How did our social Guild Tours begin …
During a survey of members, it was found that most had never travelled outside their local
region or had visited selected places of interest in South East Queensland. Some had never
travelled at all - their reasons being:
(a) They had been too busy with family or business affairs – just
didn’t have the time to spare
(b) They just didn’t feel like organising a travel plan for
themselves – too much hassle
(c) They could not afford the wider travel preparations – too much
expense
(d) They were on limited budgets – most were in the retired or
pensioner bracket
(e) They did not like the “unfriendly” attitudes of strangers
on commercial tours
(f) They regarded tours outside Australia as being unsafe – rather
do local and regional holidays
(g) They preferred to travel with friends – more fun and fellowship
The first steps …
It was decided to introduce social adventure excursions for Guild members and friends of
the Guild that would gradually expand to wider regions around the State and other areas.
The guidelines set were:
(a) Tours were to be at an affordable cost to everyone
(b) The targeted cost would be between $1500 and $2500 per person
(except for special circumstances)
(c) A monthly payment savings plan would be introduced to make the
adventures affordable to members
(d) A set of guidelines would be compiled as to the conduct of each tour
(e) A special fully accountable trust account would be established to
protect savings and contributions
(f) Tours would be non-profitable activities with deals passed back to
the members to reduce travel costs
(g) Any end-of-tour surpluses would be donated to the Scouting Hall of
Memories project in Gympie.
The Annual Guild Tour adventure programmes were finally introduced in 2003. The set time
for each annual tour would be September every year – not too cold and not too hot.
Where have we been so far …
Since the introduction of the annual social Guild Tour programme, each year has become
more successful with tour members coming back again and again to participate in the next
adventure – with more and more other outside Guild members (and their friends)
wanting to take part. To date the following adventures have taken place:
2003 – A week-long rail
expedition to Central West Queensland as far as Barcaldine, Longreach, Winton and Blackall
on the “Spirit of the Outback” passenger train. The first tour group consisted
of 23 members.
2004 – A week and a half
expedition by plane, bus and rail to northern Queensland, Cairns, Atherton Tablelands, and
the Gulf of Carpentaria. The tour group increased to 28 adventurers.
2005 – A plan to go to
Norfolk Island had to be cancelled at the last minute. This eventuated in a relaxing
“second honeymoon” on a Pacific cruise for a full week into the Coral Sea and
the northern Queensland. Pre-arranged holiday time plans proved a problem for some –
only 19 adventurers could took part.
2006 – We took on an
ambitious tour project – a two-island exploration journey of New Zealand lasting two
and a half weeks. It was a magnificent event full of surprises. 49 Guild members from
Queensland Guilds together with a South Australian member took part. Tour members are
still talking about the adventure. For a photographic record go to www.cooloola-gympie.com/gallery (be patient)
The 2007 Tour plan …
The Guild Tour will be to South Australia lasting nine days and will cover all the main
attractions available in that State including Kangaroo Island, the old German region of
Hahndorf, and the famous Barossa Valley wineries. The tour is open to all Guild members,
their friends and interested persons. For full details – go to the “Guild Tour
2007” section. For further details – contact: The
Co-ordinator, Guild Tour 2007, PO Box 29, Gympie 4570 Qld
Future proposed Tour plans …
2008 – The Western
Australia adventure using the Indian Pacific Travel Train co-ordinating a well researched
itinerary of selected tours and items of special interest.
2009 – Victoria, the
Great Southern Road region, the old goldfield regions and the Australian Alps.
2010 – The Tasmanian
Adventure.
2011 – The Northern
Territory/Kimberleys experience
2012 – Our final Guild
Tour Journey – Flying to New Zealand and then cruising to the mid-Pacific and the
island paradises of Samoa, Pago-Pago, Tonga and other rarely visited places (these places
can only be reached via New Zealand at the present time). This will be our
“farewell” adventure to old friends.
Our forthcoming 5-year plan ends in 2012. No
extensions to the Guild Group Tour programme are foreseen at the present time. The
continuing programme after 2012 will depend on the state of memberships, health and age of
members at that time.
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