Hey VW heads,
I think the time has now come for me to hang up my mouse and keyboard as Admin/ Founder of AVD. I'm not quite sure what to say, so I think I will give everyone a quick history lesson on AVD, and take it from there. This will be a positive reflection on time spent on this site. Sorry to those that have heard it before!

AussieVeeDubbers was started 8 years ago approximately from memory, in a small room at my inlaws place. I come from a reasonably small country town, and was sick of being laughed at by the Falcon and Commodore drivers laughing at me driving around in an old 66 Beetle. There is approximately 4 or 5 known enthusiasts in the town, but I was hoping to gain some more interaction with other VW owners. I came to the conclusion that this was the reason I enjoyed VW car shows so much, and felt the need to have more than just a couple of car shows a year to catch up with people.
At the time there was a Yahoo mail online group, but no forum or messageboard as such in Australia. I joined a UK message board to check out what was discussed, and soon grew addicted, and I am guessing we all know that feeling. The problem was that when a show came up over there, like Run to the Sun, and they would get a hands up for who was going, naturally I felt a little left out. This got me thinking.. How hard would it be to start my own forum that was based on Australian issues/ shows/ clubs, etc. Literally 10 minutes later, it was born.
It was on the EZBoard forums(due to my lack of IT intelligence) but later we found out that the problem was the people that visited, the more popup adds there was!
I emailed 578 people in a matter of 6 months, and SMS'd anyone that had an add selling VW's anywhere that didn't have an email address. Steadily the members came.

My initial goals were:
1. Give the forum to the VW community of Australia, as much as it could be. This was never for me. This was never 'mine'. I may have set up the initial forum, and sold the idea and ideals to the members, but never once was it going to be Jim's VW Forum!
2. Make the site function so people in Perth could talk to people in Brisbane without having to meet up with them at Valla every two years, or something like that. People need to talk to people about their passions. In this community, people would be hear to listen to those passions.. Something that I personally lacked locally. People all over this fantastic country didn't have to wait until car shows to discuss things. People could lend a knowledgeable hand with mechanical issues, or we could all see how that project is coming along and encourage people to keep going and that things were looking great. Maybe a little idealistic, but why not? It's only attitude shifts that were stopping people. This was a way of the future. A way to communicate. A communication tool. That, was the second purpose of this forum.
3. The final purpose of the forum was for it to run itself, to run independently. Initially I was on here 4-6 hours a day, everyday. If I went away for the weekend, I would be worrying about what was happening all the time. I guess it was my baby then, but wasn't intended to always be like that. In an ideal forum scenario, there is no need for moderating. People are accountable for their actions, and everyone knows where they stand. Unfortunately, this is more idealistic than reality.

This forum was never about money to be made or anything close. We didn't want to make a profit. That simple. Ads are the cheapest you will find for the exposure in the niche market you are getting. Hard to argue with that. This again was more to do with creating win/win relationships. We needed money to run the site(after a while) and they needed to advertise.

With the help of Brad & Andrew, the technical backing of the forum became a lot more possible. A server was created and data stored, as well as the site actually moving away from an EzBoard format to the one we have today. In recent years, the two guys mentioned above have done more for this site than you will ever see or know, so just keep that in mind. I merely started the ball rolling, and after the IT side of it became more than I could understand, I simply asked them to run with it.

The Administration and Moderating of a forum is a constant, thankless and tiresome job, and after roughly 8 years, I think it is time that I pulled right away from it. I sincerely thank those that have either done it at some point or are doing it now. This site pays no one.. no one is employed.. it is a love job. People do what they do here because they love it. Nothing more, nothing less.
The site has achieved it's three set criteria, and goals have been completed at the end of the day. There are ups and downs like everything, but to me personally, those three goals were priority in the long term focus.

This VW community in Australia is very very important, and at times I feel that we are too harsh on each other or not supportive enough of each other. WE are the ones that get laughed at in the street for driving the car of our choice.. You think about it.. who laughs at Hot Rods? Muscle cars? Vintage cars? WE are the minority. We should be embracing that, and helping and supporting each other. Instead, sometimes we forget that and turn on our own. I think if anything I could leave behind, is that I ask you to be aware that this happens and discourage it at all times. Volkswagens have enough knockers, we don't need more. Be proud, and be loyal.

I'd like to thank the friends that I have made from this site. I hoped that when I started this whole thing, I would make many friends and no enemies, but it seems that I have made a couple for reasons that I'm not that certain, but I guess you can't win them all. I have made some life long friends, and without this site, I would never have met them, so to all of you, the pleasure of knowing you is mine, and I am a better person because of our friendship.

Thankyou one and all, and don't be strangers!

Jim Gow.

best of luck mate, hope this site stays up without you, and i can understand why you are doing this, pitty the site isnt just about vws sometimes.

This forum has diminished with your news Jim.. I have never met you and may never meet you, however I have dealt with you a couple of times in recent years and know that everything you say in the above post is straight from the heart. Thanks for everything and good luck.. If you ever need stuff transported, you know who to call.. Rob Stenberg

thank-you for your tireless effort, your presence will be missed
although i haven't met you, your input is valued
enjoy the new horizons that await you
dont be a stranger yeah
thanks paul

Hi Jim

Thanks for all you've done in the past, I hope you still attend some interstate VW events so we can catch up.

I feel the VW scene in Australia has grown with the help of this forum, Im honestly addicted to VW forums and find a great deal of help and inspiration from them.

Steve

Thanks for all the effort you've put into this site. I don't know what us forum addicts would do without it.

Sad to see you go Jim. The VW community has grown much thanks to your efforts.

