Our History

In a time, in the now long distant past, members of the CMCA in the Wide Bay area often travelled south to partake in the activities of the Brisbane Sunshine Wanderers, one of the earliest formed Chapters in the CMCA.

As time went by, and the numbers of interested people in the Wide Bay grew, it was decided a Chapter should be formed in the Wide Bay.  In May 1992 a small group gathered at the Wongi State Forest,  just north of Maryborough, where discussions were held about forming a Chapter.  Even in those early days interest was shown from a widely diverse area with attendees from Gympie, Maryborough, Hervey Bay, Bundaberg and Gladstone being at this first gathering.

Various names were suggested for the Chapter with Rum City Rebels, Coral Isles Wanderers, Wide Bay Wanderers and Curtis Coast Wanderers all being suggested. It was felt that Wide Bay Wanderers truly represented the area the Chapter would cover and the name was therefore adopted.

Four months later on August 8^th the Chapter was officially launched with another meeting at the same site with strong support from the Brisbane Sunshine Wanderers’ members who attended in strength to launch the new Chapter. The Wide Bay Wanderers became the 11th Chapter of the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia which at the present time has in excess of ninety Chapters Australia wide.

Ivan Wieland, one of the instigators of the new Chapter was elected as the first President, David Roach Vice President, John Dixon Secretary and Linda Roach Treasurer. Under this committee and a string of subsequent committees over the years the Chapter has prospered until today it is a vibrant ever changing group of enthusiastic motorhomers upholding the CMCA ideal of Laughing More and Living Longer. Many of our members take a very active interest in our National club volunteering at rallies, taking on voluntary positions and generally furthering the cause of motorhoming generally.