Up to 100 military motorcycles and many other various ex-military vehicles, together with over 1,000 attendant people will be in Corowa for at least a week next month.
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It will be for the 41st annual Khaki Vehicle Enthusiasts Incorporated (KVE) Swim-In and Military Vehicle Gathering, from Monday, March 8 to Sunday, March 15.
This year’s theme is the Year of the Military Motorcycle. “Currently on our entries we have Harley Davidsons, BSA, Yamaha, Indian, paratrooper motorcycles, Suzuki, Condor and Royal Enfield and there will be various other ex-military vehicles,” KVE secretary Jan Thompson told The Free Press.
“Entry numbers are building up well,” President-KVE Richard Farrant said. “Planning for the Swim-In is well in hand and with the valued support from Federation Council and Corowa RSL it will be a great show to celebrate 40 years since the first event at Corowa.”
The vehicles will be seen in various towns including Corowa, Chiltern, Howlong, Brocklesby and Worragee.
On Friday, March 13, there will be the usual dinner function over at Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club.
“After the dinner we will have various people talking about their experiences and memories. We welcome anyone along as we are also auctioning some special number plates,” Jan said.
“On Saturday 14th March there will be a parade through Corowa at 9am followed by a display of all the participating vehicles at Corowa Showgrounds, alongside our Swap Meet of military vehicle parts and collectable militaria, books, motoring memorabilia and a variety of market stalls which would interest the whole family. In the evening we have a presentation night in Ball Park Caravan Park.”
The day at the Corowa Showgrounds is huge according to Corowa Pastoral, Agricultural & Horticultural Society Secretary Jan McKenna.
“It’s such a most exciting day in the year,” she said. “The place just buzzes with people and we’re looking forward to seeing them all again this year.”
The popular event attracts collectors from throughout Australia and the world and with two such well organised Jans, the showgrounds site attraction is so well conducted.
The KVE event was initially organised by Ian Grieve [Qld] and Alan Newton [SA] and was for Amphibious Jeeps [Ford Model G.P.A. ¼ -Ton 4X4 Amphibian]. However, with so much interest amongst military vehicle enthusiasts it became a largescale gathering not only with GPAs but also other historic military vehicles.
One KVE member who had been to all but one of the Swim-In events since the first one was Jan’s dad Hugh Thompson who sadly passed away on November 15 2019, aged 83-years.
Hugh was well known for his 1945 Ford Blitz Ambulance. He bought the ambulance about 60 years ago from a dealer and actually saved it from being cut up and modified for a crane or such like.
Hugh and Barbara’s daughter were brought up around Blitz trucks. Hugh will be missed in Corowa next month, by his many mates in the KVE movement and by locals.
Many locals warmed to Hugh according to KVE Committee member Neville Smith from Balldale.
“Hugh was one of the original members, a great bloke who will be missed,” Neville said. “He’d bring up the history and show lots of photos, spend time with you. He was part of the place.”
Federation Council’s Community Event of the Year awards on Australia Day in 2018 and 2019 were presented to the KVE.
Corowa appeals to KVE members as it is “a fairly central location, with fresh water, easy access and being a historical town” according to Jan.
“There are a variety of shops, wineries and antique shops to make this a family orientated event,” she said.
“The townsfolk of Corowa have always welcomed our presence and we look forward to returning each year to enjoy their hospitality and support.”
All about the KVE gathering
Annually a group of ex-Military Vehicle Collectors gather at Ball Park Caravan Park in Corowa on the beautiful Murray River to display their lovingly restored military vehicles.
These vehicles also participate in a parade, a swap meet, go to local schools and places of interest both in Corowa and the surrounding areas.
The event attracts collectors from throughout Australia and the world and there are clubs in each state with the organising association being Khaki Vehicle Enthusiasts Incorporated.
March 2020 represents the 41st year of the gathering at Corowa and the theme is Year of the Military Motorcycle.
Ex-military vehicle owners with other makes and models of vehicles are also encouraged to attend the event where they can exchange information and parts.
The group will be having another Year of the Jeep in 2021 then in 2022 it will be Year of the Heavy Metal.
The event was initially organised by Ian Grieve [Qld] and Alan Newton [SA] and was for Amphibious Jeeps [Ford Model G.P.A. ¼ -Ton 4X4 Amphibian] but with so much interest amongst military vehicle enthusiasts it became a large-scale gathering not only with GPA’s but also other historic military vehicles.
People have asked “Why was Corowa chosen as the venue of this event?”.
Corowa, on the Murray River, just West of Albury is a fairly central location.
It has fresh water, with easy river access and is a historic town.
The collectors enjoy the wrecking yards and disposal stores in Albury and Wodonga and there are a variety of shops, wineries and antique shops to make this a family orientated event.
The townsfolk of Corowa have always welcomed the groups presence and they look forward to returning each year to enjoy their hospitality and support.
Through the week the vehicles will be visiting Chiltern on Wednesday, March 11 and Howlong and Brocklesby on Thursday, March 12.
On Friday, March 13 there are two trips planned, with one just for the motorcycles and the second for other military vehicles.
Both are arriving in Wooragee for a lunch provided by the local Tennis Club which will help in raising money for the Tennis Club.
On Friday night there will be a meal followed by a talk regarding the 40 years of Corowa at the Corowa Rutherglen Football and Netball Club.
Various people will be talking of their experiences over the years and the group will also be holding an auction of specially released numberplates for the 40th anniversary.
On Saturday, March 14 there will be a parade going through Corowa and out to the Corowa Showgrounds where there is a Swap Meet and large vehicle display. In the evening we will hold a presentation evening commencing at 8pm.
The AGM and GM will be held at Bindaree on Sunday morning at 10am and in the evening there will be a meal at the Corowa RSL.
The majority of vehicles attending are of World War 2 vintage.
They include many Jeeps, Blitz’s, Dodge Weapons Carriers, Studebakers, GMC trucks, White Scout Cars, Chev trucks, Ford trucks, Bren Gun Carriers, Harley Davidson motorcycles, Amphibious Jeeps, DUKW’s and many more.
The event also attracts members with post-WW2 vehicles including Land Rovers, Saracen Armoured Cars, Ferret Scout Cars, HUMVEE [Hummer], ACCO Internationals and many others.
In 1999 the group achieved recognition by the Guinness Book of World Records for “the largest gathering of Ford GPA amphibious vehicles since the Second World War”.
This number being 16 including the famous Amphibious Jeep “Half-Safe” which circumnavigated the world during the 1950’s and had been donated to the Guildford Grammar School in Perth.
In March 2002 we again achieved recognition by the Guinness Book of World Records for “the greatest gathering of privately-owned Ford and Chev Blitz trucks since 1945”.
There is a website where people can obtain information and see pictures of past and future events, www.corowaswim-in.org.
See the group also on Facebook – corowaswimin or for further information or registration phone:
Jan Thompson on 0412 078096 or email: kveinc@optusnet.com.au.
The event was awarded Community Event of the Year as part of the Federation Council Australia Day Awards in January 2018 and January 2019.
The main sponsors of the 2020 event include Federation Council and Corowa RSL.
Journalist