While many of the Australian Caravan Club members who made the trek to Mudgee for the 2013 National Muster will still be seen around the region this week, Sunday was the end of the official event and many of those who had spent the week enjoying the hospitality of the Mudgee Region started off on their next caravanning adventure.

“It’s been a hugely successful muster,” Muster Organiser Deb Cohen said. 

“We’ve had amazing feedback from local businesses who have actually called to thank me. 

“We feel like we were embraced by the local community and had an absolute ball being here.”

One of the last main events, and the reason for the muster in the first place, was the annual general meeting which brought more than 380 members of the ACC away from their packing duties on Saturday afternoon. 

“The Muster culminates with the AGM, it’s our whole purpose for coming here. 

“But I have to say I didn’t expect so many people to turn up,” Mrs Cohen said. 

Those at the annual general meeting were treated to performances by Dance with Attitude and a speech by the Channel 9 sports commentator Ken Sutcliffe, who spoke about experiences in general and in the media industry.

These included the time he swore on air while at 2MG (he thought he’d lost his job until he realised that nobody had been listening), and the last time he went camping in the Kimberley’s and complained about all of the “old people” on the bus only to have his wife point out that he was one of them.

He also recalled the greatest sporting moment he’s ever witnessed:  Seeing Mick Fox deck a bully at Mudgee High School. 

“Mudgee is just a great town and I’m just so privileged to have grown up here. I hope you’ve enjoyed your time in Mudgee,” he said. 

It wasn’t just the caravanner’s who enjoyed their time in Mudgee. 

Members of the organising committee estimated that Mudgee businesses would have received over $200,000 worth of business from ACC members over the past week. 

‘It averages out to be around $1000 per caravan I would think,” organising committee member Christine Fielder said. 

As well as spending money on food and entertainment, many visitors took advantage of the stop-over to have their vehicles serviced at local mechanics.  

Local charities also benefited from activities such as the Wine, Food and Craft Market. 

AREC will still be caravan city at least until tomorrow, when the rest of the caravans pick up their tables, wind in their annexes and wave goodbye to the Mudgee Region.