politician we can suck up to, to get our issues heard? Another reason for The Grey Nomad Party. Cheers Chris

Cruising Granny wrote:

---

We The Nomads need a voice of our own. Anyone know a politician we can suck up to, to get our issues heard?
Another reason for The Grey Nomad Party.

---

Granny simple answer, find a politican that needs a new ute cheap then we can bribe them 

 

Anyone know a politician we can suck up to, to get our issues heard

Our Local Rep here has done a fair bit for the "Over 55's".  Just a thought and she has experience in being one of us at one time too.

Ma

What Chris has said is exactly true. I am not the one who has changed the name, nor do I believe that it should be changed. BUT the point of my research is not based around whether you are called Grey Nomads or Wanderers, it is based around influences/motivators/restrictions to travel to Outback NSW. So in answer to your questions Basil, no tourism body has control over the prices of fuel. Those are decided by Wall Street and the International Petroleum companies. HOWEVER, you have mentioned very relevant information in that the price of travelling (i.e. permits/parking/fees), regulations on travelling, are RESTRICTIONS to your travel. If Outback NSW Tourism receives this information, they will be more inclined to lower their rates inorder to attract more visitors to the region. This post on the forum is not about a witch-hunt to get back at the Government and tourism organisations that restrict your travel throughout Australia. It is simply a University Student attempting to gather research into the travel patterns etc. of GREY NOMADS. There is no need to "Go get 'em", as this is not supposed to be a post attacking your lifestyle or way of life. Thanks a lot Chris for volunteering to participate in my research. I know that the information you provide will greatly assist myself in completing my study as well as gain a greater insight into the lifestyle of the Grey Nomads. I am sorry if I have offended anyone in my original post. Kinds Regards Sam

I don't know if I speak for all of us Sam but I for one did not intend any disrespect or offense.

To my way of thinking there are a lot of people out there, both in Government and otherwise who have this preconceived idea that because we have a caravan and tug vehicle and have the time and inclination to do a bit of travelling that we are wealthy and don't have to worry where the next dollar is coming from.

For some of us this may be the case but I think if you delved into the financial standings of us older generation you would find that the greater percentage of us do in fact live from week to week, ie: pension day to pension day.

Sometimes it is hard to get our message across and by doing your little bit Sam, lets hope that the word finally reaches ears that will endeavour to do something and not file it away in the too hard basket because we are older and to some minds, don't count for much anymore.

The Government in particular should keep in mind that there is a big vote in us "Grey Nomads" and our like.

Good luck with you endeavours.

Ma

Sam, the attack was not levelled at you mate it was a "shot" at "society" in general I aplaud your response, well done indeed young feller, but the simple truth of the matter is that all we GREY NOMADS want is exactly that which Basil has outlined if you could somehow turn that to your survey and make a bit of use out of it Buddy then go right ahead I will take a look at your survey and if I feel I can be of any help I will, if you want any "particular" info then P.M. me all the best for the future and keep on studying

Sam as I said don't take it personally, I admit to getting a bit stroppy HOWEVER you are not the first, nor will you be the last to "study" our demographic in intimate detail. In the past all "research" ( and this topic i.e what motivates us to travel, has been covered before by others) seems to have done as I suggest and that has been so that someone can tap into the demographic for financial gain.  Now if Outback Tourism NSW is your client what is the reason for commisioning this research? Is it to encourage more GN's to travel to outback NSW and spend more in strapped outback towns or will it find it's way onto the desks of greedy beaureacrats? As a student you are in a way in the same boat as us unless you are a silvertail.

Ok this is not a witch hunt but can you understand my cynicism from the questions I pose above? Trouble is we have done this before with the results as described. Some people just come at the same thing from a different tangent.

Why not post your questionaire here for us all to have a look at?

You caused no offence, it's just that most of us have been down this road before and I guess collectivley we have been all screwed by the people paying you ie the NSW Govt and our generation have differing priorities, I think we would rather see the money spent on health and aged care. We know what the probems are as I said but we know that the problems are not of our causeing and we also know that the problems in the main are;
Attrocious fuel prices
Dangerous roads
Lack of sensibly priced facilities caused usually by caravan parks getting the ear of the local council and even having legislation passed the prohibits anyone even provideing cheap sites because they fear the competition.
Absurd fees to visit public facilities thast we are allready taxed for anyway.
Mate we can identify the problems till the cows come home, it's getting them fixed when those whose job it is to fix them are not interested.

Best of British luck with your research, you want candid answers you have come to the right place. You know the old adage,"if the facts don't support the desired results then the facts must be abandoned"

If the upshot of all this is that somewhere a you beaut huge facility is built somewhere in the out back that is yet another "Outback Centre" then sure we will drop in on the way past but I doubt that we would go out of the way to visit so building at for example Tiboburra won't get many people over the terrifing road to get there.

