IN JANUARY 1979, a small group of panel van enthusiasts from Brisbane’s now long-defunct Holden Vans Ltd club decided to run the state’s first ever Queensland Van-In, choosing the beautiful Southern Downs spot of Stanthorpe as the host town.
Famous for its apples, wineries and crisp (by Queensland standards) winters, Stanthorpe has really come of age in the decades since, much like the van scene itself. “That 1979 meet has long been spoken of in hallowed tones by local vanners. So, we felt that a 45-year celebration of that first Stanthorpe show was the perfect theme and location for this year’s 49th Australian Van Nationals,” said event co-organiser and long-time van tragic Christine Dowton.
Christine, co-organiser Andrew Farrell and their team worked long and hard in the lead-up to the Easter long
