Gill van Hagen
Manager, Darwin Boat & Outdoor Show
13th March 2012

G’day Gill,

I thought that you might like an update of my adventures:

Future Trips proposed
I plan to leave from Darwin by boat on Saturday the 28th April at high tide at the conclusion of performing bands, including one of Australia’s best ever bands “Mental as Anything”, also 2 of Darwin’s best bands “Sex in the Desert”, and “The Bloody Mary’s”. A 4th band “Unbroken Expanse” is driving 1,000klm’s from Tennant Creek to join in! PNG Dancers and other entertainment will also perform at the Darwin Trailer Boat Club with media covering the Event before the boat sets off.

The ABC wants to film the departure and to follow this trip more closely. Local newspapers and radio stations will cover the event and I am expecting a huge turnout of Darwin people in support.

After leaving the Darwin Trailer Boat Club I will follow the Arnhemland coast, The Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, PNG and possibly conclude at Cairns. Hopefully vital fuel sponsorship around Australia will become a reality.
The Mayor of Darwin has donated funds towards medical & educational equipment for me to aid the Sibidiri Tribe on my next voyage and I am receiving help and advice from Remote Area Health.

At all ports I will talk about my major sponsors. I would like their logo’s visible on my boat.

I will be Facebooking my adventures out to a growing mass of followers. On my last trip I went from 37 followers to over 650 friends as stories were spread amongst people that I know. I know over 90% of my Facebook friends. As my Facebook site is open and well publicised, there are many more people that I do not know that follow my adventures and want to know more.

I have just started to do YouTube uploads on my new channel and I will be promoting and uploading footage of my trip as I go. I have recently uploaded the Promo Documentary of my last trip to PNG.

I believe that people from all over Australia will want to follow my adventure and with the trip taking approximately 6 months I anticipate that there will be an ever-increasing following.

Over this time I will have no income, no film crew or back up. I have previously travelled for 5 months in remote areas and am prepared for whatever challenges I face. I am currently working out what food, water & medical provisions I need to take.

FFF want updates for their website as I go, as does the national Boat Show Circuit, so the news will be travelling the country with my Promo Doco and YouTube updates of my trip that will also be displayed on monitors at venues in Darwin and across Australia with major sponsors’ recognised on the footage.

Additionally, I will provide updates to the NT News and as many other media outlets as possible.

Combined Communication Solutions in Darwin is going to tag me with a GPS unit so that people from anywhere in the world can follow my path on a map page set up by ESRI Australia, and this will have sponsors listed.

I have had interests from film crews to document the trip but I will need a bigger boat to fit anyone else in.

On my upcoming voyage I will need help from sponsors for fuel to be able to deliver and distribute the charitable goods. My Documentary on this trip will go into production upon my return and I will be focusing on producing video’s with the help of Arts NT and Film NT for distribution within 12 months at outlets including Reidy’s, BCF, Fishing World and at other fishing and outdoor stores around Australia.

My expenses will be:
• fuel $10,000
• oil $500
• food, drinks and supplies onboard and ashore $3,500
• health care and personal items $1,500
• Telstra recharges for my phone and computer $1,000

My car and boat have seen better days but I am just showing people that you don’t have to have everything to get up and have a go.

If you are interested in sponsoring me with this voyage or making a contribution towards my expenses please contact me via the contacts below.

Craig Hand
+61 404 283 250
Facebook “Craig Hand Darwin”
www.friendsofpapuanewguinea.org
www.crackers-remote-fishing-adventures.com
YouTube CrackersAdventures

Note:

I have started to produce a documentary of my adventures. The Promo DVD has been provided to all my current sponsors and will be shown in-store at the Darwin Fish Markets and on Coopers Internet TV throughout Australia.

My first Documentary “Destination: Field Island is now available on my website and Reidy’s have taken stock as well.

I have set up school sponsorship for remote PNG Tribal kids on www.friendsofpapuanewguinea.org  I take no charges or fees for this service.