See you over on some other forums Jim.

I learnt a hell of a lot from this forum before I was a member (long time lurker) so thanks for having the vision and for all the effort you've put in to realise that vision. So I would say the forum has achieved its aims (and long may it do so). You should feel proud.

This forum has been a great asset to the local VW scene, you should be proud for getting the ball rolling

Farrrrkkk!!

Jim. My hat off to you for the hard work you have put into this site.
Have a great xmas and feel free to contact me thru the other channels at your disposal
- Adam

'tis a sad day. Jim.........salute

Thankyou for founding this. Not the nicest circumstances to be leaving in. Goodbye and have a good christmas.

sad day for AVD your always welcome on the dark side

Thanks for your contribution to keeping the dream alive

Mate thanks for Founding this Forum many dark moons ago.

I remember seeing your ride in Volksworld way back when, when I lived still lived in the U.K.
Then I ended up here ! in OZ and on Aussieveedubbers.

Thank for everything mate.
And thanks to all those that keep this alive.

All the best this festive season, all the best for the New Year.

Often pondered over the sort of impact AVD has and has had on the Volkswagen "industry". When you think of all the cars and parts that have been bought and sold, all the referrals to associated businesses, all the functions, all the new friendships, all the knowledge, all the education, the laughs. the emotional outpourings. Goes on and on. The financial impact must run into the millions of dollars, the social impact has seen thousands of like minded souls brought together and given the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of each others knowledge, experience and frienship.
To watch it evolve over the years makes you realise that AVD helps perpetuate the Volkswagen affliction, welcoming newcomers with open arms making it easy to participate from day one.
It spawned even more specialized forums which adds to the ripple effect, and it paved the way for those forums to become the force they are today, leading by example in what to do and what not to do.
Great stuff.
Anyone could have started AVD, but to keep it on the rails and get it to where it is today takes a special tallent.
Love yer work Jim. Volkswagen Hall of fame material.
Thanks and Respect.
You've always had real nice rides too.

Well done, Jim. (Where's the beer icon gone?)
This is a great site, love it here. I wonder if you'd imagined it would go global!

Steve

Jim,

You've done so much for this place, it's not funny. Sorry to see you drop back to just a normal member.

I know how hard it can be do balance a new baby and fun stuff (I've not worked out it yet, so if you do, let me know!)

I'll have to do more than just back room stuff now. I think the first thing has to be a few new moderators

thanks,
Andrew

The End of an era......

I didnt want to ever have to read this kind of thing but i knew it would eventually happen.... just didnt think it would be the founder.

So many great memories from the humble beginnings with EZBoard..... Mirc chatroom...

Just dont end up in the "Where are they now" thread.

I agree andrew... Moderators...... Couldnt believe what i was reading at Pengy's place while i was there and how come it was 4 pages long.
Maybe i'm just old skool and think a little differently...or maybe it called respect....



Tazz

see ya

respect

Wishing you the very best Benetton.Don`t stray too far away from the pack though. Cheers

I bow down and thank you for this site. When I bought my ratter 3 years ago I knew nothing. Without this site and the people I have met through this site I now have an intense love and respect for early VW metal.
Thanks again.

I'd realy like to thank you jim as someone that has meet you what a top bloke .I thank you for building a brige between all the states in all aspects I've meet so many top people all because of the site. I wish you would reconsider it won't be the same with out you but it's your choice bud I take my hat of to you catch you at a show some were

Aa a reasonably new member on the forum I am very impressed with the cameraderie that has been achieved. The friends that I have made and the customers recommended by the members to my business is very much appreciated,a lot of these have become friends. I am very sorry to see that you are hanging up your mouse and wish you all the best for the future and thank you for your foresight in starting the forum,back in the sixties when I worked at a dealership we had the same crap from the hot Holden and Falcon drivers who were very dirty when a little black 1955 beetle blew them off
( no speed limits in those days),back then a stock 1500 kombi motor instead of a 36hp 1200 was a major improvement in power and left many hot holdens and Falcon owners crying. These days the changes in technology see the little beetles with 2.7 litres of pure grunt,disc brakes etc. The VW scene has really gone ahead and it os people like you who have made this vast contribution , I thank you again and wish you all the best knowing that the forum will be a little sadder without your guidance. Kind regards Les

Well deserved rest.

Well, I've been here for a while now and never ever gave a thought to how or why it got started, I can't even claim to be a VW fanatic, I'm here because I always wanted a bugy and eventualy got one, the fact that it was VW powered was just the way it was and the only the reason I got onto this site (though after a while I seem to think there is a radiused bonnet lurking there in my dreams and future), so Jim, having read your opening to this tread I take my hat off to you for getting this all going, too many people are content to sit back and hope it happens or let others do the work and then bag their efforts, maybe I fit in there though I hope not. I join all the others who have thanked you and wish you well in your future, you are one of the doers, so i reckon you will continue to do well.

id like to say i know im not around here as much as i use to be these days due to all the usual reasons but it is sad to see you leave the admin roll jim, ive seen my share a members come and go while ive been around the forums and you've always been really helpful and always made everyone feel welcome weather they were new to the place or had been around for years.

so id also like to say thank you for all the hard work you have put in and thank you for helping to create an enviroment for like minded people to gather.

luke.

well hats off to you Jim,and i wish you the best of luck.When i first got a kombi for free many years ago ,i googled to find out more about it,and if it wasnt for this site ,i wouldnt have been infected by Volkswagenism,joined a great club and met many friends,and yes most will be sad to see you go ,but we will still be coming back to the familiar place we all know albeit a little quieter these days
Thanks Paul