Time to Roam Australia Issue 14 April / May 2015 | Page 6

| upfront welcome Editor’s desk Every issue of ROAM is like a new adventure for us as we put on our “History Detective” caps and go off in search of another great story from Australia’s caravanning past. This time it really was an adventure. We jumped on a plane, flew to Melbourne and then hit the road to Ballarat in search of the story behind Franklin Caravans. It wasn’t long before we were standing at Caravan Street on the edge of Ballarat where the old Franklin factory still stands. Even the original logo remains out front. Our investigation was made a little easier thanks to local ROAM distributor and vintage caravan collector John Smyth, a keen historian and whose daughter Emma just happened to be a Franklin owner and enthusiast. (You can see Emma’s Franklin on page 26.) At best we’d hoped to track down some of the former Franklin factory workers, but were pleasantly surprised with John’s help to actually be able to find Franklin Caravan’s founder, Geoffrey Robertson. Still very much alive and well, the sprightly 83 year old former Caravan King was out in his back garden tending roses when we arrived. Sitting down for a chat, there was no mistaking the great intelligence and drive in this man that saw him start out at age 18 and go on to build one of the world’s biggest caravan companies of its time. It was however a very poignant interview, with Geoffrey opening up about the sadness he felt when the company eventually closed, putting hundreds of people out of work.Thankfully the Franklin name lives on with another respected Victorian caravan company recently buying the rights to the trademark and launching an exciting new range of quality caravans. We hope you enjoy the read. Special thanks to Geoffrey Robertson for sharing his story and also to the family of the late Peter Gaylor who had collected many of the historic photos you will see in our feature. Peter sadly passed away in recent weeks and was one of many Ballarat people who began their working lives as a Franklin apprentice and always held the company and Geoffrey Robertson in such high regard. Until next time, Happy Roaming. Rod Bruem, [email protected] Time to Roam Australia welcomes letters, photos and contributions from our readers on just about any subject that relates to caravanning and camping. [email protected] Subscribe: Subscription form on page 66 or via the website www.timetoroam.com.au or by phone [phone]. Australia’s new favourite caravan and recreational travel magazine, in print and online timetoroam.com.au Environment ISO 14001 Certification applies to Offset Alpine Printing 6 Time to Roam encourages recycling and is printed on paper sourced from sustainable forests timetoroam.com.au Time to Roam is published bi-monthly and distributed by Time to Roam Australia Pty Ltd PO Box 999 Lismore NSW 2480 We welcome letters and contributions from our readers. Enquiries [email protected]