Goomboorian – Standown Park

Located half way between Gympie and Tin Can Bay, Standown Park is a Memorial Caravan Park run by and dedicated to Vietnam veterans. At around $18 a night for a powered site it is a great spot to stop, reflect and unwind for a time.

After the full on week we had with our FWAA members at Kilkivan, Eileen and I decided to stay for two weeks before continuing on our 6 month journey of discovery.

Our camp spot is right next to the lake which, to me, resembles the paddy fields of Vietnam, it is a nice spot and I find it a little moving to walk around the shrine of remembrance.  I have to say here that while I did my National Service in 1970/71 and completed all of my training prior to embarkation, I was one of the lucky ones who did not see active service as Labor got in to power on the mandate of ‘Bringing the troops home’.  I have many friends who did and from the stories that they tell, I feel for them.

It is so quiet here and the animal and bird life feel quite comfortable and often venture right up to our back door, in fact on our first morning we had several Kangaroos grazing on the lush grass right next to our awning.

I didn’t think that it could but the bond that Eileen and I share was certainly strengthened here (it must be something in the water), we have enjoyed 14 days of talking, reading, exploring the region, eating, shopping, sleeping, walks, meeting friendly travelers, watching movies and just generally lolling about that it is going to be difficult to leave.

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; 
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 
At the going down of the sun and in the morning 
We will remember them."