And the winners are…..(drum roll)…

Win an ULTIMATE CAMPING PACKAGE – NT News promotion
Courtesy of TJM Darwin and Evakool

WIN A DUNDEE BEACH GETAWAY – Hot 100 promotion
courtesy of The Lodge of Dundee

WHICH MUD CRAB COMPETITION – DAILY PRIZE OF PAULS ICE CHEST

DAILY DOOR PRIZE OF PAULS ICE CHEST

GME G-COM Marine VHF hand held radio – courtesy of GME

GME I-COM TX6100 hand held radio – courtesy of GME

FAMILY ADVENTURE TRAIL – $500 BP fuel voucher courtesy of Opal Fuel.

KUBOTA / TGB Father’s Day Gift Pack courtesy of Airpower

KORR PORTABLE CAMP-LIGHT KIT – courtesy of Korr Lighting

COOPERS FATHERS DAY PACK – courtesy of Coopers Brewery

THERMOS SHUTTLE CHEF – courtesy of Thermal Cookware

LJ CUSTOM SPINNING RODS – courtesy of LJ Custom Rods

BARZ POLARISED SUNGLASSES – courtesy of Quality Marine

$2000 FISHING KIT – courtesy of Nautilus Marine Insurance

Look who’s watching:

Look Who's Watching

Having a go on the climbing wall in the family activity area at the show:

Climbing the wall

Going up the wall

Nearing the top

Trying out the new children’s soft climbing wall launched at the Show as part of Disability Week.

Child on soft wall

The wall is a gift to the children of Darwin to assist in the development of gross motor coordination particularly in disabled children.

‘Walkabout Chef’ treating a visitor to indigenous flavours married with locally caught fish:

‘Walkabout Chef’ gives tips on indigenous cooking

Jo Reiter from Fishingscool learning tips on expert fish preparation from Ziko before cooking up locally cooked fish with exotic Asian flavours:

Jo Reiter and Ziko preparing locally cooked fish with exotic Asian flavours.

Ziko from the Darwin Fish Market demonstrating filleting locally caught fish:

Ziko demonstrates how to fillet a fish

Ziko from the Darwin Fish Market demonstrates filleting locally caught fish

Ziko Ball from the Darwin Fish Factory will again bring his expertise to show you not only how to fillet fish like and expert, but also how to use all the parts of the fish in various ways to eliminate wasting any of your hard fought catch.

‘After all, you don’t just take the rump steak and throw away the rest of the cow’ says Ziko ‘there is so much you can do with a fish and there shouldn’t be any waste. If we are talking about sustainable fishing and preserving numbers, then we should be more conscious about taking less and using more of the fish’.

Jo will be bringing a taste of Asian exotic to her dishes and The ‘Walkabout Chef’ will treat us to secrets of indigenous foods that add unique flavours to camp-out cooking.

The filleting and cooking sessions are on mid morning and mid afternoon daily at the Show. Check the timetable on the ‘What’s On’ page which outlines all of the exciting activities and seminars on at the Show.

“This approach is complimentary to the boating lifestyle and we want the show to encourage more Territorians to explore the many options for simply getting the family outdoors. It’s really all about keeping happy and healthy having good clean fun, and building life experiences that kids can?t get sitting inside in front of a screen” said Byron Hazell, chairman of the NT Boating Industry Association which runs the event. “We see that as an investment in the future in keeping young people and families involved in and excited by outdoor adventure and getting out in boats”

“The great thing about this show is that beside boats; there are camper trailers, camping, 4WD, fishing, touring, and many more activities as integral to the top end outdoor lifestyle as is sitting around the BBQ at the end of the day, and the Show is set to give visitors the chance to see and experience a raft of options and to explore a huge range of accessories and some great new innovations.” said Gill van Hagen, manager of the event.

