David Pratt awarded Life Membership at CRPVic AGM

Former association president David Pratt was awarded life membership at the November AGM.

David led the association for three years with heart, humor and conviction, guiding members through the devastating 2022 floods, personally supporting park operators in crisis and reminding us that our association exists to stand together when it matters most.

For many more years in other formal and informal capacities, including as current special advisor to the association, David has championed planning and other reform to support tourist and residential park growth and improvement, and has worked relentlessly with the association to engage with government stakeholders to represent member needs.

He has provided a depth of knowledge and considered opinion to the association the equal of any of our esteemed life members and a “must do” attitude that has been articulated such that the association’s position on important matters has been unambiguous.

His many legacies include culture defining moments where he gave enormous physical and emotional support to park owners left devastated by natural disasters. Whether lending a hand or lending an ear, David continues to put the needs of association members first.

Speaking before the AGM, David said the tourist and residential park industry was a unique one in which “we don’t have competitors, just fellow parkies”, adding that the industry’s sense of community is “critical to who we are”.

As he remarked, his ongoing work in the industry is “planting trees for the shade I won’t enjoy but others will”. He encouraged others to be comfortable sharing ideas, telling their stories and getting involved so that park operator challenges can be faced, and overcome, together.