CIL Insurance founder dies
Industry mourns Australian caravanning pioneer, Gordon SmillieThe Caravan Industry Association Victoria (CIAV) has paid tribute to a "true pioneer" of the Australian caravan industry, Gordon Smillie, who passed away in his sleep this week.
Smillie started work at U&I (Underwriting & Insurance) in 1956, before founding now Australia's biggest caravan insurer CIL Insurance in 1962. Among other initiatives the popular Scotsman, back in the early-'70s, adopted a unique approach to promoting caravanning and safety by filming fun educational videos with TV stars including Bert Newton and Johnny Young.
Smillie was an active board member of the CIAV for more than 20 years, and was made a
Life Member in 1976. In 2012 he was inducted into the Victorian Caravan Industry Hall of
Fame, and he was also a Life Member of the South Australian Caravan and Camping
Association.
Recently, he was interviewed for a CIAV history project ‘Capturing our Journey’ where he recalled some colourful memories about the "pioneering days of the caravan industry in Australia".
CIAV CEO Rob Lucas said Smillie "truly was a pioneer of our industry with many of his marketing initiatives still relevant today".
"I was fortunate to have had many discussions with him and it was easy to
see why he was so widely loved and respected – he truly was a great man," Lucas said.
"Gordon will be sadly missed by the Industry, the Association and its members and anyone who had the privilege to know him as he was a true gentleman and entrepreneur."
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