“The show is for all the family from youngest to oldest and there is a brand new program for women only with tips on how to get the best out of family outdoor activities and holidays including practical sessions on 4WD and emergency procedures to use if should ever be necessary” she said. “and kids are not forgotten with some special activities to keep them entertained so it will make a great Father’s Day outing for everyone” are not forgotten with some special activities to keep them entertained so it will make a great Father’s Day outing for everyone”

New exhibits at this year’s event include the latest technology for remote communication, a must for travellers, and some really interesting new innovations such as a rechargeable fan that can be used in your boat, van or tent, and there will be more on show for 4WD enthusiasts.

The free entry clinics this year not only give visitors the absolute latest tips on fishing, there is sessions on using GPS and navigation equipment and new to the show, are sessions on 4WD in the top end supported by practical demonstrations and some fun competitions. There are even demonstrations on making custom fishing rods and lures.

For those seeking high adventure the show offers the opportunity to have a go on the climbing wall, try canoeing, and to find out more about jet skis, wakeboarding, ATVs, and even amphibious craft.

“All in all the show is shaping up to be a great day out for everyone with so much to see, learn, experience and be a part of, so we encourage watching the website for more details on the activities, competitions, as well as information on what?s at the show this year.” said Gill.

For more information please contact:

Gill van Hagen,
Event Manager,
Darwin Boat & Outdoor Show,

Telephone: 0427 508075.
Email: gill@darwinboatshow.com.au
Website: www.darwinboatshow.com.au

Proceeds from the Darwin Boat & Outdoor Show support the work of the Boating Industry Association of NT, a not-for-profit organization that campaigns for, and actively represents the interests of all Territorians for better boating.

Dates: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September 2011
Venue: Darwin Convention Centre, Stokes Hill Wharf Road, Darwin Waterfront
Public hours: open at 9.00am daily and close at 5,00pm Saturday and 4.00pm Sunday.
Getting there, parking and access: visit the Getting There page for details
Entry fees: visit the website

Information on exhibitors, products and activities will be posted on the website by August 2011.

HOW many times have you heard someone say “only in the Territory”?

That certainly happened on Tuesday night.

I mean, which capital city other than Darwin would lead its evening national news bulletin with a story about how this great wet season and predicted bumper run-off should result in a fishing-led tourism boon for the Northern Territory?

Channel Nine News and everyone’s favourite news reader, Jonathon Uptin, reckoned the story was headline news and, in my opinion, they were definitely right.

It’s really so ironic that, while the rest of the Australian angling community is constantly battling ill-informed, fanging greenies and rabid, one-eyed animal liberationists, here in the Top End the promise of a great recreational barra fishing season is celebrated as headline news.

There’s no doubt that the next few weeks in particular will yield some amazing barra-fishing sessions for a multitude of anglers across the Top End’s big rivers.

Read the full story at the NT News website.
Download a PDF of the clipping from the NT News paper.

Living up to its spirit of a truck the Isuzu D-MAX Ute has plenty of towing power and torque and not only looks sensational, it’s full of great features and can handle the pace, making it the ideal vehicle for the NT boating lifestyle.

A full range of the latest D-MAX Utes will be on display at the Darwin Boat Show over the weekend of 4-5 September at the Darwin Convention Centre, opening 9.30am daily.

Don’t miss the opportunity to see just how good the new D-MAX Ute looks coupled up with a range of boats to suit all boating lifestyles.

Keep an eye out for the Darwin Boat Show D-MAX Ute tow vehicle getting around town leading up to the Boat Show, and you may get the chance to win free passes to the Boat Show.

This year’s boat show is chock full of new releases and features and early September offers ideal weather to spend a day harborside, so it’s a great opportunity to visit the show, stay for a casual lunch over-looking the best view in town, and make Father’s Day a very special day for the whole family.

Darwin Boat Show
4-5 September 2010
Darwin Convention Centre
Darwin Waterfront
Darwin
Opens 9.30am daily
Admission fee applies – children under 15 free (when accompanied by a paying adult)
Carparking available under the Darwin Convention Centre or at the Darwin Waterfront Carpark. (See the ‘Getting There‘ page for more information on access and alternative parking)

For further information please contact:
Gill van Hagen
Manager – Darwin Boat Show
dbsmgr@bigpond.com
0427 508075