-- Edited by Basil Faulty on Thursday 25th of June 2009 07:29:56 PM

Let's just wait and see what Sam's project entails before we jump to any conclusions. Who knows, we may even learn something from it. Cheers Chris

Yeh no worries at all. I, like a lot of you, am also not a silvertail. I get by week to week trying to study and pay for life at the same time. Since hearing these responses of your annoyance at the various Governments and corporations for not taking into account your lifestyle choice, I am starting to understand just a very small part of your frustration. I believe that pensioners should be on a lot more than the measly amount that the government distributes to them and have been apart of petitions to make the governments increase these payments. I am not being paid to understake this research, nor is the university or any other organisation. Please keep in mind, these views that you are sharing with me are very valuable! If you feel inclined to, please do continue to post them (preferrably focusing on Outback NSW and your experiences there). Thank you all!

Good luck with your research and study paper Sam, I would be happy to complete your questionnaire, have emailed you. Vic

I hereby nominate Sam to be our delegate to the powers that want to be. All in favour - say ay! Thanks for your support Sam. All the best with your studies. Cheers Chris

Don't like wanderers much but not too sure whether grey nomad fits me either when there is nothing up there left to be grey? I think basil hit it right tho. and I can't see another survey having any effect on the beurocrats thinking. ( is that an oxymoron??) By the way Basil if you read this I got the slide scanner from aldi. tnx for the tip it works great.

Sam
I have been watching this thread, and glad to see, you now understand, no one was having a go at you.

The way I see it, we are of an age, where we have seen surveys and the results. We have learnt that they bring with them expectations that rarely get results. Just a fact of life.

I also believe, unless we keep putting our message out there, nothing will change, so I support your endevour.

I am not sure how you will come up with your questionair, but this is the place to get information on what questions may be needed. To keep this thread alive, you will need to be active, so what about discussing the survey with us, as you develop it. We can then "adopt" you, and help, at the development stage. These people have years of experience, doing what you wish to know about, so use it and help us get the message across.

By consulting with us at the development stage, you may get something that is of interest to us, and therefore others like us, with a better outcome for you.

Sam, having just read these comments perhaps you should be renaming us 'grumpy ole buggars'. Come on people give the the guy a break, and who knows some good just may come out of it. Does it really matter what we are called as long as we enjoy it Keith

Thank for the support all! I particularly appreciate what you have said there Keith. I am leaving for a trip in a caravan (actually a camper) with a mate tomorrow so will not be able to reply to the posts automatically. I will however, attempt to get to an internet cafe every second or third day. So please continue to post and send me through your details, don't think that I am ignoring you! Again, thanks to everyone for participating in this blog. Once back from my trip (around two weeks time) I will be more than happy to start discussing the questionnaire and possible alternative questions to put in. Cheers Sam P.S. I will be going from Sydney to Darwin, through North-West Queensland and the Northern Territory. If you see a couple of fellas with a camper attached at a caravan park, approach us and have a chat! Because more than likely it will be me and I'd love to discuss all that has been talked about above.

Maybe we should give Sam 3 cheers hip hip horray.....

The poor guy has a veritable task ahead of him I mean Tourism NSW does not exactly have a scintillating record, remember the Jenolan Caves House fiasco (I'd love to know what the brand of sheets were that they used because they had the same stains on them since my parents honey moon there in 1947).

I don't know what NSW Outback Tourism could do.
If I take a cuppla outback towns (outback being defined as roughly west of the Newell Highway) say Willcania & Bourke ( maybe I have a vested interest as I love the history of the paddlesteamers that once supplied these places) what would make you want to stay there. Both places have a deep, rich perhaps intense history behind them, both have reasonable facilities, both have fantastic photographic oportunities but its the darker side to these places that deters tourists. You stop and buy fuel and move quickly out of town to avoid having your wind screen shattered by some bored kid with a shangeye. I'd love to be game enough to wander around Willcania but I'm just not game enough. Likewise Bourke, once a bustling river port on the Darling with just so much history to wonder at and absorb but the sight of the main street after hours with steel shutters over the steel shutters kind of gives the impression you are in Beruit.

If you offer suggestions you are branded racist though the exact cause of the problems in these areas is known there appears to be no viable solution even though zero tolerance on vandalism would be good no one wants to try it but it did work in Orange amongst howls of protest from the  community busy body's and doo gooders.

So for example recreating the "Port O' Bourke" with interactive displays, pictures and artifacts would be wonderful there would need to be a security gaurd in the carpark just like there is now at the Visitors centre....
So poor Bourke gets shunned and you fill up with fuel with great aprehension and head for Kidmans Camp 7km north of town......

Those of us wanting the true outback experience seem to get it in The Hill, or Silverton or Cobar....

The other solution would be to reopen the railways to the outback towns, have you ever noticed how when a railway runs through a town even with 1 train a week it seems to prosper?

We can all give young Sam some help, I hope he enjoys his Caravan trip....