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Australian Motorhome History |
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There will always be some contentious discussion on who built the first motorhome in Australia but it is generally accepted that one of the first motorhomes built, if not the first, was the one built by Gerhard (Pop) Kaesler who was born at Tanunda SA in 1885 and who, after attending school for only 5 years, worked for a wheelwright and undertaker until 1921. “Pop” Kaesler, as he was fondly known to many, passed away in 1987 at the age of 102.
Mos Kaesler, one of Pop’s grandsons and a member of the Kaesler Caravan Trust in Nuriootpa has kindly given permission for the following extracts from a booklet written by Pop and titled “The Beginning of Motor Caravanning in Australia” to be used in this article.
Arnold Bray was the engineer at the power plant in St Arnaud prior to moving into Bendigo.
The name ‘Inga’ means ‘rest a while’. the wrought iron name was made by winning a competition.
The truck was bought new in 1952 as a forward control body. The body was built in Apollo Bay and everything required was brought down from Melbourne. The main body is constructed with 1.9mm aluminium sheet; the front doors are modified FJ Holden doors.
Arnold built everything from the grill back.
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