25/02/2024
Well folks another year another challenge!
We're heartbroken to have to announce the closure of the motor bike and 4WD Park. We've been unable to secure adequate insurance for these activities, but lets not despair we're searching for other camping only options for those who'd like to visit and enjoy the serenity that's here, we'll update you with any news of this as soon as we're able. There's so much here to explore such as bushwalking, swimming in the River, fishing and of course the menagerie of animals.
All existing bookings for Easter have been notified and we'll be working through all other bookings once we've sorted Easter. We're sorry to everyone who's been trying to get in touch with us to book in for Easter over the last couple of weeks, we weren't comfortable taking any more bookings or discussing the situation until we knew for certain that we'd exhausted all avenues and left with no other option than to close the bikes and 4WD's, which is where we're at now. We hope that this Insurance madness sorts itself out in time but with all the major natural disasters of droughts, fires, floods and a tonne of rain events, man-made pandemics and everything else in between we're not caught off guard that this was coming. We all know the way insurance has changed these last few years, whether it's significant increases in premiums making them unaffordable or complete refusal where underwriters have pulled out of the market it was only time that we were affected in this way.
Since arriving here in 2017 we've been faced with many challenges, alot of which have been devastating in their own right and for us to have a different challenge year on year has been exhausting and an incredible learning experience where we've learnt valuable lessons both personally and professionally, it's definitely made us stronger, resilient and determined to continue our life here. Even after everything that's been thrown at us we feel more in Love with Rover Park than ever. It's shown us who we are and just when we think we can't do it anymore something magical happens, we find another gear and soldier on! We're absolutely in it for the long haul through good times and bad, this is just another Chapter.
Now to Thank you guys. This is the part where I cry. I'm So SO grateful to have met so many incredible people over the years. I've loved getting to know you, laugh and cry with you, party with you, watch the kids grow and conquer fears, be free and creative, having them hang with me doing chores and feeding the animals. I will cherish these memories always. I'm so humbled by the unwavering support we've received from those of you who were here before us and the ones who came after. Whether it's been a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, event planning, and general life problems I cannot be more grateful for it all.
Matt has met so many people who've helped with machinery, bogged vehicles, broken bikes and is so grateful for all the advice and new skills people have shown him over the years, not to forget the social beers and chats around many campfires. So many people have been so generous with their skills and knowledge, from the very basics of driving the machines correctly, to changing the bobcat tracks on the side of hills, the numerous last minute fixes, welding, belt changes, always right before an event where the machine has packed it in. Thank you to everyone who has pitched in, wetting mud drags, mowing, signage, setting up for events and the memorable moment when the power went out in the second half of the NRL Grand final, to the guys with phone torches and the 'electrician' who came to the rescue and did a work around in the nick of time. All of these and many many more moments will stay with me always. We've both made lifelong friends.
The boys have been lucky to have had you take them under their wing. Wil's been shown how to ride, been fed, picked up off the track following a crash (which he never told us about), gone on pub rides, took people on tours (another little secret we found out about afterwards) and made the Best lifelong friends.
Eli's done many miles on his push bike, played cars in the dirt, done animal tours, been fed - mostly lollies, cooked up a feed of weeds, told people to pick up rubbish or slow down, been taken 4WD'ing in some cool rigs, played tricks on a few and generally lived his best life.
It's been a wonderful adventure for our family and we've all grown immensely as individuals, learning all the skills to survive on the land, run a business through adversity, stay married (mostly happily), see the good in life and be flexible. You've supported us through it all and we wouldn't be here without each and every one of you.
This is not the end for us it just means we have to do it a little differently, stay tuned for updates on what the next chapter will look like!
So much Thanks and gratitude to you all
Matt, Meg, Bhodi, Wil and Eli x
