THE PARKIE WIN25 - Magazine - Page 41
VICTORIANS AWARDED AT
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
In a fitting acknowledgement of his passion and commitment to the advancement of the
caravan park industry, CRPVic’s immediate past president David Pratt received a muchdeserved national award at the Caravan Industry Association of Australia’s National
Conference Gala Dinner on the Gold Coast in May.
David was one of four recipients
of the 2025 Chairperson’s Award,
recognised for his outstanding
industry knowledge, determination
and integrity.
As a leading industry voice, David
has championed the interests of
park operators on multiple fronts.
His willingness to put the interests of
his fellow park operators first, after
fire and flood, during pandemics,
and whenever else the cause was
just, has been remarkable. He will
always call out what he sees as
unfair and put forward considered
solutions for both association and,
ultimately, political consideration.
Last year, we named a new Victorian
award in David’s honour, the David
Pratt Unsung Hero Award, so having
his contribution recognised at the
national level was wonderful to see.
In a lovely coincidence, it was also a
privilege to see last year’s inaugural
recipient of the David Pratt Unsung
Hero Award, Roger Fuller, National
Sales Development Manager with
associate member YMH, honoured
as joint recipient of the Christie
Barbecues
Community
Spirit
Award.
This award recognised Roger’s
sustained
commitment
to
community wellbeing, charitable
action, and quiet leadership. In
honour of his late son Bailey, Roger
founded Bay’s Wish - a 1500 km
cycling challenge that raised over
$85,000 for Make-A-Wish Australia
in 2018 alone.
CRPVic associate member All Parks
Insurance, one of two recipients of
the prestigious Eric Hayman OAM
Award for Excellence.
Julie has dedicated herself to the
insurance needs of Australia’s
caravan and tourist parks, beginning
in 1996 with her father’s underwriting
agency, Parks Insurance.
Julie’s commitment to understanding the operations, challenges
and risk profiles of parks firsthand
is unmatched. She listens, learns
and supports parks, whether clients
or not, often providing tailored
risk advice with no expectation of
return.
She’s the only insurance professional
known to visit client and non-client
caravan parks in a rolling three-year
rotation.
During
the
critical
insurance
challenges of recent years, Julie
worked around the clock, engaged
with global reinsurers and sought
solutions where others could not.
She even travelled overseas to
introduce foreign insurers to the
high standards of Australian holiday
parks.
Julie was also a CRPVic award
winner last year, taking home
the Rob Ensink-Jayco Associate
Member of the Year Award at our
2024 Gala Dinner.
With the continued support of YMH,
this ride evolved into the Ride for
Wishes, and has raised hundreds
of thousands of dollars to help
grant wishes for children with lifethreatening illnesses.
Congratulations David, Roger
and Julie, and all the 2025
Caravan Industry Association
of Australia award winners
from around the country.
These individuals and
businesses are reflective of
the dedication and capacity
of so many pushing this
industry to even greater
success.
From top: David Pratt,
Julie Pernecker and Roger Fuller
with their national awards.
The biggest accolade of the night
went to Julie Pernecker, Director of
CARAVAN & RESIDENTIAL PARKS VICTORIA
WINTER 2025
41
