Revved up Vanners headed for town

CLASSIC panel vans from the 70s and 80s spanning a kaleidoscopic range of colours will be on show to the public at the Bendigo Showgrounds on Easter Saturday as part of the forty-eighth Van Nationals.

Over 130 lovingly restored wagons from around Australia have already registered for the occasion, with more expected to arrive in the lead up to the Easter Weekend and on show day.

Co-organiser Aaron Waterman and a 15 veteran of the annual pilgrimage said locals are invited to enter their own vehicles in the traditional Show and Shine event.

“The Australian Van Nationals has been running annually for close to 50 years,” he said.

“It started off with a few friends camping together in their vans. A few more came the next year and then, jump to present day, we have people coming from all over the country to share their passion for vanning.

“If you have a street machine and would like to display it on the day, $25 gets you on the oval.

“There will be a great variety of vehicles. General admission is $5 and you’ll have a ball walking back down memory lane or appreciating the effort that goes into maintaining these old, sought-after vans. They range from elite show vans to everyday rides and everything in between.

“With the Easter Festival bringing the crowds to Bendigo, we’re hoping to get plenty who can make time to stop by the showgrounds for an hour or so and see what’s on display.”

All proceeds from the day will be donated to mental health services headspace Bendigo and the Australian Borderline Personality Disorder Foundation, as well as Heartfelt, a volunteer photography service for families who have experienced stillbirth or have children with serious or life-threatening illnesses.

For further information please visit the 2023 Van Nationals website and vannationals.com.au.